1,720,975 research outputs found
Engaging Millennial in Social Issues Through Celebrity Twitter Advocacy
No full textTwitter plays an increasingly large role as an information source for millennials. Previous studies show the importance of social media advocacy programs in nonprofit organizations, as well as the influence celebrities have on political opinion. However, little research has been conducted on how celebrities advocate for social change through their Twitter accounts. In this study, researchers examined the communication characteristics of celebrities on Twitter, by employing a qualitative approach to content analysis. Researchers analyzed and coded Demi Lovato and Lady Gaga’s advocacy tweets to provide a deeper understanding of theses celebrities’ communication strategies and practice when it comes to advocacy work. Five themes of how celebrities post about social issues on Twitter emerged–education, personal narrative, policy, pop culture, and support. Policy and pop culture were among the most common themes observed. However, millennial Twitter users are more engaged with tweets that reference personal narrative and pop culture. This study confirms the relevancy and importance of Twitter in celebrity advocacy campaigns and offers strategic approaches to engaging millennial audiences
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Decision to Teach: A Q Sort with Texas A&M University Agricultural Science Students
Full text linkThe decision to teach agricultural science at the secondary level, specifically the influence of the student teaching experience on that decision, has been studied numerous times through a quantitative lens. Influential factors in that decision have been identified including: teacher efficacy, influence of the cooperating teacher, perceptions of barriers and support for preservice teachers, predicting student teachers’ intention to teach, student teachers’ changes in intention to teach, and even factors affecting agricultural students’ decision to teach. However, the quantitative approach does not allow researchers to see the holistic view containing subjectivity of individuals’ decisions. Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior was the framework for this study.
Q Methodology was used to identify the viewpoints of the decision to teach among Texas A&M University Agricultural Science pre-service teachers. Three viewpoints, “Mindful, Methodical Mentors,” “Purposeful, Practical Planners,” and “Collaborative, Cultural Cultivators” emerged as a result of factor analysis and were characterized. Qualitative data was used from the exit interviews following the Q sorts to determine that 12 of the 20 participants made the decision to teach agricultural science while they were in high school.
Recommendations include replications of this study at multiple universities and utilizing Q Methodology as a reflection activity for pre-service teachers following their student teaching experience
A Social Semiotic Discourse Analysis of Cinematic Portrayals of Science: Implications for Public Learning and Understanding
Full text linkEntertainment media play a significant role in the dissemination of science to the public. The persuasive ability of media texts, primarily film and televisions productions, can influence the public’s understanding and retention of scientific information. Individuals who lack scientific literacy are defenseless to such influence because they often struggle to distinguish fact from fiction. Therefore, it is critical for science communication scholars to investigate the portrayal of science in cinema in an effort to better understand and prepare for interaction with diverse audiences. The study is one of the first of its kind to use a social semiotic discourse analysis, containing both qualitative and quantitative components, to examine the representation of science and scientists within fictional films. Using the Internet Movie Database, I identified 39 culturally significant films and television programs released between 1980 and 2019 that included science as an integral component to the production’s plot or setting. I eliminated television programs, documentaries, and biographies from the eligible sample to focus my analysis on fictional films. Using a stratified random sample, I identified 16 culturally significant films—four released each decade beginning with 1980—to include in my final sample for analysis. Findings from a denotative analysis revealed nine themes: unusual behavior, egotistical scientist, unethical decision-making, public distrust, genetic modification danger, government involvement, working conditions, innovation, and comradery. Eight of the nine themes included sub-themes, supported by a variety of icons, indices, and symbols representing verbal and visual depictions of science and scientists. A quantitative analysis of signs within each theme revealed scientists are most represented as antisocial, egotistical, and unhealthily obsessed with their work. In addition, scientists are often shown making unethical decisions in their research and working with futuristic inventions and developments that they maintain through genius-level thinking. Findings indicate that science fiction film viewers are likely to interpret science and scientists as unsociable, unapproachable, and untrustworthy. Viewers might also harbor unrealistic expectations of scientists relating to their progression of scientific inquiries. Cinematic depictions of science have done a disservice to the American public by representing science and scientists poorly within science fiction films in all genres. To challenge these negative depictions and negate pre-existing beliefs, scientists should find relational elements to connect with their audience, approach discussing scientific awards or achievements carefully, and articulate the values and ethics they maintain when conducting research
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Millenial Production Agriculturalists' Preferred Sources of Information Consumption: A Q-Sort
Full text linkThe number of millennials working in production agriculture is increasing as family operations transition generational leadership from the baby boomers to millennials. Millennials have different values and preferences than those of the baby boomers. Because production agriculture information sources, like cooperative extension, want to reach as many producers as possible, they must pay attention and adapt to the preferences of information consumption habits of millennials. Q-methodology was used to look at preferred sources and methods of information consumption about production agriculture for millennials. After using a varimax factor rotation and centroid factor analysis, 3 factors were extracted. The factors or viewpoints extracted and analyzed were named based on their information source preferences. Conventional confidants prefer speaking with cooperative extension and other risk management organizations. Relationship reliers appreciate relationships made when receiving information by phone or text. Social savants prefer to turn to social media for new information to see how it is currently working for others. While a large majority of participants fell into the first viewpoint of being a conventional confidant, those who wish to connect to millennial production agriculturalists must diversify the ways they disseminate information
Exploring Online Communication Strategies to Propagate Meat Consumption Ideologies
Full text linkAnimals are raised for human consumption. This practice has become an increasingly divisive issue in America. On one side of this issue are those who believe that eating animals and using their byproducts is natural, normal, necessary, and nice; on the other are those believe consumption of animals is unnecessary and morally wrong. The purpose of this study was to explore how pro- and anti-meat consumption organizations communicate, reinforce, and advance their ideology online to actively shape public opinion. Online textual and visual strategies were examined, building on the foundational tenets of ELM, social identity theory, anti-consumption/reasons against, and inoculation theory. The homepages of three anti-meat organizations and three pro-meat organization websites were examined using a multi-phase content analysis that included critical discourse analysis, persuasive narratives, and semiotics strategies. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected.
