Science-Seeking Behaviour of Conservation Authorities in Ontario |
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Authors: | Gussai Sheikheldin Gail Krantzberg Karl Schaefer |
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Institution: | (1) Science Horizons Internship Program, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada;(2) AMD McMaster Centre for Engineering and Public Policy, McMaster University, ITB-106 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada;(3) S&T Liaison, Environment Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6, Canada; |
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Abstract: | The communication of science to science users is evolving to an approach that translates knowledge to targeted audiences.
Under this evolution, knowledge brokers play an increasingly important role and users help ‘pull’ the required science to
meet a policy or management imperative. To do this effectively, more insight is required into the knowledge seeking behaviour
of science users and practitioners. The findings from a series of interviews that identify the science needs of Ontario’s
Conservation Authorities (CAs) are presented. Results indicate that emerging functions, such as source water protection and
integrated water resource planning, require more science input than mature functions. Senior CA officials view personal communication
with their knowledgeable staff as the most used, accessible, trustworthy, relevant, shared, and preferable source of science
information. While the internet and media were considered highly accessible, they were not viewed as trustworthy. We found
no relationship between CA size and science use. Further research is needed to identify where junior and intermediate CA staff
obtain their science knowledge from and whether this varies as a function of CA size. Our findings will be of interest to
both policy/program communities and science providers. |
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