Before completing assignment HDSE1-1 or HDSE1-2, scan the following pages from the required readings:
For examples of questions you may want to ask as part of a social assessment for watershed planning and implementation:
- River talk! Communicating a watershed message. pp.25-26
- Step-by-step guide to conducting a social profile for watershed planning. pp.13-34
For examples of methods you can use to collect a variety of sociological data*:
- River talk! Communicating a watershed message. pp.35-46
- Step-by-step guide to conducting a social profile for watershed planning. pp.13-34 . Also, for example survey questions: pp.66-89
*Note: Most likely, a great deal of sociological information, especially demographic data, about your watershed communities has already been collected. See the Additional Resources section for links to sites with existing social and economic data for Ohio.
Assignment HDSE1-1
If you are currently working for or with a watershed group or if there is a specific watershed near you that you are interested in, use your knowledge of your own watershed to complete this assignment. If you are not working in a specific watershed, read the fictional story of the Scarlet Maize River (Scarlet_Maize_River_Watershed.doc). Use the Scarlet Maize River watershed as your watershed in completing this assignment.
For this assignment, you will develop a draft plan for collecting sociological data in your watershed. Your draft plan should contain the following:
Sociological information you wish to collect and the purpose for collecting this information. Be as specific as possible by listing a minimum of 5 questions you would want to answer (see the readings for examples). How will having answers to these questions help you to accomplish your short term (education/outreach) and long term (environmental) goals? For example, how will this information allow you to identify target areas or target audiences for conservation, education, or outreach programs? How will this information allow you to tailor education and outreach programs more effectively?
How data will be collected? If the data already exist, who has it and how will you access it? If the data don't exist, in general terms, describe what methods will you use to gather the data (e.g., surveys, in-person or phone interviews, focus groups, document analysis)? If you will need to collect new data from individuals in your watershed, who is your target audience?
Potential obstacles you will need to overcome in the data collection process. For example, is your target audience easily identified? Will you need funding for mailing surveys? Will you need help developing a survey? Are data organized by political rather than watershed boundaries? Are there cultural or other norms that you will need to be sensitive to in collecting data from your target audience?
Products to turn in for review:
Assignment HDSE1-1
A one-page draft plan for collecting sociological data in your watershed. Be sure to include all the elements described in the assignment description.