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1.9 Ninth Synthesis: Linking Different Types of Knowledge
and Scientific Methods
In the previous sections, we have presented political ecology as an approach where
researchers seek to connect elements of different forms of knowledge, to best possibly understand how and why people manage nature in specific ways. This receptiveness to various knowledge elements implies the necessity also of involving
those research methods that in each case seem to be best suited for collecting and
analysing different forms of knowledge. We have already introduced the use of
natural science methods during the first synthesis. In the following, we will therefor
only look at social science methods.
While a great deal of environmental research usually applies quantitative methods, qualitative methods play the leading role in political ecology. In order to be able
to describe, explain and make normative assessments of various types of environmental governance and related conflicts, it is almost always necessary to apply qualitative
methods. This is partly because the understanding of the total picture has to be pieced
together by different bits of knowledge collected from interviews with different actors
and written sources. It would be meaningless to distribute questionnaires with identical questions if the purpose is to learn about different forms of participation in networks of different actors. It is better, for example, to conduct semi-structured
interviews with questions that are adapted to each of the interviewees. Moreover,
political ecologists are often concerned about acquiring a good understanding of
ways of thinking through the use of ethnographic methods in studying environmental
governance rather than quantifications based on questionnaires with pre-defined
answer alternatives. Nevertheless, quantitative methods in political ecology research
can often provide important knowledge in combination with qualitative data.
The Mixed Methods at Pandora
As mentioned in the first synthesis, Jake Sully’s research unit studies everything that
has to do with the Na’vi, in addition to all kinds of aspects of nature on Pandora.
The social science part, however, seems to concentrate entirely on participatory
observation and do not involve other qualitative or quantitative methods. In order to
get acceptance to stay around the Na’vi, the researchers go a great deal further than
any real-world researcher would be able to. The Pandora researchers have developed
Na’vi bodies (avatars) that they enter into and thereby look just like the Na’vi.
1.10 Tenth Synthesis: Critical and Constructive Contributions
The final synthesis is about what political ecologists do with their findings. Political
ecology is a critical approach. This implies a critical view on power as well as questioning many aspects that tend to be taken for granted. Numerous political ecology
studies have focused on loss of environmental sustainability, injustice and violation
1.9 · Ninth Synthesis: Linking Different Types...
1
1.9 Ninth Synthesis: Linking Different Types of Knowledge
and Scientific Methods
In the previous sections, we have presented political ecology as an approach where
researchers seek to connect elements of different forms of knowledge, to best possibly understand how and why people manage nature in specific ways. This receptiveness to various knowledge elements implies the necessity also of involving
those research methods that in each case seem to be best suited for collecting and
analysing different forms of knowledge. We have already introduced the use of
natural science methods during the first synthesis. In the following, we will therefor
only look at social science methods.
While a great deal of environmental research usually applies quantitative methods, qualitative methods play the leading role in political ecology. In order to be able
to describe, explain and make normative assessments of various types of environmental governance and related conflicts, it is almost always necessary to apply qualitative
methods. This is partly because the understanding of the total picture has to be pieced
together by different bits of knowledge collected from interviews with different actors
and written sources. It would be meaningless to distribute questionnaires with identical questions if the purpose is to learn about different forms of participation in networks of different actors. It is better, for example, to conduct semi-structured
interviews with questions that are adapted to each of the interviewees. Moreover,
political ecologists are often concerned about acquiring a good understanding of
ways of thinking through the use of ethnographic methods in studying environmental
governance rather than quantifications based on questionnaires with pre-defined
answer alternatives. Nevertheless, quantitative methods in political ecology research
can often provide important knowledge in combination with qualitative data.
The Mixed Methods at Pandora
As mentioned in the first synthesis, Jake Sully’s research unit studies everything that
has to do with the Na’vi, in addition to all kinds of aspects of nature on Pandora.
The social science part, however, seems to concentrate entirely on participatory
observation and do not involve other qualitative or quantitative methods. In order to
get acceptance to stay around the Na’vi, the researchers go a great deal further than
any real-world researcher would be able to. The Pandora researchers have developed
Na’vi bodies (avatars) that they enter into and thereby look just like the Na’vi.
1.10 Tenth Synthesis: Critical and Constructive Contributions
The final synthesis is about what political ecologists do with their findings. Political
ecology is a critical approach. This implies a critical view on power as well as questioning many aspects that tend to be taken for granted. Numerous political ecology
studies have focused on loss of environmental sustainability, injustice and violation
1.9 · Ninth Synthesis: Linking Different Types...