3.2.1. Open answers
Another important aim of the research was to explore the reasons why the experience of nature was—or not—perceived as important for people’s general well being. Respondents were asked to articulate their personal thoughts and valuations in an open question. In the questionnaire a blank space was left to leave the respondents the freedom to express their thoughts with their own words. Answers returned were often articulated in long sentences, with many enthusiastic and deep thoughts. Analysis of the open responses consisted on a case-by-case reporting of the answers given by respondents, and on their detailed content analysis. Answers containing similar words or meaning were considered as addressing the same underlying motive, and thus grouped under the same representative theme. Table 3 summarizes the main themes found and the related representative arguments.