Stakeholder Participation in Wildlife Management: Adapting the Nominal Group Technique in Developing Countries for Participants with Low Literacy

ABSTRACT

Participatory methods for people with diverse literacy levels are needed for community-based wildlife conservation, particularly in developing countries. The Nominal Group Technique was adapted for 55 illiterate and semi-literate attendees across 10 stakeholder meetings with rural populations in Kenya. Ranking cards with different colors, sizes, and symbols were used concomitant with research assistants to engage community members and prioritize ideas. This Adapted Nominal Group Technique elicited 544 ideas in response to four discussion and ranking questions. This process facilitated participation by individuals with low literacy and those with low levels of formal education. This led to inclusive planning for community projects. This Adapted Nominal Group Technique appears to be promising for application in other developing country settings for rapid exploratory data collection.

KEYWORDS:

• Adaptation
• discussion
• literacy
• Nominal Group Technique
• stakeholder participation

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the communities in the southern Rift Valley of Kenya for their permission to carry out this study, their hospitality, and for teaching us about their community-based conservancies. We thank the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO), John Kamanga, Samantha du Toit, Peter Tajeu, Sanguet Pelo, and the research team at Lale’enok Resource Centre for research assistance. We thank Dr. Martha Monroe and Dr. Brian Child at the University of Florida for their helpful review of the study’s methods and analysis.

Funding

The Tropical Conservation and Development Field Research Grant at the University of Florida, the Angel Fund, the Vogel Trust, and Rendings, Fry, Keily, & Dennis, and private donors provided financial support.

Additional information

Funding

The Tropical Conservation and Development Field Research Grant at the University of Florida, the Angel Fund, the Vogel Trust, and Rendings, Fry, Keily, & Dennis, and private donors provided financial support.