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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
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Articles 1 - 12 of 12
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
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
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 …
A Statistical Approach To Classification: A Guide To Hierarchical Cluster Analysis In Agricultural Communications Research, Ch'ree Essary, Laura Morgan Fischer, Erica Irlbeck
A Statistical Approach To Classification: A Guide To Hierarchical Cluster Analysis In Agricultural Communications Research, Ch'ree Essary, Laura Morgan Fischer, Erica Irlbeck
Journal of Applied Communications
Classification, the sorting of similar objects or organisms into groups based on shared qualities and characteristics, is how we make sense of the world. As the field of agricultural communication and our understanding of media effects becomes more complex, it is important to have approaches that allow for a valid and reliable method of classifying units of analysis — whether they are texts, people, or other artifacts — into groups based on theoretically sound variables. This paper discusses one method of classification, the hierarchical cluster analysis, and how this method may be applied by 1) Developing Variables for Study, 2) …
Characteristics And Motivational Factors Of American Equine Journalists, Zoe B. Bowden, Ricky W. Telg, Lisa K. Lundy
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
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
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 …
Misleading Or Informing? Examining The Effects Of Labeling Design On Consumers’ Perception Of Gluten-Free Products And Wheat Safety, Kimberly Cantrell, Nan Li, Courtney Meyers, Cindy Akers
Misleading Or Informing? Examining The Effects Of Labeling Design On Consumers’ Perception Of Gluten-Free Products And Wheat Safety, Kimberly Cantrell, Nan Li, Courtney Meyers, Cindy Akers
Journal of Applied Communications
As food products marketed as “gluten-free” become increasingly popular, many consumers start to exclude sources of gluten (e.g., wheat, barley, and rye) from their diets for both medical and non-medical purposes. The grain industry is facing a growing challenge to (re)boost consumers’ confidence in the healthiness and safety of its commodities. Using 561 participants recruited from the Amazon Mechanical Turk workers’ panel, this study implemented a 2 (pretzels vs. potato chips) * 2 (positive- vs. negative- frame) * 2 (wheat image vs. no wheat image) experiment to examine the effects of gluten-free labels on consumers’ perceived healthiness and safety of …
Consumers’ Evaluation Of Animal Welfare Labels On Poultry Products, Rexanna Powers, Nan Li, Courtney Gibson, Erica Irlbeck
Consumers’ Evaluation Of Animal Welfare Labels On Poultry Products, Rexanna Powers, Nan Li, Courtney Gibson, Erica Irlbeck
Journal of Applied Communications
As the public has expressed increasing concerns regarding the humane raising and handling of farm animals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and industry organizations have developed a series of standards enforcing animal welfare in the poultry industry. Labels and value-added claims were created and defined to differentiate products and to inform consumers’ purchasing decisions. This study identified five labels related to animal welfare that are frequently found on food packages in the U.S. grocery stores, including both the mandatory labels and third-party, voluntary labels. Using a controlled online experiment (N=249), we examined the labels’ effects on consumers’ perception …
A Pilot Qualitative Case Study Of Agricultural And Natural Resources Scientists’ Twitter Usage For Engaging Public Audiences, Jamie Loizzo, Catherine Jones, Abby Steffen
A Pilot Qualitative Case Study Of Agricultural And Natural Resources Scientists’ Twitter Usage For Engaging Public Audiences, Jamie Loizzo, Catherine Jones, Abby Steffen
Journal of Applied Communications
Scientists are frequently asked to broadly share their expertise and research with a variety of audiences, beyond typical academic circles in their home disciplines. That could include developing community engagement programs, school outreach, leveraging online social networks, and other activities. The purpose of this study was to examine U.S. agricultural and natural resources (ANR) scientists’ typical science communication channels, their experiences utilizing Twitter for sharing their knowledge, research, and engaging in online public science discussion. Diffusion of Innovations theory and the model of science in-reach versus outreach guided this study. Researchers used a qualitative case study design. Data collection included …
Comparison Of Extension Personnel And Supervisor Perceptions Of Communications Activities, Brittany Bowman, Quisto Settle, Elizabeth Gregory North, Keri Collins Lewis
Comparison Of Extension Personnel And Supervisor Perceptions Of Communications Activities, Brittany Bowman, Quisto Settle, Elizabeth Gregory North, Keri Collins Lewis
Journal of Applied Communications
Extension is often called the “best-kept secret” having low awareness with the public but high satisfaction with clientele. Extension services nationwide have faced budget cuts, creating a need for the organization to re-evaluate its activities, including how it communicates with its stakeholders. While Extension personnel are the ones who will do most of the communicating, their supervisors impact the personnel’s actions, which means it is important to assess both groups. A survey was conducted with Extension personnel and their supervisors in Mississippi assessing engagement in communications activities and perceptions of those activities, as well as personnel’s preference of professional development …
Message Framing And Climate Change Communication: A Meta-Analytical Review, Nan Li, Leona Yi-Fan Su
Message Framing And Climate Change Communication: A Meta-Analytical Review, Nan Li, Leona Yi-Fan Su
Journal of Applied Communications
This meta-analytic study reviewed experimental studies that examined the effects of message framing on public engagement with climate change. We included 10 studies that used self-reported measures of climate-related attitudes and behaviors, with 26 comparison pairs. The results suggested that message framing generally has a positive effect on individuals’ engagement with climate change and its two sub-categories – behavioral intentions and support for climate policy. More specifically, we found message frames that emphasize the environmental, economic, and moral dimensions of climate change have a small-to-medium size impact on individuals’ engagement with climate change. In contrast, message frames around public health …
Safely Through The Gate: Exploring Media Coverage And Journalists Decisions On The Flow Of Farm Safety Stories, Rebecca Swenson, Brandon Roiger, Alexis Murillo
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 …
The Food Factor: Perceptions Of The Brand, Mckayla Brubaker, Quisto Settle, Laura Downey, Alisha Hardman
The Food Factor: Perceptions Of The Brand, Mckayla Brubaker, Quisto Settle, Laura Downey, Alisha Hardman
Journal of Applied Communications
Mississippi residents were surveyed to determine their perceptions surrounding the The Food Factor brand. The Food Factor is a weekly Extension mass media program that communicates research-based information about food, nutrition, diet, and healthy lifestyles. A researcher-developed survey instrument was used to collect information using Qualtrics. The sample consisted of a representative sample of 404 Mississippi residents over the age of 18. Nonprobability quota sampling was used to examine population segments related to sex, Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic populations, and other racial demographic segments. The respondents were asked about their use and awareness of The Food Factor, where they were …