Interdisciplinary research conducted in a university setting is explored for ways of making it more effective. A research team comprised of people from six disciplines was organized to develop an approach for prescribing effective remedial and preventive flood plain management to alleviate the consequences of flooding on small urban waterways. After its research experience the team made 27 specific recommendations in order to help subsequent teams to be more successful. Key recommendations are that team members be recruited who are problem oriented but who have sufficient discipline focus to make meaningful contributions, that administration of a project not be tied to any specific discipline, that a core staff within the administrative unit be organized to keep the team moving, that viable research assignments be given each team member early in the total effort, that the duties of each team member be clearly defined, and that support from the university hierarchy and community be developed. (Author)