Published In

Environmental Modelling & Software

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2018

Subjects

Qualtative analysis, Mental representation, Participatory modeling, Water quality management -- Michigan -- Flint -- Case studies, Groundwater -- Management -- India -- Case studies, Floodplains -- Amazon River Valley -- Management -- Case studies

Abstract

Various tools and methods are used in participatory modelling, at different stages of the process and for different purposes. The diversity of tools and methods can create challenges for stakeholders and modelers when selecting the ones most appropriate for their projects. We offer a systematic overview, assessment, and categorization of methods to assist modelers and stakeholders with their choices and decisions. Most available literature provides little justification or information on the reasons for the use of particular methods or tools in a given study. In most of the cases, it seems that the prior experience and skills of the modelers had a dominant effect on the selection of the methods used. While we have not found any real evidence of this approach being wrong, we do think that putting more thought into the method selection process and choosing the most appropriate method for the project can produce better results. Based on expert opinion and a survey of modelers engaged in participatory processes, we offer practical guidelines to improve decisions about method selection at different stages of the participatory modeling process.

Description

To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2018.08.028.

Originally appeared in Environmental Modelling and Software, Volume 109, November 2018, Pages 232-255.

DOI

10.1016/j.envsoft.2018.08.028.

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/27209

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