‘You’re the Expert!’ A Participatory Approach to Nitrate Pollution Research in Central Montana
Location
ECC 216
Event Website
water.usu.edu/
Start Date
4-3-2012 3:25 PM
End Date
4-3-2012 3:30 PM
Description
Participatory approaches to water resources research are increasingly promoted by major funding agencies; however, a process for integrating interdisciplinary and non-researcher perspectives into research design is not well refined. Our social science research aims to understand how scientists, agricultural producers, and organizational representatives perceive nitrate pollution in a predominantly agricultural watershed of central Montana. Using baseline interview and questionnaire data, we analyze perceptions of the water quality problem and how these problem definitions have (and have not) shaped research priorities. Intertwined with research development is the identification of major nitrate sources--a task seemingly simple from afar yet complicated with attention to detailed local biophysical and social conditions. We offer preliminary evaluation of the participatory research process, including how the roles of academic researchers may be challenged and modified under the participatory approach.
‘You’re the Expert!’ A Participatory Approach to Nitrate Pollution Research in Central Montana
ECC 216
Participatory approaches to water resources research are increasingly promoted by major funding agencies; however, a process for integrating interdisciplinary and non-researcher perspectives into research design is not well refined. Our social science research aims to understand how scientists, agricultural producers, and organizational representatives perceive nitrate pollution in a predominantly agricultural watershed of central Montana. Using baseline interview and questionnaire data, we analyze perceptions of the water quality problem and how these problem definitions have (and have not) shaped research priorities. Intertwined with research development is the identification of major nitrate sources--a task seemingly simple from afar yet complicated with attention to detailed local biophysical and social conditions. We offer preliminary evaluation of the participatory research process, including how the roles of academic researchers may be challenged and modified under the participatory approach.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/runoff/2012/Posters/31