Best-bet channels for integrated soil fertility management communication and dissemination along the agricultural product value-chain: a comparison of northern Ghana and western Kenya

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to comparatively assess the most suitable channels for dissemination of agricultural innovations along the entire information value chain.

Design/Methodology/Approach: We calculated information scores to measure channel preference from a randomly selected sample of farmers: 285 in Tamale, Ghana and 300 in Kakamega, Kenya. Using t-tests we compared the information score differences of different channels between farmers who adopted Integrated Soil Fertility Management and those who did not.

Findings: The highest information scores were observed for radio along the entire value chain for both locations. However, farmers in Tamale prefered interpersonal channels for processing information. Radio and farmer field days had the highest rankings for production information at both locations. Radio, workshops and interpersonal channels (traders and neighbours/friends/relatives) were best-bet channels for marketing and procesing information.

Practical implication: Extension agents should place more emphasis on channels such as radio, farmer field days, and workshops as they may offer more efficient delivery of information packages at all levels, whilst recognizing the central role of interpersonal channels.

Theoretical implication: The nexus between the uses and gratification, adoption, diffusion of innovations theories and the collaborative communication theory on one hand, and the agricultural product value chain framework on the other, is highlighted. Farmers’ preference for information channels is not predicated on the stage of the value chain.

Originality/Value: In the current context of weak agricultural knowledge and innovation systems in African agriculture, agricultural producers are poorly informed about the current innovations. This study furnishes empirical evidence on the best-bet information channels to be used by extension workers and change agents to disseminate and communicate system innovations.     

作为现代白话文学源头之一的基督教东传

基督教东传是白话文学运动的重要源头,基于传教的现实需要,19世纪早期,传教士们将《圣经》译为中文,并创办报刊杂志,撰写传道小说。由此,白话文《圣经》的翻译与传播以及传道小说的撰写可以视为后来白话文学运动的先声。这一系列的话语实践对中国现代白话文学的诞生产生了很大影响。     

从报刊看我国公众对近现代物理知识的需求

在我国 ,大众媒体是公众获取科学技术信息的重要途径 ,看懂普通报刊上的科技报道和文章应当是对公众科学素养的基本要求。本研究对我国具有代表性的几种综合报刊文献进行了统计 ,将其中出现的近现代物理知识分为四类 ,并对其教育价值进行了分析。这些知识对提高公众的科学素养具有重要意义 ,建议在中学物理课程中适当补充这些方面的内容。     

Measuring the impact of a science center on its community

A range of sources support science learning, including the formal education system, libraries, museums, nature and Science Centers, aquariums and zoos, botanical gardens and arboretums, television programs, film and video, newspapers, radio, books and magazines, the Internet, community and health organizations, environmental organizations, and conversations with friends and family. This study examined the impact of one single part of this infrastructure, a Science Center. This study asked two questions. First, who in Los Angeles (L.A.) has visited the California Science Center and what factors best describe those who have and those who have not visited? Second, does visiting the California Science Center impact public science understanding, attitudes, and behaviors and if so, in what ways? Two random telephone surveys of L.A. county adults 18 years of age and over (n = 832; n = 1,008) were conducted; one in 2000, shortly after the opening of the totally redesigned and rebuilt Science Center and one in 2009, roughly a decade after opening. Samples were drawn from five racially, ethnically, and socio‐economically diverse communities generally representative of greater L.A. Results suggest that the Science Center is having an important impact on the science literacy of greater L.A. More than half of residents have visited the Science Center since it opened in 1998 and self‐report data indicate that those who have visited believe that the Science Center strongly influenced their science and technology understanding, attitudes, and behaviors. Importantly, Science Center visitors are broadly representative of the general population of greater L.A. including individuals from all races and ethnicities, ages, education, and income levels with some of the strongest beliefs of impact expressed by minority and low‐income individuals. The use of a conceptual “marker” substantiates these conclusions and suggests that the impact of the Science Center might even be greater than indicated by the mostly self‐report data reported here. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 48: 1–12, 2011     

Health Professionals' Attitudes and Educational Needs Regarding New Food Processing Technologies

ABSTRACT: This project evaluates the attitudes of food and health professionals to 3 new food processing technologies that have been developed to respond to consumer demands such as superior taste, longer shelf life, higher nutritional content, health benefits, and environment‐friendly processing. Educational brochures for high pressure (HP), pulsed electric field (PEF), and ohmic heating (OH) processes were developed based on the current literature and consumer information needs. An internet web survey was conducted to determine information needs of food and health professionals and to assess their satisfaction with the data provided in the educational brochures. Health professionals hold a positive attitude toward HP, OH, and PEF. No negative attitudes or discomfort were reported. More people indicated they were very comfortable with HP than any other technology, and as a consequence this technology received the highest scores of likeliness to be included in health professionals' recommendations.     

