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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Print Grades Prime: A Quantitative Analysis Of Producer Communication Preferences Of U.S. Beef Breed Association Magazines Through The Lenses Of Uses, Gratifications, And Gatekeeping, Megan Underwood, Katherine J. Starzec, Nellie Hill-Sullins, R. L. Weaber May 2024

Print Grades Prime: A Quantitative Analysis Of Producer Communication Preferences Of U.S. Beef Breed Association Magazines Through The Lenses Of Uses, Gratifications, And Gatekeeping, Megan Underwood, Katherine J. Starzec, Nellie Hill-Sullins, R. L. Weaber

Journal of Applied Communications

The United States beef industry is a major stakeholder in national and international agriculture and is driven by technological innovations and beef producers in all 50 states. Beef cattle breed associations are essential to the success of the industry as they not only maintain breed pedigrees but also disseminate vital information to their members. The magazines of beef cattle breed associations are a primary source of communication for U.S. beef producers. Goals for this study were to determine what information beef producers use from their beef breed association magazines, what information they want to see more of in beef breed …


Perceptions Of Science Communication’S Domain, Practices, And Identity: What Concerns Members On The Peripheral Edge Of A Community Of Practice, Rebecca Swenson, Corissa Marson May 2024

Perceptions Of Science Communication’S Domain, Practices, And Identity: What Concerns Members On The Peripheral Edge Of A Community Of Practice, Rebecca Swenson, Corissa Marson

Journal of Applied Communications

This research shares insights from qualitative interviews with scientists in agricultural and environmental science programs (n=26) to better understand how occasional, peripheral, or emerging members of the science communication community of practice perceive its domain, practices, and identity. Findings suggest concern about personal risks of communicating, especially control over messaging, interactions with disagreeable audiences, being incorrect, and reputation damage. However, many believe that communication is broadly important for their field and resources. Scientists did not have clear agreement on boundaries of science communication, and advocacy and uncertainty were points of contention. Suggestions for strengthening science communication training are proposed.


Reporting Expertise In Agricultural Communications, Education, Extension, And Leadership Research: The Development Of An Expertise Rubric, Lori M. Costello, Billy R. Mckim, Allison L. Dunn Sep 2023

Reporting Expertise In Agricultural Communications, Education, Extension, And Leadership Research: The Development Of An Expertise Rubric, Lori M. Costello, Billy R. Mckim, Allison L. Dunn

Journal of Applied Communications

This exploratory quantitative study assessed 149 behaviors, characteristics, and techniques considered indicative of expertise to determine what social scientists in Agricultural Communications, Education, Extension, and Leadership (ACEEL) disciplines value. A total of 731 social scientists from 25 land-grant universities across the United States surveyed in the fall of 2018 served as the population for this study. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), 10 constructs describing expertise were identified. A list of the 10 constructs was presented to faculty representing the ACEEL disciplines who helped determine what the constructs collectively measured, resulting in a label for each construct. The behaviors, characteristics, and …


Characteristics And Motivational Factors Of American Equine Journalists, Zoe B. Bowden, Ricky W. Telg, Lisa K. Lundy Feb 2022

Characteristics And Motivational Factors Of American Equine Journalists, Zoe B. Bowden, Ricky W. Telg, Lisa K. Lundy

Journal of Applied Communications

The purpose of this study was to identify the demographic characteristics, career motivations, and professional development of American equine journalists. An online survey was distributed to equine journalists identified through their professional organizational membership. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Equine journalists were found to be predominately female, Caucasian, and averaged 53 years old. Nearly half were exposed to the equine industry prior to their career and have been working in the industry for over 15 years. Respondents were well educated and were most motivated towards their career as an equine journalist because of their interest in horses. …


U.S. Geographic Differences In Media Source Use During Covid-19 Shelter In Place Orders, Allison R. Fortner, Kristin Gibson, Alexa Lamm Dec 2021

U.S. Geographic Differences In Media Source Use During Covid-19 Shelter In Place Orders, Allison R. Fortner, Kristin Gibson, Alexa Lamm

