32 results on '"Melanie Connor"'
Search Results
2. Rural development and transformation of the rice sector in Myanmar: Introduction of best management practices for sustainable rice agriculture
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Helena Wehmeyer, Arelene Malabayabas, Su Su San, Aung Myat Thu, Myat Su Tun, Aye Aye Thant, and Melanie Connor
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Ecology ,food and beverages ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Agronomy and Crop Science - Abstract
Myanmar has experienced considerable economic and social changes since its political transition in the early 2010s. Its agriculture sector has demonstrated rapid intensification and modernization. Agricultural best management practices (BMPs), e.g., drum seeders and laser land levelling, were introduced to rice farmers in Bago Region in 2012 to increase sustainable production and counter negative environmental impacts. The objective of this study was to determine the socioeconomic and agronomic changes due to the adoption of BMPs between adopters and non-adopters. Using a digital survey questionnaire application to collect household data, 200 farmers in eight villages were interviewed in 2012 and 2017. Data were analysed using uni- and multivariate statistics. Mediation analysis was utilized to evaluate the effect of the farmer group on rice yields. Overall, all farmers in this study experienced substantial positive changes over the course of five years in line with the national development efforts. Differences among adopters and non-adopters were not significant, but notable distinctions existed between cropping patterns. Rice-pulse farmers had higher yields ( + 0.4 t/ha), yet rice-rice farmers had larger cultivation areas, received higher agricultural credits, and had superior income levels. Nevertheless, rice yields remained low (
- Published
- 2022
3. How do rice consumers trade off sustainability and health labels? Evidence from Vietnam
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Ong Quoc Cuong, Melanie Connor, Matty Demont, Bjoern Ole Sander, and Katherine Nelson
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Global and Planetary Change ,Ecology ,Horticulture ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Food Science - Abstract
IntroductionStrategies for increasing rice production in the Asian Mega-Deltas have led to environmental degradation, resource overexploitation, and high greenhouse gas emissions. Certified sustainable production labels can support governments in their efforts to render rice value chains more sustainable by simultaneously fostering planetary and human health. Little is known, however, about how consumers trade off sustainability and health attributes in staple crops such as rice. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by investigating Vietnamese consumers' preferences and willingness to pay for rice characterized by multi-attribute sustainability and health certification labels.MethodsWe collected empirical data from 410 supermarket consumers in Can Tho, Vietnam using a choice experiment survey. The results were analyzed using a mixed logit model to determine consumers' preferences for sustainability and health traits in rice. Four price levels were used to elicit willingness-to-pay for four certification labels: low-emission, eco-friendly, ethically produced, and low glycemic index rice. By separating the components that make up the concept of sustainability and by including a label related to personal health and diet preferences, we are able to gain an understanding of the value consumers place on attributes that benefit the common good vs. attributes that benefit the individual consumer.ResultsThe results showed that consumers were willing to pay a price premium for all certification labels, with the highest marginal utility assigned to low glycemic index rice.DiscussionCertification of eco-friendly and ethical production generated similar utility levels, while low-emission rice was valued lower, although it still fetched a significant price premium compared to the status-quo option of rice with no certifications. The results of this study can help policymakers and value chain actors develop rice value chains that integrate sustainable production practices as well as foster the nutrition and health of rice consumers.
- Published
- 2022
4. 'One must do, five reductions' qualitative analysis of the diffusion and adoption constraints in Vietnam
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Melanie Connor, Le Anh Tuan, and Helena Wehmeyer
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Qualitative analysis ,Natural resource economics ,Adverse health effect ,Geography, Planning and Development ,food and beverages ,Environmental science ,Production (economics) ,Development ,Diffusion (business) ,Environmental degradation - Abstract
Over the last decades, Vietnam has increased its rice production substantially, which has resulted in environmental degradation and adverse health effects. The present study aimed to document the i...
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- 2021
5. Sustainable rice production in Myanmar impacts on food security and livelihood changes
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Grant R. Singleton, Annalyn H. de Guia, Reianne Quilloy, and Melanie Connor
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Sustainable development ,Economics and Econometrics ,Government ,Food security ,Agroforestry ,Production (economics) ,Rice farming ,Business ,Livelihood ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Rural population ,Variety (cybernetics) - Abstract
In Myanmar, 70% of the rural population engages in rice farming for their livelihoods. Since 2013, the government and development projects have introduced a variety of sustainable rice cultivation ...
- Published
- 2021
6. Sustainable rice production in the Mekong River Delta: Factors influencing farmers’ adoption of the integrated technology package 'One Must Do, Five Reductions' (1M5R)
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Anna H DeGuia, Melanie Connor, Helena Wehmeyer, and Le Anh Tuan
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Delta ,Ecology ,food and beverages ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Rapid intensification ,010501 environmental sciences ,01 natural sciences ,Integrated technology ,Environmental protection ,040103 agronomy & agriculture ,Mekong river ,0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries ,Environmental science ,Production (economics) ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Environmental degradation ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences - Abstract
Over the last few decades Vietnam has benefited from a rapid intensification of rice production ensuing high yields and economic gains. However, this has led to environmental degradation and adverse health effects. As a result, complex sustainable rice farming packages have been introduced but adoption still appears to be low. The present study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the adoption of sustainable rice farming practices combined in the national program “One Must Do, Five Reductions” (1M5R). Furthermore, a special focus was placed on identifying adoption constraints. Adoption was investigated by means of a survey questionnaire with 465 farmers in An Giang and Can Tho Province. Overall, results show that almost all farmers followed the requirements of pesticide reduction, post-harvest loss reduction, and the use of certified seeds. However, farmers had problems reducing their fertilizer use, water use, and seed rate. Results show that farmers perceive these practices to be difficult to implement, they do not fit farmers’ cropping pattern and the weather conditions hindered the implementation. The study further shows that ease of implementation, education, satisfaction and non-rice income are the main drivers for adopting the whole package. Adoption of the individual requirements is mainly driven by the ease of implementation and non-rice income for practices with lower adoption rates. This shows that farmers face physical adoption barriers, and that farmer satisfaction with the whole program is essential for a successful implementation. Results highlight the need for adoption monitoring and the continuation of extension services for the specific requirements specified under 1M5R.
