Dataset for

“How social norms are integrated in natural resource co-management.”

Authors: Caetano L. B. Franco; Michael G. Sorice; Liliana S. Castillo; Eranga K. Galappaththi

 

1. Dataset Overview

This dataset documents the coding and synthesis of 46 empirical and theoretical studies included in the systematic scoping review: How social norms are integrated in natural resource co-management.

The dataset captures how social norms are defined, framed, measured, and linked to compliance and cooperation across diverse natural resource systems (fisheries, forests, wildlife, water) and governance arrangements. It enables transparency, replication, and reuse of the review’s analytical framework.

 

2. Files Included

Dataset.xlsm

Main dataset file containing the full coding of the 46 reviewed studies. Each row corresponds to one study (ID 1–46), and each column corresponds to a coded attribute related to bibliographic information, study design, resource system, conceptual framing of social norms, and operational indicators.

The file can be opened using:

·      Microsoft Excel

·      LibreOffice

·      Google Sheets

No macros are required to use the file.

3. Structure and Variables

Each row represents one study. Variables are grouped as follows:

 

3.1 Bibliographic Information

·      Title – Article title

·      DOI – Digital Object Identifier

·      Year_publication – Year of publication

·      Journal – Journal name

 

3.2 Study Context and Design

·      Country_study – Country/region of the case study (or NA)

·      Plan_to_investigate_social_norm – Whether norms were an explicit research focus

·      Type_of_study – Applied / Theoretical

·      Research_approach – Qualitative / Quantitative / Mixed

·      Research_methods (data collection) – Surveys, interviews, experiments, etc.

·      Presence_theoretical_framework – Yes/No

·      Theoretical_framework – Framework used (if applicable)

 

3.3 Resource System

·      Type_natural_resource – Aquatic / Terrestrial

·      Aquatic_marine_or_freshwater – Marine / Freshwater / NA

·      Aquatic_fisheries – Yes/No

·      Aquatic_type_fisheries – SSF, CF, artisanal, etc.

·      Terrestrial_type_of_resource – Forest, wildlife, rangeland, etc.

 

3.4 Conceptualization of Social Norms

·      Context_social_norms_mgt_I – How norms are discussed in management

·      Category_social_norms_mgt – Thematic grouping

·      Definition_social_norm – Author-provided definition (if any)

·      Conceptual_framing – Normative Influence; Cultural Framework; Institutional and Informal Systems; Personal Value

 

3.5 Operationalization and Normative Mechanisms

·      Operationalization – Narrative description of how norms were measured

·      Presence_descriptive_indicator – Yes/No

·      Type_descriptive_indicator – Qualitative / Quantitative / Both

·      Presence_injunctive_indicator – Yes/No

·      Type_injunctive_indicator – Qualitative / Quantitative / Both

·      Presence_reference_network – Yes/No

·      Presence_empirical_expectation – Yes/No

·      Presence_normative_expectation – Yes/No

·      Presence_conditional_preference – Yes/No

·      Presence_social_sanctions – Yes/No

 

4. Abbreviations and Codes

·      NA – Not available / not reported

·      SSF – Small-scale fisheries

·      CF – Commercial fisheries

·      Yes / No – Presence/absence of variable

 

Conceptual distinctions follow social norms theory:

·      Descriptive norms – Perceptions of what others do

·      Injunctive norms – Perceptions of what others approve/disapprove

·      Empirical expectations – Beliefs about others’ behavior

·      Normative expectations – Beliefs about others’ expectations

·      Conditional preferences – Willingness to comply conditional on others

·      Social sanctions – Anticipated or experienced approval/disapproval

 

5. Data Values

The dataset includes:

·      Categorical variables

·      Binary indicators

·      Short textual excerpts and analytical notes

·      All coding was conducted manually based on full-text review of each article.

·      Empty cells represent missing data or Not available / not reported

 

6. Reuse Potential

This dataset can be reused for:

·      Meta-analyses and systematic reviews

·      Methodological audits of norm operationalization

·      Theory-building on compliance and cooperation

·      Comparative research across governance systems

·      Replication and extension of the review

 

7. Software

·      Excel, LibreOffice, Google Sheets

·      R or Python for analysis

 

8. Legal and Ethical Considerations

·      No personal or sensitive data included

·      All data extracted from public, peer-reviewed sources

·      Ethical risks are minimal

·      Users should cite the dataset and original studies

 

9. Citation

Franco, C. L. B.; Sorice, M. G.; Castillo, L. S.; Galappaththi, E. K. (Year). Dataset for How social norms are integrated in natural resource co-management. Dryad Digital Repository.