Research Methods in Natural Resources Management Flashcards
Why Do Research in Natural Resources Management?
Collect baseline data
Resource assessment and inventory
Human development of managers and other resources
Explain and predict phenomena
Assess efficiency and/or effectiveness of management
Test existing paradigms and theories
Analyze problems to find solutions
Types of Studies Related to Natural Resources Management
Resources and setting
Land and resource use
Economic studies
Conservation studies
Theoretical and conceptual studies
Methods studies
Examples of Research Methods
Inventory, Characterization, Baselining
Periodic data collection on resource use
Economic studies: Literature search, interviews, surveys
Production and Conservation studies: Experiments, trials
Theoretical studies: Experiments, literature search
Methods studies: Literature search, analysis
Survey Research
Investigates human thought and action towards natural environments.
Public involvement is crucial in resource management.
Goals of Survey Research
Exploratory: Collect preliminary information
Descriptive: Describe characteristics of people
Explanatory: Identify causal relationships
Advantages and Disadvantages of Survey Research
Advantages: Describes larger populations, standardized questions, large sample size.
Disadvantages: Questions must be understandable, often rigid, can seem artificial.
Survey Research Process
Hypothesis Theory
Conceptualization
Operationalization
Choose Survey Method
Determine Sampling Design
Observations
Data Processing
Analysis
Basic Research Hypotheses/Questions
Descriptive: Responses to a single variable.
Difference: Compare groups.
Association: Relate independent to dependent variables.
Relationship between Purpose of Research and Appropriate Statistics
Examine relationships: Descriptive statistics
Compare groups: Inferential statistics
Survey Sampling Design
Probability sampling: Random samples.
Non-probability sampling: Cannot generalize to the population.
Considerations When Administering Surveys
Include relevant questions
Select appropriate survey method
Review and revise questionnaire
Pre-test and analyze responses
Data Processing Steps
Enter data carefully
Run preliminary analyses
Check reliability and validity
Survey Analysis Types
Parametric statistics
Non-parametric statistics
Classification of Variables
Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio
Dichotomous, Categorical, Continuous
Steps in Selecting an Appropriate Analysis Strategy
Identify independent and dependent variables.
Determine variable coding.
Management
The process of planning for future development, implementing strategies/programs, and monitoring & evaluation (effectiveness and efficiency) in natural resources.
Purpose of Research in Natural Resources Management
To collect baseline data, assess resources, develop human resources, explain and predict phenomena, evaluate management efficiency, test theories, and analyze problems for solutions.
Types of Studies in Natural Resources Management
- Resources and setting (Inventory, Characterization, Baselining)
- Land and resource use (Use trends, Capability and Suitability studies)
- Economic studies (Market analysis, Valuation, Ecosystem services, Feasibility)
- Conservation studies (Erosion studies, Impact assessment, Management effectiveness)
- Theoretical and conceptual studies (Framework development, Theory testing)
- Methods studies (Analysis of tools and techniques)
Examples of Research Methods
Resources and setting: Collecting info through identification, measurements, observations, and comparative analysis.
Land and resource use: Periodic data collection, trend analysis, and overlay analysis.
Economic studies: Literature review, key informant interviews, and policy analysis.
Conservation studies: Experiments, trials, and hotspot analysis.
Theoretical studies: Experiments, social surveys, and triangulation.
Methods studies: Literature and content analysis, big data analysis.
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Investigates human thought and action towards natural environments, influencing resource management decisions.
Characteristics of Scientific Inquiry
Reliability: Repeatability of findings.
Validity: Soundness of design.
Representativeness: Results mirror the population.
Generalizability: Breadth of inferences for theory development.
Goals of Survey Research
Exploratory: Collect preliminary information.
Descriptive: Describe characteristics of interest.
Explanatory: Identify causal relationships.
Survey Research Advantages
Describes large populations.
Standardized questions for comparisons.
Large sample sizes quickly.
Survey Research Disadvantages
Questions must be understandable.
Lack of flexibility.
May seem artificial.
Basic Research Hypothesis Types
Descriptive: Describe single variable responses.
Difference: Compare groups based on independent variables.
Association: Relate independent and dependent variable responses.
Survey Sampling Design
Methods by which population members are selected; includes probability and non-probability sampling.
Analysis Strategies
Parametric statistics: Assumes normal distribution.
Non-parametric statistics: No assumptions about the distribution.
