Research in the area of development studies is oriented towards reflection on global inequalities from a transdisciplinary perspective, a critical discussion of development cooperation, as well as questions of methodology and methods of development research. This integration of multiple perspectives into the analysis of problem areas is necessary to enable a profound understanding of political, economic, social and cultural processes, dynamics and power structures at the global and local levels. Trans- disciplinary development research therefore incorporates the perspectives of different fields of knowledge and practice and aims at linking theory and practice.