Thinking about knowing: conceptual foundations for interdisciplinary environmental research

Working across knowledge-based research programmes, rather than institutional structures, should be central to interdisciplinary research. In this paper, a novel framework is proposed to facilitate interdisciplinary research, with the goals of promoting communication, understanding and collaborative work. Three core elements need to be addressed to improve interdisciplinary research: the types (forms and functions) of theories, the underlying philosophies of knowledge and the combination of research styles; these three elements combine to form the research programme. Case studies from sustainability science and environmental security illustrate the application of this research programme-based framework. This framework may be helpful in overcoming often oversimplified distinctions, such as qualitative/quantitative, deductive/inductive, normative/descriptive, subjective/objective and theory/practice. Applying this conceptual framework to interdisciplinary research should foster theoretical advances, more effective communication and better problem-solving in increasingly interdisciplinary environmental fields.

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP Annan samhällsvetenskap Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap hsv//swe
SOCIAL SCIENCES Other Social Sciences Social Sciences Interdisciplinary hsv//eng
theory development
sustainability science
research methods
philosophy of science
interdisciplinary research
epistemology
environment and security
environmental studies

Nicholas, KimberlyLund University,Lunds universitet,LUCSUS,Samhällsvetenskapliga institutioner och centrumbildningar,Samhällsvetenskapliga fakulteten,LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies),Departments of Administrative, Economic and Social Sciences,Faculty of Social Sciences(Swepub:lu)lucs-kac (author)
Bever, Dena Macmynowski (author)
Warren, Justin (author)
Richards, Elizabeth H. (author)
Oleson, Kirsten (author)
Kitzes, Justin (author)
Katz, Rebecca (author)
Hwang, Rebeca (author)
Goldman, Rebecca (author)
Funk, Jason (author)
Brauman, Kate A. (author)
LUCSUSSamhällsvetenskapliga institutioner och centrumbildningar (creator_code:org_t)

By the author/editor: Khagram, Sanjeev; Nicholas, Kimber ...; Bever, Dena Macm ...; Warren, Justin; Richards, Elizab ...; Oleson, Kirsten; show more...; Kitzes, Justin; Katz, Rebecca; Hwang, Rebeca; Goldman, Rebecca; Funk, Jason; Brauman, Kate A.; show less...

About the subject

SOCIAL SCIENCES: SOCIAL SCIENCES; and Other Social Sci ...; and Social Sciences ...

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