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Learning About the Issues

The issues that usually prompt formation of a collaborative partnership are issues around which people are uncertain and/or disagree. There are few natural resource management issues that do not involve scientific uncertainty, risk, gaps in available information and data, questions about the credibility of existing studies, and/or differing sources of information that suggest contrary conclusions. Consequently, collaborative groups need to find ways to learn about the issues together. In particular, because collaborative groups usually involve individuals with varying levels of expertise and differing levels of understanding and trust in existing information, they need to:

  • Assess what is known and identify gaps in knowledge.
    Ask the question: “What do we need to know before we will feel comfortable making decisions or recommendations on this issue?”
  • Create a process to credibly fill the gaps in knowledge.
    Ask the question: “How will we go about trying to fill these information gaps in a way that all of us will view as credible and will accept?”
  • Look for relevant information and knowledge in both traditional and non-traditional places.
    Ask the question: “What are the different perspectives or sources of information about this issue which might provide useful insights to our discussions?”

Click here for a working paper on the challenges often encountered by collaborative groups in Managing the Scientific and Technical Complexity of the Issues.


Stages of the Collaborative Process

Lessons Learned Home

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