Difference between revisions of "Systems Science"
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| − | This Knowledge Area (KA) provides a guide to some of the major developments in [[Systems Science (glossary)]] which is an interdisciplinary field of science that studies the nature of [[Complex (glossary) | complex]] [[System (glossary) | systems]] in nature, society, and [[Engineering (glossary) | engineering]]. | + | This Knowledge Area (KA) provides a guide to some of the major developments in [[Systems Science (glossary)| systems science]] which is an interdisciplinary field of science that studies the nature of [[Complex (glossary) | complex]] [[System (glossary) | systems]] in nature, society, and [[Engineering (glossary) | engineering]]. |
| − | This is part of the wider systems knowledge which can help to provide a common language and intellectual foundation; and make practical systems [[Concept (glossary) | concepts]], [[Principle (glossary) | principles]], [[Pattern (glossary) | patterns]] and tools accessible to [[Systems Engineering (glossary)]] as discussed in the [[Systems|Introduction to Part 2]]. | + | This is part of the wider systems knowledge which can help to provide a common language and intellectual foundation; and make practical systems [[Concept (glossary) | concepts]], [[Principle (glossary) | principles]], [[Pattern (glossary) | patterns]] and tools accessible to [[Systems Engineering (glossary)| systems engineering]] as discussed in the [[Systems|Introduction to Part 2]]. |
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==Topics== | ==Topics== | ||
Each part of the SEBoK is divided into knowledge areas (KAs), which are groupings of information with a related theme. The KAs in turn are divided into topics. This KA contains the following topics: | Each part of the SEBoK is divided into knowledge areas (KAs), which are groupings of information with a related theme. The KAs in turn are divided into topics. This KA contains the following topics: | ||
| − | *[[History of Systems Science]] | + | * [[History of Systems Science]] |
| − | *[[Systems Approaches]] | + | * [[Systems Approaches]] |
==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
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[[File:Fig_1_Systems_Science_and_Systems_Thinking_RA.png|500px|thumb|center|'''Figure 1. Systems Science in the SEBoK.''' (SEBoK Original)]] | [[File:Fig_1_Systems_Science_and_Systems_Thinking_RA.png|500px|thumb|center|'''Figure 1. Systems Science in the SEBoK.''' (SEBoK Original)]] | ||
| − | Systems Science brings together research into all aspects of systems | + | Systems Science brings together research into all aspects of systems with the goal of identifing, exploring, and understanding patterns of [[Complexity (glossary) | complexity]] which cross disciplinary fields and areas of application. It seeks to develop interdisciplinary foundations which can form the basis of theories applicable to all types of systems, independent of [[Element (glossary) | element]] type or application; additionally, it could form the foundations of a meta-discipline unifying traditional scientific specialisms. |
| − | An article on the History of Systems Science article describes some of the important multidisciplinary fields of research | + | An article on the History of Systems Science article describes some of the important multidisciplinary fields of research of which systems science is composed. |
| − | A second article presents and contrasts the underlying theories behind some of the [[Systems Approach (glossary) | | + | A second article presents and contrasts the underlying theories behind some of the [[Systems Approach (glossary) | system approaches]] taken in applying systems science to real problems. |
| − | People who think and act in a systems way are essential to the success of both research and practice. Successful systems research will not only apply [[Systems Thinking (glossary)]] to the topic being researched but should also consider a | + | People who think and act in a systems way are essential to the success of both research and practice. Successful systems research will not only apply [[Systems Thinking (glossary)| systems thinking]] to the topic being researched but should also consider a systems thinking approach to the way the research is planned and conducted. It would also be of benefit to have people involved in research who have, at a minimum, an awareness of system practice and ideally are involved in practical applications of the theories they develop. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:11, 11 September 2012
This Knowledge Area (KA) provides a guide to some of the major developments in systems science which is an interdisciplinary field of science that studies the nature of complex systems in nature, society, and engineering.
This is part of the wider systems knowledge which can help to provide a common language and intellectual foundation; and make practical systems concepts, principles, patterns and tools accessible to systems engineering as discussed in the Introduction to Part 2.
To download a PDF of all of Part 2 (including this knowledge area), please click here.
Topics
Each part of the SEBoK is divided into knowledge areas (KAs), which are groupings of information with a related theme. The KAs in turn are divided into topics. This KA contains the following topics:
Introduction
The following diagram summarizes the relationships between systems science and other sections of the SEBoK
Systems Science brings together research into all aspects of systems with the goal of identifing, exploring, and understanding patterns of complexity which cross disciplinary fields and areas of application. It seeks to develop interdisciplinary foundations which can form the basis of theories applicable to all types of systems, independent of element type or application; additionally, it could form the foundations of a meta-discipline unifying traditional scientific specialisms.
An article on the History of Systems Science article describes some of the important multidisciplinary fields of research of which systems science is composed.
A second article presents and contrasts the underlying theories behind some of the system approaches taken in applying systems science to real problems.
People who think and act in a systems way are essential to the success of both research and practice. Successful systems research will not only apply systems thinking to the topic being researched but should also consider a systems thinking approach to the way the research is planned and conducted. It would also be of benefit to have people involved in research who have, at a minimum, an awareness of system practice and ideally are involved in practical applications of the theories they develop.
References
Works Cited
None.
Primary References
Checkland, P. 1999. Systems Thinking, Systems Practice. New York, NY, USA: John Wiley & Sons.
Bertalanffy, L. von. 1968. General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications, Revised ed. New York, NY, USA: Braziller.
Flood, R.L. 1999. Rethinking the Fifth Discipline: Learning within the Unknowable. London, UK: Routledge.
Additional References
None.
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