Zeng, Douglas Zhihua (author / World Bank) and Wang, Shuilin (author)
Format:
Research report
Publication Date:
2007
Published:
China: The World Bank
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 124 Document Number: D11231
Notes:
World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 4223. 36 pages., Analysis of some strengths, weakenesses, opportunities and challenges of China's knowledge economy in the areas of economic incentives and institutional regimes, human capital, innovation systems, and information infrastructures.
Shulman, Seth (author), Abend, Kate (author), and Meyer, Alden (author)
Format:
Research report
Publication Date:
2007
Published:
USA: Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge, MA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 136 Document Number: D11419
Notes:
68 pages., Introductory information and executive summary printed from the organization website. Full text available., The report described ExxonMobile as having "underwritten the most sophisticated and most successful disinformation campaign since the tobacco industry misled the public about the scientific evidence linking smoking to lung cancer and heart disease." Documentation described the company as having drawn upon four of the same tactics: manufactured uncertainty, information laundering, promoted scientific spokespeople, and attempt to shift the focus away from meaningful action.
11 pages., via online journal, A survey was conducted in six cities in the western United States whose electric utilities practice directional pruning for line clearance. Recipients’ knowledge of and attitudes about tree care practices and issues, utility pruning, directional pruning for line clearance, and effects of a simple brochure about utility pruning were determined. Respondents cared a great deal about landscape trees but had not thought much about utility pruning. They felt that utility pruners care most about keeping lines clear but care less about the trees, that companies are poor at explaining pruning to the public, and slightly disagree that large trees should be removed and replaced with small trees under lines. Those who had thought a lot about utility pruning were less trusting of those who do the pruning. The brochure increased trust of utility pruning personnel and the perception that they care about trees and greatly increased agreement that those personnel are highly trained professionals. Preference for topping over directional pruning was reduced by receiving a brochure, although topping still was preferred. Most supported line burial and were willing to pay higher rates for burial. Several recommendations are suggested for utilities and researchers, including the need for utilities placing an increased emphasis on communication with the public regarding these matters.
13 pages., Online from publisher., Using a review of literature, authors identified most important factors hindering the rise of public concern about the environment. Categories they identified included obtainment of information on environmental problems and appraisal processes related to environmental problems.
10 pages., Via online., Analysis of discourse revealed nostalgia for formerly vibrant commercial districts and the importance of economic vitality and social life. Researcher observed that in the current economic structure and social milieu if residents' economies are to be revitalized they will need to become more thoughtful and creative agents of change within their villages.
6 pages., Via online., Author outlined six engagement principles that facilitate community-building efforts in organizations and identified future directions for both application and investigation of those principles.
11 pages., Online from journal by open access., Researchers surveyed residents of the wildland-urban interface to determine the effects of contextual factors such as location of the forest, its primary use, wildfire history, and current fire conditions on acceptability of prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, and doing nothing.
Taylor, Jonathan G. (author), Gillette, Shana C. (author), Hodgson, Ronald W. (author), Downing, Judith L. (author), Burns, Michele R. (author), Chavez, Deborah J. (author), and Hogan, John T. (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2007
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 146 Document Number: D11574
14 pages., Online from publisher via open access., Researchers studied fire communications during different stages of two wildfires in southern California. Findings revealed that pre-fire communication planning was particularly effective for smaller fire events and parts of that planning proved invaluable for the large fire event as well. Findings also identified information needs of residents.
17 pages., Online via UI e-subscription, Researchers used content analysis to determine the relationship between the use of celebrities and the types of products endorsed in one popular U.S. magazine and two popular Thailand magazines. Results indicated that a significant relationship existed among celebrity endorsers and product types. Product categories involving food, diet, and weight loss were among those in which celebrity endorsers were used most.
Authors emphasize how factors that influence media coverage of climate science intertwine and diverge in the United States and United Kingdom. Journalism and public concerns have shaped decisions in climate science and policy , just as climate science and policy have shaped media reporting and public understanding.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 201 Document Number: D11827
Notes:
Printed pages in ACDC file include only the cover, abstract, citation details, and discussion section., Thesis in partial fulfillment of a Master's thesis, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas., The purpose of this study was to determine Texas Public Relations Association(TPRA) members' perception of the word agriculture and how that perception influences perceptions of the skills and qualifications of graduates from agricultural communications and journalism (AGCJ) programs. A researcher-developed electronic questionnaire was used for data collection. Of accessible population of 148 TPRA members, 83 responded to the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 56.08%.This descriptive study found that TPRA members did not have a negative perception of agriculture or the AGCJ major, but there was a lack of awareness of the AGCJ major and respondents had low self-perceived agricultural knowledge. Writing, interpersonal skills, public relations, editing, and media relations were considered to be the five most important skills in the public relations profession; however, AGCJ graduates were perceived to be only somewhat competent in these skills. Respondents ranked AGCJ as seventh of eight majors according to how well prepared graduates were perceived to be for entry-level public relations positions. Results indicated a positive correlation between awareness of the AGCJ major and perception of the major; therefore, the lack of awareness influenced the less positive perception of the major.
Online via UI Library electronic subscription, To close the gap between ecologists and policy makers, the author proposed a program of embedding ecologists into the political syst4em in much the same way the U.S. military embeds journalists into combat units. Emphasized the importance of developing personal relationships.
Online via UI Library electronic subscription to the journal., Examines the electronic availability of agronomy journals at eight Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions with doctoral programs in agronomy. Findings "emphasized the importance of not relying solely on electronically available research materials." Much of the older relevant literature was not available electronically.
Escalada, M.M. (author / Visayas State University, Philippines)
Format:
Teaching material
Publication Date:
2007
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 202 Document Number: D12090
Notes:
Handout 2 for Development Communication 132 course perhaps at Visayas State University, Philippines, where Monina Escalada taught in the Development Communication Department. 8 pages., How-to resource for pretesting and evaluating communication materials.
34 pages, A growing body of research lends support to opportunity theory and its variants, but has yet to focus systematically on a number of specific offenses and contexts. Typically, the more crimes and contexts to which a theory applies, the broader its scope and range, respectively, and thus generalizability. In this paper, we focus on agricultural crime victimization— including theft of farm equipment, crops, livestock, and chemicals—an offense that opportunity theory appears well-situated to explain. Specifically, we examine whether key dimensions of the theory are empirically associated with the likelihood of victimization and also examine factors associated with farmers’ use of guardianship measures. In contrast to much previous research, we combine multiple individual-level measures of these dimensions. We conclude that the theory partially accounts for variation in agricultural crime victimization, depending on the type of crime, and that greater work is needed investigating how key dimensions of opportunity theory should be conceptualized and operationalized in rural contexts. The study’s implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Retrieved January 9, 2007, Via Boston.com, Commentator criticizes television weather reporters for failing to help viewers address the complications and implications of global warming.
"When researchers played recordings of dog 'laughter' (a breathy exhalation made by pooches), barking and pacing canines at an animal shelter calmed down instantly. 'The dogs seemed to be happy, not stressed,' says animal behaviorist Patricia Simonet. To hear the sound, go to www.laughing-dog.org."
