What Are Participatory Scoping Models?

Sandker, Marieke; Campbell, Bruce; Suwarno, Aritta

The article discusses the authors' response to the 2008 paper "Simulating Oil Palm Expansion Requires Credible Approaches that Address Real Issues" by Dudley et al, which deals with the question of investing in oil palms. The authors disagree with Dudley et al on what constitutes participatory modeling as well as the use of models as predictive tools and approaches to "soft" variables. The authors discuss the importance of stakeholders participating in model building, noting that it can be an empowering experience. They also argue that for them the models should help increase understanding, but should not serve to make predictions.

OIL palm; ECONOMIC models; INSTRUMENTAL variables (Statistics); STAKEHOLDERS; INFORMATION modeling; SIMULATION methods & models

Ecology & Society, 2008, Vol 13, Issue 1, p1

1708-3087

Academic Journal

10.5751/ES-02478-1301r02