Research and Information Requirements for Coastal Zone Management, Australia, 1993

The study examines the coastal managers' communication systems within and between six types of organisation (Local, State and Commonwealth Government, conservation, industry and academic organisations) and six areas of work (management, environment, education, industry/finance, engineering, and elected office). The survey asked participants to consider types of information that are most important to their work, and the availability of these information types. Participants were also asked to indicate at what scale (ie local, regional, State or National) this information is used. Other survey questions asked respondents to identify those areas in which they perceive the greatest gaps in the information necessary to their work, and how they believe these gaps could best be filled. The survey also asked managers to indicate how often they employ particular information resources and channels, and which of these they would recommend as the most important for the future management of coastal areas. Background variables include: age; sex; highest education qualification; main work area; name and location of work organisation; and information provider/user status.