Collaborative grazing land science: using the nominal group technique (NGT) to facilitate decision making

Rapid changes in science require rapid development of solutions. Working with diverse groups of stakeholders is important for developing robust research programs. Collaborative production (or coproduction) of knowledge can integrate multiple sources of knowledge from stakeholder groups such as farmers and ranchers, service providers, technical advisors, and nonprofit representatives. The nominal group technique (NGT) is one tool in coproduction of knowledge and is a simple and feasible methodology rangeland scientists can adopt in complex decision-making contexts. The Archbold-University of Florida Long-term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network used NGT with an advisory council of stakeholder representatives to develop priorities for their research program, particularly high-priority treatments and measurements. Coproduced science identifies potential solutions more quickly than any group working on their own. Researchers can use NGT during collaborative processes to incorporate multiple sources of expert knowledge to create a more complete picture of a given situation.