Categories of systems methodologies

Bela Banathy identified three categories of methods (or methodologies) which together make up Systems Methodology:

1. Methods for studying various classes of systems (these methods produce systems knowledge)
2. Methods for dealing with the various types of systems problems
3. Methods for determining meta-characteristics of various methods (or methodologies) in categories 1 and 2.

Michael Jackson classifies methods according to their capability to produce knowledge relevant to:

Technical interest	These methods produce knowledge relevant to pursuing goals in changing environments They focus upon the operations of Checkland's Type 1 and Type 2 systems. Habermas suggests that such methods should adopt the empirical-analytic mode of inquiry typical for natural sciences. The individuals that makeup organisations are viewed as components.
Practical interest	Methods should increase understanding of how individuals perceive the social world and the way they interact to create the social world. They cannot study the system from the outside; they need to understand its human actors' points of view and intentions. Relevant notions: Weltanschauung and Appreciative Systems.
Emancipatory interest	Relevant are Lukes's three dimensions of power

References

• Banathy, B. (1984). Systems design in the context of human activity systems. San Francisco: International Systems Institute, 221.
• Banathy, B. H. (1988). Matching design methods to system type. Systems Research, 5(1), 27-34.
• Jackson, M. C. (1988). Systems methods for organizational analysis and design. Systems Research, 5(3), 201-210.