Pitfalls of Analysis and the Analysis of Pitfalls

This paper introduces a new categorization of pitfalls, and argues that analytic methods and techniques can be best understood in terms of the pitfalls they are designed to circumvent.

Abstract

The literature of applied systems has devoted considerable attention to the treatment of pitfalls. The present paper extends previous discussions in two ways: by introducing a new categorization of pitfalls: and by examining their epistemological, technical, and conceptual roots. \n\nAnalytic pitfalls are grouped around four rubrics that closely correspond to the four components of the analytic task: (a) problem setting, data, and information; (b) tools and methods; (c) evidence and argument; (d) conclusions, communication, and implementation. \n\nA number of examples are discussed, and it is argued that analytic methods and techniques can be best understood in terms of the pitfalls they are designed to circumvent.