Methods
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Art-based Methods
Approaches that use creative and aesthetic practices (e.g., visual arts, storytelling, and performance) to inform, inspire, and engage people in research processes. These methods foster deeper emotional connections and value-based understanding but also stimulate imagination and the generation of innovative ideas. The kind of conversation and data that Art-based Methods bring forth tend to be different to those offered by «traditional» social science methods. Using alternative, creative methods is a good way of broadening the accessibility of research and interest of wider groups, as not everyone understands or wants to participate in classic research settings. Creative methods can facilitate transformative learning and action, enabling participants to explore complex environmental and social challenges through art.
Resources for this method:
- Pearson et al. (2018) – Arts-based methods for transformative engagement: A toolkit
- Gibbs, L. (2014) – Arts-science collaboration, embodied research methods, and the politics of belonging: ‘SiteWorks’ and the Shoalhaven River, Australia
- Wang et al. (2017) – Arts-based Methods in Socially Engaged Research Practice: A Classification Framework
- Campoli (2022) – Art-based methods, STE(A)M and global challenges
- Arts-based research (2008) – the SAGE encyclopedia of qualitative research methods
Bayesian Additive Regression Tree (BART)
A prediction model/machine learning approach that enables you to examine which factors have the most influence on your system and by using that, predict responses in areas with less data.
Resources for this method:
- Chipman et al. (2010) – BART: Bayesian additive regression trees
- Tan & Roy (2019) – Bayesian additive regression trees and the General BART model
Brainstorming
A group-based approach to enable participants to build on each other’s thoughts/ideas. It could be used to e.g., identify who influences or is influenced by activities, and in what ways, or to identify potential impacts of a solution. Use notes or digital platforms to collaborate and help people build their thoughts / ideas.
Resources for this method:
- Rawlings (n.d.) – Brainstorming techniques
- Šker & Floričić (2020) – Living Lab – Creative environment and thinking techniques for tourism development
Causal Loop Diagram (CLD)
A visualisation that shows how different variables in a system are causally interrelated.
Resources for this method:
- Tip (2011) – Guidelines for drawing causal loop diagrams
- Haraldsson (2004) – Introduction to systems and causal loop diagrams
- Coletta et al. (2021) – Causal Loop Diagrams for supporting Nature Based Solutions participatory design and performance assessment
Cognitive Mapping (CM)
A visualisation that shows a group’s beliefs and ideas to understand complex decision-making, map actors’ values, and can aid in showing how different ideas might affect policy.
Resources for this method:
- Fohlmeister et al. (2020) – Starter Toolbox for Stakeholder Knowledge Mapping to Co-Design Nature-Based Solutions at Case Study Sites
- Ponce et al. (2023) – A strategic decision framework using soft-computing for agri-food production: case study living lab in universities
- Castro (2022) – Systems-thinking for environmental policy coherence: Stakeholder knowledge, fuzzy logic, and causal reasoning
Consequence analysis
Assessing the potential effects of a solution, including intended and unintended consequences across ecological, social, and economic dimensions. This helps identify trade‑offs, risks, and who may benefit or be negatively affected.
Resources for this method:
- Bohacikova & Pérez (n.d.) Consequence analysis: 10 things to consider before performing your study
- Genest (2025) Cause-Consequence Analysis (CCA): A Powerful Tool for Risk Assessment
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Cost-Benefit Analysis is a method used to assess whether the overall benefits of a solution outweigh its total costs. It involves identifying, quantifying, and (where possible) monetising both positive and negative impacts over a given time period. This approach supports decision-making by providing a clear comparison between expected gains and required investments.
Resources for this method:
Cost-effectiveness Analysis
Cost‑effectiveness analysis is used to compare solutions (or design options) that pursue the same objective by estimating the cost required to achieve one unit of outcome (e.g., €/ton CO₂ reduced, €/hectare restored). It is particularly useful when benefits are difficult or inappropriate to monetise, and supports selecting or optimising options that deliver the greatest outcome per resource invested.
