How interdisciplinarity helps knowledge production: Reflections on a doctoral dissertation

Abstract

For the last several decades, there has been an ongoing discussion regarding disciplinary approaches towards the dissemination of theoretical/methodological frameworks and results that will enrich knowledge in the tourism field. However, there is still a lack of researchers' explanations and reflections regarding the benefits of involving into an interdisciplinary approach, which can lead to new forms of knowledge creation. Through this reflective study, the goal is to understand the process of writing and “being” the interdisciplinary PhD thesis writer in tourism, with interpretations referring to the elements of interdisciplinarity proposed in already existing tourism literature. By presenting the research process and results of the PhD thesis on persuasive communication occurring on online travel review platforms, the aim is to provide not only an interpretation of epistemology, but also of the ontology of conceptualizing and conducting tourism research in an interdisciplinary spirit and how this can stimulate further research on certain topic.