TY - JOUR
T1 - Quantity Does Not Always Mean Quality
T2 - The Importance of Qualitative Social Science in Conservation Research
AU - Rust, Niki
AU - Abrams, Amber
AU - Challender, Daniel
AU - Chapron, Guillaume
AU - Ghoddousi, Arash
AU - Glikman, Jenny
AU - Gowan, Catherine
AU - Hughes, Courtney
AU - Rastogi, Archi
AU - Said, Alicia
AU - Sutton, Alexandra
AU - Taylor, Nicola
AU - Thomas, Sarah
AU - Unnikrishnan, Hita
AU - Webber, Amanda
AU - Wordingham, Gwen
AU - Hill, Catherine
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Qualitative methods are important to gain a deep understanding of complex problems and poorly researched areas. They can be particularly useful to help explain underlying conservation problems. However, the significance in choosing and justifying appropriate methodological frameworks in conservation studies should be given more attention to ensure data are collected and analysed appropriately. We explain when, why, and how qualitative methods should be used and explain sampling strategies in qualitative studies. To improve familiarity with qualitative methods among natural scientists, we recommend expanding training in social sciences and increasing collaboration with social scientists. Given the scale of human impacts on the environment, this type of nuanced analytical skill is critical for progressing biodiversity conservation efforts.
AB - Qualitative methods are important to gain a deep understanding of complex problems and poorly researched areas. They can be particularly useful to help explain underlying conservation problems. However, the significance in choosing and justifying appropriate methodological frameworks in conservation studies should be given more attention to ensure data are collected and analysed appropriately. We explain when, why, and how qualitative methods should be used and explain sampling strategies in qualitative studies. To improve familiarity with qualitative methods among natural scientists, we recommend expanding training in social sciences and increasing collaboration with social scientists. Given the scale of human impacts on the environment, this type of nuanced analytical skill is critical for progressing biodiversity conservation efforts.
KW - Human–wildlife conflict
KW - qualitative methods
KW - quantitative methods
KW - social sciences
KW - study design
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021808128&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/08941920.2017.1333661
DO - 10.1080/08941920.2017.1333661
M3 - Article
VL - 30
SP - 1304
EP - 1310
JO - Society and Natural Resources
JF - Society and Natural Resources
SN - 0894-1920
IS - 10
ER -