Analysis of Factors Promoting the Implementation of Interdisciplinary Research Based on the Research Orientation of University Researchers

Abstract

This study clarified the factors that promote the implementation of interdisciplinary research based on the results of a questionnaire survey conducted among university faculty members affiliated with three universities of different sizes and formats. Research conducted by individuals using multiple disciplines is defined as "individual interdisciplinary orientation" and joint research by researchers in multiple fields is defined as "multidisciplinary joint research", and these are the research systems that lead to interdisciplinary research. Statistical analysis reveals that several of the researcher's choices and number of choices of "specialty fields", "research methods", and "research interests" have a significant impact on "individual interdisciplinary orientation" and "multispecialty joint research experience". On the other hand, there are various combinations of affinity fields in multispecialty joint research, and furthermore, there are selected and unselected fields. In order to conduct interdisciplinary research, it is also important for researchers to be aware of the demands of their own specialty fields.