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Section 1

Multi-disciplinary Research

Increasingly, government, industry and the research sector are looking towards multi-disciplinary research to solve complex problems. Knowledge flows between usually distinct disciplines attract interest because major advances in innovation often involve collaboration across disciplinary boundaries.

Outputs submitted to ERA are assigned up to three four-digit FoR codes each, reflecting their disciplinary content. Where two or more codes are assigned to a single output, the differently coded content might be related at the two-digit level. An example is an output that has been assigned (apportioned) as part 0603 and part 0604 (i.e. Evolutionary Biology and Genetics–both of which are within 06 Biological Sciences). Multi-disciplinary (MD) research involves two or more academic disciplines that are considered more distinct. In this section a multi-disciplinary output is one where the content has been apportioned by universities to two or more FoR codes from different two-digit FoR groups. An example of a multi-disciplinary output is one where the research content draws on both Applied Mathematics (0102) and Genetics (0604) and the submitting university has apportioned the paper to each of these FoR codes from different two-digit groups (01 Mathematical Sciences and 06 Biological Sciences).

The chart below presents an analysis of ERA 2015 outputs for each two-digit FoR group, showing what proportion of outputs are multi-disciplinary. Of all outputs submitted with 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences content, 41 per cent were multi-disciplinary (co-apportioned with content from a discipline group other than 17). Conversely, 59 per cent of ‘17’ outputs were either wholly apportioned to a single FoR within 17, or were co-apportioned with other FoRs from the 17 group. Other discipline groups with a high proportion of multi-disciplinary outputs were 05 Environmental Sciences and 10 Technology, both with around 38 per cent of submitted outputs being multi-disciplinary.

Proportion of ERA 2015 outputs that are multi-disciplinary* by two-digit FoR code

Bar chart displaying the proportion of multi-disciplinary outputs assigned to each two-digit Fields of Research code. The top three codes were 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences 41 per cent, 05 Environmental Sciences 38 per cent and 10 Technology 38 per cent. The code with the lowest amount of multi-disciplinary research was 19 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing 10 per cent.

*A ‘multi-disciplinary’ output is one where content has been assigned to two or more four-digit discipline codes from separate two-digit FoR groups. For example, an output assigned to both 0102 and 0905 (Applied Mathematics and Civil Engineering), is considered here to be ‘multi-disciplinary’; by contrast, an output wholly-assigned to a single four-digit code, or to two or more codes within the same two-digit group (for example, to 0102 Applied Mathematics and 0104 Statistics; both within ‘01 Mathematical Sciences’) is not classified as multi-disciplinary here.

Multi-disciplinary profiles for two-digit FoR groups

This section presents a profile of multi-disciplinary content for each two-digit FoR group. The profiles aim to show which disciplines are most likely to appear together in multi-disciplinary outputs. The profiles in the pie chart on the left show, for each two-digit discipline, what proportion of outputs are multi-disciplinary (as shown in the previous figure). On the right they show the apportioned content of the multi-disciplinary outputs. The first profile shows that of the 2,475 outputs identified as multi-disciplinary in 01 Mathematical Sciences, 47 per cent of their content was coded within 01 itself; 16 per cent of their content was apportioned within 09 Engineering; nine per cent was apportioned as 08 Information and Computing Sciences; and so forth. Most of the other codes held a less than five per cent share of the multi-disciplinary outputs’ apportioned content, and have been grouped as ‘other’. The highest apportionment goes to 01 Mathematical Sciences because that is what these outputs all have in common: they are multi-disciplinary outputs with Mathematical Sciences content, plus content apportioned to one or two other two-digit FoRs.

Guide to the multi-disciplinary profiles:

01 Mathematical Sciences – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 11,937 whole outputs submitted to the 01 Mathematical Sciences code. Of these outputs 9,462 (79 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 01 Mathematical Sciences. The remaining 2,475 (21 per cent) were apportioned to 01 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 01 Mathematical Sciences. The apportioned content of these 2,475 outputs is as follows - 47 per cent to 01 Mathematical Sciences codes, 16 per cent is apportioned to 09 Engineering, nine per cent is apportioned to 08 Information and Computing Sciences, eight per cent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences, five per cent is apportioned to 02 Physical Sciences and 15 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

* MD: Multi-disciplinary, defined as any output that is apportioned to codes from two or more two-digit FoR groups.

