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Science, Technology, and Systems: A Hierarchy of Inquiry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Donald M. Vietor ,
Harry T. Cralle  and
Michael Chandler
Donald M. Vietor
Affiliation:
Soil and Crop Sci. Dep., Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX 77843-2474
Harry T. Cralle
Affiliation:
Soil and Crop Sci. Dep., Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX 77843-2474
Michael Chandler
Affiliation:
Soil and Crop Sci. Dep., Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX 77843-2474
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Abstract

The environment for agricultural research and development, technology transfer, and production is marked by conflict among persons with diverse ideas and goals for agriculture. The objective of this analysis was to identify and compare models for researching and problem solving that can provide a conceptual framework for understanding and improving complex situations marked by conflict. The research activities of scientists involved in development of genetically-engineered-herbicide resistance were modeled as reductionist science, technology development, and optimizing systems. An analysis of these models of goal-seeking research indicated that values and assumptions implicit in goals such as greater productivity were not evaluated or questioned. Views of experts influenced development and application of technologies and systems more than concerns of producers and society. A soft systems methodology and research system is proposed to involve more diverse ideas or views of the world, to shift the role of the researcher from expert to facilitator, and to move toward consensus concerning research and technology development in agriculture.

Keywords

Soft systemssystems methodologyGEHRresearching systeminterdisciplinary researchaction researchhuman activity systems
Type
Symposium
Information
Weed Technology , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , June 1992 , pp. 452 - 461
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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