Conducting Research in Conservation

Social Science Methods and Practice

Helen Newing

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2010
• Print ISBN: 9780415457927
• eBook ISBN: 9781136934391
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Geography
• Index: Geography

Conducting Research in Conservation is the first textbook on social science research methods written specifically for use in the expanding and increasingly multidisciplinary field of environmental conservation.

The first section on planning a research project includes chapters on the need for social science research in conservation, defining a research topic, methodology, and sampling. Section two focuses on practical issues in carrying out fieldwork with local communities, from fieldwork preparation and data collection to the relationships between the researcher and the study community. Section three provides an in-depth focus on a range of social science methods including standard qualitative and quantitative methods such as participant observation, interviewing and questionnaires, and more advanced methods, such as ethnobiological methods for documenting local environmental knowledge and change, and participatory methods such as the 'PRA' toolbox. Section four then demonstrates how to analyze social science data qualitatively and quantitatively; and the final section outlines the writing-up process and what should happen after the end of the formal research project.

This book is a comprehensive and accessible guide to social science research methods for students of conservation related subjects and practitioners trained in the natural sciences. It features practical worldwide examples of conservation-related research in different ecosystems such as forests; grasslands; marine and riverine systems; and farmland. Boxes provide definitions of key terms, practical tips, and brief narratives from students and practitioners describe the practical issues that they have faced in the field.

Appendix 1
Online survey: kitesurfing and the environment

(Gilchrist, 2008, reproduced with kind permission of the author)

[Online survey template] Open between 2 September and 15 October 2008

Welcome

Thank you for volunteering to take part in this study, your time is most appreciated. By completing this questionnaire:

a) You will be helping to create a profile of kitesurfers and kitesurfing activity in the UK;

b) You will be contributing to what is known about the effects of kitesurfing on the environment;

c) You will be helping to identify the most effective means through which to disseminate information to kitesurfers about environmental issues; and

d) You will be helping to identify the most effective means to manage kitesurfing for both people and wildlife.

This questionnaire takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

All responses are anonymous and confidential.

The project has been approved by British Kitesurfing Association (BKSA).

Note that once you have clicked on the CONTINUE button at the bottom of each page you can not return to review or amend that page.

General Information:

1. What is your age?––––––––

2. What is your gender? (Please tick)

a) Male

b) Female

3. Which of the following best applies to you (tick one only):

a) Working full-time

b) Working part-time

c) Registered unemployed

d) Not registered unemployed but seeking work

e) At home/not seeking work

f) Retired

g) Full-time education

h) Part-time education

i) Other (specify)

4. If you are working, what is your gross annual income (in pounds)? (Please tick one)

a) Less than 10,000

b) 10,000–19,999

c) 20,000–29,999

d) 30,000–39,999

e) 40,000–49,999

f) 50,000–59,999

g) 60,000–69,999

h) 70,000–79,999

i) 80,000–89,999

j) 90,000–99,999

k) 100,000 or more.

5. For how many years have you been kitesurfing?––––––––

6. What do you enjoy most about kitesurfing?

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

7. Do you do any beach sports other than kitesurfing? (Please tick)

a) Yes

b) No

7a. Which other beach sports do you practice?

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

8. Please list the main factors you consider when looking for a site to kitesurf:

a)_________________

b)_________________

c)_________________

9. Is guidance from your local council or site management authority a factor in your choice of kitesurfing sites? (Please tick)

a) Yes

b) No

9a. Please describe how guidance from your local council or site management authority is a factor in your choice of kitesurfing sites:

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

10. Do you receive any information pertaining to environmental site regulations (Please tick)?

a) Yes

b) No

10a. Please indicate from which sources you receive this information (Please tick; you may select more than one answer):

a) The local council

b) Natural England

c) Site management authority

d) Local non-governmental organization (NGO)

e) BKSA

f) Local kitesurfing club

g) Online kitesurfing fora

h) None.

10b. In what forms do you receive this information? (Please tick;...

Table of contents

• Contents
• List of tables
• List of figures
• List of boxes
• Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• Section I Planning a research project
• Section II Methods
• Section III Fieldwork with local communities
• Section IV Data processing and analysis
• Section V Writing up, dissemination and follow-up
• Appendix 1 Online survey: kitesurfing and the environment
• Appendix 2 Questionnaire: community orchards
• References
• Index