Resources for this method:
Delphi Method
An iterative approach for selecting solutions on the basis of expert knowledge, and participant perspectives.
Resources for this method:
Design Thinking
Design Thinking is a five-phase user-focused method that guides you to empathise, define, ideate, prototype, and validate solutions with a user community.
Resources for this method:
- Doorley et al. (2018) – Design thinking bootleg
- For a deep dive into the latest literature on Design Thinking see: Mayer & Schwemmle (2025) – The impact of design thinking and its underlying theoretical mechanisms: A review of the literature.
DPSIR / DAPSIR
Frameworks to map causal links between human activities and ecological changes.
Resources for this method:
- Elliott et al. (2017) – “And DPSIR begat DAPSI(W)R(M)!” – A unifying framework for marine environmental management
Enablers and Barriers Mapping
A systematic process of identifying and analysing factors that support and facilitate transformation (enablers) or obstacles that impede progress, like resistance to change or lack of knowledge (barriers).
Resources for this method:
- Berberi et al. (2023) – Enablers, barriers, and future considerations for living lab effectiveness in environmental and agricultural sustainability transitions: a review of studies evaluating living labs
- Aniche et al. (2024) – Boosting co-creation of Nature‐based Solutions within Living Labs: Interrelating enablers using Interpretive Structural Modelling
- Hurley et al. (2023) – Barriers and enablers to uptake of agroecological and regenerative farming practices, and stakeholder views about ‘living labs’
- Herth et al. (2025) – How can campus living labs thrive to reach sustainable solutions?
Expert Knowledge
Expert knowledge can be defined as substantial information on a particular topic that is not widely known by others. The expert knowledge research approach systematically collects and applies this specialised knowledge and experience of experts, to generate insights, support decision-making, and address problems.
Resources for this method:
- Brown (n.d.) – How to effectively conduct an expert interview
- Charnley et al. (2017) – Evaluating the best available social science for natural resource management decision-making
- Cooke & McDonald (1986) – A formal methodology for acquiring and representing expert knowledge
- Meuser & Nagel (2009) – The expert interview and changes in knowledge production
External Assessment
An evaluation conducted by actors external to the project, in which characteristics, processes, or performance are examined against frameworks, standards, or criteria developed outside that project.
Resources for this method:
- Vervoort et al. (2024) An harmonized assessment method and KPIs for evaluating living labs
Feasibility Analysis
Feasibility assessment helps determine whether a solution can realistically be implemented and sustained under current financial, institutional, and governance conditions. It is especially useful in early‑stage or low‑data contexts where decisions still need to be made, because it focuses on affordability, funding availability, constraints, and implementation capacity rather than on monetising outcomes.
Resources for this method:
Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM)
Participatory, semi-quantitative participatory modelling technique to map and understand the complex systems in a Living Lab.
Resources for this method:
- Fohlmeister et al. (2020) – Starter Toolbox for Stakeholder Knowledge Mapping to Co-Design Nature-Based Solutions at Case Study Sites
- Ponce et al. (2023) – A strategic decision framework using soft-computing for agri-food production: case study living lab in universities
- Castro (2022) – Systems-thinking for environmental policy coherence: Stakeholder knowledge, fuzzy logic, and causal reasoning
- Tiwari et al. (2025) – Public perceptions of climate risks, vulnerability, and adaptation strategies: Fuzzy cognitive mapping in Irish and Spanish living labs
- Tiwari et al. (2022) – Building climate resilience in coastal city living labs using ecosystem-based adaptation: A systematic review
Gamified Approach
Involves the use of game design elements, such as feedback, rewards, and competition. It is utilised in a game-like context to enhance user engagement, motivation, and to influence behaviour.