Input and output of animal production is contrasted on the pro- and anti-meat websites. Animal Rights Vegan Activists (ARVA) organizations portray animals as having souls, and are portrayed as equals to humans. Compassionate people are portrayed as those who expose the cruelty of using animals as a food source, and are vegan. Pursuit, rescue, and wretched excess plots are favored. Inoculations against lifestyle norms and values are favored. ARVA consistently portrays itself as an alternative societal lifestyle.
The meat organizations focus exclusively on food. Meat is quick, easy, affordable, and nutritious. Families want to eat it, and consumers feel good about serving it. Adventure, discovery, and maturation plots are favored. Inoculations against other meats, rather than against ARVA are present. Lifestyle norms and values, credibility, and information about meat appeared to be the inoculations favored. Rather than strengthening the universal brand of meat, the organizations actively subvert it through internal competition. Instead, pro-meat consumption organizations should promote their universal brand (i.e., meat) in a manner that not only resonates with the average consumer, but also encourages collective action by consumers in defense of the meat industry
Strategic Analytical Solving Hueristic for Supply and Force Flow Logistics
No full textHumanitarian catastrophes, such as hurricane landfalls, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, can be exacerbated by supply chain concerns that impede relief efforts. Using several small data structures to complete and analyze courses of action for large-scale supply chain problems is a novel method for solving logistical problems. In high-fidelity modeling, it is challenging to capture real-time adjustments to supply chain actions Prior research has addressed the deficiencies and simulation of logistical issues for real-world applications but has lacked the ability to fit within the operational context. In the realm of research, there has been little consideration of time constraints. In this paper, we dissect the novel method of coupling operational planning with a quick-turn physics-based model using a deterministic approach to manipulating variables. This provides the planning team and leadership with a more sophisticated analytical approach and a shorter delay in solution exploration based on planning factors. We approached this issue using an output file and scenario development based on a data structure developed by the logistical branches of the III Marine expeditionary forces cell. We discovered that, for the first time, a model could be used in real-time planning to provide leadership with an analytically supported decision-making process, whereas previously the approach was entirely qualitative and based on large assumptions or a 90-day optimization that only influenced research projects
Describing Coastal Prairie Place Attachments for Improved Conservation Messaging
Full text linkThe decision to conserve natural resources is largely based on individual beliefs and values. Therefore, the field of communications can assist conservationists in the development of meaningful messaging to better engage audiences in supporting conservation efforts. Recent studies have pointed to the emotional bond between person and place as an effective way to frame conservation messages. This basic qualitative study explored the use of messaging efforts meant to embody a tripartite framework of place attachment. A total of 31 individuals were segmented into two audiences based on their perceived value toward the coastal prairie. Then, each individual participated in a semi-structured interview in which they were asked to describe their feelings of attachment toward the prairie.
The results from this study showed the audiences described attachment to the coastal prairie was multidimensional rather than a consistent pattern of physical, social, or experience based connections. However, the research identified unique themes of place attachment which can aid in the development of coastal prairie conservation messaging. Furthermore, degrees of attachment to the coastal prairie that varied between the audiences suggested that place attachment evolves through a process. Therefore, coastal prairie conservation organizations who wish to embody messages who invoke feelings of place attachment should do so through a multidimensional approach. These organizations should also consider how their targeted audience values the prairie, was well as their varying degree of attachment to the prairie
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