Purpose:Interdisciplinarity is a hot topic in science and technology policy.However,the concept of interdisciplinarity is both abstract and complex,and therefore difficult to measure using a single indicator.A variety...Purpose:Interdisciplinarity is a hot topic in science and technology policy.However,the concept of interdisciplinarity is both abstract and complex,and therefore difficult to measure using a single indicator.A variety of metrics for measuring the diversity and interdisciplinarity of articles,journals,and fields have been proposed in the literature.In this article,we ask whether institutions can be ranked in terms of their(inter-)disciplinary diversity.Design/methodology/approach:We developed a software application(interd_vb.exe)that outputs the values of relevant diversity indicators for any document set or network structure.The software is made available,free to the public,online.The indicators it considers include the advanced diversity indicators Rao-Stirling(RS)diversity and DIV*,as well as standard measures of diversity,such as the Gini coefficient,Shannon entropy,and the Simpson Index.As an empirical demonstration of how the application works,we compared the research portfolios of 42“Double First-Class”Chinese universities across Web of Science Subject Categories(WCs).Findings:The empirical results suggest that DIV*provides results that are more in line with one’s intuitive impressions than RS,particularly when the results are based on sampledependent disparity measures.Furthermore,the scores for diversity are more consistent when based on a global disparity matrix than on a local map.Research limitations:“Interdisciplinarity”can be operationalized as bibliographic coupling among(sets of)documents with references to disciplines.At the institutional level,however,diversity may also indicate comprehensiveness.Unlike impact(e.g.citation),diversity and interdisciplinarity are context-specific and therefore provide a second dimension to the evaluation.Policy or practical implications:Operationalization and quantification make it necessary for analysts to make their choices and options clear.Although the equations used to calculate diversity are often mathematically transparent,the specification in terms of computer code helps the analyst to further precision in decisions.Although diversity is not necessarily a goal of universities,a high diversity score may inform potential policies concerning interdisciplinarity at the university level.Originality/value:This article introduces a non-commercial online application to the public domain that allows researchers and policy analysts to measure“diversity”and“interdisciplinarity”using the various indicators as encompassing as possible for any document set or network structure(e.g.a network of co-authors).Insofar as we know,such a professional computing tool for evaluating data sets using diversity indicators has not yet been made available online.展开更多
This contribution discusses some results of the ongoing research focused on the protection of cultural heritage from flood danger. The research project Methodology of Protection and Rescue of Cultural Heritage against...This contribution discusses some results of the ongoing research focused on the protection of cultural heritage from flood danger. The research project Methodology of Protection and Rescue of Cultural Heritage against Flood takes place in the Czech Republic and is focused on specific regional problems that have been experienced during and after disastrous floods in past 15 years. However, the lessons learned have wider applicability to the issue of flood protection of cultural heritage. Here, we describe two case studies that represent important issues requiring a solution;addressing these issues was the main motivation for the whole project.展开更多
In honor of Professor John B.Goodenough for his 100th birthday,this article tries to find the relationship between the discovery of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries and the interdisciplinary research in his...In honor of Professor John B.Goodenough for his 100th birthday,this article tries to find the relationship between the discovery of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries and the interdisciplinary research in his career.The original ideas of lithium cobalt oxide,lithium manganese oxide,and LiFePO4 came from his early research in solid state physics and from his strong knowledge of chemical structure and bonding.Some examples are given to demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary interactions among materials,chemistry,and physics.With the rapid development of rechargeable batteries,such interdisciplinarity is further extended to engineering,information,and even artificial intelligence.Although there are still many challenges like energy density and safety in the batteries,we are confident that a better solution will be soon found.展开更多
Do we still need Cartography?Do we still need a cartographic society?These questions,which can also be transferred to other disciplines,are answered from disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives-which creates a...Do we still need Cartography?Do we still need a cartographic society?These questions,which can also be transferred to other disciplines,are answered from disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives-which creates an ideal connection to the networked and interdisciplinary thinking of Gottfried Konecny.The need for Cartography as a discipline is discussed based on a view on historic,current and future functions of maps and changing research and development requirements.With respect to interdisciplinarity,Cartography shows connections to various domains while more and more relationships with young areas from the field of Computer Science are developing.With regard to cartographic societies,their central role and importance as networking platforms are emphasized.Nevertheless,geographical and thematic granularities of societies as well as networking formats(including online versions)need to be evaluated and further developed on a constant basis.展开更多
