How to explore science capacity

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Bibliographic search

This task aims at performing a bibliographic compilation of key coastal zone management publications with links also to maritime activities, planning, and conflicts within the limits of the territorial waters. The methodology includes bibliographic and web-based searches and scientific databases and networks analysis. The final goal is to create a web-based database with key references on specific topics relevant for the project.

Methodology

In this research, documents including information related to ICZM, coastal management, coastal planning, maritime issues, or international conflicts within the Mediterranean Sea and/or Black Sea were selected and analysed. All the results were manually controlled to verify their relevance for the PEGASO project. In general, the subject areas are life, physical and social sciences. Outputs were imported into reference management software. Then, data accuracy was checked and corrected when necessary (spelling errors, lack of basic information, and duplicates, amongst others). Two main software were used during the database construction: Endnote X, due to its robustness and its wide applicability within the scientific community; and Mendeley Desktop version 0.9.8.1, due to its versatility and correctness. The performed bibliographic research included a broad web-based search, based on scientific literature databases and specific web sites, and experts’ consultation. The most important data sources were:

  • Scientific bibliographic search engines and databases (e.g. scopus, science direct, mendeley, scirus,or google scholar).
  • Internal databases for scientific and technical reports.
  • Specific web sites (e.g. PAP/RAC; DG ENV; or MEDCOAST)
  • International theses repositories, in particular the DART-Europe E-theses Portal, Open Thesis, OAIster, and NDLTD. In most of the cases, none or very few records satisfied the selection criteria.

A complementary analysis made in IDI web of science and web of social science with the keywords: “ICZM” and “Coastal Zone was performed”.


Inventory of ICZM research institutions and scientists

The objective of this section is to explore the creation of an ICZM professional network on the Internet such as a LinkedIn groupand/or the use of the contact database on the Coastal Wiki. LinkedIn is the natural web-based solution for professional networks as it is being used by millions of professionals around the globe. It is also already used by several European projects (e.g. EnviroGRIDS, AfroMaison) and by the European Commission itself. The first aim of LinkedIn is to present personal professional profiles and CVs, however, it is also possible to create groups of common interest. The main advantage for using LinkedIn is that people joining it will be able to also connect to other groups, to advertise their personal profiles to potential employees. Another advantage is the fact that LinkedIn will undoubtedly survive the end of the project. As the aim is also to promote and support the Coastal wiki, it is important that the people registering into the LinkedIn group also register into the wiki contact database.

Review of science capacity in ICZM

This task aims at verifying the state of the art of scientific knowledge related to Integrated Coastal Management (ICZM) among the Mediterranean and Black sea research institutions. In order to fulfill this task a questionnaire was addressed to research institutions in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

Objectives of the questionnaire

The questionnaire was developed to acquire directly from the researchers involved in ICZM the information needed to depict the current situation of research at Mediterranean and Black sea scale. The questions provide some general information on the disciplinary background of researchers on ICZM as well as training opportunities provided by the research institutes in the Mediterranean and Black sea. Moreover, the proposed questionnaire aimed to detect the scientific contribution to ICZM, the existing projects, data networks and the main challenges and research gaps. The questionnaire was addressed to the members of the MEDCOAST, PAP/RAC and Plan Bleu contact list. These three lists allowed reaching a quite large set of experts already involved in ICZM research and activities.

Structure of the questionnaire

The questionnaire (see Annex 1) was structured through 33 questions both open and close format. Three main sections were developed to obtain data regarding general information on the respondents, the role of different knowledge and disciplines on ICZM as well as existing experiences. The sections were structured as follows:

  1. Personal information: 5 open format questions regarding name, disciplinary background, Institution, Country.
  2. Knowledge in ICZM: 7 close format questions regarding the factors influencing a good ICZM implementation, the relevance of different kinds of knowledge and disciplines for ICZM, research gaps and participatory process.
  3. Experience on ICZM: 21 open and close format questions regarding the courses on ICZM provided by the institutions and the relative tools, the scientific contribution, scientific papers and project about ICZM.

The questionnaire was administrated by a free survey web platform are accessible both in English and French.

Results

For the analysis of the results, please check the full article.


Existing ICZM projects

A total of 80 projects of Marine and Coastal Zone Management have been selected out of the total number of projects that have been conducted in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea during the last decade. Some of the projects were dated before the last decade. Information from selected projects were compiled in this report and presented in a table. Each of the projects involved several aspects related to 1) coastal zone integrated management and cooperation procedures, and their efficiency, and/or 2) marine sciences within at least one study area in the Mediterranean and/or the Black Sea. The intervention scale of the selected projects varied from local and regional to international level.

Annex 1: Questionnaire for scientific stock-take on ICZM implementation in the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea
Annex 2: A compilation of selected existing Marine and Coastal Zone Management Projects in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea
Annex 3. Lessons learned from ICZM good practice around the world
Annex 4: Complementary useful bibliographic references in French


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CHECK THE FULL ARTICLE.