Methodologies for Generalising from the Unique: Knowledge Transfer in Territorial Governance Investigations and Evaluations. Philip POTTER

Abstract

Investigations and evaluations of territorial practices and programmes are case-based. But investigations conducted in case-based spatial settings generate knowledge that often has only very specific applicability. Practice-oriented investigations and evaluations aspire to derive policy and/or action lessons beyond the boundaries of the case with which it is concerned. They strive for generalisability, in order to make it possible for lessons to be transferred to different settings. Mechanisms are therefore needed to mediate between different loci and levels of applicability for the results of investigations and evaluations. The mediation between the local knowledge and transferable knowledge in territorial programmes can be managed as a communicative and interactive process. This involves creating network contexts in which key actors have a transaction forum in which transferable knowledge can be generated in a dialogical procedures. This paper gives two examples illustrating investigation/evaluation strategies appropriate for programmes in case-based spatial settings: 1) a national 'EXWOST' programme of the German Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning on 'Potentials of Housing Cooperatives' in which the author was a member of the evaluation team, responsible for inter-project transfer and synthesis evaluation and 2) a transnational project entitled 'ENTRUST' on neighbourhood regeneration in the Framework RTD Program in which the author was a member of the coordination team with responsibility for promoting transnational learning.

Cite this article

POTTER P., 2008. Methodologies for Generalising from the Unique: Knowledge Transfer in Territorial Governance Investigations and Evaluations. In International Conference of Territorial Intelligence, Huelva 2007. Papers on territorial intelligence and governance, participative action-research and territorial development, Observatorio Local de Empleo, Huelva, 2008, p. 447-459. <URL: http://www.territorial-intelligence.eu/index.php/huelva07/Potter>