Dallapproccio

Dallapproccio is a neologism in Italian that blends dall' (from the) and approccio (approach). In contemporary Italian discourse, the term is used to describe a methodological stance that foregrounds the choice of approach before concretely defining a problem or designing solutions. The idea is that the selected methodological lens—whether qualitative, quantitative, participatory, or systems-oriented—shapes the kinds of questions asked and the possible outcomes.

Etymology and usage: The term is not part of standard dictionaries and appears mostly in academic essays, design thinking discussions, and online commentaries. It is typically presented as a concept rather than a fixed method, serving to highlight that approach selection can determine constraints and biases.

Applications: In research design, dallapproccio can guide researchers to compare multiple approaches at an early stage, then select the one that best aligns with goals, constraints, and stakeholder values. In urban planning or product development, practitioners might apply dallapproccio by testing different methodological frames (e.g., participatory planning vs. data-driven modeling) before specifying the problem statement.

Critique: Critics warn that focusing on approach selection too early can delay problem definition or lead to selection bias, while proponents argue that an explicit approach-first stance increases reflexivity and methodological transparency.

See also: methodological pluralism, problem framing, design thinking.