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- 2020
7. Sustainable agriculture for health and prosperity: stakeholders’ roles, legitimacy and modus operandi
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Ajay Kohli, Nafees Meah, Eleanor Fisher, Melanie Connor, Jean Balié, Genowefa Blundo-Canto, and Jon Hellin
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2019-20 coronavirus outbreak ,Economic growth ,050204 development studies ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Changement social ,Development ,Système de valeurs ,0502 economics and business ,Sustainable agriculture ,Agriculture durable ,050602 political science & public administration ,partie intéressée ,Durabilité ,Production alimentaire ,Legitimacy ,E10 - Économie et politique agricoles ,media_common ,Niveau de vie ,05 social sciences ,Private sector ,0506 political science ,sécurité alimentaire ,Sustainability ,Food systems ,Business ,Prosperity - Abstract
Food systems need to focus more on health, prosperity, and environmental sustainability. This requires changes in what, where, how and by whom food is produced, marketed, and consumed. Interdisciplinary research and trans-disciplinary collaboration are needed.Stakeholders need to agree on their respective roles, values, responsibilities and modus operandi so that research better responds to real-world challenges and opportunities. In this Viewpoint we argue that this is especially the case in the Global South post Covid-19. Without these changes, there will continue to be unrealistic expectations of impact from agricultural research, and disappointment when these are not realized.
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- 2020
8. Sustainable rice farming and its impact on rural women in Myanmar
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Melanie Connor and Su Su San
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Geography ,South asia ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Cultural impact ,food and beverages ,Rice farming ,Development ,Rural women ,Socioeconomics ,humanities - Abstract
This article reports on a study that investigated the adoption of sustainable rice farming practices and its social and cultural impact on rural women in Myanmar through the use of semi-structured ...
- Published
- 2020
9. The Welfare of Traveller and Gypsy Owned Horses in the UK and Ireland
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Marie Rowland, Neil Hudson, Melanie Connor, Cathy Dwyer, and Tamsin Coombs
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General Veterinary ,equine ,travellers ,gypsies ,welfare assessment ,emotional state ,qualitative behaviour assessment ,Animal Science and Zoology - Abstract
Travellers and Gypsies are recognised ethnic groups in the UK and Ireland. Horse ownership is an important cultural tradition, however, practices associated with poor welfare are often perceived to be linked to these horse owning communities. Despite this, empirical studies on the welfare status of Traveller and Gypsy owned horses are lacking. To determine the welfare status of Traveller and Gypsy owned horses, 104 horses were assessed using a bespoke horse welfare protocol. This protocol assessed animal, resource and management-based measures. In addition, Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) identified horses’ emotional state. Results indicated that 81% of horses had an optimal body condition score, with no horse recorded as very thin/fat. The absence of limb conditions (95%), ocular (98%) and nasal (93%) discharges were evident in most horses, and 81% of horses responded positively to the voluntary animal approach test. The most commonly observed welfare issues were hoof neglect (27%), with hoof cracks/breakages (19%) being the most prevalent. QBA indicated that positive emotional states were more commonplace than negative. A relationship between QBA and other horse welfare measures was observed, e.g., improved mood was associated with better water availability. This research provides novel data in the under-researched area of the welfare of Traveller and Gypsy owned horses and counters perceptions of a poor welfare state in this group of horses.
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- 2022
10. Ecosystem services in paddy rice systems
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Alexander M. Stuart, Melanie Connor, Ranjitha Puskur, Sarah E. Johnson-Beebout, Buyung A.R. Hadi, Olivyn Angeles, Cecilia Acuin, and Pauline Chivenge
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Nutrient cycle ,Monocropping ,Agrochemical ,business.industry ,Agriculture ,Agroforestry ,Greenhouse gas ,Paddy field ,Environmental science ,business ,Cropping ,Ecosystem services - Abstract
Paddy rice cropping systems are largely intensive with widespread use of modern high yielding varieties, fertilizers, and agrochemicals, mostly characterized by rice monocropping, particularly when irrigated. Food provisioning is the most obvious ecosystem service derived from rice farming, but rice farming is also a way of life, particularly in Asia where 90% of rice is produced. Rice farming has been in existence for a long time and is an integral part of cultural traditions globally and is celebrated through different sociocultural festivities and forms part of societal cultural identities. Being semiaquatic, rice fields provide a habitat for a diverse assemblage of fauna and flora. The unique characteristics of paddy soils enable them to sustain intensive rice production and regulate the biogeochemical nutrient cycling. Paddy soils contribute about 11% of the greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, largely through methane, but also sequester significant amounts of carbon, contributing to mitigation of the emissions. Nonetheless, paddy rice systems offer a range of ecosystem services that vary with growth stages and management practices.
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- 2020
11. Factors Influencing the Prevalence of Animal Cruelty During Adolescence
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Alistair Lawrence, Melanie Connor, Candace Currie, University of St Andrews. School of Medicine, University of St Andrews. Population and Behavioural Science Division, University of St Andrews. WHO Collaborating Centre for International Child & Adolescent Health Policy, and University of St Andrews. Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit
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Male ,Child abuse ,Domestic Violence ,Adolescent ,Youth violence ,NDAS ,Criminology ,Cruelty ,Animal Welfare ,Developmental psychology ,HV ,Time frame ,Community violence ,SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being ,RA0421 ,RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine ,HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare ,Prevalence ,Animals ,Humans ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,Child Abuse ,Child ,Applied Psychology ,SDG 5 - Gender Equality ,SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions ,050901 criminology ,05 social sciences ,Criminals ,Exploratory factor analysis ,Interpersonal violence ,Clinical Psychology ,Accidental ,Domestic violence ,Female ,0509 other social sciences ,Psychology ,050104 developmental & child psychology - Abstract
Adolescents’ interactions with animals are of increasing interest and their beneficial developmental outcomes are well known. However, negative interactions such as perpetrating cruelty toward animals during childhood and adolescence have been related with child abuse, domestic violence, and later interpersonal violence. Cruelty toward animals by adolescents has been reported predominately in criminal and clinical samples, and links have been made between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence. However, studies often lack a clear definition of animal cruelty and the animal involved. The present study addresses methodological shortcomings by providing a clear definition of the cruelty acts and the animals involved and the time frame within which cruelty acts have been taken place. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of animal cruelty of 979 British adolescents (419 male, 497 female, Mage = 15.1 ± 1.57 years) by means of a survey questionnaire administered in school. Animal cruelty was investigated encompassing deliberate and nondeliberate cruelty acts, a clear definition of the target animals was included and a time frame was provided. Furthermore, acceptability of animal cruelty, engaging in antisocial behavior, and family affluence were investigated. Results show high reliabilities for the measures applied. Exploratory factor analysis reveals different types of animal cruelty. Gender differences were observed for deliberate and accidental cruelty acts, with boys reporting higher levels than girls. Younger adolescents reported higher accidental cruelty acts than older ones. Acceptance of animal cruelty played a significant role in predicting animal cruelty, together with antisocial behaviors and place of living. The present study shows for the first time the importance of distinguishing between different types of animal cruelty and defining the animals involved.
