Identifying and Validating the Conflict Consequences in Rangeland Utilization in West Azerbaijan Province: Convergence of Qualitative and Quantitative Methods.

The present study is an applied research that seeks to identify and validate the conflict consequences over rangeland exploitation in West Azerbaijan province. The implementation process of the current research was based on a mixed approach that was carried out in two qualitative and quantitative stages. The sampling method in the qualitative and quantitative part of the research was the purposive snowball sampling and stratified random sampling methods, respectively. The statistical population of the research qualitative part is 17 experts/proficients and the quantitative part is made up of 363 local exploiters. Related data in both stages were analyzed using different methods, i.e. Thematic Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Thematic analysis classified the identified conflict consequences into four Normative-Value", "Environmental", "Economic" and "Managerial" factors. Then, second-order confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the identified conflict consequences. The analyzes proved that the validity, reliability, and, fit indices of the factor structure model were appropriate. The results obtained based on the participants' opinions in this research can provide a correct insight into long-term policies to resolve the conflict over rangeland exploitation and management. In general, this study suggests that rangeland management strategies should be adopted based on the conditions and capacities of the local people.