INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES Issue 2, Volume 5, 2011 Assessing the Propensity for Interdisciplinary Development of the Doctoral Scientific Fields in the Academic Research Case Study: The Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies C. Lincaru, V. Ciuca, L. Mladen, and D. Atanasiu of a new disciplinary field - of a new science. In this Abstract— In this paper we intend to evaluate the probability of perspective an interdisciplinary scientific field represent a development of interdisciplinary field of science as a result of dynamic transformation of a merging disciplinary fields, finalized doctoral thesis. We assume that every finalized doctorate distinct one against other, regardless the “distance” or the thesis can be described by a vector with three dimensions. First cognitive difference between them, according with a specific dimension is given by the position in the doctoral scientific field taxonomy (at national level), the second is set by the position in the taxonomy or classification. advanced high education program taxonomy (ISCED 6-7) and the Under an accelerate rhythm of change the new requirements third dimension reflects the place occupied in an international arrives not only as a normative pursuit but also as an objective scientific taxonomy. The relative positioning to the frontier of the manifestation of new problems. Next to the increasing demand new in the taxonomy’s coordinates offer the opportunity to evaluate of identification and formulation of those new very complex the distributions of the probability density for chosen dimensions by challenges is shaped also the increasing demand of finding and application of the Generalized EM and k-Means Cluster Analysis. building of new solutions. On this background, to nominate the Keywords— academic research, doctoral process, issue and possible to “give it a new name”, to put the interdisciplinary field, interdisciplinary research “diagnostic” – to locate this new problem in relation with the existing paradigm/theory, to allocate instruments and methods I. INTRODUCTION and finally to develop a solution becomes a priority to better CIENTIFIC literature revealed that interdisciplinary describe the structure of the Science in its entire spectrum. Sresearch has won a greater significance over the last years. This spectrum is a universal alphabet that could join together Professional attention to interdisciplinary research emerged in the universe of scientific research as an activity, the universe the 1970s and flourished into the 1980s, then paled. Now, it of education and the universe of business. appears to be on an ascending trend again. J.T. Klein [1] The reality proved that there is an increasing demand for attests that "the roots of the concepts lie in a number of ideas measurement of interdisciplinary and this is requested by: that resonate through modern discourse - the ideas of a unified a. The development and the huge dynamics of new science science, general knowledge, synthesis and the integration of fields. In research the new interdisciplinary fields of science knowledge". She noted that there are many interdisciplinary developed relatively recent, put in a new light the importance varieties among which we can find “interdisciplinary field of of interdisciplinary in new domains like: human adaptive study”. Chubin et al [2] argue that interdisciplinary research mecatronics (HAM), Mecatronics, Intelligent control, should not be conceptualized with “discipline” as the basic Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Machine, Cognitive “indivisible” unit. Darden and Maull [3] suggest that a science [5]: definition of interdisciplinary research should not refer to a1. From natural and engineering science to SSH (Socio disciplines, but to research fields. Sciences and Humanistic Sciences), from research laboratory We have started from the idea that “an interdisciplinary to new fields of science, the technical progress: field is a field of study that crosses traditional boundaries • Mecatronics as a technology that becomes a philosophy between academic disciplines or schools of thought, as new “determined the shift from traditional engineering sequential needs and professions have emerged” [4]. In our approach an to a simultaneous engineering” [6]; interdisciplinary scientific field represents a transition stage • Biomaterials (“The interdisciplinary and integrative nature of biomaterials science new chemical engineering interdisciplinary field of Biomaterials”) with an already 250 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES Issue 2, Volume 5, 2011 announced revolution brought by the applied science and becomes very expensive and complex structures, involving engineering in view „to serve biological aspects of the human large teams of researchers from different expertise domains condition and the humans[7]”; and important resources (budgets). Under the efficiency • Nanotechnologies (“In the simplest terms, the subject of criteria increases also the need to evaluate the research nanoscience technology is defined as the science and activity of the researchers institutions/research units technology of the direct or indirect manipulation of atoms and performance; molecules into functional structures, with applications that • the need to integrate the knowledge fluxes - digital were never envisioned before” [8]) represents an powerful repositories building, efficiency in knowledge access. “Then change source described as „the emerging field of nanoscience number of won projects is great which, in turn, results in an and nanotechnology is leading to a technological revolution in impressive scientific production. This academic environment the new millennium. The application of nanotechnology has is very adequate for a successful implementation of a digital enormous potential to greatly influence the world in which we repository.” [14]; live. From consumer goods, electronics, computers, • the new research perspectives - new research processes information and biotechnology, to aerospace defence, energy, representations. In the perspective of Genetic Algorithms environment, and medicine, all sectors of the economy are to representation of the research processes (“possibly by be profoundly impacted by nanotechnology.” [9] promoting cooperation or competition among the simultaneous • „Integronics highlight new solutions, integration as: evolving populations. This approach is known as cooperative genetic integration, integration by addiction, integration by evolution or co-evolution” [15]) then could be identified choice” [10]; elements from “cooperative learning strategies” [16] which • Other new interdisciplinary fields as a result of evolution involves dealing with some issues like: niche definitions, in „future technological development means micromechanics characteristics of concept description, selection of learning and biomecatronics nanomecatronics” [11]; problem, selection of the set of operative concept. a2. From SSH science to natural and engineering science as c. New developments in education the competences social interactions of the collective dimensions of the building through technology education, considering that “one technological applications. In the new millennium is prepared of the goals of technology education is to teach students about the re-evaluation of humanity as “a key element of HAM and the processes and content knowledge pertaining to technology the issue of modelling and understanding the human factors in and to equip them with the necessary skills to solve problems a control loop is receiving great interest in current research. through manipulating materials and tools to meet their needs in Research into human science under the HAM concept includes ways that will be of benefit to society.” [17] In this context the psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, linguistics, interdisciplinary is illustrated by the Technology Education as anthropology, etc.” [12]; Maybe more than ever becomes an integrator of “science, mathematics, technological and actual the eternal questions of this domain: what is the reality environmental knowledge as well as social science content, for of being human? Or what is reality? example history, economics, sociology and political science” b. the new developments of the research process and better [18]. understanding of the mechanisms of scientific research: d. New developments in business - opportunities, • new (relatively new) research processes organising - the dynamics… The business world and society are increasingly professionalization of research: the distinction between ready for sustainability „therefore, dealing with technology research activity, scientific management, knowledge and innovation is an essential skill for a manager” [19]. management, knowledge production, knowledge economy, e. The location of the problem or bottom up approach, the research marketing, etc research projects increasing solutions based upon local needs that may create complexity, overture, duration, cost and budget; opportunities on the global market due to their unique nature. • the quality and the “amount” of the new (research There are indications in the literature regarding the power of results)/ (OSLO, FRASCATI); context as a source of innovation, when the identification of • the geographical spreading of the locations where is societal expectations from technology” [20] becomes a crucial validated, disseminate and protected (IP) ) the research competitive building issue and new