Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Systems Research Reporting

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
A Guide to Systems Research

Part of the book series: Translational Systems Sciences ((TSS,volume 10))

Abstract

The competent design, planning, undertaking, and analysis of systems research deserves to be reported well to reflect its systemic strengths. The very best systems research will evidence a systemic approach in its structure, content, and overall contribution to the field. To enable a systemic approach to systems research reporting, a researcher must frame and select from a number of considerations specific to the systems field. This chapter provides clear guidance for systems researchers in a systematic approach to writing up and reporting research in the systems sciences. The distinctive roles, forms, levels, phases, and premises of systems research are outlined for consideration. A systematic approach to reporting highlights the elements of structure, boundary, relations, timing, and completeness that assist favorable evaluations. The researcher is also directed to the critical choices they must make between systems definitions, paradigms, voicings, and perspectives. The chapter concludes with a consideration of common errors of omission and the unique ethical tensions experienced when undertaking contemporary systems research. This content will benefit early career systems researchers, research article reviewers, examiners of dissertations, and experienced systems practitioners in making their own contributions to the wider systems discipline.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahl, V., & Allen, T. F. H. (1996). Hierarchy theory: A vision, vocabulary, and epistemology. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aliseda, A. (2006). Abductive reasoning: Logical investigations into discovery and explanation. Dordrecht, Holland: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateson, G. (1972). Steps to an ecology of mind: Collected essays in anthropology, psychiatry, evolution, and epistemology. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bickman, L., & Rog, D. J. (1998). Handbook of applied social research methods. London, England: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biglan, A. (1973). The characteristics of subject matter in different academic areas. Journal of Applied Psychology, 57(3), 195–203. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0034701

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan, D., & Bryman, A. (Eds.). (2009). The Sage handbook of organizational research methods. London, England: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckle Henning, P., & Chen, W.-C. (2012). Systems thinking: Common ground or untapped territory? Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 29, 470–483. doi:10.1002/sres.2155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Checkland P. (1999). Systems thinking, systems practice (30 year retrospective). Oxford, England: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Commons, M. L., & Richards, F. A. (2003). Four postformal stages. In J. Demick & C. Andreoletti (Eds.), Handbook of adult development (pp. 199–219). New York, NY: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-0617-1_11

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook-Greuter, S. R. (2000). Mature ego development: A gateway to ego transcendence? Journal of Adult Development, 7(4), 227–240. doi:10.1023/A:1009511411421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, H., Hedges, L. V., & Valentine, J. C. (Eds.). (2009). The handbook of research synthesis and meta-analysis. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W. (2012). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson-Tunik, T. L., Commons, M. L., Wilson, M., & Fischer, K. W. (2005). The shape of development. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 2(2), 163–195. doi:10.1080/17405620544000011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Favero, M. (2003). Academic disciplines. In J. W. Guthrie (Ed.), Encyclopedia of education (pp. 9–14). New York, NY: MacMillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denzin, N. K., & Lincholn, Y. S. (2011). The Sage handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dombrowski, P. M. (2000). Ethics and technical communication: The past quarter century. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, 30, 3–29. doi:10.2190/3YBY-TYNY-EQG8-N9FC

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, K. W. (1980). A theory of cognitive development: The control and construction of hierarchies of skills. Psychological Review, 87(6), 477–531. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.87.6.477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, K. W., Hand, H. H., & Russell, S. (1984). The development of abstractions in adolescence and adulthood. In M. L. Commons, F. A. Richards, & C. Armon (Eds.), Beyond formal operations: Late adolescent and adult cognitive development (pp. 43–73). New York, NY: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flood, R. L., & Carson, E. (2013). Dealing with complexity: An introduction to the theory and application of systems science (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Floyd, J. (2008). Towards an integral renewal of systems methodology for futures studies. Futures, 40, 138–149. doi:10.1016/j.futures.2007.11.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gebser, J. (1985). The ever present origin (N. Barstad & A. Mickunas, Trans.). Athens: Ohio University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graves, C. W. (1970). Levels of existence: An open system theory of values. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 10(2), 131–155. doi:10.1177/002216787001000205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 105–117). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, A. D., & Fagen, R. E. (1956). Definition of system. General Systems, 1(1), 18–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammond, D. (2002). Exploring the genealogy of systems thinking. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 19(5), 429–439. doi:10.1002/sres.499

