Social Science & Natural Resources Research Design, Methods & Measures ESRM 304 Environmental and Resource Assessment ESRM 304 Environmental and Resource Assessment

Social Science Disciplines psychology sociology economics political science anthropology geography policy planning

Carrying Out an Investigation decide on a focus develop research questions choose a research approach collect the data carry out analysis report what you’ve found select methods Research Cycle Robson & Galvan

decide on a focus develop research questions choose a research approach report what you’ve found Sources of questions: call for proposals professor told me to personal interests observation theory management issue program effectiveness What is the unit of analysis ? individual group community organization program policy relationship among variables

decide on a focus develop research questions choose a research approach Question drives the approach historical descriptive developmental case correlational causal true experiment quasi experimental

Historical – to reconstruct the past objectively and accurately A study reconstructing the recreation/human use practices on the national forests over the past century. Descriptive – To describe systematically a situation or area of interest factually and accurately. Population census studies, public opinion surveys, observations studies, status studies, survey of the literature. Developmental – To investigate patterns and sequences of growth and or change as a function of time. A longitudinal study following the patterns of recreation participation from adolescence through retirement. Case – To study intensively the background, current status, and environmental interactions of a given social unit: an individual, group, institution, or community. The case history of the youngest person to summit Mt. Everest; an intensive study of a group of Sherpa's who smoke; an intensive study of the socio-economic characteristics of second home communities.

Correlational – To investigate the extent to which variations in one factor correspond with the variations in one or more other factors based on correlation coefficients. The investigate relationships between participation in certain types of recreation activities and demographic variables such as age, income, gender and race. Causal – To investigate possible cause and effect relationships by observing some existing consequence and search back through the data for plausible casual factors. To investigate differences and similarities between such recreations groups as those who are self propelled vs. those who chose motorized vehicles. True experiment – To investigate possible cause and effect relationships by exposing one or more experimental groups to one or more treatment conditions and comparing the results of one or more control groups not receiving the treatment. To investigate the effectiveness of three methods of teaching navigation to cross country hikers. Quasi experimental – To approximate the conditions of the true experiment in a setting which does not allow the control and or manipulations of all relevant variable.

Example Research Questions What motivates landowners to implement best management practices on their shorelines? What motivates landowners to implement best management practices on their shorelines? What types of stewardship activities are implemented by citizen groups in the Green- Duwamish watershed? Are projects monitored? What types of stewardship activities are implemented by citizen groups in the Green- Duwamish watershed? Are projects monitored? What are the environmental outcomes of collaborative watershed planning? What are the environmental outcomes of collaborative watershed planning?

choose a research approach select methods interviews surveys observations data sets archival materials ethnography journaling documents discourse

Example Research Approaches What motivates landowners to implement best management practices on their shorelines? (hypothesis: survey) What motivates landowners to implement best management practices on their shorelines? (hypothesis: survey) What types of stewardship activities are implemented by citizen groups in the Green-Duwamish watershed? Are projects monitored? (descriptive/statistical: interview/monitoring data set analysis) What types of stewardship activities are implemented by citizen groups in the Green-Duwamish watershed? Are projects monitored? (descriptive/statistical: interview/monitoring data set analysis) What are the environmental outcomes of collaborative watershed planning? (hypothesis: interview/data set analysis) What are the environmental outcomes of collaborative watershed planning? (hypothesis: interview/data set analysis)

collect the data carry out analysis select methods Sampling frame random sample stratified random sample “snowball” sample purposeful Practicality access to data time cost human subjects protection

arrange practicalities collect the data carry out analysis select methods What do the data tell you? patterns difference relationships causality inference Analytical Techniques statistics content analysis

carry out analysis report what you’ve found Who wants to know? research sponsors scientific community professionals/managers collaborators public How to communicate? scientific journals technical reports manuals books public presentations posters

Report Research Findings What motivates landowners to implement best management practices on their shorelines? What are most effective ways to learn about management practices? What motivates landowners to implement best management practices on their shorelines? What are most effective ways to learn about management practices? –volunteer help, permits, stewardship ethic –face to face workshops, technical help –Student thesis, general technical report, fact sheet, conference presentation, peer-reviewed journal article

Report Research Findings What types of stewardship activities are implemented by citizen groups in the Green-Duwamish watershed? Are projects monitored? What types of stewardship activities are implemented by citizen groups in the Green-Duwamish watershed? Are projects monitored? –Ecological restoration (invasive removal, install native plants, site maintenance) –Aquatic restoration (riparian, site engineering) –Monitoring is common, but inconsistent –Student thesis, technical report, conference presentations, journal article in review

Report Research Findings What are the environmental outcomes of collaborative watershed planning? What are the environmental outcomes of collaborative watershed planning? –Plans, policies, projects (output) –Environmental Outcomes? Link to projects implemented and monitoring –Other outcomes? –Student thesis, journal article

scientific journals professional journals technical reports fact sheet