Purpose: To provide a comprehensive overview of the systems and cybernetics fields, by defining concepts and bringing together key, but currently scattered, references about them. Description: The International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics is both a hard copy book (the second edition was published by De Gruyter Saur in 2004) and a searchable online database. […]

Systems archetypes are recurring generic systems structures found in many kinds of organisations, under many circumstances, and at many levels and scales. They are distinctive combinations of reinforcing and balancing processes. These system archetypes teach how to diagnose recurring problems and to design effective interventions. Eight common archetypes are: fixes that fail shifting the burden […]

The Team Science website provides four education modules. The module on team science covers: 1) team conflicts and resolutions, 2) incentives and disincentives to collaborative research, 3) communication techniques and 4) evaluation methods. Three other modules examine team science research in Behavioural Science, Basic Medical Science and Clinical Medical Science, respectively. Website: https://www.teamscience.net/ Posted: December 2011Last modified: […]

Purpose: To consolidate and provide access to knowledge, practical tools and strategies for collaborative efforts to address scientific challenges by leveraging “the strengths and expertise of professionals trained in different fields.” Description: This user-generated collection provides “resources to help manage, support, conduct, or study team-based research,” in particular: Tools, includes proven approaches, training materials and […]

Purpose: To describe what is involved in jointly conducting transdisciplinary research, including in integration. Description: Jointly conducting the research is the second of three distinct phases in transdisciplinary research shown in the figure below for transdisciplinary research on sustainability issues. It follows the first stage of framing the problem and is in turn followed by […]

Purpose: To describe what is involved in the problem framing stage of transdisciplinary research, where the project is envisaged and goals, problems and research are determined. Description: Problem framing is the first of three distinct phases in transdisciplinary research. It involves identifying relevant understandings of the problem situation, to: clarify who to involve in the […]

Purpose: To distinguish among three primary categories of unknowns. Description: One useful way of thinking about different kinds of unknowns is illustrated in the matrix below, which highlights three kinds of unknowns: known unknowns, unknown knowns and unknown unknowns. The most familiar is what we know we do not know ie ‘known unknowns’ or conscious […]

This resource presents “…core skills of effective writing, how to write for scientific publication, and how to write for advocacy. Writing for Change will enhance your capacity to write in ways that promote action from your target audience. It is full of practical exercises and examples from the field of international development. A resource centre […]