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Soft systems methodology as a social science research tool
Author(s) -
Rose Jeremy
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
systems research and behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 1092-7026
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1743(199707/08)14:4<249::aid-sres119>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - soft systems methodology , management science , taxonomy (biology) , set (abstract data type) , action research , computer science , sociology , data science , engineering , information system , ecology , management information systems , pedagogy , electrical engineering , biology , programming language
Soft systems methodology (SSM) is well established as a vehicle for action research, particularly in programmes initiated at Lancaster University. It is now sufficiently well known, in academic circles at least, to be considered as a candidate methodology for a wide range of social science research projects. This paper summarizes (and updates) the set of issues which should be explicit when designing a project which includes both SSM and other research approaches. It attempts to "place' SSM within a taxonomy of social science research approaches, examines the contingencies which may determine the success and acceptance of the research, and explores the relationship between SSM components of such programmes and other, more traditional, approaches. A further important focus is the status of SSM products as theory, and the use of SSM for theory generation and/or testing. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.