Differences in publication and dissemination practices between disciplinary and transdisciplinary science and the consequences for research evaluation

Modern science has become a highly diversified social system. Its diversity is not only attributable to the multitude of specialized subjects but also to different research styles. Disciplinary and transdisciplinary research coexist side by side. In transdisciplinary science non-scientists participate actively in research projects. Although it has become a very important part of science today, much of the practice in research evaluation is still based on the standards and customs of traditional disciplinary science. Our comparative analysis of three research fields: economics and botany, representing disciplinary science, and sustainability research, representing a more transdisciplinarily oriented field, showed that there are significant differences in publication and dissemination practices. From these facts we derive some conclusions about how research evaluation should be modified in order to be able to assess the results of transdisciplinary research adequately.