Resources for this method:
- Gugerell (2023) – Serious games for sustainability transformations: participatory research methods for sustainability‐toolkit# 7
- Latune et al. (2024) – Analysing the potential of serious games to raise new research questions on social-ecological systems
- Cellina et al. (2016) – Eco-feedback and gamification elements for sustainability: the GoEco! living lab experiment
- Hamari, Koivisto & Sarsa (2014) – Does gamification work? A Literature Review of Empirical Studies on Gamification
Gantt Chart
A visual project management tool that represents a schedule over time using a horizontal bar chart, where tasks, duration, and their sequencing are displayed to support planning, coordination, and monitoring of project activities.
Resources for this method:
- Kanojia (2026) – What is a Gantt chart? Definition, components, and best practices
- Project Management Institute (2022) – Gantt Charts and Agile Planning
Deliberative Futures Methods
Deliberative future methods have proven effective in fostering decisions that tackle complex, long-term environmental challenges. By fostering a shared vision built on diverse perspectives, ethical considerations, and creative imagination of alternative futures, these approaches can inspire and motivate people to actively participate in transformative change.
Resources for this method:
- Revez et al. (2020) DELIBERATIVE FUTURES TOOLKIT
- Vervoort, van Haasbergen & Beaudoin (2025) – Visioning and societal transformation
- Moore & Milkoreit (2020) – Imagination and transformations to sustainable and just futures
Interviews
A qualitative data collection method involving a structured, semi-structured, or unstructured conversation conducted with one or more persons to gather in-depth insights, perspectives, and experiences.
Resources for this method:
- Imperial College London (n.d.) – Best practice for interviews
- Berkovic (2023) – Interviews
- Jamshed (2014) – Qualitative research method-interviewing and observation
Matchmaking Event
Bringing potential actors together to foster connections and to potentially create long-lasting partnerships. Matchmaking events must help the participants to learn about each other.
For an example of what a matchmaking event could look like, see:
- Western Balkans Info Hub (2026) – NATI00NS Soil Living Labs online matchmaking event.
Milestone Planning
A project planning approach that identifies and schedules key events or checkpoints (i.e., milestones) within a timeline to track progress, coordinate activities, and ensure the achievement of major objectives, often structured through phases or iterative cycles in a Living Lab’s process.
Resources for this method:
Mutual Mobilisation and Learning
Mutual Mobilisation and Learning workshops are an intense but rewarding way to get participants to learn about the issues from each other. The approach is highly adaptable, founded on encouraging people to learn from each other as they discover the deeper drivers that influence the issues, and arrive at a shared understanding of the issues they face.
Resources for this method:
Nominal Group Technique
A method that combines brainstorming and decision-making to prioritise solutions while ensuring equal participation.
Resources for this method:
- Hugé, & Mukherjee (2018) – The nominal group technique in ecology & conservation: Application and challenges.
Participatory Mapping
A participatory method in which individuals or groups contribute their knowledge, insights, and perspectives to create or enrich spatial representations through maps or GIS (Geographic Information System) tools, to support planning, analysis, and decision-making.
Resources for this method:
- Metke (2025) – Participatory GIS
- Maptionnaire (2023) – A comprehensive guide to community mapping for planning professionals
- Biggs et al. (2021) – The Routledge handbook of research methods for social-ecological systems
Participant Observation
Observing behaviour and interactions of participants in a setting.
Resources for this method:
- George (2023) – What Is Participant Observation? | Definition & Examples.
PESTLE
A tool to analyse external factors, including Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental (i.e., PESTLE), affecting a project.
Resources for this method:
Power Dynamics Analysis
Examining how influence, authority, and decision‑making power are distributed among actors involved in or affected by the solution. This helps identify who can support or block implementation, whose interests are prioritised, and whether some groups may be excluded or marginalised in the process.
Resources for this method:
- Othering and Belonging Institute (2025) Power analysis
- Littlesis (n.d.) Map the power toolkit
Realist Evaluation
An approach to evaluation that focuses on understanding what works, for whom, and why, focusing on people’s responses that result in change.
