Masters Dissertation Example

2.4 Type of research published in the scientific literature 
There is a discourse in conservation biology over the extent to which scientific research 
provides the relevant information for conservation; with some believing that much of the 
published research is irrelevant because it asks the wrong questions (Linklater, 2003; Meijaard 
& Sheil, 2007). Concerns about this issue led Sutherland et al (2006) to provide a framework 
of 100 research questions of policy relevance, the outcome of which was a preference for 
broad rather than narrow questions. Although this perhaps seems counter-intuitive, it reflects 
the scale of the broader policy issues involved, and highlights the difference between policy 
and practice. One such question, ‘How large should marine protected areas be, and where 
should they be located to protect biodiversity of the surrounding species?’ is a good example 
because it is a huge question that requires many specific research projects as well as general 
research on the biology of the fish species, and interactions within the ecosystem 
2.4.1 Applied versus basic research 
There are some who believe that ‘applied’ research is most effective for influencing 
conservation action, as it provides information directly required for management of a 
particular species, and can incorporate social, economic and cultural issues (McNeely, 2002; 
Meijaard & Shiel, 2007). Particular emphasis has been placed on the need for more research 
on threats to species (Meijaard & Shiel, 2007; Clark et al, 2002). Those advocates of ‘applied’ 

---

14 
research suggest that it is less likely to be published in peer reviewed journals (Fleishman et 
al, 1999), but this assertion has not yet been properly tested. 
Others advocate the role of more ‘basic’ species biology and processes (Walters, 1997; Olson 
et al, 2002; Tear et al, 2005), and a lack of information on the basic biology of many species 
has been noted in species conservation planning in the US (Harding et al, 2001; Boersma et al, 
2001; Beier et al, 2003). Similarly, it has been suggested that a bias towards applied research 
in developing countries (Fazey et al, 2005; Dudgeon, 2003) is reducing the capacity to 
understand underlying processes (Denny, 2001). The importance of information on 
behavioural ecology such as mating systems has also been emphasised (Berger, 1996).
A case study on the Rhinoceros (Linklater, 2003) highlighted the perceived mismatch between 
research and practice, concluding that research was poorly synchronised with management 
priorities; citing the example that despite the need for information on basic ecology and 
population status, the majority of research focused on ex-situ projects of limited relevance. 
Linklater (2003) clarifies the slightly circular debate by establishing that a mixture of both 
‘pure’ and ‘applied research is required, but that it should be viewed rather as a need for 
‘targeted’ research rather than ‘conceptual’. (Aplet et al, 1992; Linklater, 2003).