Rose Mary Kelley
Dr. Allan Erikelmann
3.2, 3.3, &3.5
IDS 301
June 18, 2012
The Integrated Model
3.2
The Chapter introduced the integrated model of interdisciplinary research process. What parts of
the model are most similar to a different from disciplinary approaches to research?
The part of the model that are most similar to and different from the disciplinary
approach to research is that the integrated model of interdisciplinary research process (IRP) is a
practical and demonstrated way to make decisions about how to approach these problems, decide
which ones are appropriate for interdisciplinary inquiry, and construct comprehensive
understanding. The decision making process is a unique human activity. The cognitive ability to
choose and consider alternatives is a rather complicated therefore a decision making process is
one way that we utilize our understanding in the international realm. The complex problems,
questions, objects, systems, and even text are characteristics of that there are many variables
involved in which may be studied by different discipline or school of thought. The
interdisciplinary research is a decision making process that is reflexive, iterative, and heuristic
always require an explanation. This process aids in the understanding or discovery. IRP is
heuristic in that it provides a way to understand a problem that is otherwise would be impossible
using disciplinary or multidisciplinary approach trial and error or experimentation as one of the
most used process by which integration is achieved. STEP taking is what made the twp processes
most relevant. Reformatting is the 3rd step that is called reformulating. Complete a full scale
search by repeating the problem and identify from the beginning from Step 1 through STEP 4.
There is no formula for doing interdisciplinary work. An integrated model of IRP, generally
agrees with the need to specify, at least look at all the research, including interdisciplinary
research use some method or strategy to approach a problem. This involves theories, methods,
and insights. The approach to conducting interdisciplinary research is finding new meaning and
creating new knowledge.
Is It Researchable?
3.3
The chapter presented criteria for determining if a problem, topic, or question is researchable in
an interdisciplinary sense. Which of the following meets one or more of these criteria?
~ The psychological dimension of Alzheimer’s disease
~The loss of manufacturing jobs to China and India
~ The effects of closing of fine arts programs in public school
The criteria presented in this chapter revealed that the problems or focus questions should
be defined, relevant disciplines and other resources must be identified, information from these
disciplines must be gathered. The problem must be studied. The students or instructors will have
to look at the adequacy of each relevant discipline. The problem must be studied and evaluated.
According to the chapter all of the above examples meet one or more of the criteria to be
researched. Each of these is appropriate to an interdisciplinary inquiry. The psychological
dimension of Alzheimer’s disease can be researched as well as the loss of manufacturing jobs to
China and India. The researchers can also determine if the topic or question is ripe for
interdisciplinary inquiry. The problem or questions are complex. Each problem or question has
important insights or theories of the problem are offered by two or more disciplines. The rational
for using an interdisciplinary approach is that several disciplines consider Alzheimer’s disease,
out sourcing jobs to China and India, and what are effects of closing of fine arts program in
public school can be addressed in a single disciplinary approach in a more comprehensive way.
These topics can be resolved only by taking subsequent STEPS in the research process.
Justification for using an interdisciplinary approach, the research must decide which disciplines
are relevant to the problem, STEP3 understanding the disciplines and the concept of disciplinary
perspective.
Justify
3.5
In addition to justifying using an interdisciplinary approach, should on argue against taking
narrow disciplinary options on issues?
Taking the narrow disciplinary approach or posting a position on an issue is not the best
way to justify using an interdisciplinary one such as justification. The justification must meet one
or more of the criteria: (1) The problem should be complex; (2) important insight or theories of
the problem should have been produced by at least two disciplines; (3) No single discipline has
been able to comprehensively explain the problem or resolve it ;( 4) the problem is unresolved.
The chapter noted that it is a very common practice for practitioners to justify using an
interdisciplinary approach. Comparing the various examples and identify their commonalities or
similarities. The research must answer the question or problem by justifying using
interdisciplinary approach by using a narrow disciplinary position. What changes would be made
if any to that would be used to argue against taking a narrow disciplinary positions on issues.
References
Repko, Allen, F. (2012) Interdisciplinary Research Process and Theory (2nd edition), pp .69-92.
Sage Publication, Thousand Oaks, CA