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Systems thinking

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  • Cabrera, Derek
  • Colosi, Laura
  • Lobdell, Claire

Abstract

Evaluation is one of many fields where "systems thinking" is popular and is said to hold great promise. However, there is disagreement about what constitutes systems thinking. Its meaning is ambiguous, and systems scholars have made diverse and divergent attempts to describe it. Alternative origins include: von Bertalanffy, Aristotle, Lao Tsu or multiple aperiodic "waves." Some scholars describe it as synonymous with systems sciences (i.e., nonlinear dynamics, complexity, chaos). Others view it as taxonomy--a laundry list of systems approaches. Within so much noise, it is often difficult for evaluators to find the systems thinking signal. Recent work in systems thinking describes it as an emergent property of four simple conceptual patterns (rules). For an evaluator to become a "systems thinker", he or she need not spend years learning many methods or nonlinear sciences. Instead, with some practice, one can learn to apply these four simple rules to existing evaluation knowledge with transformative results.

Suggested Citation

  • Cabrera, Derek & Colosi, Laura & Lobdell, Claire, 2008. "Systems thinking," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 299-310, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:epplan:v:31:y:2008:i:3:p:299-310
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:bla:ausecr:v:39:y:2006:i:4:p:409-411 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Carl Chiarella & Peter Flaschel & Reiner Franke & Willi Semmler, 2006. "Introduction," Contributions to Economic Analysis, in: Quantitative and Empirical Analysis of Nonlinear Dynamic Macromodels, pages 1-3, Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dyehouse, Melissa & Bennett, Deborah & Harbor, Jon & Childress, Amy & Dark, Melissa, 2009. "A comparison of linear and systems thinking approaches for program evaluation illustrated using the Indiana Interdisciplinary GK-12," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 187-196, August.
    2. Mangoyana, Robert B. & Smith, Timothy F. & Simpson, Rodney, 2013. "A systems approach to evaluating sustainability of biofuel systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 371-380.
    3. Walton, Mat, 2014. "Applying complexity theory: A review to inform evaluation design," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 119-126.
    4. Wasserman, Deborah L., 2008. "A Response to paper "Systems Thinking" by D. Cabrera et al.: Next steps, a human service program system exemplar," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 327-329, August.
    5. Reynolds, Martin, 2008. "Response to paper "Systems Thinking" by D. Cabrera et al.: Systems thinking from a critical systems perspective," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 323-325, August.
    6. Chen, Huey T., 2016. "Interfacing theories of program with theories of evaluation for advancing evaluation practice: Reductionism, systems thinking, and pragmatic synthesis," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 109-118.
    7. Anzoise, Valentina & Sardo, Stefania, 2016. "Dynamic systems and the role of evaluation: The case of the Green Communities project," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 162-172.
    8. Midgley, Gerald, 2008. "Response to paper "Systems thinking" by D. Cabrera et al.:: The unification of systems thinking: Is there gold at the end of the rainbow?," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 317-321, August.
    9. Yearworth, Mike & White, Leroy, 2014. "The non-codified use of problem structuring methods and the need for a generic constitutive definition," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 237(3), pages 932-945.
    10. Dunkley, Ria A. & Franklin, Alex, 2017. "Failing better: The stochastic art of evaluating community-led environmental action programs," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 112-122.
    11. Gates, Emily F., 2016. "Making sense of the emerging conversation in evaluation about systems thinking and complexity science," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 62-73.
    12. Wasserman, Deborah L., 2010. "Using a systems orientation and foundational theory to enhance theory-driven human service program evaluations," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 67-80, May.
    13. Mutanga, Shingirirai Savious & de Vries, Marne & Mbohwa, Charles & Kumar, Dillip Das & Rogner, Holger, 2016. "An integrated approach for modeling the electricity value of a sugarcane production system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 823-838.

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