02 Physical Sciences – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 18,281 whole outputs submitted to the 02 Mathematical Sciences code. Of these outputs 15,817 (87 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 02 Physical Sciences. The remaining 2,464 (13 per cent) were apportioned to 02 and other Fields of Research outside of 02 Physical Sciences. The apportioned content of these 2,464 outputs is as follows - 48 per cent to 02 Physical Sciences, 25 per cent is apportioned to 09 Engineering, 10 per cent is apportioned to 03 Chemical Sciences, six per cent is apportioned to 10 Technology and 12 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

03 Chemical Sciences – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 17,718 whole outputs submitted to the 03 Chemical Sciences code. Of these outputs 13,154 (74 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 03 Chemical Sciences. The remaining 4,564 (26 per cent) were apportioned to 03 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 03 Chemical Sciences. The apportioned content of these 4,564 outputs is as follows - 47 per cent to 03 Chemical Sciences codes, 23 per cent is apportioned to 09 Engineering, eight per cent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences, eight per cent is apportioned to 06 Biological Sciences, five per cent is apportioned to 02 Physical Sciences and nine per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

04 Earth Sciences – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 12,070 whole outputs submitted to the 04 Earth Sciences code. Of these outputs 10,228 (85 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 04 Earth Sciences. The remaining 1,842 (15 per cent) were apportioned to 04 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 04 Earth Sciences. The apportioned content of these 1,842 outputs is as follows- 47 per cent to 04 Earth Sciences codes, 15 per cent is apportioned to 09 Engineering, 14 per cent is apportioned to 05 Environmental Sciences, 12 per cent is apportioned to 06 Biological Sciences, and 13 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

* MD: Multi-disciplinary, defined as any output that is apportioned to codes from two or more two-digit FoR groups.

05 Environmental Sciences – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 11,625 whole outputs submitted to the 05 Environmental Sciences. Of these outputs 7,162 (62 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 05 Environmental Sciences. The remaining 4,463 (38 per cent) were apportioned to 05 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 05 Environmental Sciences. The apportioned content of these 4,463 outputs is as follows - 48 per cent to 05 Environmental Sciences codes, 23 per cent is apportioned to 06 Biological Sciences, eight per cent is apportioned to 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, five per cent is apportioned to 04 Earth Sciences, and 16 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

06 Biological Sciences – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 33,973 whole outputs submitted to the 06 Biological Sciences. Of these outputs 24,187 (71 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 06 Biological Sciences. The remaining 9,786 (29 per cent) were apportioned to 06 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 06 Biological Sciences. The apportioned content of these 9,786 outputs is as follows - 47 per cent to 06 Biological Sciences codes, 24 per cent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences, 10 per cent is apportioned to 05 Environmental Sciences, seven per cent is apportioned to 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, and 12 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 13,610 whole outputs submitted to the 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences. Of these outputs 10,709 (79 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences. The remaining 2,901 (21 per cent) were apportioned to 07 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences. The apportioned content of these 2,901 outputs is as follows - 48 per cent to 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences codes, 24 per cent is apportioned to 06 Biological Sciences, 13 per cent is apportioned to 05 Environmental Sciences and 16 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

* MD: Multi-disciplinary, defined as any output that is apportioned to codes from two or more two-digit FoR groups.

