In modern understanding, scientific knowlegde can be divided into systems knowledge, target knowledge and transformation knowledge.
Most scientists are creating systems knowledge. They want to know about the structure and function of systems (f.i. in tectonics, climate, hydrology, soil, land use, society, economy). This is the main objective of basic research. The projects of WikiAlps analyse such and other systems in order to better understanding, steering or improving their functions.
Scientists are reflecting on targets (of their research, of society, economy, politics), of values or norms. They do it in a critical way, analysing targets and participating in the discourse of those. The projects of WIKIAlps analyse targets like sustainable regional development, biodiversity, free space consumption and others.
As research is financed by the society scientists are obliged to share their results with practitioners, politicians, economists and citizens. One of the main challenges of the 21st century is to develop new methods of transformation of research into practice. WIKIAlps as well as the mountain.TRIP project deal with this challenge and develop new methods of transformation, based on web 2.0 technology.