Interdisciplinary Work: Patterns and Practicalities

Abstract

This paper presents patterns and practicalities associated with an interdisciplinary mode of doing agricultural research. Interdisciplinary work requires that more than one component, one factor, one dimension, one aspect, and therefore more than one discipline is involved in carrying out research programs or projects. Approaches to interdisciplinary agricultural research can be categorized into eight typologies: conceptual; multicomponent; systems-oriented; consultative; hypothesis-testing; interactive, focused, problem-solving; action-research-in-action, and "hybridized". While there are clear gains from its pursuit, interdisciplinary work poses clear challenges: it entails relatively higher costs in terms of time, research staff, and skills requirements. It particularly relies on research leadership, support from funding agencies, and the ability of members of the research team to avoid professional enthnocentrism in their work.