08 Information and Computing Sciences – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 26,734 whole outputs submitted to the 08 Information and Computing Sciences. Of these outputs 23,125 (87 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 08 Information and Computing Sciences. The remaining 3,609 (13 per cent) were apportioned to 08 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 08 Information and Computing Sciences. The apportioned content of these 3,609 outputs is as follows - 48 per cent to 08 Information and Computing Sciences codes, 16 per cent is apportioned to 09 Engineering Sciences, six per cent is apportioned to 01 Mathematical Sciences, six percent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences and 24 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

09 Engineering – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 61,949 whole outputs submitted to the 09 Engineering. Of these outputs 52,466 (85 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 09 Engineering. The remaining 9,483 (15 per cent) were apportioned to 09 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 09 Engineering. The apportioned content of these 9,483 outputs is as follows - 49 per cent to 09 Engineering codes, 10 per cent is apportioned to 03 Chemical Sciences, seven per cent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences, seven percent is apportioned to 10 Technology, six per cent is apportioned to 02 Physical Sciences, six per cent is apportioned to 08 Information and Computing Sciences and 15 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

10 Technology – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 8,088 whole outputs submitted to the 10 Technology. Of these outputs 5,052 (62 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 10 Technology. The remaining 3,036 (38 per cent) were apportioned to 10 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 10 Technology. The apportioned content of these 3,036 outputs is as follows - 46 per cent to 10 Technology codes, 23 per cent is apportioned to 09 Engineering, seven per cent is apportioned to 03 Chemical Sciences, six percent is apportioned to 08 Information and Computing Sciences, five per cent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences, five per cent is apportioned to 02 Physical Sciences and nine per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

* MD: Multi-disciplinary, defined as any output that is apportioned to codes from two or more two-digit FoR groups.

11 Medical and Health Sciences – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 98,191 whole outputs submitted to the 11 Medical and Health Sciences. Of these outputs 82,269 (84 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 11 Medical and Health Sciences. The remaining 15,922 (16 per cent) were apportioned to 11 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 11 Medical and Health Sciences. The apportioned content of these 15,922 outputs is as follows - 53 per cent to 11 Medical and Health Sciences codes, 17 per cent is apportioned to 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, 13 per cent is apportioned to 06 Biological Sciences and 18 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

12 Built Environment and Design – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 10,705 whole outputs submitted to the 12 Built Environment and Design code. Of these outputs 9,225 (86 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 12 Built Environment and Design. The remaining 1,480 (14 per cent) were apportioned to 12 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 12 Built Environment and Design. The apportioned content of these 1,480 outputs is as follows - 48 per cent to 12 Built Environment and Design codes, 13 per cent is apportioned to 16 Studies in Human Society, 12 per cent is apportioned to 09 Engineering, six per cent is apportioned to 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services and 23 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

13 Education – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 21,783 whole outputs submitted to the 13 Education code. Of these outputs 18,891 (87 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 13 Education. The remaining 2,892 (13 per cent) were apportioned to 13 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 13 Education. The apportioned content of these 2,892 outputs is as follows - 48 per cent to 13 Education codes, 12 per cent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences, seven per cent is apportioned to 16 Studies in Human Society, seven per cent is apportioned to 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, six per cent is apportioned to 20 Language, Communication and Culture and 20 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

* MD: Multi-disciplinary, defined as any output that is apportioned to codes from two or more two-digit FoR groups.

14 Economics – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 8,149 whole outputs submitted to 14 Economics code. Of these outputs 6,704 (82 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 14 Economics. The remaining 1,445 (18 per cent) were apportioned to 14 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 14 Economics. The apportioned content of these 1,445 outputs is as follows - 47 per cent to 14 Economics codes, 18 per cent is apportioned to 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services, 13 per cent is apportioned to 16 Studies in Human Society, six per cent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences and 16 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 24,777 whole outputs submitted to the 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services code. Of these outputs 22,039 (89 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services. The remaining 2,738 (11 per cent) were apportioned to 15 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services. The apportioned content of these 2,738 outputs is as follows - 49 per cent to 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services codes, nine per cent is apportioned to 14 Economics, eight per cent is apportioned to 16 Studies in Human Society, five per cent is apportioned to 08 Information and Computing Sciences and 29 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

16 Studies in Human Society – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 25,771 whole outputs submitted to the 16 Studies in Human Society code. Of these outputs 20,414 (79 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 16 Studies in Human Society. The remaining 5,357 (21 per cent) were apportioned to 16 and other Fields of Research codes outside 16 Studies in Human Society. The apportioned content of these 5,357 outputs is as follows - 48 per cent to 16 Studies in Human Society codes, 11 per cent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences, five per cent is apportioned to 18 Law and Legal Studies, five per cent is apportioned to 20 Language, Communication, and Culture and 31 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

* MD: Multi-disciplinary, defined as any output that is apportioned to codes from two or more two-digit FoR groups.

