Needs and pathways for strengthening the contribution of qualitative methods toward more effective impact assessment practice
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21154366 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Heidi Walker (0000-0002-9632-8056, University of Manitoba, corresponding author), A John Sinclair (0000-0002-5865-0036, University of Manitoba), Alan P Diduck (0000-0001-5062-5146, University of Winnipeg), Alex Bond (0000-0002-3809-5805, University of East Anglia), Jenny Pope (0000-0002-0099-854X, North-West University), Angus Morrison-Saunders (0000-0003-3560-0164, North-West University), Francois Retief (0000-0001-7164-9593, North-West University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 198-212 |
| Publication date | 2025-05-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1461-5517 • E-ISSN: 1471-5465 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14615517.2025.2515776 |
| OpenAlex | W4411222088 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
Many jurisdictions are looking to next-generation impact assessment (IA) that includes sustainability considerations that extend beyond biophysical. Subjectivity is inherent in many of these additional impact considerations, and they are often not easily nor effectively quantified. Delivering effective IA within this broadening scope requires new, innovative, and rigorous applications of qualitative methods that enable meaningful inclusion of diverse knowledges, values, and information. While many qualitative methods are available for IA, there remains a significant opportunity to strengthen their contribution toward more effective IA practice. As such, we establish in this paper needs that must be addressed if qualitative methods are to meaningfully contribute to IA and pathways for acting on these needs. Relating findings from a survey, semi-structured interviews, and a world café, the paper specifically identifies six key needs for enhancing the effective use of qualitative methods in IA, and five pathways for addressing these needs that involve all IA actors. We conclude that there are deeply entrenched assumptions about qualitative methods and that shifting these views will be challenging and take time. Together, the identified needs and pathways provide a framework for action to improve the effectiveness of IA and should be considered in IA training and practice
Business · Economics · Engineering ethics · Environmental planning · Management science · Process management · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Engineering · Environmental and Social Impact Assessments · Environmental Science · Evaluation and Performance Assessment · Mining and Resource Management
The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Data Analysis
Social Research Methods
“Dear John”
Cultural impact assessment
Reflections on Social Impact Assessment in the 21 st century
Social impact assessment and ethical research principles
The significance spectrum and EIA significance determinations
Identifying and promoting qualitative methods for impact assessment
Principles for ethical research involving humans
Tools for Indigenous-led impact assessment
Thresholds and criteria for evaluating and communicating impact significance in environmental statements
Implementing next generation assessment
A framework for clarifying the meaning of Triple Bottom-Line, Integrated, and Sustainability Assessment
Understanding the role qualitative methods can play in next generation impact assessment
Indigenous community based participatory research and health impact assessment
Naturalistic inquiry
Practical Research
The politics of planning
Social impact assessment
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |