The Interdisciplinary Methodology in the Postnonclassical Theory Conception

Abstract

Currently, the term interdisciplinary research became a fashionable label, an attribute of popularization of the obtained results, meanwhile, the methodology of interdisciplinary approach to research involves deeper aspects of a new knowledge reduction. In today’s world of increasing avalanche of information the focusing on the subject of disciplinary strategies research is increasingly being shifted towards the study and the solution of complex problems that require the development of new methods of its organization. The article provides an overview of current scientific views on the main directions of the superordinate genus “interdisciplinarity”, covering both direct interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary researches. The essence of each of these methods is determined; the boundary of appropriateness of some kinds of them is defined. Common trends and peculiarities of the methodology development in Russia and abroad are identified and based on the analysis of the publications by leading specialists of Russian and foreign schools of interdisciplinary studies. Special attention is paid to the coverage of transdisciplinary (TD) research methodology as its beyond-disciplinary aspect, historical roots and current trends are presented.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6p72