Masters Dissertation Example

6.7.3 Use of research findings for conservation impact 
Whilst a forum for dissemination is important on an international scale, in terms of actual 
conservation impact it would seem that the best place to start is at a local level. Researchers 
should be encouraged to target their conservation research and disseminate their findings 
through local sources to multiple stakeholders including local communities. This should 
include dissemination through personal communication and summary reports, with explicit 
recommendations and guidelines for use of findings. This is particularly the case in developing 
countries. Indeed, the process could perhaps be improved if evidence of local dissemination 
was required by journals to demonstrate its relevance to conservation before acceptance of the 
paper. A non-technical summary of findings and recommendations for their use could also be 
submitted along with the paper, which could also incorporate any important information not 
deemed to be of peer review quality. Additionally, researchers should look to publish in local 
and more specialised journals as well as the high impact journals, because this will best serve 
the two different aspects of dissemination; that of communicating interesting findings to the 
scientific conservation community, and communication of the less novel research on a more 
local basis.
It is evident that species conservation would benefit from the use of all the available 
information in the formulation of conservation action. Currently, whilst there are some 
positive indications that many researchers are engaging with local stakeholders to translate 
research findings into action, conservation is lacking in this area. An emphasis on more 
conservation relevant literature is needed, along with both improved dissemination and 
improved links between researchers and local stakeholders on the ground if conservation 
biology is to form the basis of conservation practice. 

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