Boundary–Constraint–Evolution: A Universal Grammar of Research

Boundary–Constraint–Evolution introduces a general research grammar that models inquiry as a structured interaction between delimiting boundaries, operative constraints, and the generative evolution of form. The paper formalizes these three elements as a minimal operator capable of organizing diverse research processes across disciplines. Boundary defines the scope of a system; Constraint specifies the permissible transformations within that scope; Evolution captures the unfolding sequence of states produced by those constraints over time. Together, they provide a unifying framework for analyzing, comparing, and designing research programs. The paper demonstrates how this grammar clarifies methodological structure, reduces conceptual ambiguity, and enables cross‑domain translation by revealing the invariant relational architecture underlying scientific, humanistic, and theoretical inquiry.