Big Data is a hot topic at present,and many disciplines are engaged in it.However,the relationship and status of these disciplines in Big Data research are still not well understood.Based on bibliometric data from the...Big Data is a hot topic at present,and many disciplines are engaged in it.However,the relationship and status of these disciplines in Big Data research are still not well understood.Based on bibliometric data from the Web of Science,this study analyzes the interdisciplinarity of Big Data research.It focuses on its spatial and temporal distribution characteristics by combining traditional bibliometrics,interdisciplinarity indicators,and so cial network analysis.We found that:1)In recent years,the research topics of Big Data include the Internet of Things,Syndromic Surveillance,Knowledge M anagement,Industry 4.0,etc.M ost Big Data research comes from China,the United States,and India.2)Big Data research involved 141 disciplines,but the disciplinary distribution is unbalanced,among which the diversity of disciplines is constantly improving;The balance of disciplines is on the rise,and the situation that is dominated by a few disciplines has been improved;The disparity of disciplines increases and researchers tend to cite the disciplines that are quite different from their own disciplines.3)Computer Science and Engineering are the two most important disciplines in the Big Data field.According to the collaboration degree,the interdisciplinary collaboration network can be divided into five communities:Community 1,represented by Computer Science and Engineering;Community 2,represented by Business&Economics;Community 3,represented by Science&Technology;Community 4,represented by M aterials Science;Community 5,represented by Health Care Sciences&Services.The collaboration between a few key disciplines has changed,and the whole network is still expanding in Big Data research.展开更多
Purpose: This paper presents findings of a quasi-experimental assessment to gauge the research productivity and degree of interdisciplinarity of research center outputs. Of special interest, we share an enriched visua...Purpose: This paper presents findings of a quasi-experimental assessment to gauge the research productivity and degree of interdisciplinarity of research center outputs. Of special interest, we share an enriched visualization of research co-authoring patterns. Design/methodology/approach: We compile publications by 45 researchers in each of 1) the i UTAH project, which we consider here to be analogous to a "research center," 2) CG1— a comparison group of participants in two other Utah environmental research centers, and 3) CG2—a comparison group of Utah university environmental researchers not associated with a research center. We draw bibliometric data from Web of Science and from Google Scholar. We gather publications for a period before i UTAH had been established(2010–2012) and a period after(2014–2016). We compare these research outputs in terms of publications and citations thereto. We also measure interdisciplinarity using Integration scoring and generate science overlay maps to locate the research publications across disciplines.Findings: We find that participation in the i UTAH project appears to increase research outputs(publications in the After period) and increase research citation rates relative to the comparison group researchers(although CG1 research remains most cited, as it was in the Before period). Most notably, participation in i UTAH markedly increases co-authoring among researchers—in general; and for junior, as well as senior, faculty; for men and women: across organizations; and across disciplines.Research limitations: The quasi-experimental design necessarily generates suggestive, not definitively causal, findings because of the imperfect controls.Practical implications: This study demonstrates a viable approach for research assessment of a center or program for which random assignment of control groups is not possible. It illustrates use of bibliometric indicators to inform R&D program management.Originality/value: New visualizations of researcher collaboration provide compelling comparisons of the extent and nature of social networking among target cohorts.展开更多
The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the USA’s Gulf of Mexico created a high degree of exposure of marine organisms to toxic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in crude oil. To determine the ecological and physio...The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the USA’s Gulf of Mexico created a high degree of exposure of marine organisms to toxic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in crude oil. To determine the ecological and physiological effects of crude oil on the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative created several research consortia to address overreaching questions concerning the biological impacts of the ecology of the Gulf of Mexico that would otherwise be beyond the capabilities of an individual investigator or a small group. One of these consortia, highlighted in this article, is the RECOVER Consortium, which brings together physiologists, developmental biologists, toxicologists and other life scientists to focus on the multifaceted physiological effects of PAHs, especially as they pertain to cardiovascular and metabolic physiology of economically important fish species. Using the Recover Consortium’s interdisciplinary approach to revealing the biological impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill as a case study, we make the argument for interdisciplinary teams that bring together scientists with different specialties as an efficient way—and perhaps the only way—to unravel highly complex biological effects of marine oil spills.展开更多
