Interdisciplinarity; Out of Semantic Confusion in Iran

Shahram Yazdani; Maryam  Hajiahmadi; Sareh Shakerian

Journal of Medical Education for Future Demands

Former Title: Journal of Medical Education | The Official Journal of School of Medical Education and Learning Technologies

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Abstract
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Interdisciplinarity; Out of Semantic Confusion in Iran

Author(s):

Shahram Yazdani

¹,

Maryam Hajiahmadi

^1,*,

Sareh Shakerian

²

1School of Management & Medical Education Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2Community Based Educational Health System Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Journal of Medical Education for Future Demands:Vol. 18, issue 1; e102539

Published online:Jan 31, 2019

Article type:Research Article

Received:Mar 10, 2020

Accepted:Dec 25, 2018

How to Cite:Shahram YazdaniMaryam HajiahmadiSareh ShakerianInterdisciplinarity; Out of Semantic Confusion in Iran.J Med Edu.18(1):e102539.

Abstract

Background: The concept of interdisciplinarity that we recognize today, was initially formed in
1920 in the United States. During this period, the United States Social Science Research Council
expressed its interest in interdisciplinary research. Interdisciplinarity is a multidimensional word with
various meanings and interpretations. It is considered as the newest unknown critical, educational,
and organizational concept in the modern academic environment. In this study, we defined
interdisciplinarity and the characteristics of the underlying concepts to present an analytical definition
of the concept of interdisciplinarity.
Methods: Walker and Avant’s concept analysis method was used. This method is a systematic approach
often used for analyzing relatively new concepts. In order to obtain and extract the applications of
interdisciplinarity and its defining characteristics, we searched different databases and used keywords.
Five main domains that form the defining structure of interdisciplinarity were emerged. Those domains
include nature, integration, method, goal, and levels of interdisciplinarity.
Results: We identified five domains major of “ interdisciplinarity: “nature,” “integration”, “method”,
“goal”, and “levels” of interdisciplinarity. Based on the defining attributes a definition is formulated
for the concept of interdisciplinarity.
Conclusion: This study, achieving a simple and elegant concept, resolved the differences between the
different perspectives in this field and helped us design the theoretical and practical model.

Keywords

DEFINITION

CONCEPT ANALYSIS

INTERDISCIPLINARITY

WALKER AND AVANT’S METHOD

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References

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