https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191213115406.htm

"We observed two fundamental patterns of knowledge exchange and integration in interdisciplinary research teams," says Boos. "The first, which we refer to as the "theory-method interdisciplinary collaboration pattern," involves one party providing a theoretical understanding, and the other offering methods for collecting and analysing the data. The second, which we called the "technical interdisciplinary collaborative pattern," is characterised by the exchange of learning tools such as algorithms and technical know-how to solve a shared research question."

The researchers identified these patterns by conducting intensive fieldwork on three interdisciplinary collaborative projects at a German university. The studies included different methods to investigate both the cognitions and the interactions of the members of the interdisciplinary teams. "Using the cognitive mapping method, the participants were able to show how the ideas and knowledge of the team members were being shared in collaborative exchange and integrated into a common knowledge structure," says Dai.