On the Border: Limits and Possibilities of Interdisciplinary Research

Abstract

In this chapter we sketch the different forms that interdisciplinary research into law can take. The purpose of this chapter is to distinguish various types of interdisciplinary research and to identify some of the more fundamental problems that one has to deal with when combining different disciplines. We provide a model to understand the different ways in which an interdisciplinary research project can be set up, mapping the differences according to the extent of the interdisciplinary work in a project. We go into the main fundamental issues that confront a researcher who engages in an unfamiliar discipline, and we discuss practical problems that are often encountered. The main argument of the chapter is that it is very important to be aware of the kind of interdisciplinary work you engage in and to be explicit about the choices you have to make accordingly.

Keywords: legal research, interdisciplinarity, legal method, interdisciplinary research