week3-multimethodology

8/11/2019 Week3-Multimethodology

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Multimethodology:

for Mixing Towards a Framework

Methodologies (Mingers,1997)

Santi Novani, PhD


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Learning Objective

To discusses definitions of terms such as 'paradigm',

'methodology' and 'technique', and the different possible

interpretations of 'multimethodology' are given.

To discuss the main arguments for the desirability of

multimethodology are put forward which considers the

problems and feasibility of (particularly) multi-paradigm work.

Finally, to give more substantive contribution to multi-

methodology research is presented with two frameworks that

may be helpful in combining methodologies and parts of

these together


3/23

Terminology

paradigm', 'methodology', 'method' and

'technique

Anyone knows those

terminologies?


4/23

Paradigm

A paradigm is a very general set of philosophical assumptions that define

the nature of possible research and intervention. We shall distinguish between paradigms in terms of three philosophical

dimensions:

ontology,

the types of entities assumed to existence (real world)

epistemology,

the possibilities of, and limitations on, our knowledge of the world(perception)

Praxiology,

how we should act in an informed and reflective manner.


5/23

Four Paradigms


6/23

Four Paradigms

Positivist

the world of modernscience and socialscience; the world oflogical proofs and

deductions, verifiable

facts and hypotheses,exact measurements,objective observation,

unbiased certainty anduniversal truths. Its so-

called hard problems

tend to be preciselydefinable, stable,operational, andtechnical

Interpretivist

It is concerned withreconciling issues ofindividuality andpersonal differences,

with the social world

and aesthetics. Itaccepts that wedisagree and are

unpredictable.Reasoning is more

often inductive and

situated. The so-calledsoft problems tend to

be broad, volatile andambiguous

Postmodern

is known to be illdefined, which

presents an

opportunity to the

Systems

community to take

from the various

opinions out there

Critical

emancipatory characterised by its

three

commitments, or

themes for debate

to critical

reflection,

pluralism, and

emancipation orimprovement

1. empirical-analytic (positivist, objectivist, functionalist, hard)

2. interpretive (subjectivist, constructivist, soft)

3. critical (critical systems).


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Methodology

Methodology is a structured set of guidelines or activities

to assist people in undertaking research or intervention.

The methodology is the discipline, or body of

knowledge, that utilizes these methods. Usually there is more than one methodology within a

paradigm.

Methodologies may be developed self-consciously as

methodologies (for example, Soft Systems Methodology),

or they may emerge as broad prescriptions for good

practice in using particular techniques within a paradigm

(as is the case with the traditional OR methodology of

model building)


8/23

Method

The methods are the techniquesor processes we use to conductour research.

What is the difference between

methods and technique? Method is the general or specific

way in which an activity isconducted.

While techniques are the variousmethods and processesdeveloped through knowledge,skill, and experience.

Method

Technique


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Technique

is a specific activity that has a clear and well-defined purpose within the context of a

methodology.

Examples of techniques are:1. developing a discrete-event simulation model;

2. undertaking statistical analysis;

3. producing root definitions and conceptualmodels in SSM;

4. drawing a cognitive map;

5. identifying systems 1-5 in Beer's VSM.


10/23

Relation of Methodology and

Techniques?

Relation between methodologyand

techniqueas that between a what and a how.

Methodology Technique

specifies what type of

activities should be

undertaken

are particular ways of

performing these

activities


11/23

Varieties of Multimethodology


12/23

Evolution of pluralism


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Most of Interest as Example of

Multimethodology

1. First, methodology selection is essentially the situation

assumed by Jackson and Keys'System of Systems

Methodologies (SOSM).

2. Second, methodology combination is similar to Flood andJackson's total systems intervention (TSI) in which different

whole methodologies may be used within the same

intervention to deal with different issues, or to provide

different viewpoints.

3. Third, the most complex form of multimethodology is where

methodologies are split or partitioned into components and

these are combined together to construct an ad hoc

multimethodology suitable for a particular problematic

situation.


14/23

Three Dimensions of Problem Situations


15/23

Framework for mapping methodologies


16/23

Toblerone Representation of the

Framework


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Mapping of selected methodologies (1)


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21/23

A possible multimethodology design

D titi f SSM t h ibl


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Decompotition of SSM to show possible

disconnection of techniques


23/23

Thank You

week3-multimethodology

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