ABSTRACT
Questions of environmental assessment methodology pertain to a sequential process that incorporates problem definition, creation of research strategies, selection and development of data gathering instruments or techniques, data collection and analysis, translation of the information into forms relevant to design decision making, and the subsequent evaluation of the design solution against criteria. The concept environmental assessment methodology no doubt means many things to many people. Personal interests and special training may direct one investigator to concern him with explicit details of questionnaire construction or fixed response instruments. Available approaches include unobtrusive methods such as the hodometer and participant observation that require little or no cooperation from those functioning in the environmental setting. There are definite advantages to be gained by using observational approaches when dealing with environmental assessments, especially when working in an unfamiliar setting or with a group of users that have certain unique characteristics.
