Participants Needed for Human Dimensions of
Wildlife Management Research

My name is Shauna Hanisch and I’m a Ph.D. student in the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife at Michigan State University.  My research topic is “investigation of human beliefs and attitudes about wildlife health management.”  The goal of this research is to improve knowledge and understanding of factors that influence stakeholder beliefs and attitudes about wildlife health and disease and management interventions that promote healthy wildlife resources.  One of my research objectives is to develop descriptive and normative conceptual models of wildlife health.  To do so, my approach will be to analyze both stakeholder and expert conceptualizations of wildlife health.  In pursuit of the latter, I will be using a technique called the Delphi method.

The Delphi method is a structured communication process for collecting and examining group thoughts and opinions on a topic.  The Delphi method is commonly used to obtain expert consensus but it can also be used to identify goals and objectives, establish priorities, reveal group values, and gather information.  Delphi panelists are chosen for their expertise in the subject matter rather than through random selection.  In short, the Delphi process involves: a) feedback of individual contributions of information and knowledge; b) assessment of the group judgment or view; c) opportunity for individuals to revise views; d) opportunity to react to and assess differing viewpoints; and e) anonymity for individual responses. 

The purpose of conducting this Delphi method exercise is to develop a “mental model” of wildlife health for experts.  This will entail summarizing wildlife health experts’ thoughts and opinions concerning wildlife health issues (e.g., a definition, key threats to wildlife health, relationship of health and disease, and perspectives on wildlife disease management).     

            I’m seeking 24 participants for this exercise: 8 from state wildlife agencies, 8 from federal agencies, and 8 from NGOs or universities.  Participants should be employed in a position that requires substantial expertise on wildlife health issues.  The exercise will be conducted via e-mail.  Because the Delphi method is an iterative process, participants’ involvement will occur over a period of 3-6 months.  Estimated time to respond to each question is 20-30 minutes.  This project will entail no more than 4 questions with up to 3 iterations each.  Thus, the total time commitment will be about 6 hours over the course of the exercise.  I would like to start the process in February.

            If you are interested in participating in this exercise or would like more information, please contact me at hanischs@msu.edu or 517-432-4943 by January 28, 2010.  I will then send you a consent letter and additional details about the process.  Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Shauna Hanisch
Doctoral Research Assistant