Allen F. Repko & Rick Szostak 
Interdisciplinary Research [EPUB ebook] 
Process and Theory

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
PART I • ABOUT INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES AND DISCIPLINES
Chapter 1 • Introducing Interdisciplinary Studies
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
Defining Interdisciplinary Studies
The Intellectual Essence of Interdisciplinarity
Distinguishing Interdisciplinarity From Multidisciplinarity, Transdisciplinarity, and Integrative Studies
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Chapter 2 • Introducing the Disciplines and Their Perspectives
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
Defining Disciplinary Perspective
How Knowledge Is Typically Reflected in the Organization of the Academy
Categories of Disciplines
Disciplinary Perspectives
Unpacking the Defining Elements of a Discipline’s Perspective
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
PART II • DRAWING ON DISCIPLINARY INSIGHTS
Chapter 3 • Beginning the Research Process
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
The Integrated Model of the Interdisciplinary Research Process
Key Characteristics of Interdisciplinary Research
STEP 1: Define the Problem or State the Research Question
Creativity and STEP 1
STEP 2: Justify Using an Interdisciplinary Approach
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Chapter 4 • Identifying Relevant Disciplines
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
Select Potentially Relevant Disciplines
Map the Problem to Reveal Its Disciplinary Parts
Reduce the Number of Potentially Relevant Disciplines to Those That Are Most Relevant
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Chapter 5 • Conducting the Literature Search
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
Meaning of Literature Search
Reasons for Conducting the Literature Search
Special Challenges Confronting Interdisciplinarians
The Initial Literature Search
The Full-Scale Literature Search
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Chapter 6 • Developing Adequacy in Relevant Disciplines
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
The Meaning of Adequacy
Develop Adequacy in Theories
Develop Adequacy in Disciplinary Methods
Use and Evaluate Disciplinary Methods in Basic Research
Provide In-Text Evidence of Disciplinary Adequacy
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Chapter 7 • Analyzing the Problem and Evaluating Insights
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
Analyze the Problem From Each Discipline’s Perspective
Evaluate the Insights Produced by Each Discipline
Checklist for Evaluating Previous Research
Chapter Summary
Note
Exercises
PART III • INTEGRATING INSIGHTS
Chapter 8 • Understanding Integration
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
What Interdisciplinary Integration Is
The Controversy Concerning Integration
Integration in the Broad Model
Questions Raised by This Discussion of Integration
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Chapter 9 • Identifying Conflicts Among Insights and Their Sources
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
Identify Conflicting Insights
Locate Sources of Conflict Among Insights
Communicate Your Research to the Appropriate Audience
Chapter Summary
Exercises
Chapter 10 • Creating Common Ground Among Insights: Concepts and/or Assumptions
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
About Interdisciplinary Common Ground
Create Common Ground Among Conflicting Concepts and/or Assumptions
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Chapter 11 • Creating Common Ground Among Insights: Theories
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
Defining Disciplinary Theory
Models, Variables, Concepts, and Causal Relationships
Create Common Ground Among Theories
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Chapter 12 • Constructing a More Comprehensive Understanding or Theory
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
Definition of “More Comprehensive Understanding”
Be Creative
Construct the More Comprehensive Understanding From Modified Concepts and/or Assumptions
Construct a More Comprehensive Theory From a Modified Theory
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Chapter 13 • Reflecting on, Testing, and Communicating the Understanding or Theory
Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Chapter Objectives
Reflect on the More Comprehensive Understanding or Theory
Test the Quality of Interdisciplinary Work
Test the More Comprehensive Understanding or Theory
Communicate the Results of Integration
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Conclusion
Appendix
Glossary of Key Terms
References
Index

Rick Szostak, Ph D, is professor and chair of economics at the University of Alberta, where he has taught for 34 years. He is the author of a dozen books and 50 articles, all of an interdisciplinary nature. Several of his publications address how to do interdisciplinary research, teach interdisciplinary courses, administer interdisciplinary programs, or organize information in order to facilitate interdisciplinarity. As an associate dean, he created the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Alberta, the Science, Technology and Society program, an individualized major, and two courses about interdisciplinarity. He has twice served as coeditor of the interdisciplinary journal Issues in Integrative Studies. He was president of the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS) from 2011 to 2014. He can be contacted at [email protected].