French research into the outcomes, well-being and development of children is extensive but rather dispersed, carried out in demarcated disciplinary areas. However, an increasing number of researchers are seeking to pool their knowledge and are developing multidisciplinary studies to broaden the scope of exploration and dialogue in fi elds relating to childhood. The aim is to adopt a more comprehensive approach to the world of children and their development, drawing on varied areas of research. For example, collaboration between different branches of the social sciences provides a clearer picture of how cognitive skills are acquired by mobilizing knowledge of the social, family and cultural environment in which children grow up (Kaufman and Clément, 2003, 2007; Duru-Bellat and Fournier, 2007). In the field of health, epidemiologists more habitually adopt a multidisciplinary approach: the study of the causes and evolution of childhood diseases is not restricted to clinical diagnosis alone but also covers exogenous factors such as social background and family context. © I.N.E.D. Tous droits réservés pour tous pays. (R.A.)
Auteur : Pirus C, Bois C, Dufourg MN, Lanoe JL, Vandentorren S, Leridon H, Elfe team
Population (English edition), 2010, vol. 65, n°. 4, p. 543-74
