Creating relevant knowledge in transdisciplinary research projects - Coping with inherent tensions

Figures & data

Table 1. Different kinds of relevant knowledge.

	Relation to reality	Relation to values	Relation to existing knowledge
Policy-relevant knowledge	Knowledge that reflects the complexity of a situation that is made up of different interrelated known and unknown factors, to estimate the probable development of this situation when certain measures are taken	Knowledge that contributes to sustainability as a common good	Knowledge that bridges and complements existing bodies of legitimate knowledge to make them useful for decision making and regulation
Practically relevant knowledge	Knowledge that reflects the situated and immediately experienced threats of the local actors	Knowledge that contributes to secure local livelihood and identity	Knowledge that complements and relates existing knowledge and experiences in a practically useful way to create solutions
Scientifically relevant knowledge	Knowledge that reflects specific parts of reality in a valid way	Knowledge that reflects the value of objectivity and ‘scientific freedom’	New and innovative knowledge that goes beyond existing bodies of knowledge