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J. Zscheischler
7.4.2 TDR Plays an Increasing Role, and the Concept Is
Being Consolidated
There has been a boost in publication output over the past decade, reflecting the
increased importance of TDR for land use science. Over a longer period, the concept
of TDR has been highly debated in terms of its epistemological, theoretical and
ontological foundations; its methodological approach; and its function in science
and practice.
A review of this literature shows that, while the concept of TDR can be considered
as being in a “consolidating phase”, it has recently been used mainly to describe a
collaborative process of knowledge production that involves multiple disciplines
and stakeholders aiming at enhancing the capabilities to tackle highly complex realworld problems (Zscheischler et al. 2014; Zscheischler and Rogga 2015). In line
with other scholars, three core features of TDR can be identified: (i) complex realworld problems, (ii) collaborations and (iii) evolving methodologies that can be
differentiated into further key concepts.
In particular, the concepts of “mutual learning” and “knowledge integration” are
broadly discussed, specifying the quality of TDR. However, despite the emphasis
placed on the idea of “knowledge integration” in the context of TDR, it is depicted
only inconsistently and vaguely.
Nonetheless, it should also be noted that the interpretation of TDR in its current
form, as a participative, problem-focused and action-oriented research approach, is
strongly driven by a Central European perspective. In fact, a large proportion of
publications come from countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the
Netherlands.
The results also show that the debate on TDR is dominated by theoretical and
conceptual contributions.
7.4.3 Attitudes Toward the TDR Approach Are Appreciative
My empirical studies revealed that researchers who apply TD are generally appreciative of the TDR approach and have a positive basic attitude towards it (Zscheischler
et al. 2017, 2018).
In contrast to scientists and practitioners with idealistic motives, other scholars
considered TD primarily as an alternative way to attract external funding. Researchers
in Germany are under increasing pressure to raise external funding. Thus, empirical
findings have revealed that the primary reason for launching a TDR project is to
attract external funding. This entails modifying the in design and wording of the
project proposal to satisfy the call for proposals without any deeper methodological
proficiency. As a consequence, some researchers also reported that they considered
TDR to be something of a “necessary evil” to be fulfilled to secure funding and that
J. Zscheischler
7.4.2 TDR Plays an Increasing Role, and the Concept Is
Being Consolidated
There has been a boost in publication output over the past decade, reflecting the
increased importance of TDR for land use science. Over a longer period, the concept
of TDR has been highly debated in terms of its epistemological, theoretical and
ontological foundations; its methodological approach; and its function in science
and practice.
A review of this literature shows that, while the concept of TDR can be considered
as being in a “consolidating phase”, it has recently been used mainly to describe a
collaborative process of knowledge production that involves multiple disciplines
and stakeholders aiming at enhancing the capabilities to tackle highly complex realworld problems (Zscheischler et al. 2014; Zscheischler and Rogga 2015). In line
with other scholars, three core features of TDR can be identified: (i) complex realworld problems, (ii) collaborations and (iii) evolving methodologies that can be
differentiated into further key concepts.
In particular, the concepts of “mutual learning” and “knowledge integration” are
broadly discussed, specifying the quality of TDR. However, despite the emphasis
placed on the idea of “knowledge integration” in the context of TDR, it is depicted
only inconsistently and vaguely.
Nonetheless, it should also be noted that the interpretation of TDR in its current
form, as a participative, problem-focused and action-oriented research approach, is
strongly driven by a Central European perspective. In fact, a large proportion of
publications come from countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the
Netherlands.
The results also show that the debate on TDR is dominated by theoretical and
conceptual contributions.
7.4.3 Attitudes Toward the TDR Approach Are Appreciative
My empirical studies revealed that researchers who apply TD are generally appreciative of the TDR approach and have a positive basic attitude towards it (Zscheischler
et al. 2017, 2018).
In contrast to scientists and practitioners with idealistic motives, other scholars
considered TD primarily as an alternative way to attract external funding. Researchers
in Germany are under increasing pressure to raise external funding. Thus, empirical
findings have revealed that the primary reason for launching a TDR project is to
attract external funding. This entails modifying the in design and wording of the
project proposal to satisfy the call for proposals without any deeper methodological
proficiency. As a consequence, some researchers also reported that they considered
TDR to be something of a “necessary evil” to be fulfilled to secure funding and that