Increasing life expectancy correlating highly with polymorbidity, frequently causes recurring inpatient stays at Geriatric hospital wards. After discharge from hospital, an offer for physical and psychological after-c...Increasing life expectancy correlating highly with polymorbidity, frequently causes recurring inpatient stays at Geriatric hospital wards. After discharge from hospital, an offer for physical and psychological after-care seems necessary for most patients. Purpose of this project was the development, implementation and primary assessment of an out-patient after-care intervention program for elderly, multimorbid patients and their relatives. During a period of eight months an interdisciplinary team offered psychological interventions as well as medical advice, nursing care and social casework. Primary goal was the investigation of health care utilization conduct and effectiveness of this after-care service in regard to sustainable stabilization of former inpatients. Preliminary results show higher demand of psychological and psychotherapeutic groups, whereas medical questions and nursing care problems were of minor concern to the patients. Contrary to our presumptions, even geriatric patients with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder, showed to be reliable and constructive participants in psychological group settings. Situation and problems of (nursing) relatives could be identified accurately, although they represented an independent target group, possibly in need of more specific interventions.展开更多
The article shows that the foundation of the digital economy can be a new paradigm for predicting the future from the future,i.e.from the future in which the development goal has already been achieved.This allows to m...The article shows that the foundation of the digital economy can be a new paradigm for predicting the future from the future,i.e.from the future in which the development goal has already been achieved.This allows to minimize all costs and completely avoid incorrect system solutions of the existing trial-and-error approach.Using the achievements of the technological revolution of Industry 4.0,an effective digital economy can be formed only when it is seen as an economy of coordinated interests between the state,business,society and the interests of each individual in real time at every local level.This will make it possible to solve the problem of ensuring the high quality of life not of citizens in general,but of each individual.展开更多
The interdisciplinary approach is both the cause and the result of the synergy that develops between the various branches of Science.Economics lends and borrows tools and methods of analytical approach from other scie...The interdisciplinary approach is both the cause and the result of the synergy that develops between the various branches of Science.Economics lends and borrows tools and methods of analytical approach from other sciences in order to complete its contribution to knowledge.Thus the main economic problem related to the unlimited needs of the people and the limited means that exist to meet these needs begins with the theological teaching of the Old Testament and the expulsion of the protoplasts from the Garden of Eden.Adam Smith’s“Invisible Hand”leading the economy to the optimum level of prosperity is another presentation of the“Invisible Hand”of Divine Providence,as it appears in the works of Thomas Aquinas.In this and in other cases the finding of interdisciplinary analogies leads the researcher to the holistic approach of the knowledge and science of Economics but also of the operation of the society.展开更多
Background:Improved access to health care and quality of services require integrated efforts and innovations,including community empowerment and participation in transformation processes.Chagas disease is a neglected ...Background:Improved access to health care and quality of services require integrated efforts and innovations,including community empowerment and participation in transformation processes.Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease that is generally controlled by insecticide spraying.To achieve community empowerment in a health program,actions for social innovations may include:community-based research,interdisciplinary and intersectoral participation,community perception of direct benefits and participation in health or environmental improvements.The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the processes by which an interdisciplinary team,in collaboration with communities of Comapa,Guatemala,developed an effective solution to address the risk for Chagas disease.Methods:A qualitative study involving interviews semi-structured and direct observation was conducted using a case study approach to describe and understand the community-based research and intervention process developed by researchers from the Laboratory of Applied Entomology and Parasitology of the Universidad de San Carlos of Guatemala(Laboratorio de Entomologia y Parasitologia Aplicada).Nine interviews were conducted with the investigators,innovators,members of the community in which the intervention had been implemented.NVivo software(version 12)was used for the emergent coding and analysis of the interviews.Results:Processes of social transformation were evident within households,and the communities that transcended the mere improvement of walls and floors.New social dynamics that favored the household economy and conditions of