Ten steps to success in integrative research projects

Research in the INTELS project has revealed that many integrative (= interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary) landscape projects frequently face similar challenges. There are, however, few guidelines available to help projects avoid common problems. In this chapter, we present what we consider the ten most important steps towards successful integrative research projects. We define successful projects as those that reach integration and project goals, produce tangible outcomes, contribute to progress in integrative research and provide positive experiences for their participants. In order to reach success, we recommend that projects are specifically organized to reach integration through the development of an Integration Implementation Plan. Projects should identify a common research question and clear project goals; these will identify the relevant disciplinary expertise needed. Because integrative projects have a higher time demand, we suggest adopting time management practices and the allocation of realistic time budgets, especially at the beginning of projects. Strong leadership plays a crucial role in the success of integrative research and requires a high level of interpersonal skills as well as research credibility. Frequent meetings among the participants and the support of the wider research environment also help to achieve success. Project teams need to arrive at a common understanding and definition of the integrative concept and prepare for overcoming epistemological hurdles by acquiring basic skills in the disciplines involved. We recommend that projects are planned for tangible project outcomes/deliverables, particularly in terms of scientific publications. A publication plan identifies target groups, specifies media and journals, lists responsible authors, arranges writing meetings and sets milestones and submission dates. We conclude with the suggestion that projects agree on evaluation criteria and use these to assess the project and its outcomes on a regular basis. Integrative projects can learn from past experiences, and we therefore encourage participants to report experiences from integrative projects. These experiences contain valuable knowledge that will, over time, lead to more successful integrative research.

[1]  On Writing and Tenure , 1999 .

[2]  Jürgen Mittelstrass.  Unity and Transdisciplinarity , 1993 .

[3]  Steven Wooding,et al.  Assessing Research: The Researchers' View , 2003 .

[4]  Lisa R Lattuca,et al.  Creating Interdisciplinarity: Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching among College and University Faculty , 2001 .

[5]  G. Fry.  Multifunctional landscapes - towards transdisciplinary research , 2001 .

[6]  Hanna J. Cortner,et al.  Making science relevant to environmental policy , 2000 .

[7]  L. Apostel.  Interdisciplinarity : problems of teaching and research in universities , 1972 .

[8]  Julie Thompson Klein,et al.  Interdisciplinarity: History, theory, and practice. , 1992 .

[9]  C. S. Holling,et al.  Barriers and bridges to the renewal of ecosystems and institutions , 1997 .

[10]  F. Reusswig,et al.  Interdisziplinarität in den Umweltwissenschaften – Konzeptionen, Organisation, Erfahrungen , 2004 .

[11]  Richard Phillips Feynman,et al.  The meaning of it all : thoughts of a citizen-scientist , 1998 .

[12]  Göran Persson.  Mistra's role and some lessons learned in the first five years , 1999 .

[13]  G. Tress,et al.  From tacit to explicit knowledge in integrative and participatory research , 2003 .

[14]  Nicole Rijkens-Klomp,et al.  A look in the mirror: reflection on participation in Integrated Assessment from a methodological perspective , 2002 .

[15]  A. Kinzig.  Bridging Disciplinary Divides to Address Environmental and Intellectual Challenges , 2001, Ecosystems.

[16]  R. Audi.  Epistemology: A Contemporary Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge , 1997 .

[17]  E. Jantsch,et al.  Towards Interdisciplinarity and Transdisciplinarity in Education and Innovation , 1972 .

[18]  Gary Fry,et al.  Integrative studies on rural landscapes: policy expectations and research practice , 2005 .

[19]  Trevor L. Young,et al.  The Handbook of Project Management: A Practical Guide to Effective Policies and Procedures , 1998 .

[20]  W. Monty Reichert,et al.  Time‐Tested Survival Skills for a Publish or Perish Environment , 2002 .

[21]  J. Klein,et al.  Interdisciplinarity: History, Theory, and Practice. , 1991 .

[22]  Erich Jantsch,et al.  Inter- and transdisciplinary university: A systems approach to education and innovation , 1947 .

[23]  G. Tress,et al.  Clarifying Integrative Research Concepts in Landscape Ecology , 2005, Landscape Ecology.