Multidisciplinary approach: Difference between revisions
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A '''multidisciplinary approach''' involves drawing appropriately from multiple [[discipline (academia)|disciplines]] to redefine problems outside of normal boundaries and reach solutions based on a new understanding of complex situations.<ref> [http://atlas.uniscape.eu/glossarioToto.php?idgl=30&nomegl=Multidisciplinary%20Approach%20%28of%20study,%20of%20research%29&lettera= "Multidisciplinary Approach (of study, of research)" European Network of Universities. Retrieved May 30, 2014.] </ref> |
A '''multidisciplinary approach''' involves drawing appropriately from multiple [[discipline (academia)|disciplines]] to redefine problems outside of normal boundaries and reach solutions based on a new understanding of complex situations.<ref> [http://atlas.uniscape.eu/glossarioToto.php?idgl=30&nomegl=Multidisciplinary%20Approach%20%28of%20study,%20of%20research%29&lettera= "Multidisciplinary Approach (of study, of research)" European Network of Universities. Retrieved May 30, 2014.] </ref> |
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Multidisciplinary work is often seen as revolutionary by skill-centred specialists, but it is simply a fundamental expression of being guided by [[holism]] rather than [[reductionism]], as described by [[Jan Smuts]] in his 1926 book ''Holism and Evolution''. One of the major barriers to the multidisciplinary approach is the long-established tradition of highly focused professionals cultivating a protective (and thus restrictive) boundary around their area of expertise. This tradition has sometimes been found not to work to the benefit of the wider public interest, and the multidisciplinary approach has recently become of interest to government agencies and some enlightened professional bodies who recognise the advantages of systems thinking for complex [[problem solving]]. |
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The use of the term "multidisciplinary" has in recent years been overtaken by the term "[[Interdisciplinarity|interdisciplinary]]" (a Google ratio of 25M:36M in January 2014) for what is essentially holistic working by another name. The former term tends to relate to practitioner led working while the latter term tends to carry a more academic overtone. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Revision as of 16:15, 13 January 2015
A multidisciplinary approach involves drawing appropriately from multiple disciplines to redefine problems outside of normal boundaries and reach solutions based on a new understanding of complex situations.[1]
History
Historically, the first practical use of the multidisciplinary approach was during World War II by what became known as the military–industrial complex. Notably, the Lockheed Aircraft Company set up its own special projects operation—nicknamed the Skunk Works—in 1943 to develop the XP-80 jet fighter in just 143 days.[2]
In the 1960s and 1970s, the multidisciplinary approach was successfully employed in the UK by architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors working together on major public-sector construction projects and, together with planners, sociologists, geographers, and economists, on overseas regional and urban planning projects. Three London-based professional practices led the field: Ove Arup & Partners, Colin Buchanan & Partners, and Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall & Partners (RMJM).[3]
See also
References
- ^ "Multidisciplinary Approach (of study, of research)" European Network of Universities. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
- ^ Green, William, and Gordon Swanborough. The Great Book of Fighters. St. Paul, MN: MBI Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-7603-1194-3.
- ^ "RMJM Milton Keynes Project"