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Fostering Interdisciplinarity: Implications for Social Sciences

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  • Sandro Serpa
  • Carlos Miguel Ferreira
  • Ana Isabel Santos

Abstract

At a time when interdisciplinarity is encouraged, the aim of this article is to analyse some of its implications in contexts of teaching, research and professional practice. For this purpose, and through a literature review, the concept of interdisciplinarity is discussed. Subsequently, the paper discusses its importance and the implications of its promotion, focusing on the following aspects: scientific disciplinary identity, institutional consequences, and professional consequences. It is concluded that interdisciplinary collaboration, while being, in general, difficult to achieve, can, provided that it is controlled, be both a source of recognition and scientific and/or professional opportunities for social sciences. However, there are also potential risks not to be overlooked, being important to be aware of them.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandro Serpa & Carlos Miguel Ferreira & Ana Isabel Santos, 2017. "Fostering Interdisciplinarity: Implications for Social Sciences," International Journal of Social Science Studies, Redfame publishing, vol. 5(12), pages 44-49, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:rfa:journl:v:5:y:2017:i:12:p:44-49
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Philip Lowe & Jeremy Phillipson & Katy Wilkinson, 2013. "Why social scientists should engage with natural scientists," Contemporary Social Science, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(3), pages 207-222, November.
    2. Paul Stock & Rob J.F. Burton, 2011. "Defining Terms for Integrated (Multi-Inter-Trans-Disciplinary) Sustainability Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(8), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Raphael Lyne, 2015. "Interdisciplinarity and anxiety," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 1(palcomms2), pages 15021-15021, September.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Carlos Miguel Ferreira & Sandro Serpa, 2019. "Dialogues between Sociology and History," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 8(6), pages 112-112, December.
    2. Maria José Sá & Ana Isabel Santos & Sandro Serpa & Carlos Miguel Ferreira, 2021. "Digitainability—Digital Competences Post-COVID-19 for a Sustainable Society," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Zhao, Yi & Liu, Lifan & Zhang, Chengzhi, 2022. "Is coronavirus-related research becoming more interdisciplinary? A perspective of co-occurrence analysis and diversity measure of scientific articles," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    4. Summer Sullivan, 2023. "Ag-tech, agroecology, and the politics of alternative farming futures: The challenges of bringing together diverse agricultural epistemologies," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(3), pages 913-928, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    interdisciplinarity; social sciences; sociology; collaboration; scientific knowledge;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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