2.1.1. Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Research Methodology for Sustainability

An interdisciplinary approach is a key component of the sustainability of any sector. However, there are considerable barriers to implement interdisciplinary projects.

One of the problems trying to define a successful methodology of interdisciplinary research is to confuse this with:

- Methods/methodologies to stimulate interdisciplinary research

- Methods/methodologies to create communities

- Methods/methodologies to invite actors from different communities and to keep open to new influences

- With methods

A method is a systematic process that allows us to reach a specific objective, while a methodology is a series of methods, or a comparative study of different methods. Transdisciplinary research is practice-based-research, developed by actual researchers. Transdisciplinary research processes are thus inextricably linked to researchers.

Therefore, research methodologies are often defined as experimenting, and gaming. While interdisciplinary research is growing there is no common glossary, no focused communication platform and no commonly shared research framework. Interdisciplinary research utilizes a broad, but not clearly defined set of methods for knowledge production. But interdisciplinary research must be clearly framed, including the use of a common terminology and the development of a broad suite of appropriate methods.

However, a discussion on interdisciplinary research methodologies might sharpen the difference between disciplines i.e between artists' methods (open processes) on one and scientist's methods on the other (clearer methodologies).

An experimental methodology: the experiment in the laboratory/experiment in the wild.