Sustainable Development Indicators: The Tyranny of Methodology Revisited

Abstract

Indicators are increasingly dominating our lives; whether we are aware of it or not. They have been popular tools for sustainable development policy makers, planners and managers, largely because they do the hard work of condensing complexity into single values that can be more easily digested and acted upon. But much power rests with those who select the indicators deemed to be important. This paper explores some of these issues at what is now regarded by some as the new frontier in „indicatorology‟; their use and influence. The authors argue that a new tyranny of methodology may be at play. Author’s Note Dr. Simon Bell is a Senior Lecturer in Information Systems at the Open University. His background is multidisciplinary, with a strong emphasis on research methods development, information systems design and monitoring and evaluation. Simon co-developed and refined the information systems analysis and design methodology „Multiview‟ and developed various project planning methods. Working with the European Union and UNEP he worked across the Mediterranean on a series of coastal area management projects refining and adapting participatory methods in information collection and presentation from a diverse variety of stakeholder groups. More recently, with Professor Stephen Morse, he has co-developed the Triple Task Method for the European Union FP7 programme. The method innovates in the area of engaging with and exploring group dynamics in a range of stakeholder participatory engagements. Dr. Bell has written and published widely in the areas of participatory methods, information systems and methodology development. Stephen Morse is Chair in Systems Analysis for Sustainability at the Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey. His background is in the biological sciences, with a specialism in the theory and practice of sustainability. Steve has been involved in sustainable development projects and research for nearly 30 years, and his research interests are broad spanning both the natural and social sciences. Research projects have included work on the socioeconomic impacts of genetically modified crops, the analysis of partnership within faith-based aid chains and the influence of indicators on policy (with Simon Bell). Steve is an author of more than 80 research papers and 15 books including „Sustainability; A biological perspective‟