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RESEARCH ARTICLE: Three Tools for Evaluating Participation: Focus Groups, Q Method, and Surveys

Stentor Danielson^a1 c1, Seth P. Tuler^a2, Susan L. Santos^a3, Thomas Webler^a4 and Caron Chess^a5

^a1 Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

^a2 Research Fellow, Social and Environmental Research Institute, Greenfield, Massachusetts

^a3 Assistant Professor, Department of Health Education and Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey

^a4 Research Fellow, Social and Environmental Research Institute, Greenfield, Massachusetts

^a5 Assistant Professor, Department of Human Ecology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Abstract

To enable successful public participation in environmental decision making, practitioners need to know what works, but evaluation of proposed and existing processes is often lacking. We tested three tools for evaluation—focus groups, Q method, and surveys—at two contaminated sites with extensive public participation. Each tool is evaluated based on its requirements for implementation, the information it produces, and its acceptability to stakeholders. Which tool is most appropriate depends heavily on the available resources, what is happening at the site, and the evaluator's goals.

Environmental Practice 14:101–109 (2012)

(Received September 14 2011)

(Revised January 17 2012)

(Accepted January 24 2012)

(Online publication April 25 2012)

Correspondence:

^c1 Stentor Danielson, Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment, 1 Morrow Way, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA 16057; (phone) 724-738-2564; (fax) 724-738-4217; (e-mail) stentor.danielson@sru.edu

Stentor Danielson is an assistant professor in the Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment at Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania) and a collaborator with the Social and Environmental Research Institute (Greenfield, Massachusetts). His research focuses on public participation, wildfire management, cultural theory, and Q method. He holds a PhD in geography from Clark University (Worcester, Massachusetts).

Seth P. Tuler is a research associate and cofounder of the Social and Environmental Research Institute (Greenfield, Massachusetts) and an adjunct assistant professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, Massachusetts) His research has focused on integrating analysis and deliberation in policy making, particularly in the case of cleanup of contaminated industrial and nuclear sites and marine oil spills. He holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Policy from Clark University (Worcester).

Susan L. Santos is an assistant professor in the Health Education and Behavioral Science Department at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (New Brunswick), Associate Director of Risk Communication and Education at the NJ VA War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (East Orange), and owner of Focus Group Consulting. Her research centers on applying public health science, communication theory, and social marketing to improve risk communication about public health issues. She has extensive experience as a practitioner in the field of risk communication and has particular expertise in the use of focus groups. Susan holds a PhD in Risk Communication and Public Policy from Northeastern University (Boston).

Thomas Webler is a research fellow and cofounder at the Social and Environmental Research Institute (Greenfield, Massachusetts) and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Geography at Clark University (Worcester, Massachusetts). His research focuses on connecting local and expert knowledge, and creating democratic participation processes to solve environmental problems. He has a PhD in Environment, Technology, and Society from Clark University (Worcester).

Caron Chess is a professor in the Department of Human Ecology at Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey). Her research examines methods to evaluate public participation and the effect of organizational factors on risk communication. She has published guidance materials for government and industry in conducting public participation. She holds a PhD in environmental studies and democratic processes from the State University of New York (SUNY).