Question

This chapter compared and contrasted the interdisciplinary research process to the disciplinary approach (in a general sense) and argued that both have utility, depending on the problem. Decide which approach is probably the most appropriate to answer each of the two questions below, and explain why.

What is the cause of obesity among teens?

The "cost," feasibility, or impact of building a high-speed rail system between Miami and Orlando.

This is all the info I have.

Answer 1

a) The interdisciplinary research process

The basics of the process and the steps involved are explained in detail by Allan F. Repko, in his 2017 book Interdisciplinary research : process and theory (is this the book you are referring to?).

The steps involved in interdisciplinary research process are:

A. Drawing on disciplinary insights

1. Define the problem

2. Justify using an id approach

3. Identify relevant disciplines

4. Conduct a literature search

5. Develop adequacy in each relevant discipline

6. Analyze the problem and evaluate each insight into it

B. Integrate insights to produce id understanding

7. Identify conflicts between insights and their sources

8. Create or discover common ground

9. Integrate insights

10. Produce an id understanding of the problem (and test it)

Here, we do not have to carry out all these steps for the sake of simplicity. We should only analyze whether the given problems are best solved by interdisciplinary approach or the disciplinary approach. The common criteria for choosing an interdisciplinary approach are :

(1) The problem is complex

(2) Important insights into the problem is offered by two or more disciplines

(3) No single discipline has been able to address the problem comprehensively

(4) The problem is at the interfaces of disciplines (disciplines share a point of common interest in the problem)

(5) The problem is an unresolved societal need or issue

Disciplinary approach, on the other hand solves the problem using the knowledge of only one discipline.

Now, in this light, let us look at the problems concerned:

1) What is cause of obesity among teens?

Let us consider this question. Firstly it is complex. Determining the cause of obesity requires knowledge of many disciplines, which include:

a) Economics : If the amount of money in the economy is high, the teens might be driven to overconsumption of food leading to obesity.

b) Sociology : If the teens are not getting home cooked food at home, they might be driven to consume junk food and consequently get obese. Sociology will also be useful for determining food habits of the teens. If it is found that high fat foods are consumed in a larger amount, the risk of obesity will be higher.

c) Medical science : This will be needed for study of obesity. Factors like Base Metabolic Rate (BMR) and Body Mass Index (BMI) would come into picture if you want an in depth analysis of the obesity problem. Another case in point is that the question 'why indians have the highest rate of heart disease among all peoples?' was best solved using genetics (They are poorer than others at digesting fats).

From the above analysis, it is clear that 'Important insights into the problem is offered by two or more disciplines '. Also, it is clear that ' No single discipline has been able to address the problem comprehensively'.

Finally, we could see that 'The problem is an unresolved societal need or issue'

This problem satisfies criteria number 1,2,3 and 5 from the above criteria. Therefore, it will be best solved by interdisciplinary approach.

2) "cost," feasibility, or impact of building a high-speed rail system between Miami and Orlando.

On a cursory glance at the question, it might seem that the question is related only to economics (because cost and feasibility are usually determined by economic consideration and economic impact of a new train line is always positive). However, there are following factors which should be considered:

1) Economics : This is the most important discipline to be considered. The cost estimation for the project based on various inputs (Material, labor, technology). The earnings expected from the rail system. The economic progress resulting due to increased economic activing around the train stations. All these factors should be calculated using economics.

2) Environmetal science : This is another important discipline to be considered while estimating 'impact' of the proposed rail system. For example, if the proposed rail system passes through an ecologically sensetive zone, it will have a very bad impact on environment and the route should probably be changed. Thus, it is seen that  The problem is at the interfaces of disciplines (disciplines share a point of common interest in the problem) because both Economics and Environmental science should be considered for estimating the feasibility and impact of the rail system.

3) Science and Technology : This needs to be considered for design of the rail system. The design of rail system will significantly affect the cost (and hence feasibility) of the rail system.

Here we see that all the three disciplines should be considered in unison and hence the problem is complex.

Hence, the criteria 1,2 and 4 are applicable to this question. Therefore, this question could be best solved using interdisciplinary approach.

Note : It is not specified about question 2, whether the design of the rail system is ready and whether the environmental impact has been accessed. If both these things have been done previously, then only economic considerations remain and this question could be best solved using disciplinary approach.