Journal of Applied Communications

United States news access patterns may have influenced distribution of misinformation in the COVID-19 infodemic, emphasizing the necessity of targeted communication to increase health literacy during a crisis. This study used sense-making theory to explore information-seeking behaviors of U.S. residents during COVID-19 shelter in place orders. This purpose of this study was to identify media outlets used by U.S. residents to access COVID-19 information and determine if access differed according to geographic region. A representative survey of U.S. residents aged 18 or older (N = 1,048) revealed the mainstream media outlets used most were domestic government-based sources. Northeastern …


Catastrophe And Environmental Restoration: Analyzing The Frames And Sources Of Oyster Restoration News Stories, Hannah O. Brown, Susan K. Jacobson, Glenn Israel Dec 2020

Catastrophe And Environmental Restoration: Analyzing The Frames And Sources Of Oyster Restoration News Stories, Hannah O. Brown, Susan K. Jacobson, Glenn Israel

Journal of Applied Communications

Restoration of oyster habitats is a critical solution to halt the decline of one of the world’s most threatened resources. News coverage about environmental topics, like oyster restoration, is important to local communities that are directly impacted. However, little research has assessed how restoration topics are framed by journalists, nor how environmental disasters may affect framing of news stories for the public. This study employed a longitudinal framing analysis, using the quantity of coverage and social responsibility theories, to examine how coverage of the restoration of oyster ecosystems shifted before, during, and after the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The …


Genetic Modification, Factory Farms, And Alf: A Focus Group Study Of The Netflix Original Film Okja, Garrett M. Steede, Kelsi Opat, Leah S. Curren, Erica Irlbeck Dec 2018

Genetic Modification, Factory Farms, And Alf: A Focus Group Study Of The Netflix Original Film Okja, Garrett M. Steede, Kelsi Opat, Leah S. Curren, Erica Irlbeck

Journal of Applied Communications

Okja is a fictional Netflix original film that was released in 2017. Okja features a “super pig” that is owned by the large, agricultural company Mirando Corporation. Okja is raised by a young girl, Mija, and her grandfather in the South Korean mountains. The film climaxes when Mija and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) narrowly save Okja and a smuggled piglet from the slaughter process. The purpose of this study was to understand how college students responded to the film. The viewers of this film included students who were majoring in a field within the agricultural college (COA) at Texas …


Safely Through The Gate: Exploring Media Coverage And Journalists Decisions On The Flow Of Farm Safety Stories, Rebecca Swenson, Brandon Roiger, Alexis Murillo Jun 2018

Safely Through The Gate: Exploring Media Coverage And Journalists Decisions On The Flow Of Farm Safety Stories, Rebecca Swenson, Brandon Roiger, Alexis Murillo

Journal of Applied Communications

Agriculture continues to rank as one of the most dangerous industries in the nation. Media coverage is an important tool for sharing farm safety information, improving knowledge and changing behaviors. Despite this importance, surprisingly little research has focused on agricultural media coverage and the forces that influence journalists’ decisions about when and how to cover safety stories. This study uses content analysis methods to examine the nature of farm safety issues, accidents, and topics that appear in mainstream news, agricultural media, and blogs. Researchers also interviewed journalists and bloggers to better understand their motivations, barriers, and information needs when covering …


Media Portrayal Of Gm Science And Citrus Greening In State And National Newspapers, Jeremy D'Angelo, Jason D. Ellis Ph.D., Katherine Burke Ph.D., Taylor Ruth Mar 2018

Media Portrayal Of Gm Science And Citrus Greening In State And National Newspapers, Jeremy D'Angelo, Jason D. Ellis Ph.D., Katherine Burke Ph.D., Taylor Ruth

Journal of Applied Communications

Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly known as citrus greening, is a bacterial disease severely affecting the profitability and continuation of the citrus industry in Florida and is threatening the citrus industry in other states as well. Currently, the disease only can be managed, not cured. Gene-based therapies, such as GM science, have been identified as a viable long-term solution. However, consumer acceptance of genetically modified food is low and their understanding and acceptance of new technologies is largely dependent on what they receive through mass media. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to understand news coverage of both citrus greening and …