Researching Across Boundaries in the Social Sciences

This chapter explores the concept that social science researchers need to research across traditional boundaries to better respond to the complexity of human behaviour and the pluralism that is a common characteristic of society. The topic is investigated using examples from the author’s own research related to the formation of adolescents’ self-identity and his research on children’s early reading development. Within the chapter it is argued that researchers need to be responsive to opportunities and that boundaries to their research are often more imaginary than real. Research is premised on the need to problem solve and thus it needs to transition and blend together at least three related elements that are often perceived as three different elements: the technical, the creative, and the communicative elements. Cross boundary research identifies that knowledge and wisdom cannot be siloed in one location, procedure or discipline but rather it is acquired over time using a variety of sources, resources, and influences.