SES Methods
This page comprises 28 tabs, describing different categories of SES methods.
SES Foundations
SES datasets
CONTRIBUTE
These pages are based on the Routledge Handbook of Research Methods for Social-Ecological Systems, which provides more detailed information on each method.
The methods tabs are grouped into three sets:
(a) methods for data generation and systems scoping,
(b) methods for knowledge co-production and effecting systems change, and
(c) methods for analysing systems.
Generally each of these 28 chapters/tabs comprises a set of related methods, rather than an individual method.
Each tab below provides a concise overview of the set of methods, in the format of a summary video, as well as summaries of specific methods, case studies which illustrate the method in action, and labs/activities, which give an example of a teaching activity relating to this group of methods. Tips and tricks are provided on some of the pages, where relevant.
Methods for data generation and systems scoping
Systems Scoping
Systems scoping is often one of the first steps undertaken in social-ecological systems (SES) research in order to define the boundaries of the research and identify the key relations and dynamics between actors and ecosystems in a given SES. The content on this ...
Ecological Field Data Collection
Ecological Field Data CollectionThis page deals with the set of methods related to ecological field data-collection methods, which can be used to understand how human activities influence ecological elements and processes, and how ecological patterns and processes ...
Interviews and Surveys
This page deals with the set of methods related to interviews and surveys, which are a means of gathering information from people who are part of the social-ecological systems (SES) of interest. This method involves modes and ways of learning from people through ...
Participatory Data Collection
This page deals with participatory approaches and knowledge co-production methods for collecting data that can be used to understand how and why social-ecological systems (SES) change. The content on this page discusses participatory mapping, photovoice, transect ...
Methods for knowledge co-production and effecting system change
Facilitated Dialogues
This page deals with facilitated dialogue methods, including a suite of facilitated processes that seek to generate social-ecological innovations aimed at challenging and changing existing roles and routines, power dynamics, relations among groups and networks, ...
Futures Analysis
This page deals with futures analysis methods that enable the imagination and generation of alternative images of futures that are yet to exist. The content on this page discusses scenarios and participatory scenario planning, futures wheels, the three horizons ...
Scenario Development
This page deals with scenario-development methods which, in global assessments, are used to focus scientific investigation, integrate different models and data, and improve decision-making. Local-scale scenarios often involve participatory processes that enhance ...
Serious Games
This page deals with the method of serious games, which is used as a tool to support social-ecological systems (SES) understanding and governance, often as part of the toolbox of participatory approaches. The content on this page discusses how serious games can be ...
Participatory Modelling
This page deals with the set of methods related to participatory modelling, which refers to settings where non-scientist stakeholders are involved in any of the stages of the modelling process of their social-ecological systems (SES). The content on this page ...
Resilience Assessment
This page deals with the set of methods related to resilience assessment, which is a strategic approach grounded in theory that integrates multiple methods relevant to social-ecological systems (SES) research, in order to better understand the dynamics of complex ...
Action Research
This page deals with the set of methods related to action research, which aims to address practical challenges and bring research into everyday experience and practice. Action research includes first-person practices, addressing the ability of individual ...
Methods for analysing systems – system components and linkages
Expert Modelling
This page focuses on expert models, which are computer-based models that can mimic (or outperform) the decisions of a human expert. Expert models belong to the field of artificial intelligence and essentially use inference techniques to deduce novel information of ...
Data Mining and Pattern Recognition
This page deals with data mining and pattern recognition, which are methods in data science. A general purpose of data science is pattern discovery from unstructured and heterogeneous sources of data through data mining and machine learning. The content on this ...
Statistical Analysis
This page deals with statistical methods, which are mathematical tools that can help aggregate, present and explore complex datasets from various sources. These methods can be very useful for understanding interactions, dependencies and relationships between ...
Qualitative Content Analysis
This page deals with the set of methods related to qualitative content analysis, which seeks to find and examine patterns of sense- and meaning-making in the communicative characteristics of language, by focusing on the content and underlying themes and meaning ...
Comparative Case Study Analysis
This page deals with the set of methods used in comparative case study analysis, which focuses on comparing a small or medium number of cases and qualitative data. Structured case study comparisons are a way to leverage theoretical lessons from particular cases ...
Controlled Behavioural Experiments
This page focuses on controlled behavioural experiments, methods that randomly divide participants into different groups (treatments), controlling conditions across these treatments and allowing only the variable of interest to vary. Controlled behavioural ...
Institutional Analysis
This page focuses on institutional analysis, a leading interdisciplinary approach for analysing the structure of social-ecological systems (SES) problems and developing institutional solutions to address them. Institutional analysis is oriented around the role of ...
Network Analysis
This page focuses on network analysis, a method based on graph theory and statistics, which provides a rigorous, systematic approach to studying how relations and their structuring influence social-ecological systems (SES). The content on this page discusses how ...
Spatial Mapping and Analysis
This page focuses on spatial mapping and analysis, which are methods that explicitly seek to analyse and describe the spatial elements of systems. Spatial mapping is a common starting point for many social-ecological systems (SES) studies. The content on this page ...
Methods for analysing systems – system dynamics
Historical Assessment
This page deals with historical assessment, the task of reconstructing the long-term dynamics of a social-ecological systems (SES) over time, from centuries to millennia. The content on this page discusses methods related to data obtained from sediment cores, ...
Dynamical Systems Modelling
This page focuses on dynamic systems modelling, a rigorous approach for studying how causal interactions within a social-ecological systems (SES) lead to dynamics at the system level. Dynamical systems modelling provides conceptual, mathematical and computational ...
State-and-transition Modelling
This page considers state-and-transition models (STMs), which are tools to explain the causes and consequences of ecosystem change. The content on this page discusses general types of STMs, including conceptual STMs, spatial and non-spatial state-and-transition ...
Agent-based Modelling
This page focuses on agent-based modelling. Agent-based models are computer programs composed of autonomous agents that are diverse and interact with one another and their environment. The program is simulated over time, exploring how the microlevel actions and ...
Methods for analysing systems – directly informing decision-making
Decision Analysis based on Optimisation
This page deals with the set of methods related to decision analysis based on optimisation, which refers to a systematic approach to evaluating information about alternative choices when multiple options are possible, with many possible outcomes and different ...
Flow and Impact Analysis
This page focuses on flow and impact analysis, which measures how extraction, production and emission flows affect various biophysical structures or processes, which has effects (e.g. reduction of provision of ecosystem services) that result in impacts (e.g. on ...
Ecosystem Services Modelling
This page concerns ecosystem service modelling, which refers to methods used to quantify ecosystem services, the benefits from nature that support and fulfil human life. The content on this page discusses the decision-support modelling packages (integrated ...
Livelihood and Vulnerability Analysis
This page focuses on livelihood and vulnerability analysis, which draws on a wide diversity of methods to understand how individuals, households and communities make a living, generate income, sustain themselves, their assets and networks in a given ...