Resources for this method:
- Joly et al. (2015) – ASIRPA: A comprehensive theory-based approach to assessing the societal impacts of a research organization
- For detailed information see Pawson & Tilley (2004) – Realist evaluation
Regression Analysis
A statistical method to quantify relationships between environmental and ecological or social outcomes.
Resources for this method:
- Green (n.d.) – Regression analysis
Scoping (workshop)
Collaborative sessions to define the scope, objectives, and priorities of a project or research initiative.
Resources for this method:
- A useful overview of how to run a detailed scoping workshop can be found at Várkonyi (2024) – How to run a Scoping Workshop [Example Agendas] – tailor to your local context
- The EU-funded A-AAGORA project harnessed community perspectives using a workshop worksheet developed by Kiel University. This worksheet is available here.
- For a deep dive into the theory behind scoping, see Biggs et al. (2021) –The Routledge handbook of research methods for social-ecological systems
Self-assessment
A process where individuals or organisations evaluate their own performance, strengths, and weaknesses to identify areas for improvement.
Resources for this method:
- Nguyen (2023) – What is self-assessment? Best strategies to promote self-regulation and autonomy
- Overdiek & Genova (2021) – Evaluating living labs? – an overview of existing methods and tools
Snowballing
A participatory method where initial participants recruit/suggest further relevant participants.
Resources for this method:
- Oregon State University (2026) – Snowball Sampling
- Durham et al. (2014) – The BiodivERsA Stakeholder Engagement Handbook.
Storyboarding
A tool to co-create a compelling storyline for visions and conveying ideas clearly.
Resources for this method:
- Hanington & Martin (2019) – Universal methods of design expanded and revised
- Thromson et al. (2020) – Community of practice Co-creation Toolkit v. 2.
System modelling tools
Formal modelling of systems for identifying and understanding systems, predicting their behaviours, and devising modifications to them in order to produce desired effects
Resources for this method:
- Smith, Madsen & Barton (n.d.) – Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) Method factsheet
- Tutorial: Multi-criteria analysis A framework for spatial decision making
- Agent-based modelling to explore the co-evolution of social-ecological systems
- Glendell et al. (2025) – Systems thinking and modelling to support transformative change: key lessons from inter-disciplinary analysis of socio-ecological systems in applied land systems research
SWOT
Tool to evaluate a solution’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Resources for this method:
- SWOT template
- Reichwein (n.d.) – SWOT Analysis.
- Helms & Nixon (2010) – Exploring SWOT analysis – where are we now? A review of academic research
- FAO (2005) – Participatory policy development for sustainable agriculture and rural development: Guidelines from the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development – Farming Systems Evolution Project
Theory of Change
A way to comprehensively describe and illustrate the how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context. It helps you to link activities → outputs → outcomes → impacts.
Resources for this method:
- Government Analysis Function. (n.d.) – Theory of Change toolkit
- Center for Theory of Change (2026) – What is Theory of Change?
- Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework (2024) – Introduction to the GBF (Decision V/6)
- Mashi et al. (2024) – Impact monitoring and evaluation in living labs: Overarching theory of change narrative
Three Horizons Framework
A visioning approach that shows how solutions can bring you from the current status to a desired future new system. Also useful for selecting solutions.
Resources for this method:
- NPC (n.d.) – The Three Horizons Framework
Two-way Communication Workshop
A structured, facilitated session in which participants actively exchange knowledge, ideas, and feedback through interactive dialogue, enabling mutual understanding and collaborative learning.
Resources for this method:
- Mathur (2026) – What is two-way communication
- Moiso (2024): A step-by-step guide to planning a workshop
- PREPSOIL (n.d.): Conceptual framework & workshop kit
Questionnaire
A structured data collection method consisting of a set of predefined questions used to gather perspectives, opinions, or insights from participants.
Resources for this method:
- Brown (2023) – Writing Good Survey Questions: 10 Best Practices