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- 2018
12. An Investigation into the Perceptions of Veterinarians towards Perioperative Pain Management in Calves
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Amy Miele, Melanie Connor, and Ria van Dyke
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Veterinary medicine ,media_common.quotation_subject ,veterinarians ,Article ,animal welfare ,calves ,perceptions ,Perception ,Animal welfare ,SF600-1100 ,medicine ,pain ,media_common ,animal husbandry ,General Veterinary ,Developmental age ,Differential treatment ,business.industry ,Perioperative ,Pain management ,QL1-991 ,pain management ,Family medicine ,Animal Science and Zoology ,business ,Zoology ,Welfare - Abstract
Simple Summary Despite developments in animal welfare science regarding perioperative pain management in calves (Bos taurus), there are concerns that current knowledge has not been adopted in practice. Given that the perceptions of veterinarians have implications for how the welfare needs of calves are assessed and managed in practice, this study sought to quantify veterinary perceptions towards perioperative pain management in calves, including barriers to its use and whether demographic differences may influence those perceptions. A nationwide survey was electronically distributed to veterinarians registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. Veterinarians largely associated multimodal pain management with the greatest reduction in perioperative pain. Most veterinarians also perceived that postprocedural pain persists beyond 24 h for disbudding and castration and did not support the use of differential treatment based on developmental age. Despite this, certain barriers were identified for their potential to inhibit the use of pain management on-farm. While demographic differences were found to influence veterinary perceptions towards perioperative pain management, the findings revealed considerable support among veterinarians for improving pain mitigation in calves. Given the opportunity, veterinarians in New Zealand would likely support strengthening the minimum provisions afforded to calves in practice and policy. Abstract While veterinarians are instrumental to the welfare of calves (Bos taurus), limited knowledge exists concerning veterinary perceptions towards perioperative pain management in calves. As a part of a larger, nationwide study investigating the perceptions of veterinarians towards calf welfare, the current work sought to quantify veterinary perceptions towards perioperative pain management, including barriers to its use, and investigate demographic influences affecting those perceptions. An electronic mixed-methods survey was completed by 104 veterinarians registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. The current work revealed that most veterinarians considered a multimodal approach as the most effective method for ameliorating perioperative pain in calves, rejected the practice of differential treatment based on developmental age, and perceived that postprocedural pain persists beyond 24 h for the majority of procedures included in the survey. Despite this, veterinarians identified certain barriers that may inhibit the provision of pain mitigation on-farm, including costs, inadequate recognition of pain, and ingrained farming practices. Certain demographic effects were found to influence perceptions towards perioperative pain management, including gender, the number of years since graduation, and species emphasis. Nevertheless, the current work demonstrated considerable support among veterinarians to improve pain management protocols during routine husbandry procedures. The asymmetries that exist between the current minimum provisions of perioperative pain management and veterinary perspectives suggest that substantive improvements are necessary in order to reconcile New Zealand’s existing regulatory regime with developments in scientific knowledge.
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- 2021
13. Quality of life and adolescents’ communication with their significant others (mother, father, and best friend): the mediating effect of attachment to pets
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Alistair Lawrence, Melanie Connor, Ferran Marsa-Sambola, Joanne Williams, Candace Currie, Janine Muldoon, Dept for Environment Food and Rural Aff, University of St Andrews. Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit, University of St Andrews. School of Medicine, and University of St Andrews. WHO Collaborating Centre for International Child & Adolescent Health Policy
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Male ,Parents ,RJ101 ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Friends ,050109 social psychology ,Developmental psychology ,0302 clinical medicine ,RJ101 Child Health. Child health services ,HQ ,Developmental and Educational Psychology ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Parent-Child Relations ,PERSPECTIVE ,Communication ,05 social sciences ,Pets ,3rd-DAS ,DEPRESSION ,Adolescence ,COMMUNITY ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,DOGS ,Positive relationship ,Female ,Psychology ,ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY ,Dog owners ,Clinical psychology ,Quality of life ,Mediation (statistics) ,HUMAN HEALTH ,Adolescent ,Animal-assisted therapy ,03 medical and health sciences ,Dogs ,Quality of life (healthcare) ,PEOPLE ,Animal welfare ,BENEFITS ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,Attachment to pets ,CHILDRENS ATTITUDES ,CAT OWNERS ,Best friend ,HQ The family. Marriage. Woman ,Object Attachment ,Scotland ,Cats ,Quality of Life ,HUBzero ,Significant other - Abstract
The authors would like to thank DEFRA for funding this project (SMDO-ZGLD15). The relationship between adolescents? communication with their significant others (mother, father, and best friend) and quality of life (KIDSCREEN) was investigated in 2262 Scottish adolescent pet owners. The variable attachment to pets was also tested and assessed as a mediator of this relationship. A positive relationship between adolescents? communication with their significant other (mother, father, and best friend) and quality of life decreased when controlling for attachment to dogs. In cat owners, a positive relationship between communication with a best friend and quality of life decreased when controlling for attachment to cats. In cat and dog owners, attachment to these pets predicted higher levels of quality of life. Higher attachment to dogs and cats was explained by good best friend (IV) and attachment to pets (DV) and best friends. Mediation effects of attachment to dogs and cats might be explained in terms of the caring activities associated with these types of pets. Postprint
- Published
- 2017
14. Consumer evaluation of farm animal mutilations
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Melanie Connor and Sarah Louise Cowan
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Knowledge management ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,MEDLINE ,Consumer evaluation ,Business - Published
- 2019
15. Determining priority welfare issues for cats in the United Kingdom using expert consensus
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Fiona C. Rioja-Lang, Heather Bacon, Cathy M. Dwyer, and Melanie Connor
