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Multidisciplinary Research: Implications for Agricultural and Applied Economists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2015

Siân Mooney ,
Douglas Young ,
Kelly Cobourn  and
Samia Islam
Siân Mooney
Affiliation:
Department Economics, College of Business and Economics, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho
Douglas Young
Affiliation:
School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
Kelly Cobourn
Affiliation:
Department of Economics, College of Business and Economics, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho
Samia Islam
Affiliation:
Department of Economics, College of Business and Economics, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho
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Extract

We detail the rewards and barriers to participating in multidisciplinary research (MDR) using a 2011 survey of applied economists at U.S. universities. We compare these findings with an earlier 1993 survey to assess if rewards and barriers have changed over time. Different administrative levels of U.S. universities are sending contradictory signals regarding rewards from MDR. External funding agencies convey positive signals. Although the scope and breadth of questions addressed by applied economists are changing over time, institutional incentives and reward structures are not keeping pace with these changes. Progress toward adapting to new professional demands has been slow.

Keywords

agricultural and applied economicsfaculty surveymultidisciplinary researchpromotion and tenureA1Q00
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 45 , Issue 2 , May 2013 , pp. 187 - 202
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2013

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