title: Serendipity: A Delightful Surprise that Requires Insight.
abstract: Since serendipity is the focus of this column, its definition is explored first. Then, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies are compared as to how they handle such unexpected findings. Next, the nature of complex adaptive systems is discussed. Here it is suggested that modifications to extant quantitative methodologies, including the incorporation of serendipitous findings, are requisite to explain the nature of dynamic ever-evolving systems.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Saint Xavier University Florczak@sxu.edu.
authors.forename: Kristine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Florczak
mesh_terms: D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D035501:Uncertainty
keywords: adaptive systems; complex research methods; serendipity