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Interdisciplinary Research: Have We Lost Our Focus?
Author(s) -
Horn Marilyn J.,
Nickols Sharon Y.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
home economics research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 0046-7774
DOI - 10.1177/1077727x8201100104
Subject(s) - engineering ethics , foundation (evidence) , field (mathematics) , sociology , family and consumer science , conceptual framework , management science , epistemology , social science , psychology , political science , engineering , philosophy , mathematics , law , pure mathematics , mathematics education
The field of home economics was founded upon a philosophy of conducting research with colleagues from other disciplines toward the goal of improving family life. Over the years, the development of specialized areas contributed to the specificity of problems addressed by home economics researchers, and we have failed to see the most obvious connections that ought to be made between and among the various fields within home economics itself. It is suggested here that home economics ought to take the lead in the development of a holistic research methodology because: (1) it is built upon a philosophical foundation for the study of interrelationships; (2) it has a history of addressing pragmatic problems; (3) it has a nucleus of experienced researchers; and (4) it has a conceptual orientation and structure for interdisciplinary research. The challenges to cooperative research approaches are presented, along with an explanation of the potential benefits and rewards.