In general, the preparation of an Environmental Impact Study corresponds to the practice or professional practice of a group of specialists, not a single professional; as well as the preparation of ecological economic zoning studies, or even studies of soil mapping, vegetation inventory, climatic zoning, etc. These studies, especially if conventional procedures are followed, correspond to a professional practice, not a scientific research work.

They are multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary applications, generally associated with the profession or professions. The information obtained from the aforementioned studies is invaluable for the planning of the use of resources or development of a certain place, but such studies do not claim new scientific knowledge or tests of hypotheses, laws or theories. Although these studies can use the scientific method, they do not become scientists.

The problems that science deals with are problems of knowledge. If the training at the master's level is aimed at developing particular skills for scientific production, the studies mentioned above do not correspond to a master's thesis.

Scientific research clarifies or generates new scientific knowledge, basic or applied. A problem for basic research, related to environmental impact assessment, could be: How do native communities perceive their well-being or development? It is a basic issue, it is not specific for the evaluation of environmental impact, but it is of particular and relevant utility. Instead, the question: Do the native communities in the area of ​​influence of a project understand the meaning of the environmental impact assessment? It would correspond to an applied investigation.

Technological research is oriented to the production of concrete objects or artifacts; although the subsequent production of objects is no longer research, it is the art or practice of making the artifact; this is no less important, of course, but it is no longer research. If we consider that the environmental impact study is an instrument, we could say that technological research on these studies is relevant. It is worth noting that the environmental impact study is the central instrument in the evaluation of environmental impact.

Technological research uses the methods of scientific research. In this line of ideas, a new way of approaching the prediction and qualification of environmental impacts, in such a way as to convert them into participatory processes, could be an issue of the field of technological research. This line could be appropriate for cases aimed at obtaining a professional degree.

In our environment, specific research on Environmental Impacts is not abundant despite the fact that there are many topics or topics that need to be addressed through scientific research. In other media, the subject is investigated. There are scientific journals that account for such research.

Do not forget that we must define our intervention problem, our general question (What worries us?) And our hypotheses (What should we look at?). Likewise, our objectives, which will indicate the type of knowledge we want to achieve.

As a contribution, could you suggest a problematic issue in the environmental impact assessment whose solution requires scientific research?

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