Impact of Social Science Research on Site-Based Environmental Communicators in Michigan and Wisconsin

Abstract

This 1984 study surveyed attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and behavior of practitioners regarding behavioral research in their field. One-hundred-seventy-four (91%) of the "site-based environmental communicators" in Michigan and Wisconsin responded. How subjects described themselves (e.g. interpretive naturalist, environmental educator) influenced attitudes toward research and patterns of research dissemination and utilization. Overall, the group was positive toward research in general, but ambivalent about research in their field. Results documented claims made about research by Risk (1985) and emphasized the usefulness of a "research digest." Improvements in the research/practice relationship were suggested.