An overview of the research design: combining analytical angles, methods and disciplines to investigate STI-SDG relations

The plurality, diversity, and complexity of science, technology and innovation (STI) and of the SDGs require study of diverse actors with diverse methods from different disciplines. Combining methods enables us to look at the STI system from different angles and analytical perspectives. This chapter explains the STRINGS project’s research design: • We study four groups of actors involved in the production and use of STI. • We bring together three analytical angles: past STI priorities in the global research system, current local STI pathways, and views on future STI priorities from multiple perspectives. • We combine three main methods: data analysis to map global STI; three local case studies; and a global Delphi survey. The different angles of analysis can be compared, combined, and juxtaposed to provide a rich picture of complex STI-SDG relations.