A New Approach to the Ordered Classification of Critical Factors in the Degradation Processes of River Basins

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present through information collected via qualitative analysis in order to provide an alternative perspective to classify critical factors and their correlations in the processes of degradation of river basins in countries in development in an ordered way. This study was started with a bibliographical review for gathering relevant information about the main factors, which was submitted to specialists and related professionals via survey developed in a format of answers on Likert scale, with the analyses of data from the respondents as well as their contribution within sample assembly exploratory factorial analysis and the charge factor item from the questionnaire with usage of polychoric correlation matrix with which it is proposed to establish the ordering of the factors relevance as well as their correlations through parametric statistical analysis with the usage of a generalized model of partial credit which belongs to the family of the models for polyatomic gradual answers to the item response theory (IRT) and the applying of cluster analysis (ICLUST) with the usage of both alpha and omega coefficient for the estimation of the variables group, with the R tool. As a result, the present study aims to establish a comprehension of the main factors for the ordering of the actions and attention of public and private sectors towards the preservation of urban river basins.