Research Methods in Natural Resources Management

Question 1

Why Do Research in Natural Resources Management?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Types of Studies Related to Natural Resources Management

Answer 2

Resources and setting
Land and resource use
Economic studies
Conservation studies
Theoretical and conceptual studies
Methods studies

Question 3

Examples of Research Methods

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Survey Research

Answer 4

Investigates human thought and action towards natural environments.
Public involvement is crucial in resource management.

Question 5

Goals of Survey Research

Answer 5

Exploratory: Collect preliminary information
Descriptive: Describe characteristics of people
Explanatory: Identify causal relationships

Question 6

Advantages and Disadvantages of Survey Research

Answer 6

Advantages: Describes larger populations, standardized questions, large sample size.
Disadvantages: Questions must be understandable, often rigid, can seem artificial.

Question 7

Survey Research Process

Answer 7

Hypothesis Theory
Conceptualization
Operationalization
Choose Survey Method
Determine Sampling Design
Observations
Data Processing
Analysis

Question 8

Basic Research Hypotheses/Questions

Answer 8

Descriptive: Responses to a single variable.
Difference: Compare groups.
Association: Relate independent to dependent variables.

Question 9

Relationship between Purpose of Research and Appropriate Statistics

Answer 9

Examine relationships: Descriptive statistics
Compare groups: Inferential statistics

Question 10

Survey Sampling Design

Answer 10

Probability sampling: Random samples.
Non-probability sampling: Cannot generalize to the population.

Question 11

Considerations When Administering Surveys

Answer 11

Include relevant questions
Select appropriate survey method
Review and revise questionnaire
Pre-test and analyze responses

Question 12

Data Processing Steps

Answer 12

Enter data carefully
Run preliminary analyses
Check reliability and validity

Question 13

Survey Analysis Types

Answer 13

Parametric statistics
Non-parametric statistics

Question 14

Classification of Variables

Answer 14

Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio
Dichotomous, Categorical, Continuous

Question 15

Steps in Selecting an Appropriate Analysis Strategy

Answer 15

Identify independent and dependent variables.
Determine variable coding.

Question 16

Management

Answer 16

The process of planning for future development, implementing strategies/programs, and monitoring & evaluation (effectiveness and efficiency) in natural resources.

Question 17

Purpose of Research in Natural Resources Management

Answer 17

To collect baseline data, assess resources, develop human resources, explain and predict phenomena, evaluate management efficiency, test theories, and analyze problems for solutions.

Question 18

Types of Studies in Natural Resources Management

Answer 18

1. Resources and setting (Inventory, Characterization, Baselining)
2. Land and resource use (Use trends, Capability and Suitability studies)
3. Economic studies (Market analysis, Valuation, Ecosystem services, Feasibility)
4. Conservation studies (Erosion studies, Impact assessment, Management effectiveness)
5. Theoretical and conceptual studies (Framework development, Theory testing)
6. Methods studies (Analysis of tools and techniques)

Question 19

Examples of Research Methods

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Human Dimensions of Natural Resources

Answer 20

Investigates human thought and action towards natural environments, influencing resource management decisions.

Question 21

Characteristics of Scientific Inquiry

Answer 21

Reliability: Repeatability of findings.
Validity: Soundness of design.
Representativeness: Results mirror the population.
Generalizability: Breadth of inferences for theory development.

Question 22

Goals of Survey Research

Answer 22

Exploratory: Collect preliminary information.
Descriptive: Describe characteristics of interest.
Explanatory: Identify causal relationships.

Question 23

Survey Research Advantages

Answer 23

Describes large populations.
Standardized questions for comparisons.
Large sample sizes quickly.

Question 24

Survey Research Disadvantages

Answer 24

Questions must be understandable.
Lack of flexibility.
May seem artificial.

Question 25

Basic Research Hypothesis Types

Answer 25

Descriptive: Describe single variable responses.
Difference: Compare groups based on independent variables.
Association: Relate independent and dependent variable responses.

Question 26

Survey Sampling Design

Answer 26

Methods by which population members are selected; includes probability and non-probability sampling.

Question 27

Analysis Strategies

Answer 27

Parametric statistics: Assumes normal distribution.
Non-parametric statistics: No assumptions about the distribution.