Combining different worlds: interdisciplinarity in action research.

Gombert, Karolina; Douglas, Flora; McArdle, Karen

Abstract

The Foodways and Futures (2013-2016) project is of interdisciplinary nature, shaped by the fields of education, public health, sociology and nutrition. Foodways and Futures is a qualitative action research project based in the North East of Scotland. The project is to explore the socioeconomic environment surrounding food choices of so called ‘vulnerable’ young people, aged 16 to 25. During the course of the research project, it became apparent that interdisciplinarity brings many strengths to the project work but also bears some difficulties. Investigating the discussions surrounding interdisciplinary work is important because it helps to better understand the processes of knowledge production, and to develop the practices of research funders and policy-makers. Unfolding interdisciplinarity as a buzzword in academia based on the researcher’s experience is also part of the action researcher’s self-reflective practice, contributing to the project’s quality.This article is to make clear that it makes sense to tackle the obstacles of interdisciplinarity to ultimately develop better interdisciplinarity.

Citation

DOUGLAS, F., GOMBERT, K. and MCARDLE, K. 2015. Combining different worlds: interdisciplinarity in action research. Education in the North [online], 22(Special issue: Bridging divides), pages 4-23. Available from: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/education/documents/journals_documents/Volume_22_Bridging_Divides/vol22_Article_Karolina.pdf

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 30, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Nov 15, 2015
• Publication Date: Nov 30, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jun 2, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 2, 2020
• Journal: Education in the north
• Print ISSN: 0424-5512
• Electronic ISSN: 2398-0184
• Publisher: University of Aberdeen, School of Education
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: Special issue: Bridging divides
• Pages: 4-23
• Keywords: Interdisciplinarity; Nutrition; Sociology; Public health; Young people
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/876407
• Publisher URL: www.abdn.ac.uk/eitn