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Qualitative data sharing and synthesis for sustainability science

Author

Listed:
  • Steven M. Alexander

    (University of Maryland
    Stockholm University
    University of Waterloo, Waterloo)

  • Kristal Jones

    (University of Maryland)

  • Nathan J. Bennett

    (University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia
    Stanford University)

  • Amber Budden

    (DataONE, University of New Mexico)

  • Michael Cox

    (Environmental Studies Program, Dartmouth College)

  • Mercè Crosas

    (Harvard University)

  • Edward T. Game

    (The Nature Conservancy)

  • Janis Geary

    (University of Alberta)

  • R. Dean Hardy

    (University of Maryland
    University of South Carolina)

  • Jay T. Johnson

    (University of Kansas)

  • Sebastian Karcher

    (Syracuse University)

  • Nicole Motzer

    (University of Maryland)

  • Jeremy Pittman

    (University of Waterloo)

  • Heather Randell

    (University of Maryland
    Pennsylvania State University)

  • Julie A. Silva

    (University of Maryland)

  • Patricia Pinto da Silva

    (NOAA Fisheries, Northeast Fisheries Science Center)

  • Carly Strasser

    (Collaborative Knowledge Foundation)

  • Colleen Strawhacker

    (University of Colorado Boulder)

  • Andrew Stuhl

    (Bucknell University)

  • Nic Weber

    (University of Washington)

Abstract

Socio–environmental synthesis as a research approach contributes to broader sustainability policy and practice by reusing data from disparate disciplines in innovative ways. Synthesizing diverse data sources and types of evidence can help to better conceptualize, investigate and address increasingly complex socio–environmental problems. However, sharing qualitative data for re-use remains uncommon when compared to sharing quantitative data. We argue that qualitative data present untapped opportunities for sustainability science, and discuss practical pathways to facilitate and realize the benefits from sharing and reusing qualitative data. However, these opportunities and benefits are also hindered by practical, ethical and epistemological challenges. To address these challenges and accelerate qualitative data sharing, we outline enabling conditions and suggest actions for researchers, institutions, funders, data repository managers and publishers.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven M. Alexander & Kristal Jones & Nathan J. Bennett & Amber Budden & Michael Cox & Mercè Crosas & Edward T. Game & Janis Geary & R. Dean Hardy & Jay T. Johnson & Sebastian Karcher & Nicole Motzer , 2020. "Qualitative data sharing and synthesis for sustainability science," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(2), pages 81-88, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:3:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1038_s41893-019-0434-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0434-8
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