On the "holistic" nature of the agile literature review approach (ALRA) for housing studies

 Some ideas and readings on the "holistic" nature of the agile literature review approach (ALRA) for housing studies:

One of the key characteristics of the agile literature review approach (ALRA) is that it is holistic. In this note, I provide some basic information about what does being "holistic" mean in the context of ALRA for housing studies: 

1. Dictionary explanation: Holistic: adjective: dealing with or treating the whole of something or someone and not just a part:

Examples of usage:

My doctor takes a holistic approach to disease.

Ecological problems usually require holistic solutions.

2. Some basic information on holism.

3. Some basic ideas on the holistic approach.

4. A briefing (video) on holism and reductionism.

5. Some basic ideas about the holistic view in Systems Thinking.

The agile literature review approach (ALRA), specifically, is grounded on critical systems thinking and endorses creative holism as put forward by M.C. Jackson. For example, all the ALRA diagrams are encouraged to be constructed in a co-created, systemic, critical and complicated way with stakeholders, encompassing inter-related factors that cover zones on environmental factors [zone 1], housing topics: nature and characteristics [zone 2], outcomes-related [zone 3a] and solutions/ policies- related [zone 3b]. This zoning practice is done on the ALRA diagrams. Nevertheless, each dissertation project needs to have sufficient research focus as indicated in the core-focus-domain in the ALRA diagrams. The involvement of stakeholders could take a direct form or an indirect form (e.g. via desk research).

Additional reading: a collection of blog notes on the ALRA for housing studies.