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Assessing attitudes and cognitive styles of stakeholders in environmental projects involving computer modelling

Author

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  • Boschetti, Fabio
  • Richert, Claire
  • Walker, Iain
  • Price, Jennifer
  • Dutra, Leo

Abstract

For modellers, stakeholder acceptance of a model usually hinges on data accuracy, model reliability, and problem uncertainty. For social scientists, model acceptance by stakeholders also depends on model context, type of problem, implications of the model, characteristics of the audience and stakeholders, the charisma and reputation of the modeller, and much else. In this paper, we review some tools from the cognitive and social psychology literature employed to study cognitive styles, worldviews and political ideology. From them, we select items which are relevant to assessing these features in stakeholders of environmental projects involving the use of computer modelling. By adding other items specifically designed to gauge attitudes towards complexity, science and computer modelling itself, we propose a questionnaire a modeller could employ early in a project in order to understand the type of audience the modelling results will have to be communicated to. This can help better design the communication and engagement process. We test the questionnaire with a representative sample of the Australian population and with a stakeholder team involved in the management of a regional fishery. The results point to the importance of considering worldviews and cognitive variables such as open-mindedness and trust in science and modelling.

Suggested Citation

  • Boschetti, Fabio & Richert, Claire & Walker, Iain & Price, Jennifer & Dutra, Leo, 2012. "Assessing attitudes and cognitive styles of stakeholders in environmental projects involving computer modelling," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 98-111.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:247:y:2012:i:c:p:98-111
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2012.07.027
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    1. repec:cup:judgdm:v:8:y:2013:i:4:p:407-424 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Li, Zongmin & Xu, Jiuping & Lev, Benjamin & Gang, Jun, 2015. "Multi-criteria group individual research output evaluation based on context-free grammar judgments with assessing attitude," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 57(PB), pages 282-293.
    3. Li, Zongmin & Zhang, Qi & Liao, Huchang, 2019. "Efficient-equitable-ecological evaluation of regional water resource coordination considering both visible and virtual water," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 223-235.
    4. Fabio Boschetti & Michael Hughes & Cheryl Jones & Hector Lozano-Montes, 2018. "On Decision Makers’ Perceptions of What an Ecological Computer Model is, What It Does, and Its Impact on Limiting Model Acceptance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-10, August.
    5. Dan M. Kahan, 2013. "Ideology, motivated reasoning, and cognitive reflection," Judgment and Decision Making, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 8(4), pages 407-424, July.
    6. Sondoss ElSawah & Alan Mclucas & Jason Mazanov, 2013. "Using a Cognitive Mapping Approach to Frame the Perceptions of Water Users About Managing Water Resources: A Case Study in the Australian Capital Territory," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(9), pages 3441-3456, July.
    7. Fabio Boschetti & Elizabeth A. Fulton & Nicola J. Grigg, 2014. "Citizens’ Views of Australia’s Future to 2050," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-26, December.
    8. Boschetti, Fabio & Walker, Iain & Price, Jennifer, 2016. "Modelling and attitudes towards the future," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 322(C), pages 71-81.

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