Instream Flows for Recreation: A Handbook on Concepts and Research Methods

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although the validity of these results is clearly lower than if other data were generated. The quality of professional judgment methods can be enhanced by some survey -based methods such as interviews and focus group meetings, and they also combine well with transect -based methods (all of which are discussed later in this chapter). In each of these cases, the final recommendations will still be developed by the researcher, but they will be more broadly based. Developing Effective Interdisciplinary Teams Most instream flow research strives to be inter - disciplinary in nature; in reality most studies tend to be more mufti - disciplinary with specialists focusing on their sections rather than the comprehen -sive package. This lack of coordination and exchange can be a major problem; avoiding it requires continued effort. A few suggestions on ways to develop and maintain effective interdisciplinary teams: ❑ Establish clear interdisciplinary objectives at the outset of the study to ensure team members focus on the larger research goals. and interaction among team members is critical for making studies interdisciplinary ❑ Carefully consider the make -up of the study team to find rather than multi - disciplinary. researchers who are willing and able to work together. Interdisciplinary research is a collaborative effort; team members need to be able to work well with others. Personalities and attitudes often matter as much as experience and brainpower. ❑ Establish a strong team leader to structure the effort and resolve potential differences between team members. As with any leader, fairness and decisiveness are essential characteristics. ❑ Structure communication and interaction during the course of the effort, particularly during fieldwork. Although there are signif icant costs involved, it is extremely important for researchers to spend time together at the resource as well as at formal team meetings to discuss findings throughout the study process. Our experience suggests that most major study innovations or critical conclusions occur as a direct result of team interaction. Having to explain or defend ideas in front of a group of critical observers is essential to good research. ❑ Encourage discussion and exchange among team members even when they are speaking outside their field of expertise. Too much scientific research today pretends to be specialized and too difficult for non - experts. In fact, researchers from outside a field of expertise often have very constructive comments. this can make field work vastly more useful (see sidebar on page 37). W