Glossary

From Sustainability Methods

This Glossary lists terms and words that are relevant to this Wiki. For each entry, you will find a list of Wiki articles that contain this term. The Glossary is work in progress and continuously amended.

Term Explanation Mentions
Qualitative research Qualitative research focuses on the human dimensions of the observable or conceptual reality, often linking observational data or interpretation of existing data directly to theory or concepts. 1
Quantitative research Quantitative research focuses on the statistical and mathematical analysis of data, as well as the general analysis and often interpretation of data that consists of numbers. 1
Inductive reasoning Inductive reasoning draws conclusions based on data or observations. 1
Deductive reasoning Deductive reasoning builds on statements or theories that are confirmed by observation or can be confirmed by logic. 1
Bias The action of supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way, because of allowing personal opinions to influence your judgement. 1, 2
Agency The capacity of an individual to act intentionally with the assumption of a causal outcome based on this action. 1
Emergence The incurrence of a characteristic or behaviour of two or more entities that could not be anticipated based on the individual parts. 1
System Any number of individuals or elements that interact. 1, 2, 3
Scientific Method Scientific methods create knowledge in accordance with certain principles and rigour. 1, 2
Concept Abstract mental representation of our world. 1
Framework A real or conceptual basic structure that supports or guides practical applications. 1
Paradigm A universally recognized scientific achievement that provides theoretical and practical foundations for a specific scientific community. 1
Theory A systematic ideational structure of broad scope, conceived by the human imagination, that encompasses a family of empirical (experiential) laws regarding regularities existing in objects and events, both observed and posited. 1
Data Quantitative or qualitative units of information that can be used for analysis. 1, 2
Hypothesis A preconceived idea about the world that guides the research process and is to be falsified by it. 1
Transdisciplinarity Transdisciplinarity is a mode of research that is based around the understanding that certain types of problems cannot be defined from a single discipline's perspective. Instead, Transdisciplinarity aims to already integrate different types of knowledge, both academic and non-academic, in the problem definition phase. These jointly defined problems are then addressed by integrating knowledge, often with the goal to develop solution strategies to these problems. 1
Scientist Someone who has gone through a scientific education.
Researcher Someone who works actively in research.