304 McLean et al.: Seeing the Urban Forest Through the Trees Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 2007. 33(5):304–308. Seeing the Urban Forest Through the Trees: Building Depth Through Qualitative Research Daniel D. McLean, Ryan R. Jensen, and Amy R. Hurd Abstract. Urban forest research using quantitative research methods has enabled researchers and policymakers to make informed decisions. Using qualitative research methods may increase our understanding and knowledge of the urban forest. This article describes the nature of qualitative research, describes why it has not been a common research method in urban forestry, and illustrates what role it may have in urban forest research. We conclude that qualitative research may enrich our knowledge and understanding of the urban forest. Key Words. Qualitative analysis; quantitative analysis; research methodology. The most common methodology for urban forest research has involved quantitative research data and methods. Indeed, quantitative research has allowed urban forest researchers to study such diverse topics as the relationship between the ur- ban tree canopy and summertime household energy use (Jensen et al. 2003), benefit–cost analysis of different tree species (McPherson et al. 2003), and approaches for residents and government officials to quantify the value of trees in small communities (Maco and McPherson 2003). These stud- ies, and many others like them, help us to understand the critical role that urban forests have in the urban environment. They also provide a way for researchers to communicate with others about the benefits of the urban forest in real-world terms. Quantitative studies usually do this through reducing numerical measurements into conclusions. Conversely, qualitative research methods have not been as commonly used. Qualitative methods are used either when a question needs to be described and investigated at some depth or the meaning of something needs to be found (McCaslin and Scott 2003). Qualitative data are usually in the form of words, phrases, descriptions, or quotes rather than numbers. The qualitative research approach has been more prominent in the fields of sociology, psychology, education, and nurs- ing. In the past 2 decades, however, researchers in other fields have discovered the value of qualitative data and methods (Miles and Huberman 1994). We feel that qualitative data and methods have been underrepresented in urban forestry litera- ture. The purpose of this article is to elucidate the important role that qualitative research could have in strengthening our understanding of many urban forest dynamics. We are not suggesting that quantitative methods are no longer relevant to urban forestry. Rather, we are arguing that qualitative data ©2007 International Society of Arboriculture and techniques can provide greater insight into many of the urban forest issues that urban foresters, elected officials, ur- ban residents, and other stakeholders continually encounter. We first describe the basics of qualitative research and pro- vide examples of appropriateness. Then, we describe some applications to urban forestry. Finally, we provide conclu- sions on the future of qualitative research in urban forestry. WHAT IS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH? Qualitative research is a tool that allows researchers to in- vestigate the depth, patterns, and understanding of an issue. Traditional quantitative methods create a research question and identify data forms and variables. In survey research, much time and effort is placed on creating scales that ad- equately measure the research question. A priori determina- tion of research questions and survey responses, however, limits one’s understanding of social or individual phenomena. Qualitative researchers approach a research question without either a hypothesis or a question to prove or disprove. They instead focus on understanding the phenomena and poten- tially creating new knowledge. The research question is used to guide the study but does not limit data collection and analysis. As data emerge, they may suggest information that either expands or narrows understanding of the original ques- tion. For example, McLean and Jensen (2004) used qualita- tive research to propose a paradigm of how community lead- ers gain knowledge and understanding of the urban forest. During data analysis, they stated, “It became apparent early in the data collection process that there were significant differ- ences in the knowledge of leaders about the urban forest” (p. 592).
September 2007
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