Transdisciplinary research for sustainability: vital roles of researchers

• Main Author: Mohd. Zain, Nor Razinah
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General); K Law (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/96330/1/2%29%20Nor%20Razinah%20Mohd.%20Zain%20%281%29.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/96330/9/96330_Transdisciplinary%20research%20for%20sustainability%20vital%20roles%20of%20researchers.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/96330/15/IRD2021%20Poster.jpg; http://irep.iium.edu.my/96330/

The introduction of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations has significantly increased the interest among researchers towards promoting the notion of sustainability across fields of studies. Instead of depending on a single disciplinary perspective in doing research, many researchers have opted to use a transdisciplinary perspective in doing their researches. This paper evaluates the crucial roles of researchers in the success of transdisciplinary research while pushing forwards to meet the nation of sustainability. This research adopts a qualitative methodology that depends on descriptive and content analysis from the available data collected from arm-chaired findings. Additionally, the observational approach is also carried out based on real-life experiences. This research found that tolerance and willingness to learn from each other, especially among researchers from different backgrounds, are important in increasing the success of transdisciplinary research. Active communication among researchers is crucial and advantageous to speed up the learning process. There must be clear steps for the research process/procedures in achieving the research objectives in relation to the researchers’ methodologies or approaches. A clear division of works must be done by the researchers suitable with their backgrounds. The recommendation or proposed solutions of the transdisciplinary research may be varied, but they should complement other solutions derived from different fields of study. In facing differences of opinions, the researchers need to exercise a negotiation skill level with each other. The roles of researchers as found here are related to the general roles of the researchers. Thus, it may be varied when it comes to the researchers’ specific roles subject to their research objectives. By understanding the vital roles of researchers in transdisciplinary research, practically can assist the researchers to focus on achieving their research objectives towards providing solutions in meeting the notion of sustainability.