hygiene and home care that positively impacted the health of the community.We describe how the integration of criteria of social innovation into a home improvement strategy for Chagas disease control,can generate processes of transformation in health by considering sociocultural conditions,encouraging dialogue between public health approaches and traditional practices.We identify and discuss processes for Social Innovations in Health and identify their potential in improving community health in Latin America.Conclusions:When social innovation criteria are included in a health control initiative,the community-based research and the interdisciplinary and intersectoral participation facilitate the implementation of the control strategy,the perceived benefits by the community and its empowerment to sustain and share the strategy.The case study provided understanding of the intersectoral and interdisciplinary dynamics in particular contexts,and documented the relevance of innovation criteria in health processes.展开更多
Interdisciplinary research(IDR)plays a vital role in tackling grand and complex challenges such as COVID-19,which has severe consequences for public health,economy,politics,and society.This study compares several face...Interdisciplinary research(IDR)plays a vital role in tackling grand and complex challenges such as COVID-19,which has severe consequences for public health,economy,politics,and society.This study compares several facets of interdisciplinarity that occurred in the research relating to two serious global pandemics in this century,namely SARS and COVID-19,and provides a comprehensive summary of the performance and growth of pandemic-related interdisciplinary research.Generally,the scientific community gathers more multidisciplinary efforts to tackle COVID-19 in comparison to SARS.Firstly,COVID-19 related research from each major field has greater connections with their established expertise and research threads such that they are studying the impact of COVID-19 on their own existing research subjects,while the studies of SARS by different disciplines exhibit less discernable disciplinary characteristics.Secondly,as for the interdisciplinarity observed in the knowledge base of pandemic-related publications,we observe a greater presence of social science knowledge and a more dispersed distribution of knowledge from various disciplines comparing publications on COVID-19 with SARS.Thirdly,regarding interdisciplinarity in research collaboration,COVID-19 publications are on average produced by more interdisciplinary teams than SARS,as measured by the number and diversity of affiliated disciplines of authors.Our discovery on the growth of multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity in pandemic-related research signals positive achievement that the scientific community is responding to such a global challenge as a whole and is willing to break down existing disciplinary silos to facilitate the flow of knowledge and breed novelty.展开更多
基金support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.71573085,71974150).
文摘Purpose:Interdisciplinarity is a hot topic in science and technology policy.However,the concept of interdisciplinarity is both abstract and complex,and therefore difficult to measure using a single indicator.A variety of metrics for measuring the diversity and interdisciplinarity of articles,journals,and fields have been proposed in the literature.In this article,we ask whether institutions can be ranked in terms of their(inter-)disciplinary diversity.Design/methodology/approach:We developed a software application(interd_vb.exe)that outputs the values of relevant diversity indicators for any document set or network structure.The software is made available,free to the public,online.The indicators it considers include the advanced diversity indicators Rao-Stirling(RS)diversity and DIV*,as well as standard measures of diversity,such as the Gini coefficient,Shannon entropy,and the Simpson Index.As an empirical demonstration of how the application works,we compared the research portfolios of 42“Double First-Class”Chinese universities across Web of Science Subject Categories(WCs).Findings:The empirical results suggest that DIV*provides results that are more in line with one’s intuitive impressions than RS,particularly when the results are based on sampledependent disparity measures.Furthermore,the scores for diversity are more consistent when based on a global disparity matrix than on a local map.Research limitations:“Interdisciplinarity”can be operationalized as bibliographic coupling among(sets of)documents with references to disciplines.At the institutional level,however,diversity may also indicate comprehensiveness.Unlike impact(e.g.citation),diversity and interdisciplinarity are context-specific and therefore provide a second dimension to the evaluation.Policy or practical implications:Operationalization and quantification make it necessary for analysts to make their choices and options clear.Although the equations used to calculate diversity are often mathematically transparent,the specification in terms of computer code helps the analyst to further precision in decisions.Although diversity is not necessarily a goal of universities,a high diversity score may inform potential policies concerning interdisciplinarity at the university level.Originality/value:This article introduces a non-commercial online application to the public domain that allows researchers and policy analysts to measure“diversity”and“interdisciplinarity”using the various indicators as encompassing as possible for any document set or network structure(e.g.a network of co-authors).Insofar as we know,such a professional computing tool for evaluating data sets using diversity indicators has not yet been made available online.
