Multi-Disciplinary

Effects of Multi-Disciplinary Approaches

There are various ways to approach and solve problems. Such approaches include multi-disciplinary perspectives and strictly disciplinary perspectives. To effectively solve a problem a person should gather an array of information from a series of different sources. When a person takes this approach towards a certain problem or situation, they are taking a multi-disciplinary approach. As defined in the Webster’s American Dictionary: College Edition, multidisciplinary is the “combining of several specialized branches of learning or fields of expertise” (Multidisciplinary 526).

However, if one choses to “relate to a specific field of study” versus a variety of fields, they are taking a strictly disciplinary approach when resolving a certain situation or issue (Disciplinary 228). There are advantages and disadvantages to both a multidisciplinary approach and a disciplinary approach however one may find a multidisciplinary approach to be more efficient. Advantages to a multi-disciplinary approach include being able to apply different aspects to a certain situation as well as weighing the pros and cons.

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When a person has a decision to make, they have a solution that they think is best for that decision. If multiple people add their insights to help make the decision, a better solution is made. By adding different aspects to a certain problem or issue, a better solution is resulted. Also, through a multi-disciplinary approach, a person is able to obtain ideas that have worked for people in the past and ideas that have not been successful to evaluate the best solution to a problem.

A disadvantage to multi-disciplinary approaches is that with more aspects presented, it could take more time to reach a conclusion due to some people disagreeing with others. Nonetheless, a solution is usually eventually reached where most parties are satisfied. With certain societal problems, multi-disciplinary approaches often lead to better solutions. When there is a problem in society, society has to come up with a solution that will benefit everybody, not just a select few.

If society used a strictly disciplinary approach to these problems, not everyone would be satisfied leading to other problems within society. By taking a multi-disciplinary approach to these societal problems, society has the chance to cater and please a greater amount of people. Taking a multi-disciplinary approach can lead to better solutions with a greater amount of people pleased but society cannot please everyone. Although a multi-disciplinary approach to societal problems is not the ultimate solution, it still has a better effect than a strictly disciplinary approach.

When a person takes a multi-disciplinary approach, they are getting feedback and information from a variety of different sources. If many different aspects are presented in a situation, it allows someone to gather information and then decide what points they will use in their situation. For example when deciding what was important to make New Orleans an excellent city, our First Year Experience class researched different fields of study and components of a city to answer the question of what was necessary for New Orleans to strive.

By taking parts of all the different fields of study including the arts, government, education and sports, and applying them to New Orleans, an excellent city with variation could be made. However, if New Orleans only focused on one field of study, the city would not have any variation. Although multi-disciplinary approaches usually result in better solutions than strictly disciplinary approaches, difficulties still arise with multi-disciplinary approaches. For example with more than one source being contributed to a situation, little problems could arise with not everyone agreeing with a conclusion.

Also, when making a multi-disciplinary decision, one has to decide what aspects to use from others, making it longer to obtain a solution. Not all aspects presented in a multi-disciplinary approach are applicable to the solution that is being made as well. In a disciplinary approach, a person can make a decision quickly and easily but they lack the insight from others. For instance if a doctor needed help making a decision about what medicine to prescribe for their patient, he would not consult someone who is not educated to do so, but instead make the decision on his own because he is trained to.

In this situation, a disciplinary approach may be the better option. Overall the advantages of a multi-disciplinary approach outweigh the disadvantages. Being able to obtain outside sources to solve a problem presents more information to make a better and more adequate solution to problems. A strictly disciplinary approach is still a good approach to certain issues but it does not always provide the best answer to the issue.

Even though there are obstacles when making a multi-disciplinary decision such as time and not all parties agreeing, a solution is eventually made to benefit all parties and to resolve a problem. Without multi-disciplinary approaches in society and everyday life, we would not be able to get outside information to make better life choices and decisions.

Works Cited “Disciplinary. " Def. Webster’s American Dictionary. College Edition. 1997. Print. "Multidisciplinary. " Def. Webster’s American Dictionary. College Edition. 1997. Print.

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