Complex systems |
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Topics |
Systems science, also referred to as systems research,[1] or, simply, systems,[2] is a transdisciplinary[3] field concerned with understanding systems—from simple to complex—in nature, society, cognition, engineering, technology and science itself. The field is diverse, spanning the formal, natural, social, and applied sciences.
To systems scientists, the world can be understood as a system of systems.[4] The field aims to develop transdisciplinary foundations that are applicable in a variety of areas, such as psychology, biology, medicine, communication, business management, technology, computer science, engineering, and social sciences.[5]
Themes commonly stressed in system science are (a) holistic view, (b) interaction between a system and its embedding environment, and (c) complex (often subtle) trajectories of dynamic behavior that sometimes are stable (and thus reinforcing), while at various 'boundary conditions' can become wildly unstable (and thus destructive). Concerns about Earth-scale biosphere/geosphere dynamics is an example of the nature of problems to which systems science seeks to contribute meaningful insights.
The systems sciences are a broad array of fields. One way of conceiving of these is in three groups: fields that have developed systems ideas primarily through theory; those that have done so primarily through practical engagements with problem situations; and those that have applied systems ideas in the context of other disciplines.[6]
Main articles: Chaos theory and Dynamical systems theory |
Main article: Complex system |
Main article: Control theory |
Main article: Cybernetics |
Main article: Information theory |
Main article: Systems Theory |
See also: List of types of systems theory |
Main article: Hierarchy theory |
See also: Systems thinking |
Main article: Critical systems thinking |
Main articles: Operations research and Management science |
Main article: Soft systems methodology |
The soft systems methodology was developed in England by academics at the University of Lancaster Systems Department through a ten-year action research programme. The main contributor is Peter Checkland (born 18 December 1930, in Birmingham, UK), a British management scientist and emeritus professor of systems at Lancaster University.
Main article: Systems analysis |
Systems analysis branch of systems science that analyzes systems, the interactions within those systems, or interaction with its environment,[7] often prior to their automation as computer models. Systems analysis is closely associated with the RAND corporation.
Main article: Systemic design |
Systemic design integrates methodologies from systems thinking with advanced design practices to address complex, multi-stakeholder situations.
Main article: Systems dynamics |
See also: Social dynamics, Jay Forrester, and Donella Meadows |
Main articles: Systems engineering and Systems design |
Main article: Earth system science |
Main article: Systems biology |
Main article: Systems chemistry |
Main article: Systems ecology |
Main article: Systems psychology |