文摘This contribution discusses some results of the ongoing research focused on the protection of cultural heritage from flood danger. The research project Methodology of Protection and Rescue of Cultural Heritage against Flood takes place in the Czech Republic and is focused on specific regional problems that have been experienced during and after disastrous floods in past 15 years. However, the lessons learned have wider applicability to the issue of flood protection of cultural heritage. Here, we describe two case studies that represent important issues requiring a solution;addressing these issues was the main motivation for the whole project.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Number:5202780089。
文摘In honor of Professor John B.Goodenough for his 100th birthday,this article tries to find the relationship between the discovery of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries and the interdisciplinary research in his career.The original ideas of lithium cobalt oxide,lithium manganese oxide,and LiFePO4 came from his early research in solid state physics and from his strong knowledge of chemical structure and bonding.Some examples are given to demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary interactions among materials,chemistry,and physics.With the rapid development of rechargeable batteries,such interdisciplinarity is further extended to engineering,information,and even artificial intelligence.Although there are still many challenges like energy density and safety in the batteries,we are confident that a better solution will be soon found.
基金Projects mentioned in this contribution are aChor(funded by German Research Foundation,DFG)and TOVIP(funded by German Research Foundation,DFG,under the Priority program“VGI Science”).
文摘Do we still need Cartography?Do we still need a cartographic society?These questions,which can also be transferred to other disciplines,are answered from disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives-which creates an ideal connection to the networked and interdisciplinary thinking of Gottfried Konecny.The need for Cartography as a discipline is discussed based on a view on historic,current and future functions of maps and changing research and development requirements.With respect to interdisciplinarity,Cartography shows connections to various domains while more and more relationships with young areas from the field of Computer Science are developing.With regard to cartographic societies,their central role and importance as networking platforms are emphasized.Nevertheless,geographical and thematic granularities of societies as well as networking formats(including online versions)need to be evaluated and further developed on a constant basis.
基金the major project-The Research on the Construction of A Cloud Platform for Science and Education Evaluation and Intelligent Service Based on Big Data(No.19ZDA348),supported by National Social Science Foundation of China
文摘Big Data is a hot topic at present,and many disciplines are engaged in it.However,the relationship and status of these disciplines in Big Data research are still not well understood.Based on bibliometric data from the Web of Science,this study analyzes the interdisciplinarity of Big Data research.It focuses on its spatial and temporal distribution characteristics by combining traditional bibliometrics,interdisciplinarity indicators,and so cial network analysis.We found that:1)In recent years,the research topics of Big Data include the Internet of Things,Syndromic Surveillance,Knowledge M anagement,Industry 4.0,etc.M ost Big Data research comes from China,the United States,and India.2)Big Data research involved 141 disciplines,but the disciplinary distribution is unbalanced,among which the diversity of disciplines is constantly improving;The balance of disciplines is on the rise,and the situation that is dominated by a few disciplines has been improved;The disparity of disciplines increases and researchers tend to cite the disciplines that are quite different from their own disciplines.3)Computer Science and Engineering are the two most important disciplines in the Big Data field.According to the collaboration degree,the interdisciplinary collaboration network can be divided into five communities:Community 1,represented by Computer Science and Engineering;Community 2,represented by Business&Economics;Community 3,represented by Science&Technology;Community 4,represented by M aterials Science;Community 5,represented by Health Care Sciences&Services.The collaboration between a few key disciplines has changed,and the whole network is still expanding in Big Data research.
