In Search of Complementarity: Insights from an Exercise in Quantifying Qualitative Energy Futures

Claire Copeland, Britta Turner, Gareth Powells and Kevin Wilson
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Claire Copeland: Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
Britta Turner: Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
Gareth Powells: School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
Kevin Wilson: School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-21

Abstract: In this study, we considered a bridging strategy between qualitative and quantitative research with the aim of achieving complementarity. A pilot case study using the Sheffield Elicitation Framework “SHELF” to estimate appropriate inputs for a quantitative energy systems model (based on a qualitative energy future scenario) was used to gain insights. Of novelty are the ethnographic insights of an example translation procedure as well as the methodological approach of the translation procedure itself. This paper reports the findings from this exercise concerning the practicalities of applying such a technique and the observations from the expert elicitation process itself. Based on this pilot, we make two recommendations. The first is the importance of devising a strategy in projects, and research programmes, where bridging between qualitative and quantitative research activities would be most effective. The second is that observations of discussions during the expert elicitation process provide value in the provenance of the estimates for quantitative modelling purposes and provide considerations for further development of qualitative future scenarios.

Keywords: uncertainty; qualitative and quantitative research; translation; bridging; energy systems; expert elicitation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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