A Guide to Systems Research

Abstract

Foreword; Contents; Introduction; Reference; Chapter 1: Philosophical Foundations of Systems Research; Systems Research: What and Why; Defining Research; The Emergence of Systems Thinking; Implications for Research; Systems and Circularity; Conceptualizing Systems; Evolution of the Systems Field; Applied Systems Approaches: Technology and Design; Systems Science: Understanding the Nature of Systems; Systems Philosophy: Implications for Research; Ontological Considerations; Epistemological Insights; Ethical Implications; Concluding Reflections on Systems Research; References Chapter 2: Systems Research Framework Frameworks in General; Relational Holon Framework; PAR Holon Framework; Observe; Act; Plan; Reflect; Cycles of Entailment; Describing Organization in Systems; Anticipation; The Importance of Context; Modeling Relations; Modeling Relations: Contextual Entailment; Modeling Relations: Actualized Entailment; Holon and Modeling Relation as Semantic Relations; Ubiquitous Appearance of Four-Cause Frameworks; Ways of Using the PAR Holon Framework; Concluding Remarks; Appendix: Worksheets; References Chapter 3: Problem Structuring and Research Design in Systemic Inquiry Introduction; Is It a System?; A Systemic Perspective; Problem Structuring; Role of the Systems Researcher in Problem Structuring and Research Design; Rationale for Systems Research; Creating Shared Meaning: Metaphors, Similes, Analogies, Allegories, and Isomorphisms; Research Study Design; Summary; References; Chapter 4: Modeling and Simulation; Ontological Considerations; Relations Tell Us Why; Formalism; A General Theory of Modeling; Complex Modeling; Data; Dynamics; Potentials; Possibilities Relations Coupling Models Relationally; Mathematical Basics of Relational Modeling; Modeling vs. Simulation and Analogy; Concluding Remarks; References; Chapter 5: Taking Action Using Systems Research; Getting Started; A Project Management Approach; A Dissertation Approach; A Systems Research Model; The FMA Model; Methodology; Systemic Intervention Processes; Action Research; Systemic Action Research (SAR); Evolutionary Learning Laboratory (ELL); Total Systems Intervention (TSI); Practical Intervention Using Multimethodology; Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) Methods and Approaches Quantitative Research; Qualitative Research; Mixed Methods Research; Conceptual Framework; Negotiating Relationships; Data Collection Strategies; Other Useful Methods; Case Study; Grounded Theory; Sampling; Data Analysis; Statistical Analysis; Qualitative Data Analysis; Using Participants to Analyze Data; Rigor; Ethics; Summary; References; Chapter 6: Systems Research Reporting; Approaches to Reporting Systems Research; Questions in Systems Research Reporting; Balance in Systems Research Reporting; Features Unique to Systems Research