Understanding Participant Perspectives: Q-Methodology in National Forest Management

摘要: Many policy practitioners and theorists have argued that value-free, objective solutions to problems do not exist. While participant values subjective viewpoints influence problems, empirically determining perspectives preferences has been a daunting task. This paper demonstrates how Q-methodology, technique for systematically revealing perspectives, can contribute better problem identification definition, estimation specification of options, selection, implementation evaluation policies. Two case studies in National Forest management are reviewed demonstrate Q-methodology (1) identify important internal external constituencies; (2) define perceptions; (3) provide sharper insight into preferred directions; (4) criteria participants, (5) explicitly outline areas consensus conflict; (6) develop common view toward the policy.