Systems science, also referred to as systems research or simply systems,[1] is a transdisciplinary[2] field that is concerned with understanding simple and complex systems in nature and society, which leads to the advancements of formal, natural, social, and applied attributions throughout engineering, technology and science, itself.
To systems scientists, the world can be understood as a system of systems.[3] The field aims to develop transdisciplinary foundations that are applicable in a variety of areas, such as psychology, biology, medicine, communication, business, technology, computer science, engineering, and social sciences.[4]
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.
Associated fields
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 ideas for other disciplines.[5]
Theoretical fields
Chaos and dynamical systems
Complexity
Control theory
Cybernetics
Information theory
General systems theory
Hierarchy Theory
Practical fields
Critical systems thinking
Operations research and management science
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.
Systems analysis
Systems analysis branch of systems science that analyzes systems, the interactions within those systems, or interaction with its environment,[6] often prior to their automation as computer models. Systems analysis is closely associated with the RAND corporation.
Systemic design
Systemic design integrates methodologies from systems thinking with advanced design practices to address complex, multi-stakeholder situations.
Systems dynamics
- System dynamics is an approach to understanding the behavior of complex systems over time. It offers "simulation technique for modeling business and social systems",[7] which deals with internal feedback loops and time delays that affect the behavior of the entire system. What makes using system dynamics different from other approaches to studying complex systems is the use of feedback loops and stocks and flows.
Systems engineering
- Systems engineering (SE) is an interdisciplinary field of engineering, that focuses on the development and organization of complex systems. It is the "art and science of creating whole solutions to complex problems",[8] for example: signal processing systems, control systems and communication system, or other forms of high-level modelling and design in specific fields of engineering. Systems Science is foundational to the Embedded Software Development that is founded in the embedded requirements of Systems Engineering.
Applications in other disciplines
Earth system science
Systems biology
Systems chemistry
Systems ecology
Systems psychology
See also
References
Further reading
External links
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