基金The five-year "innovative Urban Transitions and Aridregion Hydro-sustainability" (iUTAH) project was initiated in 2012 with support from the US National Science Foundation’s (NSF) "Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research" (EPSCo R, award # OIA-1208732)
文摘Purpose: This paper presents findings of a quasi-experimental assessment to gauge the research productivity and degree of interdisciplinarity of research center outputs. Of special interest, we share an enriched visualization of research co-authoring patterns. Design/methodology/approach: We compile publications by 45 researchers in each of 1) the i UTAH project, which we consider here to be analogous to a "research center," 2) CG1— a comparison group of participants in two other Utah environmental research centers, and 3) CG2—a comparison group of Utah university environmental researchers not associated with a research center. We draw bibliometric data from Web of Science and from Google Scholar. We gather publications for a period before i UTAH had been established(2010–2012) and a period after(2014–2016). We compare these research outputs in terms of publications and citations thereto. We also measure interdisciplinarity using Integration scoring and generate science overlay maps to locate the research publications across disciplines.Findings: We find that participation in the i UTAH project appears to increase research outputs(publications in the After period) and increase research citation rates relative to the comparison group researchers(although CG1 research remains most cited, as it was in the Before period). Most notably, participation in i UTAH markedly increases co-authoring among researchers—in general; and for junior, as well as senior, faculty; for men and women: across organizations; and across disciplines.Research limitations: The quasi-experimental design necessarily generates suggestive, not definitively causal, findings because of the imperfect controls.Practical implications: This study demonstrates a viable approach for research assessment of a center or program for which random assignment of control groups is not possible. It illustrates use of bibliometric indicators to inform R&D program management.Originality/value: New visualizations of researcher collaboration provide compelling comparisons of the extent and nature of social networking among target cohorts.
文摘The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the USA’s Gulf of Mexico created a high degree of exposure of marine organisms to toxic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in crude oil. To determine the ecological and physiological effects of crude oil on the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative created several research consortia to address overreaching questions concerning the biological impacts of the ecology of the Gulf of Mexico that would otherwise be beyond the capabilities of an individual investigator or a small group. One of these consortia, highlighted in this article, is the RECOVER Consortium, which brings together physiologists, developmental biologists, toxicologists and other life scientists to focus on the multifaceted physiological effects of PAHs, especially as they pertain to cardiovascular and metabolic physiology of economically important fish species. Using the Recover Consortium’s interdisciplinary approach to revealing the biological impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill as a case study, we make the argument for interdisciplinary teams that bring together scientists with different specialties as an efficient way—and perhaps the only way—to unravel highly complex biological effects of marine oil spills.
文摘Increasing life expectancy correlating highly with polymorbidity, frequently causes recurring inpatient stays at Geriatric hospital wards. After discharge from hospital, an offer for physical and psychological after-care seems necessary for most patients. Purpose of this project was the development, implementation and primary assessment of an out-patient after-care intervention program for elderly, multimorbid patients and their relatives. During a period of eight months an interdisciplinary team offered psychological interventions as well as medical advice, nursing care and social casework. Primary goal was the investigation of health care utilization conduct and effectiveness of this after-care service in regard to sustainable stabilization of former inpatients. Preliminary results show higher demand of psychological and psychotherapeutic groups, whereas medical questions and nursing care problems were of minor concern to the patients. Contrary to our presumptions, even geriatric patients with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder, showed to be reliable and constructive participants in psychological group settings. Situation and problems of (nursing) relatives could be identified accurately, although they represented an independent target group, possibly in need of more specific interventions.
基金RFBR according to the research project(No:19-010-00809)。
文摘The article shows that the foundation of the digital economy can be a new paradigm for predicting the future from the future,i.e.from the future in which the development goal has already been achieved.This allows to minimize all costs and completely avoid incorrect system solutions of the existing trial-and-error approach.Using the achievements of the technological revolution of Industry 4.0,an effective digital economy can be formed only when it is seen as an economy of coordinated interests between the state,business,society and the interests of each individual in real time at every local level.This will make it possible to solve the problem of ensuring the high quality of life not of citizens in general,but of each individual.
