Transdisciplinary work
Introduction
Transdisciplinarity connotes a research strategy that crosses disciplinary boundaries to create a holistic approach. It applies to research efforts focused on problems that cross the boundaries of two or more disciplines, such as research on effective information systems for biomedical research (see bioinformatics), and may refer to concepts or methods that were originally developed by one discipline, but are now used by several others, such as ethnography, a field research method originally developed in anthropology but now widely used by other disciplines. The Belmont Forum[1] explained that a transdisciplinary approach is enabling input and analysis across scientific and non-scientific stakeholder communities, and facilitates a systemic way of addressing a challenge. This includes initiatives that support the capacity development required for the successful transdisciplinary formulation and implementation of research actions.
Uses
Applied to problem solving
In German-speaking countries, Transdisziplinarität refers to the integration of various forms of research and includes specific methods for relating knowledge in problem solving.[2] A conference held in 2003 at the University of Göttingen showed the various meanings of multi-, inter- and transdisciplinarity and made suggestions for converging without eliminating current uses.[3].
When discussing the very nature of a problem, transdisciplinarity can help determine the most relevant problems and the research questions involved.[4] A first type of question refers to the cause of current problems and their future development (system knowledge). Another concern is what values and norms can be used to establish the objectives of the problem-solving process (objective knowledge). A third concerns how a problematic situation can be transformed and improved (transformation knowledge). Transdisciplinarity requires an adequate treatment of the complexity of the problems and the diversity of perceptions of them, that the abstract and specific knowledge of each case is linked, and that the practices promote the common good.[5].
Transdisciplinarity arises when participating experts interact in open discussion and dialogue, giving equal weight to each perspective and relating them to each other. This is difficult because of the overwhelming amount of information involved, and because of the incommensurability of specialized languages in each field of experience. To excel under these conditions, researchers not only need deep knowledge and understanding of the disciplines involved, but also moderation, mediation, partnership, and transfer skills.