Young Cypriots on sex education: sources and adequacy of information received on sexuality issues

Introduction: In the absence of standardised sex education and because schools usually limit their teaching to the ‘health’ aspects of sexuality, young people in Cyprus rely on their peers and the media for information on sexuality. This study examines the sources and adequacy of the information received by young people from various sources on matters related to sexuality and sexual health.

Method: Twelve in‐depth interviews were conducted in Cyprus in 2005 with purposively chosen boys and girls aged 15–18 years using a semi‐structured discussion guide. The interviews focused on participants' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, safer sex, contraception and abortion. They also explored attitudes and beliefs concerning relationships, homosexuality and mutual consent.

Results: Information about sexual health is primarily received from school in classes that interviewees considered dull or irrelevant. Television, and to a lesser degree magazines, were the main sources of information on sexual relationships, the sexual act, homosexuality and abortion. Sexually transmitted infection knowledge was limited and often erroneous, while attitudes towards contraception use, abortion and homosexuality suggest that negative stereotypes are widespread.

Conclusions: Because the information young people receive on sexuality appears to be inadequate, there is an urgent need to implement comprehensive, evidence‐based sex education in the public schools. It should also address the nature and content of the sexual and reproductive health messages received from peers and the media.     

话语情景中简要表述的意义和结构分析

语言作为一种交流工具，用以表达思想、传递信息。简要的语言表述在特定的语言环境下，可以更好地抒情达意，渲染气氛，产生更强的艺术感染力。美国9．11事件发生后美国各报刊争相报道，人们在紧急时刻的用语及记们精辟的措辞使英语的简要表述发挥得淋漓尽致。确实英语简要表述的语用效果值得我们研究和探讨。     

英文报纸阅读的技巧和策略

《英语课程标准》对高中学生英文报刊阅读能力提出了具体要求，然而高中学生阅读英文报纸能力却普遍欠缺，即不能获取主要信息，这正是目前英语阅读教学中的一个难点。阅读英文报纸是学生提高英语阅读水平的一种有效途径，为此，文章概括地介绍英文新闻的标题、结构、语法习惯和用词特点，旨在帮助学生较快地获得和提高阅读英文报刊的能力。     

近代报刊与近代戏剧

近代报刊与近代戏剧关系密切。近代传奇杂剧作品绝大多数在报刊杂志上发表，推动了传奇杂剧作家创作心态、作品题材、体制乃至接受方式的近代转型。近代报刊与作为大众艺术的戏剧尤其是舞台演出的关系之间，形成了良性互动。近代报刊促成戏剧观念的变革，并成为近代戏剧改良运动的舆论阵地。     

Analysis of Communication and Dissemination Channels Influencing the Adoption of Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Western Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The following study was carried out to evaluate the socio-economic factors influencing access to Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) information and knowledge among farmers in western Kenya, and subsequent ISFM uptake with a view to assessing communication gaps.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Structured questionnaires were administered to 120 farmers from Vihiga and Siaya districts. In Vihiga, farmers were sampled in a systematic random manner from farmer groups lists, whereas in Siaya, farmers were selected based on randomly selected diagnostic trial sites of the Africa Soil Information Service (AfSIS) project.

Findings: Community-based and mass media channels were found to be significantly advantageous to farmers. Farmers’ preferred information sources and channels included own experiences, farmer field days and farmer groups, respectively. A probit regression model indicated that off-farm income, education level, distance from nearest information centre, livestock value, and district of residence were the socio-economic variables that significantly influenced farmer access to ISFM information and knowledge, and subsequent uptake. In conclusion, farmer field days and farmer groups should be promoted as vehicles for agricultural information communication and dissemination.

Practical Implications: The study has practical implications for dissemination of agricultural technologies, especially in small-holder farming regions, characterized by high poverty and poor infrastructure.

Originality/Value: The study is original because channels for communication and dissemination of ISFM technologies are poorly documented or non-existent in western Kenya, and in most small-holder farming systems in Africa. The adoption behaviour of ISFM technologies in relation to socio-economic factors by farmers is still poorly understood.     

体育教学中人际信息沟通探析

分析了人际信息沟通在体育教学中的作用和体育教学中人际信息沟通的障碍因素,探讨了如何建立良好的师生关系并创设融洽的教学气氛,以及选择多种人际互动方式,疏通各种渠道,形成一种良好的体育教学人际信息沟通的运行机制。     

UNESCO SEMINAR ON THE USE OF RADIO AND TELEVISION IN TEACHER TRAINING

The UNESCO International Seminar on Experience Gained from the Polish NUHT System in the use of Radio and Television in Teacher Training was held in Warsaw from 24‐28 January 1977.

