deskstudie

Deskstudie, known in English as a desk study, is a structured information-gathering method used to summarize and assess existing information relevant to a project, area, or research question without conducting new fieldwork or experiments. In Dutch-speaking contexts, a deskstudie is a standard initial phase in planning, environmental assessment, archaeology, and market research. The goal is to establish the current state of knowledge, identify constraints, opportunities, and knowledge gaps, and to inform decisions and subsequent activities.

Typical inputs include published scientific literature, government and company reports, statistical databases, maps and GIS data, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder documents. The process usually includes defining objectives, performing a systematic search, screening sources for relevance and quality, extracting key data, synthesizing findings, and producing a concise report with conclusions and recommendations. GIS tools are often used to visualize spatial data and to model scenarios.

Outputs may be risk identifications, feasibility indications, site history, environmental or social constraints, and a scoping basis for further work such as field surveys or impact assessments. Described limitations include reliance on existing data quality and availability, potential biases, and the inability to verify current conditions on the ground. Deskstudies are commonly followed by targeted fieldwork when data gaps or uncertainties require confirmation.

In archaeology, planning, and environmental disciplines, deskstudies help set the scope of investigations, guide permitting processes, and support early decision-making.