17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 18,409 whole outputs submitted to the 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences code. Of these outputs 10,944 (59 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences. The remaining 7,465 (41 per cent) were apportioned to 17 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences. The apportioned content of these 7,465 outputs is as follows - 46 per cent to 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences codes, 42 per cent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences and 12 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

18 Law and Legal Studies – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 10,873 whole outputs submitted to the 18 Law and Legal Studies code. Of these outputs 9,634 (89 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 18 Law and Legal Studies. The remaining 1,239 (11 per cent) were apportioned to 18 and other Fields of Research codes outside 18 Law and Legal Studies. The apportioned content of these 1,239 outputs is as follows - 50 per cent to 18 Law and Legal Studies codes, 24 per cent is apportioned to 16 Studies in Human Society, six per cent in 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services and 20 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

19 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 13,632 whole outputs submitted to the 19 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing code. Of these outputs 12,258 (90 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 19 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing. The remaining 1,374 (10 per cent) were apportioned to 19 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 19 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing. The apportioned content of these 1,374 outputs is as follows - 50 per cent to 19 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing codes, 25 per cent is apportioned to 20 Language, Communication and Culture, seven per cent is apportioned to 13 Education and 19 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

* MD: Multi-disciplinary, defined as any output that is apportioned to codes from two or more two-digit FoR groups.

20 Language, Communication and Culture – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 14,755 whole outputs submitted to the 20 Language, Communication and Culture code. Of these outputs 12,142 (82 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 20 Language, Communication and Culture. The remaining 2,613 (18 per cent) were apportioned to 20 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 20 Language, Communication and Culture. The apportioned content of these 2,613 outputs is as follows - 49 per cent to 20 Language, Communication and Culture codes, 13 per cent is apportioned to 19 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing, 11 per cent is apportioned to 16 Studies in Human Society, seven per cent is apportioned to 13 Education, six per cent is apportioned to 21 History and Archaeology and 14 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

21 History and Archaeology – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 8,620 whole outputs submitted to the 21 History and Archaeology code. Of these outputs 7,286 (85 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 21 History and Archaeology. The remaining 1,334 (15 per cent) were apportioned to 21 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 21 History and Archaeology. The apportioned content of these 1,334 outputs is as follows - 49 per cent to 21 History and Archaeology codes, 14 per cent is apportioned to 16 Studies in Human Society, 13 per cent is apportioned to 20 Language, Communication and Culture, eight per cent is apportioned to 22 Philosophy and Religious Studies and 17 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

22 Philosophy and Religious Studies – Multi-disciplinary content profile

Exploding pie graph displaying 7,249 whole outputs submitted to the 22 Philosophy and Religious Studies code. Of these outputs 6,041 (83 per cent) were only apportioned to four-digit codes within 22 Philosophy and Religious Studies. The remaining 1,208 (17 per cent) were apportioned to 22 and other Fields of Research codes outside of 22 Philosophy and Religious Studies. The apportioned content of these 1,208 outputs is as follows - 48 per cent to 22 Philosophy and Religious Studies codes, 13 per cent is apportioned to 16 Studies in Human Society, nine per cent is apportioned to 21 History and Archaeology, six per cent is apportioned to 11 Medical and Health Sciences, six percent is apportioned to 20 Language, Communication and Culture, five per cent is apportioned to 18 Law and Legal Studies and 13 per cent are Fields of Research each with less than five per cent apportioned and are grouped as ‘others’.

* MD: Multi-disciplinary, defined as any output that is apportioned to codes from two or more two-digit FoR groups.