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Online discussion ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Delphi method ,animal welfare ,Likert scale ,Neglect ,Animal welfare ,companion animals ,medicine ,Duration (project management) ,media_common ,General Veterinary ,Companion or Pet Animals ,behaviour ,Health ,Family medicine ,Thematic analysis ,Psychology ,Welfare - Abstract
Background Cats are the most popular pets in the UK, yet relatively little research has been conducted into the welfare of cats living in a home environment. The purpose of this study was to determine and prioritise welfare issues for cats using a Delphi method. Methods Cat welfare experts (n=14) were asked to identify and rank welfare issues for cats in the UK. An initial list of 118 welfare issues was generated by an anonymous online discussion board of experts and thematic analysis using NVivo. Subsequently experts ranked the list of welfare issues according to severity, duration and prevalence using a 6-point Likert scale. All issues with a median score of 3 or above (n=43) were included in the second survey to determine agreement on the rankings of issues. Finally, a subsection of experts attended a two-day workshop to discuss the welfare rankings and determine the final prioritised list of welfare issues. Results The issues considered to be the most severe and/or likely to cause prolonged cat suffering included social behaviour issues, diseases of old age, obesity, owners not seeking veterinary care and poor pain management. The welfare issues perceived to be most prevalent included neglect/hoarding, delayed euthanasia, inherited conformational defects/diseases, social or environmental restriction, and poor pain management. Conclusions The outcomes suggested that, although issues such as cat behaviour required further research, owner education was an important factor in improving cat welfare.
- Published
- 2019
16. Prioritisation of animal welfare issues in the UK using expert consensus
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Fiona C. Rioja-Lang, Cathy M. Dwyer, Melanie Connor, and Heather Bacon
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Farm animals ,dogs ,rabbits ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Species groups ,040301 veterinary sciences ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Delphi method ,Likert scale ,0403 veterinary science ,Dogs ,Animal welfare ,medicine ,Horses ,Duration (project management) ,horses ,Original Research ,media_common ,General Veterinary ,cats ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Expert consensus ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,General Medicine ,040201 dairy & animal science ,welfare ,Human resource management ,Family medicine ,Cats ,Rabbits ,Psychology ,farm animals ,Welfare - Abstract
Background The welfare of all animals under human management is an area of consistent public concern, but strategies to improve welfare may vary across species. In this study, expert consensus, using a modified Delphi approach, was used to prioritise welfare issues of farmed and companion animals in the UK.Methods The study involved 117 experts, divided between eight species groups. Experts were recruited from a broad range of disciplines. Two rounds of online surveys were conducted using the Online Survey tool, and the final round was an in-person workshop with a subsection of experts (n=21). The experts agreed that welfare issues should be ranked considering three categories: i) severity, ii) duration, and iii) perceived prevalence. Results A comprehensive list of welfare issues was generated for each species by discussion boards (cats, rabbits, horses) or by literature review (dogs, pigs, poultry, cattle and small ruminants). In the first online survey the experts scored each welfare issue using the three categories (severity, duration, prevalence), on a 6-point Likert scale, where 1 = never/none, and 6 = always/high. Lists of welfare issues were reduced to 25-59% of the total number, by determining mean ranks from expert ratings. In round 2, experts were asked whether they agreed or disagreed to the rankings. In the final stage, during the workshop, the top-ranking welfare issues for animals were determined for individual animals (considering the greatest severity and duration, in the expert’s opinion) and for perceived prevalence. Conclusions Overall, prioritised welfare issues included: Lack of knowledge of welfare needs, social behaviour issues, problem behaviours, inappropriate diet and environment, lack of veterinary care, consequences from breeding decisions, poor pain management, delayed euthanasia, and chronic ill health. The Delphi process resulted in consensus on the most significant welfare challenges of animals in the UK and can help to guide future research and education priority decisions.
- Published
- 2020
17. When climate change is not psychologically distant – Factors influencing the acceptance of sustainable farming practices in the Mekong river Delta of Vietnam
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Reianne Quilloy, Martin Gummert, Melanie Connor, Bjoern Ole Sander, Annalyn H. de Guia, and Hung Van Nguyen
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Economics and Econometrics ,animal structures ,Sociology and Political Science ,050204 development studies ,05 social sciences ,Geography, Planning and Development ,food and beverages ,Climate change ,Development ,Straw ,Combine harvester ,respiratory tract diseases ,Risk perception ,Agricultural science ,Greenhouse gas ,0502 economics and business ,Sustainable agriculture ,Production (economics) ,050202 agricultural economics & policy ,Business ,Mechanization - Abstract
Rice farmers in the Mekong Delta are not only experiencing challenges due to climate change but are also expected to increase production through sustainable intensification. Increased production and mechanization, such as using combine harvesters leave farmers with more rice straw in the field, which farmers often choose to burn resulting in adverse health effects, increased air pollution and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Farmer adoption of recently promoted sustainable rice straw management practices is low. The present study, therefore, investigated factors influencing the acceptance of different rice straw management practices. 111 smallholder rice farmers participated in the study. Farmers’ perceptions of risks, benefits and their acceptance of eight different rice straw management practices including burning, soil incorporation, composting, mushroom and biogas production, and different collection methods, was investigated via a survey questionnaire. Results show that farmers often burn their rice straw even though they perceive high risks, few benefits and expressed low levels of acceptance for rice straw burning. Acceptance of rice straw management practices differs between practices; however, benefit perceptions are the strongest predictor for all practices followed by knowledge about climate change. Risk perceptions were a weak predictor for some practices including burning and biogas production. The regression models explain up to 50% of the variance. Results show that the experiential system determines farmers’ perception of practiced straw management options. This study also shows that even though climate change is not psychologically distant to farmers, sustainable behavior will depend on the acceptability, feasibility and perceived benefit of options provided.
