Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Education, Teaching-Learning Processes

Date of Defense

6-19-2018

Graduate Advisor

Theresa Coble

Committee

Keith Miller

Carl Hoagland

Phyllis Balcerzak

Abstract

This study addresseda marine heritage site conservation and management model that maximizes local resident support in China. The first phase of the study was a qualitative exploration of local resident engagement with marine heritage conservation and management at Changshan Islands National Marine Park and Xinghai Bay National Marine Park. From this initial exploration, the qualitative findings will be used to develop assessment measures that can be administered to a large sample. In the tentatively planned quantitative phase, survey data was collected from local residents in Changshan Islands and Dalian.First, I collected qualitative data by interviewing a total of 15 local residents, and five marine heritage site managers, living near Xinghai Bay National Marine Park area to explore the factors that influence local residents’ support, connection and involvement in marine heritage. Then I distributed to 495 surveys to local residents living near Xiamen National Marine Park area, Dalian Xinghai Bay National Marine Park area, and Dalian Changshan Islands National Marine Park area to assess factors that affected local residents’ support, connect, and involvement in marine heritage conservation and management. The purpose of the survey was to further explore the relationship among variables derived from the literature review and onsite interviews. The target respondents were members of local households who were 18 years of age or older, not only the head of household.

There are three implications excavated from the qualitative data analysis results. First, local resident knowledge of marine heritage and its conservation and management, and their awareness influence local resident interaction with marine heritage conservation and management. Second, local resident perception of marine heritage and its conservation and management impact their interaction with marine heritage conservation and management. Third, park management efforts influence local resident interaction with marine heritage and its conservation and management.

Quantitative data analysis results have explained the relationship among factors related to influential factors and local support. There are four factors that have a positive effect on local resident support for marine heritage conversation and management. They are perception, connection, involvement and demographics and psychographics.

OCLC Number

1079065412

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