Cross-Cultural Environmental Research: Lessons from the Field
Rebecca L Schewe1, David Hoffman2, Joseph Witt3
1Department of Sociology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA. rlschewe@syr.edu.
Environmental Management
|May 13, 2022
Summary
Cross-cultural environmental research requires active roles for translators and community partners. Face-to-face surveys improve engagement and data accuracy for diverse participants, overcoming language and cultural barriers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Social science research methods
- Cross-cultural communication
Background:
- Environmental research involving diverse stakeholders presents unique challenges, especially in cross-cultural and cross-language contexts.
- Effective engagement and accountability are crucial for research validity and community trust.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore challenges in cross-cultural and cross-language environmental research.
- To highlight the importance of translators, interpreters, culture brokers, and community partners.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of face-to-face surveys in diverse research settings.
Main Methods:
- Case study of cross-cultural and cross-language environmental research with Vietnamese-American fishers.
- Utilized face-to-face surveys as a primary data collection method.
- Incorporated roles for translators, interpreters, culture brokers, and community partners.
Main Results:
- Face-to-face surveys enhance response rates and allow for crucial clarifications.
- Participants with language and cultural barriers benefit significantly from in-person interactions.
- Translators, interpreters, culture brokers, and community partners are vital for research success.
Conclusions:
- Cross-cultural and cross-language environmental research necessitates integrating translators, interpreters, culture brokers, and community partners as active participants.
- Face-to-face surveys are an effective method for overcoming communication barriers in diverse populations.
- Researchers must critically examine and acknowledge the influence of these partners on the research process.
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