- Published
- 2020
18. Determining a Welfare Prioritization for Horses Using a Delphi Method
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Cathy M. Dwyer, Melanie Connor, Fiona C. Rioja-Lang, and Heather Bacon
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Online discussion ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Biosecurity ,Delphi method ,Psychological intervention ,Article ,Likert scale ,lcsh:Zoology ,medicine ,lcsh:QL1-991 ,Duration (project management) ,media_common ,training ,lcsh:Veterinary medicine ,General Veterinary ,health ,horse ,behaviour ,welfare ,nutrition ,Family medicine ,lcsh:SF600-1100 ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Thematic analysis ,Psychology ,Welfare ,management - Abstract
Simple Summary Horses are used for a wide range of different purposes and may be vulnerable to a large number of different welfare issues, some of which are unique to equines, such as responses to being ridden or trained. Compared to farmed livestock, their welfare has received less attention, but concern for their welfare is increasing. Welfare issues can arise from the environments in which animals are kept, how they are treated by their human caregivers and their health. To determine which of the issues are most important and may need the greatest attention in terms of research effort or owner education, we used a process of eliciting expert opinion. Through a series of surveys and ranking of issues, we determined that, in the opinion of equine experts, the most important issues for horses were poor disease prevention, issues arising when old or sick horses are not promptly euthanized, lack of owner knowledge of welfare needs of horses, fear and stress involved in horse use, inability of owners to recognize pain behaviour, obesity and inadequate feeding practices. Prioritizing different welfare issues can help to focus attention on the most pressing or severe issues causing the greatest amount of suffering. Abstract Equine welfare issues are receiving increasing attention in the UK, but welfare problems can arise from a wide range of causes. In order to identify the most important welfare concerns for horses, we used a Delphi method with 19 equine welfare experts. An initial list of 84 equine welfare issues was generated using an online discussion board and NVivo thematic analysis. Subsequently, experts ranked these welfare issues for perceived prevalence, severity and duration of suffering associated with each issue on a 6-point Likert scale. All issues with a mean score of 3 or above (n = 37) were included in subsequent rounds. Finally, a subset of experts attended a two-day workshop to determine the final priority list of welfare issues. The welfare issues perceived to be most prevalent were lack of biosecurity, delayed euthanasia, lack of owner knowledge of equine welfare needs, fear and stress from use, and obesity. The issues considered to cause greatest suffering for individual horses were delayed euthanasia, lack of recognition by owners of pain behaviour, large worm burdens, obesity and being fed unsuitable diets for equine feeding behaviour. These outcomes can help to focus research and education interventions on the most pressing welfare issues for horses.
- Published
- 2020
19. Trans-Disciplinary Responses to Climate Change: Lessons from Rice-Based Systems in Asia
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Ajay Kohli, Jon Hellin, Virender Kumar, Bjoern Ole Sander, Katherine M. Nelson, Eleanor Fisher, Martin Gummert, Sudhir Yadav, Timothy J. Krupnik, T. D. Setiyono, Ranjitha Puskur, Joshua N. Cobb, Melanie Connor, Jean Balié, and Pauline Chivenge
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Sustainable development ,Atmospheric Science ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,business.industry ,trans-disciplinary networks ,Food prices ,Climate change ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,01 natural sciences ,Trans disciplinary ,Extreme weather ,climate change ,south and southeast asia ,Work (electrical) ,Agriculture ,Political science ,Development economics ,040103 agronomy & agriculture ,rice-based systems ,0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries ,Food systems ,lcsh:Q ,lcsh:Science ,business ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences - Abstract
Climate change will continue to have a largely detrimental impact on the agricultural sector worldwide because of predicted rising temperatures, variable rainfall, and an increase in extreme weather events. Reduced crop yields will lead to higher food prices and increased hardship for low income populations, especially in urban areas. Action on climate change is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13) and is linked to the Paris Climate Agreement. The research challenge posed by climate change is so complex that a trans-disciplinary response is required, one that brings together researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers in networks where the lines between “research” and “development” become deliberately blurred. Fostering such networks will require researchers, throughout the world, not only to work across disciplines but also to pursue new South−North and South−South partnerships incorporating policy-makers and practitioners. We use our diverse research experiences to describe the emergence of such networks, such as the Direct Seeded Rice Consortium (DSRC) in South and Southeast Asia, and to identify lessons on how to facilitate and strengthen the development of trans-disciplinary responses to climate change.
