An interdisciplinary perspective is a way of looking at a concept, a task, or a set of data from a variety of perspectives. It examines, harmonizes, and synthesizes connections between two or more disciplines, such as dance and medicine, in order to create a more unified whole. It’s sometimes easier to think outside the box, see ramifications, or enlist help for a project when you take this approach.
An interdisciplinary perspective, unlike a unidisciplinary approach, necessitates knowledge in multiple fields. It’s also distinct from a multidisciplinary approach, which draws on data from multiple sources but divides a project into distinct parts based on the disciplines involved. When using an interdisciplinary approach, everyone involved collaborates. Although some employees may specialize in one aspect of the project, all employees are expected to have a basic understanding of all of the disciplines involved. As a result, an interdisciplinary viewpoint is a broader or more well-rounded viewpoint.
When people choose an interdisciplinary approach, they have multiple objectives. First and foremost, they want to improve understanding and eliminate ambiguity. People reveal how a project might apply in various settings looking at a task, data set, or concept through the lenses of multiple disciplines. Individuals can see the “butterfly effect” of their actions, which is a concept in which the seemingly innocuous flapping of a butterfly’s wings causes major problems or benefits down the road. Not only does this have long-term implications for industrial production, but it also has implications for social interaction and advancement.
Second, people who use an interdisciplinary approach want their projects to be as efficient as possible. If a team was working on constructing a bridge, for example, thinking about the project through an environmental lens could help avoid negative attention or publicity from environmental activists. It can also save time avoiding the need to return to the drawing board later for additional testing or permissions.
Even economics is part of an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. When reviewing a grant or loan proposal, for example, lenders typically want to see that the applicant has given the project as much thought as possible. Applicants can think about how to present their project and demonstrate that they’ve covered all of their research bases taking an interdisciplinary approach. The lender is more likely to approve a project proposal if the applicant is thorough.
Finally, an interdisciplinary approach can sometimes aid in the development of creativity in an individual or group. Looking at something from multiple perspectives can help an individual see more solutions than if only one discipline’s information was available. This does not necessarily imply that an interdisciplinary solution is superior to a unidisciplinary one, but it does provide an individual or team with more options.