Combining participatory mapping with Q-methodology to map stakeholder perceptions of complex environmental problems

TY - JOUR

T1 - Combining participatory mapping with Q-methodology to map stakeholder perceptions of complex environmental problems

AU - Forrester, John Martin

AU - Cook, Brian

AU - Bracken, Louise

AU - Cinderby, Steve

AU - Donaldson, Andrew

PY - 2015/1/1

Y1 - 2015/1/1

N2 - It is readily accepted that understanding socio-environmental challenges requires consideration of multiple stakeholder perspectives and knowledge claims. But a largely ignored question is ‘how best to analyse those competing perspectives and claims?’. This paper explores the development of one GIS-based methodology – and reports on its application – to understand and map stakeholder knowledge. We find that combining Q-methodology with participatory mapping helps to overcome a significant problem in social engagement: representing the unclear connection between what people say or do and their underlying attitudes, values or beliefs. The paper is based on a reflexive engagement with flood management and natural adaptive capacity in the Scottish-English Borderlands. The paper confirms how such topics can benefit from an appreciation of the wide range of stakeholders' positions, as well as the underlying beliefs informing those positions. Most importantly, we provide an account of our methodology, offering a template for others interested in unpacking complex socio-environmental issues.

AB - It is readily accepted that understanding socio-environmental challenges requires consideration of multiple stakeholder perspectives and knowledge claims. But a largely ignored question is ‘how best to analyse those competing perspectives and claims?’. This paper explores the development of one GIS-based methodology – and reports on its application – to understand and map stakeholder knowledge. We find that combining Q-methodology with participatory mapping helps to overcome a significant problem in social engagement: representing the unclear connection between what people say or do and their underlying attitudes, values or beliefs. The paper is based on a reflexive engagement with flood management and natural adaptive capacity in the Scottish-English Borderlands. The paper confirms how such topics can benefit from an appreciation of the wide range of stakeholders' positions, as well as the underlying beliefs informing those positions. Most importantly, we provide an account of our methodology, offering a template for others interested in unpacking complex socio-environmental issues.

KW - GIS

KW - Flood management

KW - Wicked problems

KW - Mixed-methods

KW - Participation

KW - Q-method

U2 - 10.1016/j.apgeog.2014.11.019

DO - 10.1016/j.apgeog.2014.11.019

M3 - Article

SN - 0143-6228

VL - 56

SP - 199

EP - 208

JO - Applied Geography

JF - Applied Geography

ER -