The Interdisciplinary Research Process (IRP)

Outline of the Senior Capstone Paper

To assist students to gain a more comprehensive understand the interdisciplinary research process (IRP), the attachments listed below are designed to assist in the development of an outline of the capstone research paper.

The Interdisciplinary Research Process (IRP) – provides guiding questions and statement at the beginning of the inquiry to ensure compliance with the Interdisciplinary research process

The Board Model Rubric (page 293 in Repko textbook) – this rubric includes the six ID Process steps and the criteria that evaluate the information that should be included at each step.

It is recommended that you read chapters 4 & 6 that were given out in class which was taken from the textbook “Interdisciplinary Research: Process and Theory” by Allen F. Repko and Rick Szostak. Read chapters 11 and 12 in the “Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies by Allen F. Repko, Rick Szostak, and Michelle Phillips Buchberger. This information will provide you with a foundation and understanding of the interdisciplinary research process for your topic/complex problem.

Sample Outline of Capstone Research Paper – Using the Interdisciplinary Research Process and the Broad Model Rubric begin to outline the sections of the capstone paper as follows

Title of the Capstone Paper

Table of Contents

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Steps 1 – Define the problem or state the research

Steps 2 – Justify using an interdisciplinary approach

Body of Paper: Steps 3 – Identify relevant disciplines

Steps 4 – Conduct a literature search/literature review. (On the other hand, the whole paper should reflect a literature review as this is essentially secondary research.

Steps 5 – Critically analyze the disciplinary insights into the problem and locate their sources of conflict; or identify the different parts/reasons why one discipline approach may be inadequate or insufficient. (Essentially step 4.2 above)

FIRST HEADING

Subheading #1, 2, 3……as many as needed

SECOND HEADING

Subheading #1, 2, 3…..as many as needed

THIRD HEADING

Subheading #1, 2, 3……as many as needed

FOURTH HEADING

Subheading #1, 2, 3……as many as needed

CONCLUSION: Steps 6 – Reflect on how using an interdisciplinary approach has

enlarged your understanding the problem.

Pay particular attention to the sections in chapter 11, pages 281-292 on “Decompose the Problem”; page 295 on “Develop a Data Management System”; in chapter 12, pages 309 -314 “Critically Analyze the Disciplinary Insights ”and pages 322- 326, “Reflect on the Interdisciplinary Approach”. If followed the strategies and methods outlined in the Repko textbook and chapter handouts will provide you with enough information to complete the research paper. Remember this is just an outline and it will be revised several times before you complete this process.