- Published
- 2020
20. The Short Attachment to Pets Scale (SAPS) for Children and Young People: Development, Psychometric Qualities and Demographic and Health Associations
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Joanne Williams, Melanie Connor, Candace Currie, Alistair Lawrence, Ferran Marsa-Sambola, Janine Muldoon, University of St Andrews. School of Medicine, University of St Andrews. Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit, and University of St Andrews. WHO Collaborating Centre for International Child & Adolescent Health Policy
- Subjects
Early childhood education ,Social psychology (sociology) ,Health (social science) ,Sociology and Political Science ,Social Psychology ,RJ101 ,NDAS ,Ethnic group ,Attachment ,Context (language use) ,measure ,Health(social science) ,Developmental psychology ,H Social Sciences ,Quality of life (healthcare) ,RJ101 Child Health. Child health services ,Cronbach's alpha ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology ,Children ,05 social sciences ,Pets ,Mental health ,animals ,Health ,Scale (social sciences) ,Young people ,Psychology ,mental health ,050104 developmental & child psychology ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
The findings presented belong to "An investigation of 13–17 year olds’ attitudes and behaviour to animals and development and testing of interventions to promote the concept of Duty of Care" (SMDO-ZGLD15) which was funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This study describes the development of the SAPS and investigates its reliability and validity within the context of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Survey (HBSC) which gathered data on representative samples of school pupils aged 11, 13 and 15 in Scotland and England. In the development of SAPS, following a comprehensive review of the literature, two small-scale empirical studies were carried out (one qualitative and one quantitative). Regarding the validation process, the reliability and validity of the SAPS was assessed in a sub-sample (n = 7159) of pupils who completed the HBSC survey and were identified as owning pets. Factor analysis resulted in a one-factor solution (explaining 67.78 % of the variance); Cronbach’s alpha for the scale was 0.894. The item-total correlation ranged from 0.368 to 0.784. A linear model showed that attachment to pets was associated with age (being 11 or 13 years old), being a girl, white ethnicity, and considering a pet as one’s own. SAPS scores were also positively associated with quality of life. The total variance in SAPS explained by these variables was 15.7 %. Effect sizes of associations were medium (age, considering a pet as one’s own) and small (ethnicity, age, gender, quality of life). The study concludes that SAPS is a coherent and psychometrically sound measure. It is associated with a range of demographic variables and quality of life, which confirms its utility as a new succinct measure of children’s and young people’s attachment to pets for use in health and social science research. Postprint
- Published
- 2015
21. The stability of risk and benefit perceptions: a longitudinal study assessing the perception of biotechnology
- Author
-
Melanie Connor and Michael Siegrist
- Subjects
021110 strategic, defence & security studies ,Longitudinal study ,Actuarial science ,genetic structures ,Strategy and Management ,media_common.quotation_subject ,05 social sciences ,0211 other engineering and technologies ,General Engineering ,Stability (learning theory) ,General Social Sciences ,Sample (statistics) ,02 engineering and technology ,050905 science studies ,Structural equation modeling ,Risk perception ,Policy decision ,Perception ,Gene technology ,0509 other social sciences ,Marketing ,Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality ,Psychology ,media_common - Abstract
The study of public perceptions is considered to be important for making sound policy decisions, since the public decides which products will enter and sustain in the market. Stability of public perceptions is important for policy-makers; only if public attitudes and perceptions remain constant, policy-makers will be able to take them into account. The aim of the present study was to examine the stability of participants’ risk and benefit perceptions of gene technology over a period of two years. In spring, 2008 and in spring, 2010, the same sample of participants filled out an identical questionnaire. Results of structural equation modelling show that risk and benefit perceptions of gene technology applications are moderately stable (r = .5–.7). Furthermore, results show that people distinguish between medical, plant and food applications and applications involving animals when evaluating the risk of gene technology. When evaluating the benefits, participants also take consumer-related benefits into acco...
- Published
- 2015
22. Development and Analysis of a Card-Sorting Task Using Biotechnology Applications
- Author
-
Melanie Connor
- Subjects
Card sorting ,business.industry ,Computer science ,business ,Task (project management) ,Biotechnology - Published
- 2017
23. Educating the Patient for Health Care Communication in the Age of the World Wide Web
- Author
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Melanie Connor, Robyn Woodward-Kron, Peter J. Schulz, and Kristine Elliott
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Attitude of Health Personnel ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Information Seeking Behavior ,education ,Literacy ,Education ,Patient Education as Topic ,Nursing ,Information seeking behavior ,Health care ,Humans ,Medicine ,Qualitative Research ,Scientific disciplines ,Aged ,media_common ,Internet ,Physician-Patient Relations ,Consumer Health Information ,business.industry ,Communication ,Australia ,Conceptual model (computer science) ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,Female ,The Internet ,business ,Switzerland ,Qualitative research - Abstract
Communication skills teaching in medical education has yet to acknowledge the impact of the Internet on physician-patient communication. The authors present a conceptual model showing the variables influencing how and to what extent physicians and patients discuss Internet-sourced health information as part of the consultation with the purpose of educating the patient.A study exploring the role physicians play in patient education mediated through health information available on the Internet provided the foundation for the conceptual model. Twenty-one physicians participated in semistructured interviews between 2011 and 2013. Participants were from Australia and Switzerland, whose citizens demonstrate different degrees of Internet usage and who differ culturally and ethnically. The authors analyzed the interviews thematically and iteratively. The themes as well as their interrelationships informed the components of the conceptual model.The intrinsic elements of the conceptual model are the physician, the patient, and Internet based health information. The extrinsic variables of setting, time, and communication activities as well as the quality, availability, and usability of the Internet-based health information influenced the degree to which physicians engaged with, and were engaged by, their patients about Internet-based health information.The empirically informed model provides a means of understanding the environment, enablers, and constraints of discussing Internet-based health information, as well as the benefits for patients' understanding of their health. It also provides medical educators with a conceptual tool to engage and support physicians in their activities of communicating health information to patients.
- Published
- 2014
24. Public risk perception in the total meat supply chain
- Author
-
Michael Siegrist, Melanie Connor, Marie-Eve Cousin, and Alexandra Zingg
- Subjects
genetic structures ,business.industry ,Strategy and Management ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Supply chain ,General Engineering ,General Social Sciences ,Regression analysis ,Food safety ,behavioral disciplines and activities ,Risk perception ,Perception ,Environmental health ,Production (economics) ,sense organs ,Marketing ,Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality ,business ,psychological phenomena and processes ,media_common - Abstract
Due to past major food scares, food-safety perceptions have become a widely investigated topic. The aim of the present study was to examine food-safety perceptions separately for every step of the total meat supply chain, as such a detailed approach yields more promising strategies to ensure food safety in the future. Using a large-scale survey, we examined people’s risk perceptions of 18 steps describing the total meat supply chain. The results revealed a clear distinction between risk perception at the production stage and risk perception at home in the total meat supply chain, in that people perceived significantly less risk at home. However, people’s risk perceptions of the single stages in the total meat supply chain were overall slightly above average. Additionally, there were individual differences, as risk perception at the production stage was highly correlated with risk perception at home, meaning that some people perceived more risk than others overall. Using a multiple regression analysis, we ...
