A study note on single-, multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary approaches in dissertation project works (information from perplexity.ai)
My question 1: "What are single-disciplinary, inter-disciplinary, multi-disciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches all about with reference to doing dissertation projects in business management and housing studies?"
The reply: "When undertaking dissertation projects in business management and housing studies, understanding the distinctions between single-disciplinary, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches is crucial for framing research design, collaboration, and knowledge integration.
Single-Disciplinary (Intra-disciplinary) Approach
This approach involves research confined strictly within one discipline, relying solely on its theories, methods, and perspectives without input from other fields.
For example, a business management dissertation might focus exclusively on organizational behavior using management theories, or a housing study might analyze rental markets solely through economics or urban planning lenses.
It is characterized by depth within a single field but may lack broader contextual insights from other disciplines1.
Multidisciplinary Approach
In multidisciplinary research, experts from different disciplines work side by side on a common topic but maintain their disciplinary boundaries and contribute separately without integrating their perspectives deeply.
Each discipline addresses the problem from its viewpoint, and findings are combined but not synthesized into a unified framework.
For instance, a housing study might involve economists, sociologists, and urban planners each analyzing the housing market independently, then pooling their results. In business management, a team might include marketing, finance, and HR specialists working on a project but contributing distinct analyses.
This approach benefits from diverse expertise and broad coverage but may miss deeper integration of knowledge14.
Interdisciplinary Approach
Interdisciplinary research integrates theories, methods, and concepts from two or more disciplines to create a coherent, holistic understanding of complex problems that cannot be solved adequately by a single discipline.
It involves collaboration where disciplinary boundaries are crossed and combined to generate new insights or frameworks.
In business management, this could mean blending economics, psychology, and technology studies to innovate organizational strategies. In housing studies, it might involve combining social science theories with architectural and policy analysis to address housing inequality comprehensively.
This approach is seen as essential for addressing complex real-world issues and fostering innovation135.
Transdisciplinary Approach
Transdisciplinarity goes beyond interdisciplinarity by involving not only multiple academic disciplines but also non-academic stakeholders (e.g., practitioners, policymakers, community members) in a collaborative, problem-oriented research process.
It emphasizes mutual learning, co-creation of knowledge, and integration of scientific and practical knowledge to solve societal problems.
The research team collectively frames the problem, integrates diverse knowledge systems, negotiates different perspectives, and evaluates outcomes for societal relevance and scientific advancement.
In housing studies, this could mean working with residents, government agencies, architects, and social scientists to co-develop sustainable housing solutions. In business management, it might involve collaboration between academics, industry leaders, and customers to innovate business models that are socially and environmentally responsible.
Transdisciplinary projects are highly collaborative, context-driven, and aim for actionable outcomes beyond academia26.
Summary Table
In dissertation projects, choosing among these approaches depends on the research question complexity, the need for integration, and the involvement of non-academic actors. Business management and housing studies, both dealing with multifaceted societal challenges, often benefit from interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary approaches to generate more comprehensive and impactful insights.
References:1 Marine Socioecology factsheet on interdisciplinarity2 GFE transdisciplinary research project concept3 ERIC paper on interdisciplinary approach in business innovation4 Master thesis on management of multidisciplinary teams5 Cambridge Centre for Housing & Planning Research on interdisciplinary housing research6 RE-DWELL transdisciplinary learning environment for housing
My question 2: "What challenges might arise when using a single-disciplinary approach in dissertation research?
The reply: "When using a single-disciplinary approach in dissertation research, several challenges might arise, particularly in fields like business management and housing studies, which often benefit from broader perspectives. Here are some potential challenges:
Limited Perspective:
A single-disciplinary approach confines the research to a single field's theories, methods, and perspectives. This can lead to a narrow understanding of complex issues, missing insights that other disciplines might offer12.
For example, analyzing housing affordability solely through economic lenses might overlook social and environmental factors crucial for comprehensive policy development.
Depth vs. Breadth:
Missed Opportunities for Innovation:
Career and Funding Implications:
Although not as pronounced as in interdisciplinary research, a single-disciplinary focus might still face challenges in securing funding or recognition if the research is perceived as too specialized or lacking broader impact4.
Integration with Practical Applications:
Overall, while a single-disciplinary approach can provide deep insights within a specific field, it may not fully address the complexity and interconnectedness of many real-world problems in business management and housing studies."
My question 3: "What are the challenges of employing the transdisciplinary approach in doing dissertation projects in business management and housing studies?"
