Exploring the Acceptability of Spatial Simulation Models of Outdoor Recreation for Use by Participants in Public Participation Processes

Authored by Len M. Hunt, Mark Robson, R. Harvey Lemelin, N. Mcintyre

Date Published: 2010

DOI: 10.1080/01490401003712515

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

The use of spatial simulation models in public participation processes through multiple facilitated group sessions is explored in northern Ontario, Canada. Participants evaluated the acceptability of an agent-based model of recreational fishing while working through hypothetical management scenarios. Four main concepts are linked to acceptability: credibility, comprehensiveness, comprehension, and utility. These concepts were generally consistent across sessions. However, differences were observed in themes related to the concepts for some contexts. Consequently, recreation researchers and managers who want to use spatial simulation models with various publics should focus not only on the model's content and display of information but also on how the model is communicated.
Tags
Public Participation acceptability evaluations facilitated group sessions spatial simulation model