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Sustainability Science pp 31–41Cite as

Transformational Sustainability Research Methodology

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Abstract

Sustainability science can roughly be differentiated into two distinct research streams – a “descriptive-analytical” and a “transformational” one. While the former is primarily concerned with describing and analyzing sustainability problems, the latter aims at developing evidence-supported solution options to solve these problems. This chapter presents relevant methodological guidelines and requirements as well as five exemplary research frameworks for transformational sustainability research. The frameworks are for (1) complex problem-handling, (2) transition management and governance, (3) backcasting, (4) integrated planning research, and (5) the transformational sustainability research (TRANSFORM framework). The TRANSFORM framework aims at synthesizing key components of the other frameworks. The frameworks provide guidelines for transformational sustainability research; yet, willingness and capacity of academic, governmental, private, and nonprofit organizations to use them for knowledge-generating operations are still fairly low. To truly support sustainability transformations, much more of this solution-oriented sustainability research is needed.

Keywords

  • Descriptive-analytical sustainability research
  • Transformational sustainability research
  • Knowledge types
  • Methodological frameworks
  • Evidence-supported solution options

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The literature uses the terms “framework”, “method”, “approach”, and “tool” sometimes interchangeably, sometimes as distinctly different (not consistently). There is no need to differentiate between these terms here. We focus on frameworks as defined above, irrespective of the fact that some of the frameworks are labeled, for instance, as “methods” (e.g., complex problem-handling) or “approaches” (e.g., backcasting).

  2. 2.

    While the methods are structured sequentially in this process model, Loorbach (2010) emphasizes the flexible character of the model: “In reality, there is no fixed sequence of the steps in transition management. The cycle only visualizes the need to connect activities and presents some possible logical connections but does not suggest a sequential order of activities” (p. 172). This position supports the general concept employed in this chapter that there is no single right way of creating solution options for sustainability problems (there are multiple). Yet, most of the empirical transition research projects follow the outlined sequence.

  3. 3.

    The sources highlighted with an asterisk (*) are recommended as further readings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, 875502, Tempe, AZ, 85287-5502, USA

    Arnim Wiek

  2. Faculty of Sustainability, Institute for Ethics and Transdisciplinary Research, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr. 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany

    Daniel J. Lang

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  1. Arnim Wiek
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Correspondence to Arnim Wiek .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Sustainability Governance (INSUGO), Leuphana University, Lüneburg, Germany

    Harald Heinrichs

  2. Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Pim Martens

  3. Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University, Lüneburg, Germany

    Gerd Michelsen

  4. School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA

    Arnim Wiek

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Wiek, A., Lang, D.J. (2016). Transformational Sustainability Research Methodology. In: Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G., Wiek, A. (eds) Sustainability Science. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7242-6_3

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