John James Marshall thesis.pdf - OpenAIR @ RGU - Robert Gordon ...

cross-disciplinary problem solving which results in homogenised theory or
models.
Multidisciplinarity Interdisciplinarity Transdisciplinarity
Characterised by the
autonomy of the various
disciplines.
Research is based upon a
common theoretical
understanding.
Does not lead to changes
in the existing
disciplinary and
theoretical structures.
Cooperation consists in
working on the common
theme but under
different disciplinary
perspectives.
Characterised by the
explicit formulation of a
uniform, disciplinetranscending
terminology or a
common methodology.
The form scientific
cooperation takes
consists in working on
different themes, but
within a common
framework that is shared
by the disciplines
involved.
Must be accompanied by
a mutual
interpenetration of
disciplinary
epistemologies.
Cooperation in this case
leads to a clustering of
disciplinary rooted
problem-solving and
creates a
transdisciplinary
homogenised theory or
model pool.
Table 2: Three types of research beyond standard disciplinarity (after Gibbons et
al, 1994)
Gibbons, et al. identify a fundamental change in the ways that scientific, social,
and cultural knowledge are being produced. The basic qualities of this new
production of knowledge are: complexity, hybridity, non-linearity, reflexivity,
heterogeneity, and transdisciplinarity. This hybridisation reflects the need to
accomplish tasks at the boundaries and in the spaces between different
communities (Gibbons, et al 1994, p.37). These enable collaboration,
integrative problem solving, and development of new hybrid fields. ‘Mode 1’ is
concerned with first principles 29 in which questions and problems are dealt with
in a context governed by the largely academic interests of a specific community
of practice (CoP). ‘Mode 2’ research is based on a context of application in
response to the demand for solutions to problems from a community of interest
(CoI). The first mode of research is primarily disciplinary in nature whereas the
second is characterised as being transdisciplinary in nature.
29 A first principle is one that cannot be deduced from any other.
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