# Ecological Suitability Evaluation for Conservation and Development in Bac Kan Province, Vietnam
## 2 Materials and Methods
### Research Methodology  
The research methodology workflow (input, process, and output) consisted of 3 components: (1) identification of significant ecological resistance indicators for construction and development, (2) ecological suitability evaluation for construction and development, and (3) development zonation and direction for sustainable use of natural resources (Figure 2). Details of each component are described in the following sections. Figure 1: Location of the study area. .2.1 Identification of Significant Ecological Resistance Indicators for Construction and Development  
Under this component, the significant indicators include ecological elements, importance, and resilience that describe the ecological resistance to construction and development in mountainous areas, as suggested by [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON] [14], were investigated using the Delphi method. Figure 2: The workflow of research methodology. In general, the Delphi method is a method in which the intuitive idea of the participant was used based on a structural survey [46]. This method is an iterative process that is designed to achieve a consensus among a group of experts on a specific issue, and it is one of the most effective means for participants (experts) to identify criteria or indicators. [PERSON] et al. [47] claimed that the Delphi method is an excellent way to generate a consensus of experts' opinions when solid scientific data are unavailable. It carries quantitative and qualitative results and has underneath its explorative, predictive, even normative elements [48]. To implement the Delphi method, a variety of indicators that represent ecological elements, importance, and resilience under three criteria (ecological structural, functional, and dynamics resistance) for construction and development in mountainous areas was first reviewed from a wide range of sources, particularly research papers (Table 1) and a questionnaire was then prepared for expert interviewing. In this study, 10 experts from the Institute of Geography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, University of Science, Vietnam National University, and Thai Nguyen University of Education were invited to participate in identifying indicators. The selected experts are experienced in different fields of their areas of interest. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [49] mentioned that a Delphi group possesses the largest confidence when the number of experts is at least 10. In practice, the prepared first-round questionnaire was sent to all experts for ecological resistance indicators identification and weighting. Each expert was asked to indicate a degree (scale of 1 to 5) to which they agree with indicators as follows:  
1. Indicator is highly irrelevant to the selected criteria,
2. Indicator is likely irrelevant to the selected criteria,
3. Indicator is more or less relevant to the selected criteria,
4. Indicator is likely relevant to the selected criteria, and
5. Indicator is highly relevant to the selected criteria. After receiving the first-round response, the information was summarized, collated, categorized, and tabulated into the second questionnaire for the second round. Then, the second questionnaire that incorporated a feedback report was redistributed to experts. They were asked again to give their ratings. The goal of the second round is to attain stability or consensus of experts' responses. The Delphi procedure is completed when the consensus or stability is reached. The Delphi method finishes when all questionnaire items are either accepted or rejected or over 75% of the questionnaire items have their rating variant values being less than 15% [61]. The rules for conducting the Delphi method are given in Table 2.