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How to measure interdisciplinary research? A systematic, yet critical, review

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  • Cantone, Giulio Giacomo

Abstract

Interdisciplinary research is defined as a trait of those research activities that integrate different disciplinary traditions with the aim of reaching novel forms of knowledge that are beyond the reach of a singular discipline. From this theory, a plurality of methods has been developed to measure IDR of a body of research. These methods lead to mutually contradicting results. In this review, the most relevant measures of interdisciplinary research are compared under a unified framework articulated in three steps: identification of an available stylisation of bibliometric facts, elicitation of a formula, and definition of an estimator for the collective unit of analysis. In particular, it is discussed how the concept of integration can be measured when the unit of analysis is an atomic and static entity like a paper, as opposed to journals and authors, which are collective and dynamic agents. In the conclusive section, an isometric view is shown that combines different units of analysis and conceptualisations. A pluralistic yet pragmatic approach is advocated for the operational definition of interdisciplinarity.

Suggested Citation

  • Cantone, Giulio Giacomo, 2024. "How to measure interdisciplinary research? A systematic, yet critical, review," MetaArXiv hva4p, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:metaar:hva4p
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/hva4p
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