- Published
- 2013
25. Functional health literacy in Switzerland—Validation of a German, Italian, and French health literacy test
- Author
-
Sarah Mantwill, Peter J. Schulz, and Melanie Connor
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Gerontology ,Chronic condition ,Adolescent ,Psychometrics ,Higher education ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Health literacy ,Literacy ,Interviews as Topic ,German ,Young Adult ,Germany ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Pedagogy ,Humans ,Medicine ,Aged ,Language ,media_common ,Cultural Characteristics ,business.industry ,Age Factors ,Reproducibility of Results ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,Translating ,language.human_language ,Health Literacy ,Test (assessment) ,Comprehension ,Italy ,Socioeconomic Factors ,language ,Educational Status ,Female ,France ,business ,Switzerland - Abstract
Objective This study aimed to translate and validate German, Italian, and French versions of the Short-Test of Functional Health Literacy (S-TOFHLA), to be used in Switzerland and its neighboring countries. Methods The original English version of the S-TOFHLA was translated by applying standardized translation methods and cultural adaptations. 659 interviews were conducted with Swiss residents in their preferred language (249 German, 273 Italian, and 137 French). To assess the validity of the measures, known predictors for health literacy (age, education, and presence of a chronic condition) were tested. Results For all three language versions, results show that younger participants, participants with a higher education and participants with chronic medical conditions had significantly higher levels of health literacy. Furthermore, the three health literacy scales categorized participants into three health literacy levels with most people possessing either inadequate or adequate levels. The highest levels of health literacy were found in the Swiss-German sample (93%), followed by the Swiss-French (83%) and Swiss-Italian (67%) samples. Conclusion The German, Italian, and French versions of the S-TOFHLA provide valid measures of functional health literacy. Practice implications The translated versions can be used in the three different language regions of Switzerland as well as in neighboring countries following ‘country specific' adjustments and validations.
- Published
- 2013
26. Trust, Confidence, Procedural Fairness, Outcome Fairness, Moral Conviction, and the Acceptance of GM Field Experiments
- Author
-
Melanie Connor, Carmen Keller, and Michael Siegrist
- Subjects
Value (ethics) ,Actuarial science ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Regression analysis ,Outcome (game theory) ,Physiology (medical) ,Honesty ,Similarity (psychology) ,Conviction ,Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality ,business ,Psychology ,Social psychology ,Competence (human resources) ,health care economics and organizations ,Risk management ,media_common - Abstract
In 2005, Swiss citizens endorsed a moratorium on gene technology, resulting in the prohibition of the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops and the growth of genetically modified animals until 2013. However, scientific research was not affected by this moratorium, and in 2008, GMO field experiments were conducted that allowed us to examine the factors that influence their acceptance by the public. In this study, trust and confidence items were analyzed using principal component analysis. The analysis revealed the following three factors: "economy/health and environment" (value similarity based trust), "trust and honesty of industry and scientists" (value similarity based trust), and "competence" (confidence). The results of a regression analysis showed that all the three factors significantly influenced the acceptance of GM field experiments. Furthermore, risk communication scholars have suggested that fairness also plays an important role in the acceptance of environmental hazards. We, therefore, included measures for outcome fairness and procedural fairness in our model. However, the impact of fairness may be moderated by moral conviction. That is, fairness may be significant for people for whom GMO is not an important issue, but not for people for whom GMO is an important issue. The regression analysis showed that, in addition to the trust and confidence factors, moral conviction, outcome fairness, and procedural fairness were significant predictors. The results suggest that the influence of procedural fairness is even stronger for persons having high moral convictions compared with persons having low moral convictions.
- Published
- 2011
27. The Power of Association: Its Impact on Willingness to Buy GM Food
- Author
-
Michael Siegrist and Melanie Connor
- Subjects
Power (social and political) ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,Ecological Modeling ,Perception ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Advertising ,Willingness to accept ,Association (psychology) ,Affect (psychology) ,Psychology ,Pollution ,Social psychology ,media_common - Abstract
Affect, associations, and images associated with food technologies may be important factors influencing consumers’ perception of and willingness to accept new food technologies. The aim of the present study was to investigate free associations evoked by the term “biotechnology” and how they influence behavior. Therefore, participants (N = 632) were asked to name three associations they had in mind when confronted with the term “biotechnology.” After that, respondents indicated how positive or how negative these associations were. Additionally, an equivalent gain task was used to measure participants’ behavioral intentions related to genetically modified (GM) chocolate. Results of a log-linear analysis and a correspondence analysis suggest that attitudes toward biotechnology result in a wide range of associations. Participants having negative attitudes mentioned images related to the environment and industry more often compared with participants having positive attitudes. Results of the equivalent...
- Published
- 2011
28. Impact of transgenic oilseed rape expressing oryzacystatin-1 (OC-1) and of insecticidal proteins on longevity and digestive enzymes of the solitary bee Osmia bicornis
- Author
-
Roger Konrad, Natalie Ferry, Dirk Babendreier, Melanie Connor, and Angharad M. R. Gatehouse
- Subjects
Physiology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Trypsin inhibitor ,Longevity ,Genetically modified crops ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Hemolysin Proteins ,Bacterial Proteins ,Bacillus thuringiensis ,medicine ,Animals ,media_common ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Analysis of Variance ,Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins ,Kunitz STI protease inhibitor ,Toxin ,Brassica rapa ,fungi ,Proteolytic enzymes ,Bees ,Plants, Genetically Modified ,biology.organism_classification ,Cystatins ,Endotoxins ,Mannose-Binding Lectins ,Enzyme ,Biochemistry ,chemistry ,Insect Science ,Biological Assay ,Plant Lectins ,Trypsin Inhibitor, Kunitz Soybean ,Digestive System - Abstract
The risk that insect-resistant transgenic plants may pose for solitary bees was assessed by determining longevity of adult Osmia bicornis (O. rufa) chronically exposed to transgenic oilseed rape expressing oryzacystatin-1 (OC-1) or to the purified insecticidal proteins recombinant rOC-1, Kunitz soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), or Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ab dissolved in sugar solution (at 0.01 and 0.1%, w:v, Cry1Ab only at 0.01%). Compared to control bees, longevity was significantly reduced by SBTI and GNA at both concentrations and by rOC-1 at 0.1%, but not by Cry1Ab or rOC-1 at 0.01%. Longevity on the OC-1 oilseed rape was not significantly different from the control plants. The effects of SBTI and rOC-1 on longevity were investigated through characterization of the digestive proteinases of O. bicornis and analysis of the response in proteinase profiles to ingestion of these proteinase inhibitors. A relatively complex profile of at least four types of soluble proteolytic enzymes was identified. Serine proteinases were found to be predominant, with metallo and especially cysteine proteinases making a smaller albeit significant contribution. The compensatory response to in vivo enzyme inhibition was similar for SBTI and rOC-1 although less pronounced for rOC-1. It consisted of a non-specific overproduction of native proteinases, both sensitive and insensitive, and the induction of a novel aspartic proteinase.
