Module 3, Session 3: Disciplinary differences

[CPC Admin]

#5565

Share your input on the questions for reflection regarding disciplinary differences.

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[John Mambambo]

#5601

As posited by Bernstein (1999) research structures can be either hierarchical or horizontal. These marks the distinction in the manner in which research is carried out across disciplines. Within the Humanities, the horizontal structure is dominant and prevalent while within the Natural Science and other Sciences, the hierarchical structure proliferates. These structures, together with the worldviews and various research approaches and designs, mark the distinction between how knowledge is distributed across disciplines. The philosophical lenses that researchers bring to the fore as they engage in research also deepen and further entrench these disciplinary demarcations and boundaries. In Humanities, Constructivism hold sway while Positivism dominates the Sciences. It them follows that the Constructivist ontology informs the choice of Qualitative methods while the Positivist ontology dictates the use of Quantitative methods.

[Faith Kandie]

#5616

In my view, disciplinary differences are important aspects to consider especially when undertaking research. I come from a natural science background and it is always good to undertake research considering different ideologies and explanations from other disciplines. Of course this can be subject to funding limitation and scope of the research but it is always good to check any interactions between disciplines based on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches

• This reply was modified 3 years ago by Faith Kandie.

[Gollaz Moran Azucena]

#5634

I really like the ppt and the explanation about disciplinary differences. It was specially insightful for me to know more about the disciplinary knowledge structure and the different world views. I think is really important to keep in mind these reflections through the supervisory practice

[Andati]

#5637

Hierarchical approach as a disciplinary knowledge approach tends to be more prevalent in natural and physical sciences. From hypotheses, experimental designs, analysis, data collection to interpretation and discussion, most of these aspects tend to be a build up approach. Most of the researchers would be inclined to positivism. But again, these are ideal scenarios. Most of the times, more consideration is always placed on resource availability and institutional research capacity to define the disciplinary approach to be taken by the researcher.

[Thivhulawi Malwela]

#5645

as a health care provider, I am more inclined toward social constructivism, pragmatic is also of importance. in this field, most of the research falls within the humanistic view of holism. The research in nursing is interested in getting the essence of the humanistic view, narratives and phenomenology are mostly used. the studies follows horizontal pattern.

[Mical ONGACHI]

#5647

As a social science person I have been enlightened so much with the fact that knowledge differs so also research differs. We have the natural sciences that take the hierarchical perspective and the humanities or social sciences that take the horizontal perspectives. Research can be mono, multi, inter-and transdisciplinary. As a social science person I my research normally takes the mono approach because its conducted from one discipline but there are other approaches like multi disciplinary which provides for example more view points to a problem. It was also interesting to understand the research designs under the three areas of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. As a social science person in my line we utilize more qualitative design and mixed methods designs. Mixed methods helps in terms of managing the strength and weakness of the two

[Kerry-Ann Van der Walt]

#5660

As a marine scientist in the faculty of science, I found that this field follows a knowledge structure representative of hierarchical research. In addition, it is mostly mono-disciplinary research following a positivism worldview whereby deductive research is obtained through a theory, hypothesizing, observing and finally confirming.

[Stephen Nguthi]

#5676

The understanding of different knowledge structures cannot be emphasized more. Great to note that without a clear understanding of the particular knowledge structure within which one’s research background is founded, it would be very difficult or even impossible to engage in multidisciplinary research. Its imperative that scholars understand both the hierarchical and horizontal knowledge structures in general while being experts in either specifically based on their specialty.
A question would be asked however; should those belonging either of the knowledge structures feel superior/inferior to the others?

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

#5682

The discipline of geography is dynamic and lends itself to both the hierarcial and horizontal st4ructure of research depending on the phenomena that one is studying at some point. There are some aspects of geography that are scientific in nature and may require the testing of hypotheses while on the other hand there are aspects that are social anf may therefore require a horizontal approach. Having said that. The Multi disciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches are relevant in My case because Geography as a subject covers a wide array of disciplines.

[Chantel Elston]

#5691

While much of the natural sciences is still mono-disciplinary, I think the transdisciplinary approach should be used more often. There is a great push towards applied science, especially in Africa, i.e. how can scientific findings help and benefit society. But this is often only achieved effectively when there is co-creation of the research between scientists and non-scientists, i.e. a transdiplinary approach.

[Blessing Mabate]

#5778

After learning about the various research designs and what they are mainly used for, I find that natural sciences research fields are closed for non-experts to understand. Maybe a change in the research designs to include other designs except positivism could encourage the formation of new theorems; however, this could be practically challenging. Scientists must be encouraged to participate in open science to share their findings with non-experts as part of social justice. This would allow knowledge to be shared. For this to happen, natural scientists must be rewarded or acknowledged for participating in open science. Otherwise, currently little to no motivation exists for this knowledge to be shared. Thus academics and scientists deem such engagements as a waste of time. They would rather focus on publications and expert conferences which is a measure of their work and competency.

[Wendy Rop]

#5783

Tourism is multifaceted meaning it can adopt multi/inter and trans-disciplinary approaches. Based on the research argument/thesis/question the knowledge assumption can either be pragmatic, interpretivist/constructionist

[Nkatha Muriira]

#5801

Understanding knowledge structure provide a frame work that help us to understand Botany and guide the students effectively. In my field of research hierarchical tend to be more preferred knowledge structure where related concepts are grouped.
As a botanist its important to understand all the disciplinary approaches because the research question at hand will determine which approach to employ. However, I would prefer Monodisciplinary where one field of research is involved and transdisciplinary approach in the event that different fields of research are involved. Positivism world view would be my preferred world view since its philosophy is based on experiments.

[Gideon Rotich]

#5803

Hierarchical knowledge structure tends to be more prevalent in physical sciences. In my field of research, this structure is prevalent, where an idea is researched widely and the understanding of the idea expands. An interdisciplinary approach is employed widely because most research cuts across a number of disciplines.

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