Transdisciplinary approaches in practice-oriented research projects as combination of method and methodology: Consideration of need as well as requirement analysis and integration

Abstract

Successful transdisciplinary approaches require the integration of method and methodology into an approach. Methods concern the concrete activities when following an approach, while methodologies address the theory and the way of thinking behind the execution of methodical activities. In practice-oriented research, controversial opinions exist about the optimal balance between methodical and methodological considerations. Putting more effort into the consideration of methodology in comparison to method is criticized as leading to approaches not being practice-oriented and having limited capability to be used in practice-oriented research projects. At the same time, it is argued, that the importance of methodology cannot be denied, particularly in trans- und interdisciplinary projects. It was shown that methods successfully used in research of a certain discipline, may fail when used by researchers of another discipline, due to different methodologies within different disciplines. Considering time as a limited resource, this leads to the question of how to balance method and methodology in the design of transdisciplinary approaches for practice-oriented research projects. Thereby approaches of need as well as requirement analysis and integration are examined in research projects aspiring the development of prototypes of hybrid services. A respective approach balancing method and methodology is outlined and implications for further developments are discussed.