Grantee Research Project Results
Investigating the Utility of Web-Based GIS in Water Quality Environmental Decision-Making
EPA Grant Number: FP917339Title: Investigating the Utility of Web-Based GIS in Water Quality Environmental Decision-Making
Investigators: Hoover, Joseph H
Institution: University of Denver
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2014
Project Amount: $126,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (2011) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Academic Fellowships , Fellowship - Emerging Environmental Approaches and Challenges: Social Sciences
Objective:
The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) in facilitating communication between stakeholders and non-governmental organizations and institutions of higher education researchers. It will evaluate the potential of webGIS as a tool to increase stakeholder participation in environmental decision-making for water resource issues.
Approach:
This study will employ a mixed methods research design to: (1) gather, evaluate and analyze user perceptions toward the effectiveness of the web tool to convey scientific information and policy scenarios; (2) evaluate perceptions toward the scope and depth of human health impacts from drinking water contamination; (3) assess the applicability of the web-based geovisualization tool in environmental decision-making; and (4) determine user attitudes regarding the webbased geovisualization tool. Data collection, summarization and analysis procedures include descriptive statistics, survey coding, ANOVA, Q method and factor analysis.
Expected Results:
The expected project results will provide researchers and practitioners a contemporary technological model for providing enhanced interactive web-based presentations leading to more effective stakeholder participation in the environmental decision-making process for water quality and water resource issues. To this end, the general public can become more involved in the environmental decision-making process leading to more effective environmental policies.
Potential to Further Environmental / Human Health Protection
Project results will enable policy makers and researchers to more effectively communicate scientific information regarding groundwater contamination to stakeholders. As a result, greater stakeholder participation will lead to better human and environmental protection because environmental decision-making will be more effective.
Supplemental Keywords:
water resources, webGIS, environmental decision making, groundwater qualityProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.