Boundary objects in information science research: An approach for explicating connections between collections, cultures and communities

Huvila, Isto; Anderson, Theresa Dirndorfer; Jansen, Eva Hourihan; McKenzie, Pamela J.; Westbrook, Lynn; Worrall, Adam

doi:10.1002/meet.2014.14505101003

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The unique contribution of this paper is a two‐stage analysis framework that characterizes the five dimensions of participation (stage 1) and then evaluates participatory models based on the concept of “boundary objects” (stage 2). Boundary objects are defined as translation devices at the interface of different organizations or groups that can act as bridges to facilitate mutual understanding and cooperation [ Huvila et al ., ]. The goal of our analysis framework is not to evaluate the outcomes of participatory modeling (PM), nor is it to identify the characteristics of the “best” models; instead, our objective is to propose and categorize common mechanisms that promote model effectiveness across a wide range of participatory decision‐making contexts, forms of participation, and types of computer models.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An interdisciplinary framework for participatory modeling design and evaluation—What makes models effective participatory decision tools?

Falconi

Palmer

2017

Water Resources Research

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Increased requirements for public involvement in water resources management (WRM) over the past century have stimulated the development of more collaborative decision‐making methods. Participatory modeling (PM) uses computer models to inform and engage stakeholders in the planning process in order to influence collaborative decisions in WRM. Past evaluations of participatory models focused on process and final outcomes, yet, were hindered by diversity of purpose and inconsistent documentation. This paper presents a two‐stage framework for evaluating PM based on mechanisms for improving model effectiveness as participatory tools. The five dimensions characterize the “who, when, how, and why” of each participatory effort (stage 1). Models are evaluated as “boundary objects,” a concept used to describe tools that bridge understanding and translate different bodies of knowledge to improve credibility, salience, and legitimacy (stage 2). This evaluation framework is applied to five existing case studies from the literature. Though the goals of participation can be diverse, the novel contribution of the two‐stage proposed framework is the flexibility it has to evaluate a wide range of cases that differ in scope, modeling approach, and participatory context. Also, the evaluation criteria provide a structured vocabulary based on clear mechanisms that extend beyond previous process‐based and outcome‐based evaluations. Effective models are those that take advantage of mechanisms that facilitate dialogue and resolution and improve the accessibility and applicability of technical knowledge. Furthermore, the framework can help build more complete records and systematic documentation of evidence to help standardize the field of PM.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An interdisciplinary framework for participatory modeling design and evaluation—What makes models effective participatory decision tools?

Falconi

Palmer

2017

Water Resources Research

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“…Together, they use "modeling practices to define the descriptions, solutions, and decision-making actions of the group" [5]. The model thus becomes this 'boundary object', defined as a device that can act as a bridge between various groups "to facilitate mutual understanding and cooperation" [51][52][53]. These (often visual) objects help represent the connections between the people involved in the conversation, help move toward a more concrete representation of abstract concepts and are adaptable to proposed alterations by any stakeholder [53,54].…”

Section: Moving Towards Shared Understandingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participatory modelling and systems intelligence: A systems-based and transdisciplinary partnership

Kenny

Bakhanova²,

Hämäläinen³

et al. 2022

Socio-Economic Planning Sciences

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“…The concept of boundary objects, however, can also explain social exclusions and blindspots within approaches to resilience. Scholars working in more sociological disciplines have argued that boundary objects should not be defined by what is cognitively agreed about their content, but by what is left unquestioned and undiscussed about them (Baggio et al, 2015;Huvila et al, 2014). For example, Brand & Jax (2007) argued the "vagueness and malleability" of different interpretations of resilience allow different actors to work together on this theme "without a consensus about their aims and interests."…”

Section: Making Resilience Inclusive (A) Resilience As a Contested Oumentioning

confidence: 99%

Is resilience to climate change socially inclusive? Investigating theories of change processes in Myanmar

Forsyth

2018

World Development

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Approaches to resilience to climate change can be socially exclusionary if they do not acknowledge diverse experiences of risks or socioeconomic barriers to resilience. This paper contributes to analyses of resilience by studying how theories of change (ToC) processes used by development organizations might lead to social exclusions, and seeking ways to make these more inclusive. Adopting insights from participatory monitoring and evaluation, the paper first presents fieldwork from four villages in Myanmar to compare local experiences of risk and resilience with the ToCs underlying pathways to resilience based on building anticipatory, absorptive, and adaptive capacities. The paper then uses interviews with the development organizations using these pathways to identify how ToC processes might exclude local experiences and causes of risk, and to seek ways to make processes more inclusive. The research finds that development organizations can contribute to shared ToCs for resilience, but adopt tacitly different models of risk that reduce attention to more transformative socioeconomic pathways to resilience. Consequently, there is a need to consider how resilience and ToCs can become insufficiently scrutinized boundary objects when they are shared by actors with different models of risk and intervention.

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Boundary objects in information science research: An approach for explicating connections between collections, cultures and communities

Cited by 10 publications

References 27 publications

An interdisciplinary framework for participatory modeling design and evaluation—What makes models effective participatory decision tools?

An interdisciplinary framework for participatory modeling design and evaluation—What makes models effective participatory decision tools?

Participatory modelling and systems intelligence: A systems-based and transdisciplinary partnership

Is resilience to climate change socially inclusive? Investigating theories of change processes in Myanmar

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