James F. Evans Collection, Leaders in agricultural research institutions in many developing countries want to publish English-language annual reports. They have few editorial and financial resources. Few have (1) analyzed their reasons for reporting, (2) set priorities among audiences, or (3) considered a design that would serve the audience(s). This paper proposes three main audiences for such reports: heads of agencies that use agricultural research findings, agricultural scientists, and some persons interested in agricultural science (but not scientists). An audience-friendly approach is suggested for the design and preparation of annual reports that can be more useful than those written in the usual scientific-report form. (original)
14 pgs., There is an overwhelming scientific consensus that global climate is changing with associated devastating, yet differential impacts on different world regions. This, therefore, calls for efforts to improve our understanding of the phenomenon as a way of enhancing mitigation and adaptation measures.Although a lot has been done in this respect, the present study examines the extent to which misnomers associated with the calendar months and local climate events can be employed to convey the phenomenon of climate change to rural agriculturists in the Bolgatanga municipality. The study establishes that the names of the calendar months, which serve asgoalposts for local agricultural practices no longer portray their true meaning due to climate change. The study, therefore, recommends the use of nuanced ways of communicating climate change to local agriculturists,using scientific research, lived experiences as well as socially and culturally embedded tools such as misnomers associated with local climate events.
Cai, Jianfeng (author), O'Keefe, Garrett (author), and Cai: Information Institute, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences; O'Keefe: Agricultural Journalism, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1993
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 96 Document Number: C07568
search through journal, A study on information dissemination by journal publishing at agricultural research institutes in China focused on the following research areas: goals of publications programs, editing and publishing processes, dissemination, feedback gathering, evaluation, and corrective actions. Data were collected by surveying 75 agricultural journals published from 29 agricultural academies or provinces, municipalities or autonomous regions, and 28 research institute under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). Findings were that agricultural research institutes produced these journals mainly for disseminating their research information to other researchers, extensionists and educators. It was found that these journals published articles mostly from unsolicited manuscripts with the emphasis on the academic merit and that little interaction existed between editors and authors during the manuscript processing. Older typesetting and printing technologies seriously delayed publication and most journals were subscribed to and distributed through post offices. Promotion and marketing have not been given due attention. Journal offices at times obtained feedback from readers and evaluated the utility of publication and that the impact of publication programs was mainly evaluated on social benefits. Feedback and evaluation findings were sometimes used to improve future publications but not for the institute program planning. Recommendations are made to improve communication functions of journals programs at agricultural research institutes in China. (author).
