The status of Philippine lake studies: Scholarly deficit in social science and small-lake research

Issue Date

1-2015

Abstract

This study surveys the literature on Philippine lake studies using a representative sample from the library databases of the three leading universities in the country. The paper proceeds as follows: firstly, it categorizes the existing lake studies by scholarly orientation (natural science perspective or social science perspective) and by physical size of the particular lake under study (big lake or small lake); secondly, it charts and assesses the overall trajectory of lake studies in the country. The paper concludes that Philippine lake studies are dominated by the natural science-based studies and heavily concentrated on big-lake research. This finding illustrates the gaps in the literature, specifically: one, the need to account for all the existing lakes in the country; two, the need for more social science-based studies on lakes; and three, the need for more outputs on small-lake research. The paper closes with the call to balance scholarly deficit as the way towards meaningful progress in lake studies in the country.

Source or Periodical Title

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

ISSN

0119-8386

Volume

15

Issue

1

Page

78-101

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Subject

Big-lake research, Lake studies, Natural science, Philippine lakes, Small-lake studies, Social science and lake

Digital Copy

yes

Link to Full Text

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