文摘The interdisciplinary approach is both the cause and the result of the synergy that develops between the various branches of Science.Economics lends and borrows tools and methods of analytical approach from other sciences in order to complete its contribution to knowledge.Thus the main economic problem related to the unlimited needs of the people and the limited means that exist to meet these needs begins with the theological teaching of the Old Testament and the expulsion of the protoplasts from the Garden of Eden.Adam Smith’s“Invisible Hand”leading the economy to the optimum level of prosperity is another presentation of the“Invisible Hand”of Divine Providence,as it appears in the works of Thomas Aquinas.In this and in other cases the finding of interdisciplinary analogies leads the researcher to the holistic approach of the knowledge and science of Economics but also of the operation of the society.
文摘Background:Improved access to health care and quality of services require integrated efforts and innovations,including community empowerment and participation in transformation processes.Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease that is generally controlled by insecticide spraying.To achieve community empowerment in a health program,actions for social innovations may include:community-based research,interdisciplinary and intersectoral participation,community perception of direct benefits and participation in health or environmental improvements.The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the processes by which an interdisciplinary team,in collaboration with communities of Comapa,Guatemala,developed an effective solution to address the risk for Chagas disease.Methods:A qualitative study involving interviews semi-structured and direct observation was conducted using a case study approach to describe and understand the community-based research and intervention process developed by researchers from the Laboratory of Applied Entomology and Parasitology of the Universidad de San Carlos of Guatemala(Laboratorio de Entomologia y Parasitologia Aplicada).Nine interviews were conducted with the investigators,innovators,members of the community in which the intervention had been implemented.NVivo software(version 12)was used for the emergent coding and analysis of the interviews.Results:Processes of social transformation were evident within households,and the communities that transcended the mere improvement of walls and floors.New social dynamics that favored the household economy and conditions of hygiene and home care that positively impacted the health of the community.We describe how the integration of criteria of social innovation into a home improvement strategy for Chagas disease control,can generate processes of transformation in health by considering sociocultural conditions,encouraging dialogue between public health approaches and traditional practices.We identify and discuss processes for Social Innovations in Health and identify their potential in improving community health in Latin America.Conclusions:When social innovation criteria are included in a health control initiative,the community-based research and the interdisciplinary and intersectoral participation facilitate the implementation of the control strategy,the perceived benefits by the community and its empowerment to sustain and share the strategy.The case study provided understanding of the intersectoral and interdisciplinary dynamics in particular contexts,and documented the relevance of innovation criteria in health processes.
基金funded by the China Scholarship Council(CSC)from the Ministry of Education of Chinafunding from the Flemish Government through its support to the Centre for R&D Monitoring(ECOOM)support from the National Laboratory Centre for Library and Information Science at Wuhan University
文摘Interdisciplinary research(IDR)plays a vital role in tackling grand and complex challenges such as COVID-19,which has severe consequences for public health,economy,politics,and society.This study compares several facets of interdisciplinarity that occurred in the research relating to two serious global pandemics in this century,namely SARS and COVID-19,and provides a comprehensive summary of the performance and growth of pandemic-related interdisciplinary research.Generally,the scientific community gathers more multidisciplinary efforts to tackle COVID-19 in comparison to SARS.Firstly,COVID-19 related research from each major field has greater connections with their established expertise and research threads such that they are studying the impact of COVID-19 on their own existing research subjects,while the studies of SARS by different disciplines exhibit less discernable disciplinary characteristics.Secondly,as for the interdisciplinarity observed in the knowledge base of pandemic-related publications,we observe a greater presence of social science knowledge and a more dispersed distribution of knowledge from various disciplines comparing publications on COVID-19 with SARS.Thirdly,regarding interdisciplinarity in research collaboration,COVID-19 publications are on average produced by more interdisciplinary teams than SARS,as measured by the number and diversity of affiliated disciplines of authors.Our discovery on the growth of multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity in pandemic-related research signals positive achievement that the scientific community is responding to such a global challenge as a whole and is willing to break down existing disciplinary silos to facilitate the flow of knowledge and breed novelty.