- Published
- 2009
29. Understanding Adolescents’ Categorisation of Animal Species
- Author
-
Melanie Connor and Alistair Lawrence
- Subjects
media_common.quotation_subject ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Animal-assisted therapy ,050109 social psychology ,perception ,Affect (psychology) ,Article ,animal welfare ,Developmental psychology ,Animal welfare ,Perception ,lcsh:Zoology ,Journal Article ,medicine ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,lcsh:QL1-991 ,categorization ,animals ,card sorting ,adolescents ,Multidimensional scaling ,media_common ,lcsh:Veterinary medicine ,General Veterinary ,Cognitive map ,05 social sciences ,050301 education ,Categorization ,lcsh:SF600-1100 ,HUBzero ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Psychology ,0503 education - Abstract
Simple Summary When people try to make sense of the world they often use categorisations, which are seen as a basic function of human cognition. People use specific attributes to categorise animals with young children using mostly visual cues like number of legs, whereas adults use more comprehensive attributes such as the habitat that the animal lives in. The aim of the present study was to investigate how adolescents categorise different types of animals. A card sorting exercise in combination with a survey questionnaire was implemented. Adolescents were asked to group images of a variety of common British farm, pet, and wild animals that were printed on cards. Furthermore, adolescents were asked to rate a number of animals regarding their utility, likability, and fear, which served as affective responses. Results show that adolescents primarily use an animal’s perceived utility as a means for their categorisation along with their affective feelings towards those animals. In other words, adolescents group animals into farm, pet, and wild animals with one exception, birds. Birds, regardless of their role in society (pet, farm, or wild animal), were mostly grouped together. The results are important to understand adolescents’ perception of animals, which may explain the different attitudes and behaviours towards animals. Abstract Categorisations are a means of investigating cognitive maps. The present study, for the first time, investigates adolescents’ spontaneous categorisation of 34 animal species. Furthermore, explicit evaluations of 16 selected animals in terms of their perceived utility and likeability were analysed. 105 British adolescents, 54% female, mean age 14.5 (SD = 1.6) participated in the study. Results of multidimensional scaling (MDS) techniques indicate 3-dimensional data representation regardless of gender or age. Property fittings show that affect and perceived utility of animals explain two of the MDS dimensions, and hence partly explain adolescents’ categorisation. Additionally, hierarchical cluster analyses show a differentiation between farm animals, birds, pet animals, and wild animals possibly explaining MDS dimension 3. The results suggest that utility perceptions predominantly underlie adolescents’ categorisations and become even more dominant in older adolescents, which potentially has an influence on attitudes to animals with implications for animal welfare, conservation, and education.
- Published
- 2017
30. Verbalised Images – An Investigation of Associations and Attitudes
- Author
-
Melanie Connor
- Published
- 2014
31. Sorting biotechnology applications: Results of multidimensional scaling (MDS) and cluster analysis
- Author
-
Melanie Connor and Michael Siegrist
- Subjects
Theoretical computer science ,Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous) ,Communication ,Developmental and Educational Psychology ,Sorting ,Mental representation ,Data mining ,Multidimensional scaling ,Construct (philosophy) ,Psychology ,computer.software_genre ,Disease cluster ,computer - Abstract
When people respond to questionnaires, they may construct preferences using various sources of information available, even questions within the questionnaire. An experimental approach with a representative sample of the Swiss population was applied to investigate how stable attitudes towards biotechnology are and which criteria people use spontaneously to evaluate and categorise biotechnology applications providing as little information as possible. A free card-sorting task using risk as a criterion versus not imposing a criterion was applied. Data were analysed using multidimensional scaling (MDS) and were represented in a cognitive map. Results of our experimental manipulation suggest that people’s preferences for biotechnology applications are relatively stable. Different sorting instructions did not result in different cognitive maps. Results suggest, therefore, that participants’ evaluations are not strongly influenced by criteria used in a questionnaire. The descriptions of the applications seem to be more crucial.
- Published
- 2013
32. Trust, confidence, procedural fairness, outcome fairness, moral conviction, and the acceptance of GM field experiments
- Author
-
Michael, Siegrist, Melanie, Connor, and Carmen, Keller
- Subjects
Adult ,Crops, Agricultural ,Male ,Principal Component Analysis ,Risk Management ,Communication ,Food, Genetically Modified ,Middle Aged ,Trust ,Leadership ,Attitude ,Social Justice ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Humans ,Regression Analysis ,Female ,Switzerland ,Aged ,Biotechnology - Abstract
In 2005, Swiss citizens endorsed a moratorium on gene technology, resulting in the prohibition of the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops and the growth of genetically modified animals until 2013. However, scientific research was not affected by this moratorium, and in 2008, GMO field experiments were conducted that allowed us to examine the factors that influence their acceptance by the public. In this study, trust and confidence items were analyzed using principal component analysis. The analysis revealed the following three factors: "economy/health and environment" (value similarity based trust), "trust and honesty of industry and scientists" (value similarity based trust), and "competence" (confidence). The results of a regression analysis showed that all the three factors significantly influenced the acceptance of GM field experiments. Furthermore, risk communication scholars have suggested that fairness also plays an important role in the acceptance of environmental hazards. We, therefore, included measures for outcome fairness and procedural fairness in our model. However, the impact of fairness may be moderated by moral conviction. That is, fairness may be significant for people for whom GMO is not an important issue, but not for people for whom GMO is an important issue. The regression analysis showed that, in addition to the trust and confidence factors, moral conviction, outcome fairness, and procedural fairness were significant predictors. The results suggest that the influence of procedural fairness is even stronger for persons having high moral convictions compared with persons having low moral convictions.
- Published
- 2011
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