Great post ! I've also found over the years that these kinds of techniques are essential for doing good research. In theoretical domains of ecology sometimes the historical/socio/economic contexts are important to be aware of. For example, we are wrapping up a project on cetacean dives and ended up with a huge conceptual map that draws on old whaling literature, optimal energy theory's origins in economic reasoning, human-free diving metabolism, sports medecine, and conservation law.
Thanks Matthias! Super interesting. I've not been through a formal systematic mapping process yet, but intend to for several projects when I find the time.
The Zwicky box approach is super interesting and intuitive. Definitely added that approach to the list.
Thanks! yes, the big picture thinking is exactly what appeals to me. This is why it was so cool to find out that systematic mapping exists. In fact, the first time we used it, we didn't even know this has a name...
Collaborative systematic mapping - a process of sharing (and linking) knowledge within (!)/peer groups and among (?)/interdisciplinary expert groups.
Knowledge is certainly not private in (open!) science, nor should creativity(!) be so - or is there intellectual property? - I don’t think so, as long as there’s still a pinch of (research) ethics/constructivism!
… this is close to co-creation as promoted and used by socio-ecologists, isn’t it?
Aren’t natural scientists often jealous just because of this ‘democratizing’ of (natural science) knowledge as social scientists effectively utilise it for policymaking … and thus gain greater attention and ‘power’ than natural scientists?
Couldn’t collaborative systematic mapping in mixed teams of ecologists and agronomists or others (e.g. ecologists and medical professionals or economists) create the necessary impetus for addressing the key issues/gaps in knowledge to become able to solve the great challenges of our times much quicker?
THANKS FOR MAKING US THINK INSTEAD OF JUST ACCEPTING AND COMPILING!
I am always so inspired about my own research (completely different field) after reading your thoughts about yours!
Thanks very much, that is one of the nicest things you can say! :)
Very happy that you like the posts!
Great post ! I've also found over the years that these kinds of techniques are essential for doing good research. In theoretical domains of ecology sometimes the historical/socio/economic contexts are important to be aware of. For example, we are wrapping up a project on cetacean dives and ended up with a huge conceptual map that draws on old whaling literature, optimal energy theory's origins in economic reasoning, human-free diving metabolism, sports medecine, and conservation law.
Thanks!
That sounds like a cool project....
Thanks Matthias! Super interesting. I've not been through a formal systematic mapping process yet, but intend to for several projects when I find the time.
The Zwicky box approach is super interesting and intuitive. Definitely added that approach to the list.
Lucky students to get to do a course on creativity, and lucky you for getting to teach it. I'm very interested in this nowadays. I wrote about creativity and big-picture thinking recently here: https://predirections.substack.com/p/diversifying-research-for-greater
Cheers!
Thanks! yes, the big picture thinking is exactly what appeals to me. This is why it was so cool to find out that systematic mapping exists. In fact, the first time we used it, we didn't even know this has a name...
Collaborative systematic mapping - a process of sharing (and linking) knowledge within (!)/peer groups and among (?)/interdisciplinary expert groups.
Knowledge is certainly not private in (open!) science, nor should creativity(!) be so - or is there intellectual property? - I don’t think so, as long as there’s still a pinch of (research) ethics/constructivism!
… this is close to co-creation as promoted and used by socio-ecologists, isn’t it?
Aren’t natural scientists often jealous just because of this ‘democratizing’ of (natural science) knowledge as social scientists effectively utilise it for policymaking … and thus gain greater attention and ‘power’ than natural scientists?
Couldn’t collaborative systematic mapping in mixed teams of ecologists and agronomists or others (e.g. ecologists and medical professionals or economists) create the necessary impetus for addressing the key issues/gaps in knowledge to become able to solve the great challenges of our times much quicker?
THANKS FOR MAKING US THINK INSTEAD OF JUST ACCEPTING AND COMPILING!
Thanks, Hannes. Yes, exactly: I think systematic mapping at the interfaces of disciplines could be particularly promising!
Systematic mapping can be useful for mapping the decision-making system creating the planet's cascading ecological crises ...
https://erikkvam.substack.com/p/we-can-reverse-the-planets-eco-crises-5f7?r=2n8im9