Methods for Transdisciplinary Research (PDF)

projects and described independently of both their concrete research contexts and the given constellation of scientific fields. At the end of the description of each of these integration methods the reader will find a reference to the specific research project from which this method either originated or which project used it in an exemplary way. In Chapter III, there follows a description of those research projects whose integration methods were evaluated. To be sure, the research project is not described here in its entirety; instead, the description concentrates on the "integration history" of each project, so that the reader will, with a focus on a description of the integration tasks involved, be able to understand these tasks, and, also, the research design and the research process. By describing the integration instruments contextually one can highlight the integrative processes of particular importance for the transdisciplinary research process. Following up on the abstract description of the methods presented in Chapter II the reader is in a position in Chapter III to see the concrete ways in which the methods are used. The description of each project and its respective research strategy also makes it possible to recognize whether the integration method in question "works well" by itself or whether it promises more success for an integrative research project when used in conjunction with other methods. At the end of each project description there is a "fact sheet" that provides further information, for example, concerning project-related literature. The publications most important for the project are listed first.

interdisciplinary method development137 B.1Framework conditions and project's research goal137 B.2 Research strategy and integration methods139 B.3 Project brief150 III.C Example 2: Demography and supply systems-Integration through theoretical work and model development152 C.1 Framework conditions and project's research goal152 C.2 Research strategy and integration methods154 C.3 Project brief169 III.DExample 2: Decline of fish populations-Integration through formulation of hypotheses with stakeholder participation172 D.1 Framework conditions and project's research goal172 D.2 Research strategy and integration methods173 D.3 Project brief181 III.E Example 4: A reconception of grazingland management-Integration through inclusion of everyday action183 E.1 Framework conditions and project's research goal183 E.2 Research strategy and integration methods184 E.3 Project brief190 III.F Example 5: Adapted health services for nomadic pastoralists-Integration through the inclusion of a target group192 F.1 Framework conditions and project's research goal192 F.2 Research strategy and integration methods193 F.3 Project brief199 III.G Example 6: Sustainable housing renovation-Integration through including practice partners and through product orientation202 G.1 Framework conditions and project's research goal202 G.2 Research strategy and integration methods203 G.3 Project brief209 III.HExample 7: Sustainability and urban design-Integration through cross-disciplinary categorial systems and iterative forms of work211 H.1 Framework conditions and project's research goal211 H.2 Research strategy and integration methods213 H.3 Project brief219 III.I Example 8: Water demand forecast for Hamburg-Integration through continual design of the research process and operationalization of the product220 I.1 Framework conditions and project's research goal220 I.2 Research strategy and integration methods222 I.3 Project brief228 III.J Example 9: Situated human-machine communication-Integration through the development of an artifact229 J.1 Framework conditions and project's research goal229 J.2 Research strategy and integration methods232 J.3 Project brief242 III.K Example 10: Nature conservation and agricultural production-Integration through the elaboration of guiding principles245 K.1 Framework conditions and project's research goal245 K.2 Research strategy and integration methods246 K.3 Project brief251 III.L Example 11: Evaluation of transdisciplinary research-Integration through joint learning in an iterative process253 L.1 Framework conditions and project's research goal253 L.2 Research strategy and integration methods254 L.3 Project brief260 Chapter IV: Integration supportive aspects of the management of transdisciplinary research processes and groups262 IV.A Management strategies for an integrated project process263 IV.B Integration planning, problem description, research questions and research objectives266 IV.C Coordination, communication and learning processes269 IV.D Quality management, criteria and products274 Chapter V: Further instructions for use276 V.AProject phase reference of the integration methods and instruments277 V.BFunctional order of integration methods278 V.CClassification of integration strategies of the projects according to integration types281 V.DOverview of integration methods and integration strategies282 D.1Integration methods and instruments in Chapter II282 D.2Model projects and their integration strategies in Chapter III284 Chapter VI: References286 About the authors290 Index292