40
D. A. Gatt and M. C. Mifsud
2.10 Research Gaps Identified
A high rate of construction activity is reducing the percentage cover of remaining
natural land in Malta, thus reducing the amount of biodiversity present (Deidun
2008). Ecosystems provide services that benefit humans, yet studies show that awareness and understanding of the term “biodiversity” is low (Lindemann-Matthies and
Bose 2008; State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage 2017). Also,
possessing knowledge about the environment does not necessarily promote environmentally responsible behaviour (Mifsud 2010; Nisiforou and Charalambides 2012).
Nowadays, humans spend little time engaging in outdoor activities, thus preventing
the formation of a bond or relationship with nature (Soga and Gaston 2016).
Few studies are available that focus on adults and their awareness of the effect
of human activity on biodiversity, and the impact of biodiversity on humans. This
study intends to address this gap and seeks to query the knowledge held by the
local population with regard to biodiversity and its effects, and the extent to which
biodiversity is considered as integral to their health and well-being.
3 Methodology
Data collection involved semi-structured interviews performed with at least two
participants from each of the six districts (according to LAU1/NUTS 3 Classification) in the Maltese Islands. The districts are Northern, Northern Harbour,
Southern Harbour, South Eastern, Western, and Gozo and Comino. The interviews
were balanced between persons who grew up in rural or semi-rural and urban
environments.
The target population was Maltese adults aged between 30 and 45 years old
(Maltese 30–45 ), as few studies have been performed on this age group and this target
population is:
1. Able to make informed decisions, and implement new behaviours (workplace
and home) (Worthy et al. 2011);
2. Likely to have an influence on children (Pearson et al. 2009).
3. Expected to have a strong connection with nature as they grew up when open
spaces were more accessible, tablets and mobile phones were non-existent, and
playing outdoors was an everyday activity (Soga and Gaston 2016).
4. Easily accessible, as the researcher belongs to the same age group.
3.1 The Interviews
The interviews were of a semi-structured format and the development of the questions
followed the Interview Protocol Refinement (IPR) framework proposed by CastilloMontoya (2016). Four types of questions were included.
D. A. Gatt and M. C. Mifsud
2.10 Research Gaps Identified
A high rate of construction activity is reducing the percentage cover of remaining
natural land in Malta, thus reducing the amount of biodiversity present (Deidun
2008). Ecosystems provide services that benefit humans, yet studies show that awareness and understanding of the term “biodiversity” is low (Lindemann-Matthies and
Bose 2008; State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage 2017). Also,
possessing knowledge about the environment does not necessarily promote environmentally responsible behaviour (Mifsud 2010; Nisiforou and Charalambides 2012).
Nowadays, humans spend little time engaging in outdoor activities, thus preventing
the formation of a bond or relationship with nature (Soga and Gaston 2016).
Few studies are available that focus on adults and their awareness of the effect
of human activity on biodiversity, and the impact of biodiversity on humans. This
study intends to address this gap and seeks to query the knowledge held by the
local population with regard to biodiversity and its effects, and the extent to which
biodiversity is considered as integral to their health and well-being.
3 Methodology
Data collection involved semi-structured interviews performed with at least two
participants from each of the six districts (according to LAU1/NUTS 3 Classification) in the Maltese Islands. The districts are Northern, Northern Harbour,
Southern Harbour, South Eastern, Western, and Gozo and Comino. The interviews
were balanced between persons who grew up in rural or semi-rural and urban
environments.
The target population was Maltese adults aged between 30 and 45 years old
(Maltese 30–45 ), as few studies have been performed on this age group and this target
population is:
1. Able to make informed decisions, and implement new behaviours (workplace
and home) (Worthy et al. 2011);
2. Likely to have an influence on children (Pearson et al. 2009).
3. Expected to have a strong connection with nature as they grew up when open
spaces were more accessible, tablets and mobile phones were non-existent, and
playing outdoors was an everyday activity (Soga and Gaston 2016).
4. Easily accessible, as the researcher belongs to the same age group.
3.1 The Interviews
The interviews were of a semi-structured format and the development of the questions
followed the Interview Protocol Refinement (IPR) framework proposed by CastilloMontoya (2016). Four types of questions were included.