Contents
1. General Principles
Exodological writing should be:
Clear: Accessible to readers across disciplinary backgrounds while maintaining precision
Systematic: Organized logically with explicit connections between concepts
Grounded: Supported by evidence from documented cases, empirical research, or rigorous analysis
Reflexive: Transparent about assumptions, limitations, and positionality
Practical: Connecting theoretical insights to actionable implications where appropriate
2. Key Terminology
Exodology has developed specific terminology that should be used consistently:
Transition: Fundamental transformation of a system from one stable configuration to another (not merely incremental change)
System: Interconnected set of elements (technological, institutional, behavioral, cultural) that function as a whole
Regime: The dominant, stable configuration of a sociotechnical system
Niche: Protected space where alternative configurations can develop
Landscape: Broader contextual factors that influence but are largely outside the control of regime actors
Lock-in: Condition where systems resist change due to accumulated advantages and interdependencies
Catalyst: Event or condition that triggers or accelerates transition dynamics
Stewardship: The practice of guiding transitions intentionally toward beneficial outcomes
3. Citation Practices
Exodological scholarship should:
1. Cite Foundational Works: Reference the theoretical foundations on which analysis builds
2. Ground in Cases: Support claims with evidence from documented transition cases
3. Acknowledge Debates: Represent contending perspectives fairly
4. Credit Appropriately: Recognize intellectual debts, including to non-academic sources
5. Follow Standard Formats: Use consistent citation formatting (APA, Chicago, or publication standard)
When referencing Exodological frameworks, cite both the original sources and the Exodological synthesis.
4. Case Study Writing
Case studies are central to Exodological scholarship. They should include:
1. Context: Historical background, initial system configuration, key pressures
2. Stakeholder Analysis: Identification of relevant actors and their interests
3. Exodological Analysis: Application of disciplinary frameworks (transition type, phase, mechanisms)
4. Implementation Narrative: Chronological account of how the transition unfolded
5. Outcomes Assessment: Evaluation against multiple criteria (effectiveness, equity, sustainability)
6. Lessons and Implications: Generalizable insights and limitations of generalization
Case studies should be explicit about data sources, analytical methods, and interpretive choices.
5. Formatting Standards
Headings: Use hierarchical headings to structure content clearly
Figures and Tables: Include visual representations of system dynamics, timelines, and stakeholder maps where helpful
Length: Vary by purpose—brief for teaching cases, comprehensive for research case studies
Abstract: Include structured abstract for longer works (context, methods, findings, implications)
Keywords: Identify 5-7 keywords using Exodological terminology for discoverability
6. Avoiding Common Errors
Conflating Transition and Change: Not all change is transition; distinguish fundamental system reorganization from incremental adjustments
Teleological Framing: Avoid implying transitions have inevitable endpoints; recognize contingency and multiple possible outcomes
Hero Narratives: Resist oversimplifying transitions as driven by individual visionaries; attend to structural factors
Technological Determinism: Technology enables and constrains but does not determine social outcomes
Value Neutrality Claims: Acknowledge that analysis is never fully neutral; be transparent about normative commitments