We give below information on the main elements of the Seminar's activities.     

Information searches by consumers of miniature automobiles

We studied the information search behaviors of Chinese consumers of miniature automobiles. First, we identified the main sources where consumers acquire or seek information about miniature automobiles and discussed their extent of information search. Then, based on logistic regression and optimal scaling regression of statistics, we studied the influences of characteristics of consumers of miniature automobiles on the extent of information search and on Internet usage.. The results indicate that consumers often utilize four sources to obtain information about miniature automobiles. The dominant information source for consumers is their friends/family, followed by dealers, newspapers, and TV. Age, occupation, education and income significantly affect the extent of information search, but gender and city of residence do not have significant impacts. Age, city of residence, occupation, education and income produce significant influences on Internet usage. Gender has an insignificant influence on whether a consumer uses the Internet to search for information.     

Laboratory and research

This study explored the themes used by married couples, dating couples, relatives, live‐in friends, and non‐live‐in friends to interpret their current relational episodes. One hundred eighteen people participated in fifty‐five report tasks. Among the findings were that dating couples used themes of commitment, fragility, and manipulation, while marital couples, relatives, and live‐in friends used themes of involvement, work, and respect.     

晚清小说的广告宣传

晚清小说主要以报刊杂志为载体,其广告宣传方式已具近代特色。传播者在各大报纸上登载征文广告;或在杂志上开辟广告专栏做各种广告宣传;或者在随报附送的单页小说上登载广告;或者在单行本的封底上介绍小说作品等。晚清小说的传播者通过广告,宣传救国救民的办刊宗旨、阐明小说理念,指导作家借鉴中外小说艺术规则,提倡千奇百怪的小说类型,强调版权、标明稿酬,或者在杂志上登载与小说无关的商业广告来扩大经济来源。晚清有关小说的广告宣传,推动了小说的发行,对晚清小说的繁荣起到了积极的作用。     

在大学英语教学中导入英语报刊阅读的探讨

英语报刊阅读是学生学习和掌握现代英语最实用、最有效的途径之一。在大学英语教学中积极地导入和利用英语报刊阅读,可以提高学生学习英语的兴趣,使学生通过轻松愉快的方式在潜移默化中提高英语水平。本文探讨了如何在大学英语教学中的导入和利用英语报刊阅读,英语报刊阅读在大学英语教学中的积极作用及应注意的问题。     

Communicating Science to Impact Learning? A Phenomenological Inquiry into 4th and 5th Graders’ Perceptions of Science Information Sources

Rooted in science education and science communication studies, this study examines 4th and 5th grade students’ perceptions of science information sources (SIS) and their use in communicating science to students. It combines situated learning theory with uses and gratifications theory in a qualitative phenomenological analysis. Data were gathered through classroom observations and interviews in four Turkish elementary schools. Focus group interviews with 47 students and individual interviews with 17 teachers and 10 parents were conducted. Participants identified a wide range of SIS, including TV, magazines, newspapers, internet, peers, teachers, families, science centers/museums, science exhibitions, textbooks, science books, and science camps. Students reported using various SIS in school-based and non-school contexts to satisfy their cognitive, affective, personal, and social integrative needs. SIS were used for science courses, homework/project assignments, examination/test preparations, and individual science-related research. Students assessed SIS in terms of the perceived accessibility of the sources, the quality of the content, and the content presentation. In particular, some sources such as teachers, families, TV, science magazines, textbooks, and science centers/museums (“directive sources”) predictably led students to other sources such as teachers, families, internet, and science books (“directed sources”). A small number of sources crossed context boundaries, being useful in both school and out. Results shed light on the connection between science education and science communication in terms of promoting science learning.     

Understanding Emotional Response Theory: The Role of Instructor Power and Justice Messages

Self‐efficacy is the belief or confidence people have in their ability to achieve their goals. This study tested a path model involving past communicative experience, situation difficulty, self‐efficacy, interpersonal communication competence, and interpersonal communication outcomes. We found that self‐efficacy mediated the effect of past experience and situation difficulty on interpersonal communication outcomes. Interpersonal communication competence directly effected rewarding, satisfying communication. The study also provided concurrent validity information on the Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale, a skills measure of competence that taps 10 dimensions of the construct.     

社会转型期人际信任危机的探析

社会转型时期,由于市场经济的冲击和道德发展的相对滞后,人际信任不可避免地产生危机,亲人之间、朋友之间、陌生人之间信任淡化,甚至是普遍的不信任。人际信任危机严重威胁了人际关系的和谐,因此,有必要从根源上挖掘人际信任和信任危机产生的原因,并从信任者与被信任者和社会环境综合考虑,提出相应对策,以期解决信任危机问题,构建和谐人际关系。