Student Experiences Engaging in Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations: A Case Study for Social Work Education

ABSTRACT

This article provides a case study of student experiences working as part of an interdisciplinary research team. A team of graduate-level students from social work, civil engineering, and computer science collaborated on the design of a mobile device application that captures data regarding how transportation disadvantage affects the lived experiences of community-dwelling older adults and single parents experiencing homelessness with dependent children. An online survey (N=5) was used to assess student experiences on the team. Findings from this case study have important implications for engaging students in interdisciplinary applied research, including challenging them to expand their knowledge base beyond the traditional confines of their disciplines, encouraging critical and creative thinking skills, and harnessing technology for the greater social good.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vivian J. Miller

Vivian J. Miller is assistant professor at Bowling Green State University.

Erin R. Murphy

Erin R. Murphy is a doctoral student at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Courtney Cronley

Courtney Cronley is associate professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Noelle L. Fields

Noelle L. Fields is assistant professor at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Craig Keaton

Craig Keaton is a doctoral student in Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington.