The role of an interdisciplinary approach in improving the quality of the educational process in higher education institutions

Abstract

The article analyzes the role of an interdisciplinary approach in improving the quality of the educational process in higher education institutions. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to adapt educational practices to the challenges of our time, requiring the integration of knowledge from various fields. The purpose of the study is to identify the key factors of the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary approach in the educational process and to develop recommendations for its implementation. The tasks include a conceptual analysis of literature, systematization of terminology, identification of gaps in research, substantiation of the author's approach. The methodology is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and statistical analysis. The empirical base was based on survey data from 1,500 students and 200 teachers from 15 universities in Russia. The results showed that interdisciplinary learning promotes the development of critical thinking (correlation coefficient 0.78), creativity (0.74), and communication skills (0.81). The factors determining its effectiveness have been identified: the presence of a single conceptual framework (87% of respondents noted), the regularity of interaction between teachers of different disciplines (79%), the use of interactive formats (92%). Recommendations on the design of interdisciplinary courses and the creation of a favorable institutional environment are formulated. The theoretical and practical significance of the results for the development of higher school pedagogy is substantiated. Prospects for further research are outlined.