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holling, C. S. (2001). Understanding the complexity of economic, ecological and social systems. Ecosystems, 4, 390–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ison, R. L. (2008). Systems thinking and practice for action research. In P. W. Reason & H. Bradbury (Eds.), The Sage handbook of action research: Participative inquiry and practice (2nd ed., pp. 139–158). London, England: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, M. (2003). Systems thinking: Creative holism for managers. Chichester, England: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klir, G. (2013). Facets of systems science (Vol. 7). New York, NY: Springer Science & Business Media.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koestler, A. (1969) Beyond atomism and holism: The concept of the holon. In A. Koestler & J. R. Smythies (Eds.), Beyond reductionism: New perspectives in the life sciences (pp. 192–232). London, England: Hutchinson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korzybski, A. (1933). Science and sanity: An introduction to non-Aristotelian systems and general semantics. Lakeville, CT: International Non-Aristotelian Library.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, T. (1974). Second thoughts on paradigms. In F. Suppe (Ed.), The structure of scientific theories (pp. 459–499). Urbana, IL: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, T. (1983). Commensurability, comparability, communicability. In P. Asquith & T. Nichols (Eds.), PSA 198: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association: Vol. 2, Symposia and Invited Papers (pp. 669–688). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnani, L. (2001). Abduction, reason, and science: Processes of discovery and explanation. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Marton, F. (1981). Phenomenography: Describing conceptions of the world around us. Instructional Science, 10, 177–200. doi:10.1007/BF00132516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maturana, H. R. (1981). Autopoiesis. In M. Zeleny (Ed.), Autopoiesis: A theory of living organization (pp. 21–33). New York, NY: New Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maturana, H. R. (1988). Reality: The search for objectivity or the quest for a compelling argument. Irish Journal of Psychology, 9(1), 25–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maturana, H. R., & Bunnell, P. (1999). The biology of business: Love expands intelligence. Reflections, 1(2), 58–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maturana, H. R., & Varela, F. J. (1987). The tree of knowledge: The biological roots of human understanding. Boston, MA: Shambhala.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadows, D. H., & Wright, D. (2008). Thinking in systems: A primer. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation: Revised and expanded from qualitative research and case study applications in education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Midgley, G. (2000). Systemic intervention. New York, NY: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Midgley, G., Munlo, I., & Brown, M. (1998). The theory and practice of boundary critique: Developing housing services for older people. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 49, 467–478. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jors.2600531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D. C., & Salkind, N. J. (2002). Handbook of research design and social measurement. London, England: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine, Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy. (2009). On being a scientist: A guide to responsible conduct in research (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peat, J., Mellis, C., & Williams, K. (Eds.). (2002). Health science research: A handbook of quantitative methods. London, England: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peirce, C. S. (1957). Essays in the philosophy of science. New York, NY: Bobbs-Merrill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, C. (1998). A structured approach for presenting theses. Australasian Marketing Journal (AMJ), 6(1), 63–85. doi:10.1016/S1441-3582(98)70240-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry, W. G. (1999). Forms of intellectual and ethical development in the college years: A scheme. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Popper, K. (1959). The logic of scientific discovery. London, England: Hutchinson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Popper, K. (1972). Objective knowledge: An evolutionary approach. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramage, M., & Shipp, K. (2009). Systems thinkers. London, England: Springer Science & Business Media.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Reason, P. (1994). Participation in human inquiry. London, England: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reason, P. (1999). Integrating action and reflection through co-operative inquiry. Management Learning, 30(2), 207–225. doi:10.1177/1350507699302007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reason, P., & Bradbury, H. (Eds.). (2001). Handbook of action research: Participative inquiry and practice. London, England: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richmond, B. (1993). Systems thinking: Critical thinking skills for the 1990s and beyond. System Dynamics Review, 9, 113–133. doi:10.1002/sdr.4260090203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C. M., & Ormston, R. (Eds.). (2013). Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. London, England: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rozeboom, W. W. (1997). Good science is abductive, not hypothetico deductive. In L. L. Harlow, S. A. Mulaik, & J. H. Steiger (Eds.), What if there were no significance tests? (pp. 335–391). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sage, A. P., & Rouse, W. B. (2009). Handbook of systems engineering and management. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H. A. (1962). The architecture of complexity. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 106, 467–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H. A. (1977). Models of discovery, and other topics in the methods of science. Dordrecht, Holland: D. Reidel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strunk, W. (1918). The elements of style. New York, NY: Dover.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2010). The Sage handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torbert, W. (1994). Cultivating post-formal adult development: Theory and practice. In M. Miller & S. Cook-Greuter (Eds.), Transcendence and mature thought in adulthood: The further reaches of adult development (pp. 181–203). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torbert, W. (1999). The distinctive questions developmental action inquiry asks. Management Learning, 30(2), 189–206. doi:10.1177/1350507699302006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tosey, P., Visser, M., & Saunders, M. N. (2011). The origins and conceptualizations of ‘triple-loop’ learning: A critical review. Management Learning, 43(3), 291–307. doi:10.1177/1350507611426239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, W. (1983). Critical heuristics of social planning: A new approach to practical philosophy. Chichester, England: J. Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varey, W. (2007). The interpersonal line: Self and other in compassion [Research paper], John F. Kennedy University, San Francisco, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varey, W. (2012). Abductive theory for thought-ecologies: Depicting systems of conceptions (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/16147/

  • Varey, W. (2013). Apithological inquiry: Learnings from an ecological aesthetic. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 30(5), 596–606. doi:10.1002/sres.2211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Varey, W. (2014). Ontological appropriateness: Relevance, significance, importance. Aspects of Apithology: The Journal of Apithological Practice, 5(2), 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • von Bertalanffy, L. (1968). General system theory: Foundations, development, applications. New York, NY: Braziller.

    Google Scholar 

  • von Bertalanffy, L. (1972). The history and status of general systems theory. Academy of Management Journal, 15(4), 407–426. doi:10.2307/255139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Foerster, H. (2003). Ethics and second-order cybernetics. In H. von Foerster (Ed.), Understanding understanding: Essays on cybernetics and cognition (pp. 287–304). New York, NY: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Whyte, W. F. E. (1991). Participatory action research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, M., & Vogt, W. P. (2011). The Sage handbook of innovation in social research methods. London, United Kingdom: Sage. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781446268261

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Humanity Learning, Melbourne, Australia

    Will Varey

Authors
  1. Will Varey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Federation for Systems Research, Vienna, Austria

    Mary C. Edson

  2. Adelphi University , Garden City, New York, USA

    Pamela Buckle Henning

  3. University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, Australia

    Shankar Sankaran

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Varey, W. (2017). Systems Research Reporting. In: Edson, M., Buckle Henning, P., Sankaran, S. (eds) A Guide to Systems Research. Translational Systems Sciences, vol 10. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0263-2_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation