| Methodological approaches for environment &ecology analysis |
Scientific Social Research
It would be difficult to comprehend the nature and content of research
without an appreciation of the method we designate as scientific. Research,
simply put is an endeavour to discover intellectual and practical answer
to problems through the application of scientific methods to knowable
universe. The scientific methods increase the likelihood of answering
questions related to WHAT, HOW AND WHY in an enquiry.
Einstein and Infield state the essence of science in the following words
- "Science is the attempt of the human mind to find a connection
between the world of ideas and world of phenomena. All the essential ideas
in science were born in dramatic conflict between reality and our attempt
at understanding the same."
This does not mean, however, that science will always come out with an
answer….. Thompson observes "The belief that science has explained
everything is hopeless misunderstanding." There may be many paths
leading to truth, however scientific is entails more understandable and
reliable. Meaning of Research therefore is 'A careful, critical inquiry
or examination in seeking facts or principles in order to as certain something.
Click here to learn about Research Designs
Scientific Social Research
It would be difficult to comprehend the nature and content of research
without appreciation of the methods we designate as scientific.
According to Scientific Social Research have the following properties:
Reliance on empirical evidence
Use of relevant concepts
Commitment to objectivity
Ethical neutrality
Predictions based on probability
Testing of conclusions through replication
Scientific procedures are path leading to truth. In the next section
of the book issues of what, Why, How and whom will be discussed.
The Research Process
Fig 1.10
There are various measures to study the effects of environment. Earlier strategies were not that sophisticated and reliable, thus mere have been fascinating development in this field.
| Research Strategies for Studying Environment & Ecology |
1. Co relational studies.
2. Experimental studies in laboratory settings.
3. Small scale fields settings.
4. Diverse research strategies.
5. Case studies.
6. Evaluation studies.
7. Econometric studies.
8. Time series studies.
1. Correlation studies based census data: It is based on study relationship
between density and social pathology as reflected by cause data or over
statistical records e.g. mere may be comparison between mortality, mental
illness and serious crime in densely populated region and sparsely populated
suburbs.
2. Experimental studies: - A more recent research strategy 1960's involves
experiment in lab settings. Initial studies were dared on animals in controlled
settings the god of this is study is to establish a casual like between
crowding and social effects on humans. Later were also done as humans.
Diverse research strategies
Each strategy has its strength and weakness.
In some animals studies it is the size of group that is more important man me space available to it also effect of density have inserted with other variables such as species type situation etc.
| Other Methodological Considerations |
Methodological approaches for environmental studies
There are number of models and approaches to study environment and ecology.
Measuring Environmental Values, impact assessment, people's reactions,
environmental protection and crisis etc. there are many Economics based
approaches issues and approaches.
They are
- Market values
- Indirect methods
- Contingent valuation
Some of the indirect methods are:
- Preventive expenditure
- Replacement cost technique
- Human capital technique
- Travel cost method
Other Methods include
- Technical coefficient and the value of Human Life
- Epidemiological studies
- Property value and Air pollutants
- Survey techniques
Environmental issues are too vital to be left out of economic decision making. Social cost benefit analysis cannot be complete without taking into consideration environmental considerations. In this chapter we discuss various methods that have been suggested for measuring environmental values.
It is not easy to asses the environmental effects of a project. What types of physical environmental effects would a project cause and to what extent, can rarely be answered satisfactorily. There is always an element of uncertainty associated with there effects. Most large investment projects now require environmental impact assessment (EIAs) that estimates the environmental effects of the projects. Often these EIAs churn out estimates of the effects, which are not only incomplete but also, devoid of scientist rigor.
Even if the physical effects are assessed with reasonable degree
of accuracy and certainty, the next problem one encounters is how
to assign economic values to these effects. It is a widely held view
that a market economy does not value all aspects of the environment
appropriately. Markets and prices may not exist for many of the environmental
effects that require valuation. Even if market prices exist, they
may be distorted for various reasons. The environmental effects of
big projects are very large. In such cases, the project may actually
alter prices. For these various reasons indirect methods are used
for valuation of the environmental effects. There are a number of
techniques developed by economists who attempt to value the environmental
effects. Before discussing these various techniques it needs to be
noted that total economic value (TEV) of environmental assets consists
of use and no-use values. The total economic value has four components:
Let us consider the case of tropical forest. Direct values are the resources and services provided directly by the forest such as habitat and food for indigenous people, timber and minor non-timber products. Indirect use values of environmental assets are essentially their ecological functions, which indirectly support economic activity and human welfare. Tropical forests, for example, protect adjacent eco-systems, provide watershed protection, and are store of CO2. An option value is the value placed on an option that allows for use of the environment in the future. The amount individuals would be willing to pay to conserve a tropical forest, or at least some of its uses, for future would be its option value. Existence value of an environmental asset in the value placed on it independent of its any actual or possible future use. It relates to valuation of the resources as a unique asset in itself, an object of intrinsic value. Existence value of tropical forests arises because people simply want them to exist, even if they are never likely to ever see or use then in any way.
Environmental Impact Assessment : includes Environmental Inventory;
Environmental Assessment; Environment Impact Statement; Historical
Perspective; Environmental Assessment Process; Goals of EIA Process
need to emphasize methodological issues related to following aspects:
- Air Environment
- Water Environment
- Noise Environment
- Socio-Economic Environment
- Cultural Environment
- Biological Environment
- People's Participation
- Case Studies are also important in this regard. Some examples are
- Air Pollution Monitoring
The study of Ganga : The Holy River; Ganga; From Gomukh to Bay of Bengal; Ganga; Its importance, Ganga; Overuse, Abuse and Pollution; What is River Pollution? What are the Principal Sources of Pollution? How to measure the extent of pollution? Concern for the River; Formulation of the Ganga Action Plan; what does the Action Plan seek to do? River Front Facilities; Low Cost Sanitation; Construction of Electric Crematoria, Pollution from Industries; Scientific Content in the Context of Ganga Action Plan;Public Involvement in the Ganga Action Plan; Monitoring of Water Quality; Recycling Sewage; Where we went wrong. What do we need to do? Can people's participation help in this project?
Industrial Pollution: Some Case Studies : Pollution Control Aspects of Fertilizer Industries; Ammonia Plant Effluents; Removal of Carbon; Oil Removal; Hydrogen Sulphide Removal; Nitrogen-Wash Tail Gas; Ammonium Sulphate Plant; Phosphoric Acid Plant; Solid Effluent; Liquid Effluent; Gaseous Effluent; Pollution Control in Petroleum Refineries and Petrochemical Units; Characteristics of Liquid Effluent; Refineries; Petrochemical Industries; Refinery Liquid Waste-Treatment Methods; Implant Measures; Steam Stripping; Oxidation; Removal of Phenols; Biological Treatment; Disposal of Sludge's; Treatment of Liquid Effluents from Petrochemical Industries.
Environmental Audit: Case studies Indian Scenario Advantage of
Audit; Environmental Audit.
How to measure the extent of pollution? Concern for the River; Formulation of the Ganga Action Plan; what does the Action Plan seek to do? River Front Facilities; Low Cost Sanitation; Construction of Electric Crematoria, Pollution from Industries; Scientific Content in the Context of Ganga Action Plan;Public Involvement in the Ganga Action Plan; Monitoring of Water Quality; Recycling Sewage; Where we went wrong. What do we need to do? Can people's participation help in this project?
Industrial Pollution: Some Case Studies : Pollution Control Aspects of Fertilizer Industries; Ammonia Plant Effluents; Removal of Carbon; Oil Removal; Hydrogen Sulphide Removal; Nitrogen-Wash Tail Gas; Ammonium Sulphate Plant; Phosphoric Acid Plant; Solid Effluent; Liquid Effluent; Gaseous Effluent; Pollution Control in Petroleum Refineries and Petrochemical Units; Characteristics of Liquid Effluent; Refineries; Petrochemical Industries; Refinery Liquid Waste-Treatment Methods; Implant Measures; Steam Stripping; Oxidation; Removal of Phenols; Biological Treatment; Disposal of Sludge's; Treatment of Liquid Effluents from Petrochemical Industries.
Environmental Audit: Case studies Indian Scenario Advantage of Audit; Environmental Audit.
|
|