Multimethodology

Multimethodology: Towards a Framweork For Mixing Methodologies

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musings on reading the seminal paper by Mingers and Brocklesby (1997)

Presice

Desirability

The author makes a case for multimehtodlogy as a strategy for intervention. The desirability stems from 4 obzervations:

1. The world is Multi D, a single paradigm gives a limited view, there is always virtue in looking through another dimension
2. There are phases/stages in any intervention and methodologies have particular strenghts w.r.t these phases. Matching the methodology to the phase can makeUsing more that one should more effective. It more effective match the methodology to the phase
3. Many existing practices combine methodologies to solve particluar problems yet they have not been theorised.
4. Multimethodology fits well with postmodernism

Feasability

The athor then addresses some of the problem, namely:

1. Many paradigms are at odds with each other. This can pose a problem but once the understanding of the difference or dicotomy is present, it can be an advantage to see many sides.
2. Cultural issues effect our view of the world and our ability to analyse it. Our backgounds tend to dictate and bias our views. Knowlege of the new paradigm is not enough to ovecome these biases, it must be learned through practice and experienced.
3. People have cognative abilities that pre dispose them to particular paradigms. The logical thinker can more easily understand and use the Hard methodologies. It is aasier to move from Hard to Soft and not the reverse.

Conclusion

Multmethodology is desirable and feasable because it gives a more complete view and because the requirement during the different phases of intervention make very specific demands on a general methodlogy. While it is demanding, it is more effective to choose the right tool for the job at hand