Q-methodology and stated preferences data of stakeholder preferences for ecosystem services

The Q methodology study had data collected from 72 representative stakeholders who sorted 40 statements describing ESS into a predefined distribution. After introducing the research objectives, participants were asked to read statements presented on the 40 cards carefully, and then sort the cards into three stacks reflecting how they rank the statements as “important”, “neutral”, or “not important”. Then participants were requested to rank order the three stacks into the Q-board slots, which was 11-point quasi-normal (forced-choice) distribution on a Q-board ranging from −5 (not important at all) to +5 (extremely important). The by-person factor analysis was used to analyse the data.

In the stated preferences study, choice data was collected from 450 respondents using face to face interviews. We then used a discrete choice experiment to elicit preferences for cultural and provisioning services.