Expanding the Boundaries of Health and Social Science: Case Studies in Interdisciplinary Innovation [Hardcover]

Frank Kessel (Editor), Patricia Rosenfield (Editor), Norman Anderson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 2008

It is now widely recognized that research on human health requires more than a focus on human biology and disease entities. Lifestyles, attitudes, stress, education, income--all are now understood to contribute to the spread of disease, the effectiveness of curative therapies, and the prevention of illness, as well as to good health and an enhanced sense of well-being. However, despite such developments and the rise of interdisciplinary research, there is still considerable debate about how best to conduct research and shape policies that insightfully integrate concepts and methods drawn from the full range of the health, social, and behavioral sciences. Moreover, scholars and researchers who wish to engage in such interdisciplinary inquiry have no texts that serve as substantive and practical guides to the most effective avenues.

This volume fills this unfortunate gap by presenting a series of case studies that provide a variety of illustrative models of how best to undertake interdisciplinary research on health. All the authors have successfully carried out innovative, collaborative research programs; they give compelling accounts of the benefits of interdisciplinary research, and the central strategies required for successfully achieving such benefits. This volume will be an invaluable resource for scholars and scientists, as well as for decision-makers in academic settings, foundations, and government agencies seeking to develop and promote interdisciplinary programs that expand the boundaries of research dedicated to improving human health and well-being.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fills a gap in the academic and practice literature. Its interdisciplinary nature is highly attractive. Prevents professional Myopia. Helps remind us that great practitioners can be terrible teachers. Every issue contains at least one useful idea. In today's publishing world that is a major accomplishment. --Harris Chaiklin, Professor, University of Maryland at Baltimore

Interesting, informative, and motivationsal. The variety of subjects and perspectives . . . enhance my own latent interest in several areas of supervision and field instruction. . . . Excellent! -Donald R. Bardill, PhD, Professor, School of Social Work, Florida State University, Tallahassee

"Each of this welcome volume's case studies of successful interdisciplinary collaborations related to health is not only intrinsically interesting, but also illuminates how such research can be conducted."-- Steven E. Hyman, Provost, Harvard University, and former Director, National Institute of Mental Health

"Each of this welcome volume's case studies of successful interdisciplinary collaborations related to health is not only intrinsically interesting, but also illuminates how such research can be conducted."--Steven E. Hyman, Provost, Harvard University, and former Director, National Institute of Mental Health

In sum, this is a first-rate work with a first-rate message." --The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

"Many talk about the virtues of working across disciplines: this volume reveals how it can be accomplished."-Harvey V. Fineberg, President, the Institute of Medicine, the National Academies

"Each of this welcome volume's case studies of successful interdisciplinary collaborations related to health is not only intrinsically interesting, but also illuminates how such research can be conducted."--Steven E. Hyman, Provost, Harvard University, and former Director, National Institute of Mental Health

In sum, this is a first-rate work with a first-rate message." --The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

Interesting, informative, and motivationsal. The variety of subjects and perspectives . . . enhance my own latent interest in several areas of supervision and field instruction. . . . Excellent! -Donald R. Bardill, PhD, Professor, School of Social Work, Florida State University, Tallahassee

Fills a gap in the academic and practice literature. Its interdisciplinary nature is highly attractive. Prevents professional Myopia. Helps remind us that great practitioners can be terrible teachers. Every issue contains at least one useful idea. In today's publishing world that is a major accomplishment. --Harris Chaiklin, Professor, University of Maryland at Baltimore

"Each of this welcome volume's case studies of successful interdisciplinary collaborations related to health is not only intrinsically interesting, but also illuminates how such research can be conducted."-- Steven E. Hyman, Provost, Harvard University, and former Director, National Institute of Mental Health

"Many talk about the virtues of working across disciplines: this volume reveals how it can be accomplished."-Harvey V. Fineberg, President, the Institute of Medicine, the National Academies

"The book is likely to be of value not only to scientists but also to decision makers in universities, institutions, and funding agencies. The authors not only summarize interesting and important bodies of work, but also highlight bumps and directions along the winding road they took to achieve such success in their respective interdisciplinary fields."--Journal of Clinical Psychiatry

"For helpful work on interdisciplinary teaching and research specifically in the social sciences, I recommended [this book]."--Robert Axelrod, in his Presidential Address to the American Political Science Association

About the Author

Frank Kessel is at Social Science Research Center. Patricia Rosenfield is at Carnegie Corporation.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (March 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195153790
• ISBN-13: 978-0195153798
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,104,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)