Evaluating the Impact of Systems Research
A central challenge of systems research is expressing implicit understanding of change and making it explicit. The goal of this guide is to address, “What distinguishes systems research from other forms of research?” Defining what constitutes good systemi
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Evaluating the Impact of Systems Research Mary C. Edson and Gary S. Metcalf
Abstract A central challenge of systems research is expressing implicit understanding of change and making it explicit. The goal of this guide is to address, “What distinguishes systems research from other forms of research?” Defining what constitutes good systemic research requires explanation about what is missing from the current practices of research, as driven by the assumptions of science. This requires revisiting assumptions about what we know (ontology), how we learn (epistemology), and how those have shaped our approaches to research thus far. In the seven chapters of this guide, concepts of systems research—philosophy, frameworks, problem structuring and research design, taking action, reporting results, and competencies—have been presented in systematic ways that instill rigor in systemic inquiry. These concepts correspond to the precision expected of science viewed through systemic lenses. Each chapter, and the portion of the research study it represents, needs to be its own coherent “whole,” while also acting as part of a comprehensive study design. Good systems research puts science in context; its evaluation requires more than traditional scientific approaches and critical thinking. The need for systemic evaluation prompts several questions concerning the philosophical principles guiding research, the rationale for the chosen framework, the basis for problem analysis and research question development, and the resulting model. Research must be evaluated for systemic coherence as demonstrated in reporting findings, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations. Have the system and the systems researcher been changed by the inquiry? Essentially asking the question: What is systemic about the research and why does it matter? Keywords Ontology • Epistemology • Systems research • Systematic • Systemic • Systems model • Rigor • Coherence • Context • Critical thinking • Credibility • Evaluation • Change
M.C. Edson • G.S. Metcalf International Federation for Systems Research, Vienna, Austria © Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2017 M.C. Edson et al. (eds.), A Guide to Systems Research, Translational Systems Sciences 10, DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-0263-2_8
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M.C. Edson and G.S. Metcalf
What Is Needed and What Is Good Enough? This book and its organizational model (Fig. 8.1) attempt to span a difficult chasm, with an intention of beginning a process of bringing multiple worldviews into a new coherence. For consideration of our readers, the authors suggest this chasm may be bridged through systems philosophy, processes, and practice. The previous seven chapters have presented different perspectives of the research cycle, viewing it systemically. The intention of this book is to offer diverse approaches to competent and comprehensive inquiry. Like most systems, our attention has been limited to this domain. As a result, these approaches are neither all-encompassing nor conclusive. The focus is on what is needed and w
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