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Combining different worlds: interdisciplinarity in action research.

Gombert, Karolina; Douglas, Flora; McArdle, Karen

Authors

Karolina Gombert

Karen McArdle



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 Mar 29, 2024
Journal Education in the north
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