Where’s the Data? Using Data Convincingly in Transdisciplinary Doctoral Research

摘要: The aim of this paper is to identify some the issues in writing a trans-disciplinary doctoral thesis and develop strategies for addressing them, particularly focusing on presentation data analysis. paper, based authors’ own experience, offers guidance to, invites further comment from, transdisciplinary candidates, their supervisors examiners, as well broader field interdisciplinary multidisciplinary researchers. The uses experience four very different theses examine diverse responses received from examiners what means process. examiners’ reports span an array disciplinary epistemologies, ontologies, world views. A preliminary review revealed common concern with definition ‘data’ ‘data analysis’. were then more formally coded thematized. These themes used reflect critically theses, within broad interpretive framework idea ‘convincingly’, light current literature meaning aims transdisciplinarity. The specific supervisors, working burgeoning number research projects that are now taking place space. Doctoral candidates engaged need define they mean by make visible research, be creative conceptions how communicate specify quality criteria against which wish work assessed hold discussions about examiner appointments briefing, special value journey it takes researcher. Our conclusion connects these findings development emerging concept writing. The makes following recommendations researchers: • Make argue unique or way will used • Make clear you expect judged • Be explore possibilities enabled interpretation ‘data’ • Transdisciplinary transformative. Communicate your examiner. As complex ‘wicked’ problems increasingly addressed through important area encouraged, continues theoretical frameworks, methodologies applications. proposed help ensure high researchers greater understanding wider community. It also draws attention potential benefits similar multi-disciplinary research. Further exploration needed across disciplines can ‘talk’ one another resolve problems, solitary scholar, such student, effectively contribution others. could explored teams.