- Multidiscipline: In a multidisciplinary approach, experts from different disciplines work together on a project, but they generally stay within their own fields. Each discipline contributes its own perspective and methods, and the integration of these contributions happens at the boundaries of the disciplines. For example, a multidisciplinary team working on climate change might include meteorologists, biologists, and economists, each addressing the problem from their own disciplinary standpoint.
- Interdiscipline: In an interdisciplinary approach, there is a deeper integration of knowledge from different disciplines. Experts collaborate more closely to develop new methods or theories that blend concepts from their respective fields. The goal is to create a new, cohesive understanding or solution that transcends the boundaries of individual disciplines. For example, an interdisciplinary team working on a new technology might integrate principles from engineering, computer science, and design to develop a novel product.
In summary, while multidisciplinary approaches involve separate contributions from different fields, interdisciplinary approaches seek to merge these contributions into a unified framework.
A Broader Term cross-discipline is a more general term that encompasses both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches.
cf. ChatGPT
