In Search of Validity: Advancing the Science and Practice of Systems Thinking
A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Systems Practice in Social Science".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 384
Special Issue Editors
2. Cabrera Research Laboratory, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
Interests: systems thinking; cognitive complexity; systems science; complexity; systems mapping;organizations
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In a world marked by complexity and interdependence, systems thinking offers an essential framework for understanding and addressing today’s multifaceted challenges. This Special Issue is dedicated to advancing systems thinking, with a focus on cognitive adaptivity in navigating both everyday and novel complexities.
We invite researchers, practitioners, and educators to submit original research articles, case studies, and reviews that explore innovative methodologies, tools, and applications of systems thinking. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, theoretical advancements, practical applications of DSRP across various fields, strategies for teaching systems thinking, and interdisciplinary approaches. Empirical studies with a strong emphasis on real-world impact are highly encouraged.
The potential of systems thinking can only be fully realized if we push the boundaries of efficacy and validity (including face, internal, external, criterion, and construct validity). Any work that has attempted or succeeded in advancing these aspects of validity and/or efficacy is particularly encouraged. Submissions may include case studies with N of 1 or larger surveys, quasi-experimental, or experimental designs. We also welcome studies that did not achieve statistical significance but provide valuable insights into the challenges and efforts to demonstrate validity.
Selected papers will be featured on the Cabrera Lab Podcast on systems thinking, currently ranked in the top 3% of all podcasts globally, and at Cornell University’s International Systems Thinking Conference, the world’s largest gathering focused on systems thinking, scheduled for April 2026.
We look forward to your contributions to this important discussion on the role of systems thinking in creating measurable and impactful change.
Prof. Dr. Derek Cabrera
Prof. Dr. Ricardo Valerdi
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- cognitive complexity
- systems thinking
- DSRP
- adaptivity
- neurodiversity
- system dynamics
- validity
- efficacy
- wicked problems
- education
- future ready
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