Systematic review approaches for climate change adaptation research

Lea Berrang-Ford; Tristan Pearce; James D Ford

doi:10.1007/s10113-014-0708-7

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Systematic review approaches for climate change adaptation research

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Systematic review approaches for climate change adaptation research

Lea Berrang-Ford, Tristan Pearce and James D Ford

Regional Environmental Change, Vol.15(5), pp.755-769

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-014-0708-7

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Abstract

climate change

systematic review

human dimensions of climate change

vulnerability

adaptation

research synthesis

social sciences

realist review

Recent controversy has led to calls for increased standardization and transparency in the methods used to synthesize climate change research. Though these debates have focused largely on the biophysical dimensions of climate change, human dimensions research is equally in need of improved methodological approaches for research synthesis. Systematic review approaches, and more recently realist review methods, have been used within the health sciences for decades to guide research synthesis. Despite this, penetration of these approaches into the social and environmental sciences has been limited. Here, we present an analysis of approaches for systematic review and research synthesis and examine their applicability in an adaptation context. Customized review frameworks informed by systematic approaches to research synthesis provide a conceptually appropriate and practical opportunity for increasing methodological transparency and rigor in synthesizing and tracking adaptation research. his review highlights innovative applications of systematic approaches, with a focus on the unique challenges of integrating multiple data sources and formats in reviewing climate change adaptation policy and practice. We present guidelines, key considerations, and recommendations for systematic review in the social sciences in general and adaptation research in particular. We conclude by calling for increased conceptual and methodological development of systematic review approaches to address the methodological challenges of synthesizing and tracking adaptation to climate change.

Details

Title: Systematic review approaches for climate change adaptation research
Authors: Lea Berrang-Ford (Author) - McGill University, Canada
Tristan Pearce (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
James D Ford (Author) - McGill University, Canada
Publication details: Regional Environmental Change, Vol.15(5), pp.755-769
Publisher: Springer
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.1007/s10113-014-0708-7
ISSN: 1436-3798
Copyright note: Copyright © The Author(s) 2015. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449270302621
Output Type: Journal article

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