Disciplinary knowledge

As a researcher, you will have a comprehensive understanding of your subject area – but do you know what you don’t know?

As well as knowing your key subject area, it is advisable to understand the perspectives which produced the knowledge you are aware of.

Understanding the core concepts and fundamentals of your research area is key, but you also need to know how these concepts and principles came about – in a sense, you must know about the knowledge that produced the knowledge. This is called learning about the history of ideas.

• Learn how understanding was derived for the key concepts in your subject field
• Understand the nature and formulation of knowledge as well as contributing to it
• Understand the paradigms and perspectives certain bodies of knowledge are built upon to enhance your academic knowledge
• Become aware of alternative perceptions of knowledge and different interpretations of it in your own field and related disciplines
• Be aware of the limitations of past equipment and technology on your field – this in turn will lead you to identify areas for further research

• Review current literature – critically analyse the current literature in your field to reveal its paradigms and assumptions, assess the research design and the effectiveness of the techniques used
• Explore other discipline areas – this can include disciplines related or unrelated to your own, as well as literature from other countries and philosophies. This is to challenge your perceptions and to stay open minded in the face of differing viewpoints.
• Keep up to date and keep grounded-keep up to date by checking the latest literature and keep informed by publishers. While analysing philosophical issues keep grounded by bringing your focus back to your subject and its place amongst the literature you are reading.
• Recognise the strategic direction and contribute – be aware of the direction research in your field is going, and how this is influenced by technological, political, social and other forces. Ultimately, contribute to your field of knowledge through intellectual rigour, but also through honesty and integrity, and to disseminate it.