This guide aims to provide practical steps for field-based practitioners to follow in conducting socio-economic surveys of households and villages, including focus group discussions and key informant interviews. This guide is accompanied by nine Supporting Notes. These are essential tools for gathering socio-economic information, the results of which can be used as input to collaborative land use decision-making tools and procedures.

Socio-economic survey tools are designed to collect information as a means of improving understanding of local resource management systems, resource use and the relative importance of resources for households and villages. Surveys also provide information on interaction with the...

When conducting a survey, the first step is to determine the objective and purpose of the survey. This will provide the framework for the content and scope of the survey work and be used to help identify which kinds of stakeholders and communities are to be surveyed.

The data to be gathered through the survey process will need to reflect the purpose of the survey work. In developing the survey, other considerations are the length of time for the interview and thus the resources (financial, human) needed to effectively conduct the surveys, enter the data and analyse the results.

Different...

The extent of analysis and use of the data collected will depend on the survey objectives and expected end uses. For collaborative land use planning, the survey results will provide, first, a robust baseline of socio-economic factors related to land resources and their use; and second, detailed insight into the community institutions, their relationship with land use planners (e.g. government bodies) and any potential areas of conflict. Together, this information can be used to develop collaborative land use decision-making tools.

The choice of method for data analysis will depend on the volume of data collected and the expected uses of...

To support the ‘Practical guide for socio-economic livelihood, land tenure and rights surveys for use in collaborative ecosystem-based land use planning’, a series of Notes have been prepared. The Notes provide additional information and guidance, designed with the aim of assisting field practitioners in carrying out socio-economic surveys.

The Notes are based on experience gained from the CoLUPSIA project. They are not exhaustive in their content, but they aim to cover the key points identified and lessons learned during the course of the survey work completed in two districts (Kapuas Hulu and Central Maluku) in Indonesia, for 1366 households in...