Dynamic Toolbox

At the methods level, methodological agility involves working with a new 'mixed methods' approach. By virtue of bringing transformative methods into the mix, as it were, the latter goes beyond the traditional and more narrow quant-qual definition of mixed methods. The methods presented and discussed on the sub-pages below are by no means a definitive list, but merely some examples of the kinds of quantitative, qualitative and transformative approaches that have and can be used in an agile manner in / for different contexts - whilst still remaining focused on the overall epistemological task at hand of co-producing systems, target and transformation knowledge. The animated figures of the bricoleur and dynamic tool box above is just a fun way of depicting the bricolage and exaptation functions and activities involved in mastering the art and skill of be/coming methodologically agile during and after the process of switching methodologies.

Synergic methods vs. using methods synergically

It is possible to distinguish conceptually between synergic methods and using methods synergically. Synergic methods refer to single - standalone - methods that can be used for achieving all three purposes simultaneously, namely for the (i) understanding / sense-making (Verstehen), (ii) explaining / predicting (Erklärung) and (iii) changing / transforming (Verändern) of the problem situations at hand. Using methods synergically, on the other hand, means using quantitative, qualitative and transformative methods in combination with each other also for achieving the same end(s), namely for the (i) understanding / sense-making (Verstehen), (ii) explaining / predicting (Erklärung) and (iii) changing / transforming (Verändern) of the problem situations at hand.

Social contracting

In reality, using methods synergically, in complementary ways, most probably outweigh the practice of using them as single, synergic methods - simply because single methods have mostly been designed and used for very specific disciplinary purposes, not for multi-functional purposes. Either way, both synergic methods and/or using them synergically play a critically important role in the social contracting between researchers and stakeholders prior to and during TTDR processes - especially when considering and negotiating their different theoretical and practical interests for embarking upon TTDR processes.

Although these different theoretical and practical interests may not always overlap completely, they do not have to be seen and treated as completely divergent. They certainly can and do converge during different stages of the research process: in particular when co-producing dynamic epistemic objects (problem statements and research questions) - which, in turn, can then be used for both publication purposes and supporting stakeholders' real-time decision-making processes. For a brief reference and discussion on dynamic epistemic objects, please see the Home page.

Emergent research design: making the road by walking

Learning and applying the art and craft of methodological agility will certainly stand researchers in good stead when engaging stakeholders in TTDR processes. In practice, though, when facing emergent, real-life dynamics in TTDR processes, it will certainly be far from clear at the start of the research process exactly which of the many kinds of quantitative, qualitative and transformative methods can or should be used. However, this is not an insurmountable problem. Knowledge and experience from other cases - available in the relevant literature - can certainly be consulted and adopted. Still, this remains an emergent research design challenge - something that can be figured out during the unfolding research process - as part and parcel of the co-design learning experiences between researchers and social co-researchers.

Methods: the 'verbs' of methodology

Either way - using synergic methods or using them synergically - they still need to be fit-for-purpose and versatile enough to be used as and when the overall strategic focus of TTDR processes shift in different directions (see the Dynamic mixed methods page for some graphic illustrations of this) - depending on the rate, scale and distribution of the actual changes taking place in the real-life situations in which TTDR processes are embedded. The methods presented and discussed on the relevant sub-pages below have been selected merely as examples for illustrating how they can be used in one way or another, either on their own as synergic methods or synergically in combination with other methods - either way, playing a critical enabling role in methodological agility. Methods are, therefore, the very practical ways and means of actually being methodologically agile - the verbs of methodological agility, as it were.