The use of semi-structured interviews for the characterisation of farmer irrigation practices
The use of semi-structured interviews for the characterisation of farmer irrigation practices
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DOI：
10.5194/hess-20-1911-2016
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发表时间：
2016-01-01
影响因子：
6.3
通讯作者：
Sinha, Rajiv
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
O'Keeffe, Jimmy;Buytaert, Wouter;Sinha, Rajiv
为了发展可持续和现实的水安全，必须产生关于用户的行为、特征和驱动因素以及资源本身的信息。在本文中，我们提出了一种通过半结构化访谈收集水利用实践的定性和定量数据的方法。这种方法有助于以方便和具有成本效益的方式收集有关行为者决策的详细信息。半结构化访谈是围绕主题指南组织的，这有助于以标准化的方式引导对话，同时为相关问题的出现提供足够的机会。此外，它们还可用于获得某些类型的定量数据。虽然不像直接测量那样精确，但它们可以提供有关当地实践和用户见解的有用信息。我们提出了在印度北部北方邦的两个地区的农民用水方法的应用。通过对100名农民的访谈，收集了灌溉实践的各个方面的信息，包括灌溉水量、灌溉成本、水源及其空间变异性。还介绍了对信息的统计分析以及数据可视化，表明地区内部和地区之间的灌溉做法存在重大差异。我们的应用表明，半结构化访谈是一种有效和高效的方法，可以收集定性和定量信息，用于评估数据稀缺地区的驱动因素、行为及其结果。收集这种类型的数据可以大大提高对水资源的认识，从而导致更现实的管理选择，并在未来增加水安全。
For the development of sustainable and realistic water security, generating information on the behaviours, characteristics, and drivers of users, as well as on the resource itself, is essential. In this paper we present a methodology for collecting qualitative and quantitative data on water use practices through semi-structured interviews. This approach facilitates the collection of detailed information on actors' decisions in a convenient and cost-effective manner. Semi-structured interviews are organised around a topic guide, which helps lead the conversation in a standardised way while allowing sufficient opportunity for relevant issues to emerge. In addition, they can be used to obtain certain types of quantitative data. While not as accurate as direct measurements, they can provide useful information on local practices and users' insights. We present an application of the methodology on farmer water use in two districts in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. By means of 100 farmer interviews, information was collected on various aspects of irrigation practices, including irrigation water volumes, irrigation cost, water source, and their spatial variability. Statistical analyses of the information, along with data visualisation, are also presented, indicating a significant variation in irrigation practices both within and between districts. Our application shows that semi-structured interviews are an effective and efficient method of collecting both qualitative and quantitative information for the assessment of drivers, behaviours, and their outcomes in a data-scarce region. The collection of this type of data could significantly improve insights on water resources, leading to more realistic management options and increased water security in the future.