Chercher ensemble : les défis et les cahots de l’interdisciplinarité, des méthodes mixtes et des partenariats multiples (Rume)

Searching together: the bumping road of interdisciplinarity, mixed methods and multiple partnerships. This paper describes the fabric and the implementation of a research project which was interdisciplinary (economics/anthropology), used mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) and implied multiple partnership (India, Mexico, Madagascar) with a view to learning lessons in terms of knowledge production. Epistemological divides (which reality do we observe and how knowledge is produced?) and confusions in the use of the terms « quantitative », « qualitative » and « partnership » have been recurring points of contention. Some findings are innovative but result from a complicated process of adaptation, creativity and trade-offs on the grounds of scientific production, partnerships and human relationships.