Introducing DisciplinesHelping students narrow their focus for research

Today’s Objectives:1. Discuss to understand the disciplines of research

2. Identifying the discipline of your topic

3. Identifying patterns in a matrix

Color Wheel of Disciplinary Understanding

Different disciplines will research and

analyze questions in different ways.

Discipline BreakdownsUnderstanding the Basics of the 6 Major Disciplines

Discipline BreakdownsWe will breakdown each discipline to see where

your ideas, interests, or topic exists.

You may want to take notes (or a photo) on/of your specific discipline

Discipline Breakdowns

NOTE: Some portions of each discipline may appear to blend into another discipline. This is

typical of healthy research…

HistoryNational * International * Global

● Chronological: Progression of time analyzed through dates

● Theoretical: Reasons behind why history progressed in a particular way

● Social: Influences of humans on historical progression

Humanities● Human Society: Discovery, preservation, and

communication● Languages: Investigation and preservation of languages and

linguistic skills● Creative/Theoretical: Experimentation in the creative arts

with a wide range of social and cultural experience● Combination of Disciplines: The new exploration of

combined scientific-humanistic/artistic approaches (e.g., neurocognitive approaches to literature).

● Ethical: Analyzing the ethics of perspectives regarding society/humanity

Hard/Natural SciencesLife Sciences and Physical Sciences

Biology * Physics * Astronomy * Chemistry* Earth ● History: Progressions of and development of Hard Science

over time● Theory: Understanding structures and constraints of Hard

Science● Applicable: Find new ways to use findings in life● Observatory/explanatory: observing and explaining

phenomena in nature

Social SciencesEconomics*Political Science*Law*Demography*

Human Geography*Sociology*Psychology*Education● History: Progression of specific field in relation to humanity● Theory: Study and development of intangible concepts● Applicable: Using theories of field to answer tangible

questions or solve tangible issues

MathematicsClose-Ended Questions*Open-Ended Questions

● History: Progression of Maths over time● Theory: Use of intangible ideas to prove or

disprove abstract concepts● Applicable: Use of mathematical knowledge in

life (Geometry would be an example)

ARTPerformance Art * Visual Art * Auditory Art

● Creation: Research methods used to actually create art in various forms

● Theory: Research the reason for Art, the way Art influences people, Cutting edge uses for Art

● History: Research a progression or understanding due to Art, Specific Time Period

Where do you think your interests fit?

Take a moment to write down the discipline in which you think your interests exist.

Dimensions of DisciplineEach discipline shares dimensions of understanding

Dimensions of Every DisciplineEach discipline will consider the following:1. Purpose: Possible uses of the knowledge acquired or

researched2. Method: Methods for building and validating

knowledge3. Knowledge: Concepts, accepted findings,

transformed misconceptions4. Forms: The construction of the produced work