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12 Using Interviews in Sirenian Research Alejandro Ortega-Argueta, Ellen M. Hines, and Jorge Calvimontes people in nearby communities, start identifying key informants (hunters, elders, community leaders, etc.), and start learning about local issues affecting sirenians. Examples include hunting, the incidental catch of sirenians in fishing nets, the destruction of seagrass beds by coastal development, the capture of calves to sell as pets, and the use and sale of body parts as medicine, food, amulets or tools. Another advantage of interviews is that further research techniques can be based on the information gained3. While aerial surveys are usually recommended for a formal population estimate, they can be prohibitively expensive, ineffective, or dangerous in some conditions4 . At the initial stage of a research project, especially in a large area, a first step in determining the current status of sirenians may be to determine locations of primary habitat using interviews and boat-based surveys5. Researchers are better able to make decisions about the need and practicality for more sophisticated and expensive methods and techniques, such as aerial surveys or tagging. Such decisions might also depend on the objectives and the type of information needed. When conducting interviews, researchers can involve and train local villagers as participants. Interviews can be used as an opportunity to disseminate information to respondents on the importance of conserving sirenians and their habitat6. This can get more people involved and may raise local support for conservation. The Interview as a Research Tool An interview can be defined as a “conversation with a purpose”7. For any interview, two components are essential8 : 1. The substantive part of the interview consists of questions and answers. 2. The participants have defined, non-overlapping roles: one person asks the questions (the interviewer) and the other answers the questions (the respondent). A crucial step in any research on endangered species is to obtain baseline information about their geographic range, present population status, and relevant conservation issues. As sirenians are routinely found in coastal, riverine, and lagoon systems, they are often in such close proximity to human settlements that their lives and behavior are significantly affected by human activities. Sirenians are also an important food resource exploited by ancient and modern societies. In this chapter we discuss a variety of techniques and modalities commonly used in interviews of local inhabitants , explain elements to be considered when planning and undertaking interviews, and give some practical recommendations. We include examples of case studies that emphasize working with local communities. Interviews are especially important where a strong relationship between scientists and local community members is crucial to the success of a research project1. As conservationists we need more information about manatees and dugongs than just biological and ecological parameters such as population, life history, or seagrass boundaries. We also need to know the cultural and economic influence of sirenians both historically and presently on the lives of people. Traditional knowledge , myths, perceptions, and opinions are important, not only for sirenian management and conservation but also for the maintenance of the surrounding environment upon which both people and wildlife depend. Here is where knowledge gained directly from local people becomes one of the most valuable methods in sirenian research. Hines et al. and Calvimontes2 have shown the value of interviews in assessing the status of the dugong and ongoing threats to its survival, in describing the relationships of sirenians with local communities, and in developing recommendations for a workable conservation plan. At the initial phase of a research project, interview surveys can give us a first look at the place where researchers will be working. This is especially valuable in an area not previously surveyed. Interviews can help researchers initially identify possible habitat areas, meet 110 Section II: Research Strategies for Sirenians Commonly used techniques include structured, semistructured , and unstructured interviews; close-ended or open-ended questions; focus groups or group interviews ; participative observation; and oral histories. Depending on the technique and quality of the data gathered, you can use qualitative and/or quantitative analyses for interpretation. For this reason, the design of a questionnaire is a critical step9. Table 12.1 includes examples of case studies and corresponding references relating to sirenians where interviews were conducted as a principal or complementary research method. A structured interview is the most formal technique and can be as simple as a questionnaire with closedended questions, offering limited choices of answers, such as “yes,” “no,” or a number. For example, “Have you seen manatees in the past five years? If so...

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