Short answer
Designers and researchers working in interdisciplinary fields should actively seek to create common ground and shared language, perhaps through a focus on design principles or middle-range theories, to prevent fragmentation.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Games and Culture (2016)
- Method
- Scientometric analysis and textual analysis of academic literature.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Game studies, despite its interdisciplinary aspirations, is becoming siloed into cultural studies, potentially hindering broader innovation in digital game research. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2016 study published in Games and Culture. Using Scientometric analysis and textual analysis of academic literature., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and researchers working in interdisciplinary fields should actively seek to create common ground and shared language, perhaps through a focus on design principles or middle-range theories, to prevent fragmentation.
Interdisciplinary Game Research Risks Fragmentation Without Design Focus
Game studies, despite its interdisciplinary aspirations, is becoming siloed into cultural studies, potentially hindering broader innovation in digital game research.
Games and Culture · 2016
Key Findings
- 01Game studies exhibits typical drivers and hurdles of interdisciplinary fields.
- 02Instead of becoming a broad interdiscipline, game studies is becoming a narrow cultural studies sub-discipline within a diversifying field of game research.
- 03Researchers from related fields are increasingly opting for disciplinary venues over game studies venues, even as game studies legitimizes game research.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers and researchers working in interdisciplinary fields should actively seek to create common ground and shared language, perhaps through a focus on design principles or middle-range theories, to prevent fragmentation.
How to apply
When initiating or participating in interdisciplinary design projects, establish clear communication channels and shared goals that transcend individual disciplinary jargon. Consider developing 'boundary objects' – concepts, tools, or prototypes – that are meaningful to all involved parties.
Project actions
- 01When your design project involves people from different subjects, make sure you all understand each other's goals and language.
- 02Try to find a common project or theory that everyone can contribute to and understand.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a critical analysis of interdisciplinary trends.
- +Offers actionable suggestions for improving interdisciplinary collaboration.
Limitations
The findings are specific to the academic field of game studies and may not apply to all interdisciplinary efforts.
Reliability & validity
The study's conclusions are based on analysis of academic literature and scientometric data, which provides a broad overview but may not capture all nuances of interdisciplinary interaction. The interpretation of 'fragmentation' can also be subjective.
Think critically
How can a design project proactively prevent the fragmentation observed in academic disciplines like game studies?
Design Principles
"Foster interdisciplinary cohesion through shared design challenges and boundary objects."
Understanding how academic fields evolve and fragment is crucial for fostering genuine interdisciplinary collaboration. Without intentional strategies to bridge disciplinary divides, valuable insights and potential innovations can be lost as researchers retreat to their home disciplines.
What This Means for Your Design
Even when different experts work together, they can sometimes end up working in separate groups instead of truly collaborating, especially if they don't have a common goal or way to talk to each other.
How to use in your project
- 1.Discuss how your design project aims to bridge different disciplinary perspectives and what strategies you are using to ensure effective collaboration.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The study by Deterding (2016) highlights the risk of fragmentation in interdisciplinary fields, suggesting that without a unifying design orientation or shared theoretical frameworks, specialized areas can become isolated. This is relevant to my design project as it underscores the importance of actively fostering collaboration and shared understanding among team members from diverse backgrounds to achieve holistic design outcomes.
Source
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about interdisciplinary game research risks fragmentation without design focus?
- Designers and researchers working in interdisciplinary fields should actively seek to create common ground and shared language, perhaps through a focus on design principles or middle-range theories, to prevent fragmentation. Evidence: Games and Culture (2016).
- Why does "Interdisciplinary Game Research Risks Fragmentation Without Design Focus" matter for design?
- Understanding how academic fields evolve and fragment is crucial for fostering genuine interdisciplinary collaboration. Without intentional strategies to bridge disciplinary divides, valuable insights and potential innovations can be lost as researchers retreat to their home disciplines.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers and researchers working in interdisciplinary fields should actively seek to create common ground and shared language, perhaps through a focus on design principles or middle-range theories, to prevent fragmentation.
- What were the main findings?
- Game studies exhibits typical drivers and hurdles of interdisciplinary fields.. Instead of becoming a broad interdiscipline, game studies is becoming a narrow cultural studies sub-discipline within a diversifying field of game research.. Researchers from related fields are increasingly opting for disciplinary venues over game studies venues, even as game studies legitimizes game research.
- What research method was used?
- Scientometric analysis and textual analysis of academic literature..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2016 journal from Games and Culture.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating or participating in interdisciplinary design projects, establish clear communication channels and shared goals that transcend individual disciplinary jargon. Consider developing 'boundary objects' – concepts, tools, or prototypes – that are meaningful to all involved parties.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on academic game studies and may not fully capture industry-based interdisciplinary collaboration.