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Understanding participant perspectives: Q‐methodology in national forest management
Author(s) -
Steelman Toddi A.,
Maguire Lynn A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of policy analysis and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.898
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1520-6688
pISSN - 0276-8739
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1520-6688(199922)18:3<361::aid-pam3>3.0.co;2-k
Subject(s) - viewpoints , identification (biology) , participant observation , task (project management) , policy analysis , value (mathematics) , perception , selection (genetic algorithm) , computer science , public policy , management science , knowledge management , public relations , psychology , sociology , political science , economics , public administration , artificial intelligence , management , economic growth , machine learning , social science , art , botany , neuroscience , visual arts , biology
Abstract Many policy practitioners and theorists have argued that value‐free, objective solutions to policy problems do not exist. While participant values and subjective viewpoints influence policy problems, empirically determining participant perspectives and preferences has been a daunting task. This paper demonstrates how Q‐methodology, a technique for systematically revealing subjective perspectives, can contribute to better problem identification and definition; estimation and specification of policy option; and selection, implementation, and evaluation of policies. Two case studies in national forest management are reviewed and demonstrate how Q‐methodology can (1) identify important internal and external constituencies, (2) define participant viewpoints and perceptions, (3) provide sharper insight into participant‐preferred management directions, (4) identify criteria that are important to participants, (5) explicitly outline areas of consensus and conflict, and (6) develop a common view toward the policy. © 1999 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.