Research Methods for Environmental and Social Policy Formation

Students will learn to conduct and evaluate environmental and social science research design, data quality, quality of reasoning, judgments in interpretation of evidence and alternative interpretations of environmental and sustainability research. Emphasis will be placed on the design and generation of evidence acquired by interview, focus group, field research, and other approaches as used in environmental science and sustainability research. Small research teams will design and conduct a multi-faceted pilot study on some contested environmental or social issue related to sustainability using one or multiples of the following: survey research, action research, environmental impact assessments, environmental audits, case studies, in-depth interviews, focus groups, sustainability audits, organization environmental assessments, and campus sustainability audits.