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Although scholarly research on household energy transition has expanded considerably, no systematic methodological review has examined the research approaches used in this field. Methodological reviews are important because they focus on how knowledge is generated rather than on research outcomes, thereby enabling critical assessment of the validity and reliability of existing evidence, particularly in complex and context-dependent research areas such as household energy transition. This study undertakes a systematic methodological review of household energy transition literature following the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 52 peer-reviewed studies were identified and included after a rigorous screening and selection process, with analysis focusing on philosophical orientations, research designs, and methodological approaches. The review reveals a strong dominance of positivist philosophies, with most studies relying primarily on quantitative methods and designs. This methodological emphasis limits the ability to adequately capture the socioeconomic and sociocultural dimensions that shape household energy transition processes. In light of these complexities, the study recommends greater use of mixed-methods designs and methodological pluralism to generate more comprehensive, context-sensitive, and policy-relevant insights into household energy transitions.
Elasu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.