The reply: "When employing a transdisciplinary (TD) approach in dissertation projects in business management and housing studies, several significant challenges may arise:
1. Methodological Complexity and Integration
TD research requires integrating diverse epistemologies and knowledge types from multiple academic disciplines and non-academic stakeholders, which can lead to conflicting methodological standards and difficulties in choosing appropriate methods25.
Researchers must navigate how to interrelate scientific models with practical, experiential knowledge from stakeholders, which complicates data collection, analysis, and synthesis57.
2. Managing Stakeholder Involvement
Effective involvement of various societal actors (e.g., policymakers, practitioners, community members) is challenging to structure and maintain throughout the research process2.
Balancing different expectations, communication styles, and levels of engagement demands advanced social and communication skills, as well as shared responsibility among all participants27.
3. Skills and Resource Demands
TD research requires a broad and often demanding skill set, including interdisciplinary knowledge, facilitation, negotiation, and reflexivity, which can be overwhelming especially for early career researchers2.
The approach is resource-intensive in terms of time, coordination, and funding, as it involves continuous collaboration and iterative learning cycles24.
4. Academic and Institutional Barriers
Traditional academic structures are discipline-based, which can hinder recognition, evaluation, and career progression for TD researchers due to perceived deficits in disciplinary rigor or scientific quality29.
Funding mechanisms and peer-review processes often do not align well with the societal impact focus and collaborative nature of TD projects29.
5. Open-Ended and Uncertain Outcomes
TD research is an open-ended learning process with no predetermined outcomes, which can be challenging for researchers accustomed to hypothesis-driven projects and clear deliverables2.
The complexity of problems addressed means solutions may evolve over time, requiring flexibility and adaptability25.
1. Institutional and Structural Barriers
Rigid departmental structures and hierarchical academic systems often impede collaboration across disciplines. These institutional boundaries restrict resource sharing and complicate coordination among faculty from different fields.
Traditional evaluation and promotion criteria tend to favor single-discipline achievements, discouraging faculty from engaging in multidisciplinary research and teaching23.
2. Communication and Collaboration Difficulties
Differences in disciplinary languages, terminologies, and epistemological perspectives create communication barriers among researchers from varied backgrounds.
Conflicting research methodologies and assessment standards can lead to misunderstandings, disagreements, and conflicts within the research team23.
3. Curriculum and Research Design Challenges
Designing and integrating a curriculum or research framework that effectively combines multiple disciplines is complex and demanding for faculty and students alike.
Students may experience confusion navigating diverse course offerings and multidisciplinary concepts, which can affect their engagement and clarity about career paths2.
4. Resource Constraints
Multidisciplinary projects typically require more time, funding, and administrative support than single-discipline research, which may not be readily available or adequately allocated.
Lack of dedicated multidisciplinary centers or committees can limit access to necessary infrastructure and collaborative platforms24.
5. Methodological Complexity
Combining different disciplinary methods and data types complicates research design, data collection, and analysis, requiring advanced skills and flexibility from researchers.
Ensuring coherence and rigor across disciplines while maintaining the integrity of each field’s approach is challenging4.
1. Communication Barriers
Differences in terminology, jargon, and conceptual frameworks between the two disciplines can cause misunderstandings and hinder effective communication among team members or in synthesizing literature.
Even within just two disciplines, scientific homonyms—terms that look the same but have different meanings—can confuse researchers and complicate knowledge integration2.
2. Integration Difficulties
Combining theories, methods, and data from two disciplines requires careful negotiation to create a coherent research framework.
Establishing common ground for integrating insights often appears late in the research process, making it challenging to develop a unified interdisciplinary argument early on6.
3. Teamwork and Collaboration Issues
Differences in disciplinary cultures and work styles can lead to conflicts or inefficiencies in collaboration.
Prejudices or biases against the other discipline may arise, potentially affecting trust and cooperation, although they do not always prevent effective teamwork2.
4. Methodological Complexity
Reconciling different research methodologies and standards of evidence from two disciplines can complicate research design, data collection, and analysis.
Researchers must be skilled in both disciplines or rely on collaborators, which can be demanding, especially for dissertation students18.
5. Resource and Time Constraints
Managing a bi-disciplinary project often requires more time and resources than single-discipline research, including coordination efforts and possibly additional supervision expertise.
Institutional support may be limited, as universities often have discipline-based structures that do not easily accommodate cross-disciplinary work24.
6. Academic Recognition and Evaluation
Dissertation work that spans two disciplines may face challenges in fitting traditional academic evaluation criteria, which are typically discipline-specific.
This can affect publication opportunities, funding, and career progression, as interdisciplinary work is sometimes undervalued5.
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