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Universities’ structural commitment to interdisciplinary research

Author

Listed:
  • Erin Leahey

    (University of Arizona)

  • Sondra N. Barringer

    (Southern Methodist University)

  • Misty Ring-Ramirez

    (University of Arizona)

Abstract

In recent years, science policy experts have been promoting interdisciplinary research (IDR) in order to foster innovation and address grand scientific challenges. But to date we know little about whether, how, and to what extent universities are committed to fostering this type of research. This paper develops the first measure of university commitment to IDR, which relies on the organizational structuring of research activity into research centers and departments. We extend the previous literature by measuring, rather than assuming, the interdisciplinary nature of research units. Using a large amount of textual data from 157 research universities in the United States, and combining machine learning and confirmatory factor analysis techniques, we develop a continuous and composite measure that taps universities’ structural commitment to IDR. We then examine the commitment exhibited by specific universities and how such commitment varies by university characteristics like size, resources, and region. Results show that the fraction of centers and departments that are interdisciplinary is critical to measuring a university’s structural commitment to IDR and to developing specific research policies aimed at fostering IDR.

Suggested Citation

  • Erin Leahey & Sondra N. Barringer & Misty Ring-Ramirez, 2019. "Universities’ structural commitment to interdisciplinary research," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 118(3), pages 891-919, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:118:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11192-018-2992-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-018-2992-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Sondra N. Barringer & Erin Leahey & Karina Salazar, 2020. "What Catalyzes Research Universities to Commit to Interdisciplinary Research?," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 61(6), pages 679-705, September.
    2. Leahey, Erin & Barringer, Sondra N., 2020. "Universities’ commitment to interdisciplinary research: To what end?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(2).
    3. Wenjing Lyu & Yuanhao Huang & Jin Liu, 2024. "The multifaceted influence of multidisciplinary background on placement and academic progression of faculty," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-21, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Universities; Interdisciplinarity; Research centers; Departments; Machine learning;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C38 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Classification Methdos; Cluster Analysis; Principal Components; Factor Analysis
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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