A Pilot Qualitative Case Study of Agricultural and Natural Resources Scientists’ Twitter Usage for Engaging Public Audiences

Loizzo, Jamie; Jones, Catherine Emma; Steffen, Abby

doi:10.4148/1051-0834.2276

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 21 publications

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“…Whereas Extension agents require researchbased information to disseminate in clientele interactions, programs, and activities, future research should analyze the role of the turfgrass researcher in this relationship; a determination should be made as to whether the turfgrass researcher should strictly be creating knowledge, and the role of the agents and other Extension personnel at the county level is to share it through channels determined appropriate for their clientele, or if the responsibility for creation and dissemination lies within both roles. Loizzo et al (2019) analyzed the use of Twitter among ANR scientists and found that although some universities are asking their researchers to create a more online presence for public engagement, some scientists were reticent to use the social media tool due to similar barriers encountered in this study, including "lack of recognition for public online engagement efforts in the tenure and promotion process" (p. 16). Therefore, exploring the promotion and tenure evaluation criteria used with specialists to determine if revisions may be needed to move beyond fact sheet-type channels of communication, potentially with a peer review process being implemented for media-related communications such as videos, is recommended.…”

Section: Recommendations For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 93%

Perceptions of Agricultural Extension and Communication Professionals Regarding Current, Preferred, and Emerging Communication Channels: A Qualitative Study

Worley¹,

Peake²,

Fuhrman³

2022

JAE

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This study sought to identify what messages are important to share regarding innovations of new turfgrass cultivars, and to determine the current, preferred, and emerging channels of communication as perceived by Extension/Outreach and Communications professionals in ANR for sending information. This study utilized a focus group consisting of turfgrass extension professionals, an interview with communication professionals, and individual semi-structured interviews. From the twelve questions presented through these methods, seven predominant themes emerged. Effectively communicating about turfgrass involves: (1) conveying long-term benefits of the innovations, (2) considering the sender and receiver of turfgrass information, (3) considering the traditional communication channels used for turfgrass, (4) emerging or sought channels for communicating with clientele about turfgrass, (5) barriers to adopting communication channels for disseminating turfgrass information, (6) factors that influence use of communication channels for turfgrass, and (7) who should be disseminating the identified messages. Respondents indicated that though Twitter was the preferred channel of social media communication for those in the turfgrass industry, interpersonal communication and factsheets were still being requested predominately by their clientele. Respondents recommended working with organizations such as city and county municipalities, as well as residential home builder groups, that are likely to adopt innovations, influence behavior change, and create and institute policies, will be essential for dissemination of information. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions associated with it, researchers are depending on emerging communications channels for dissemination of information more so than traditional methods utilized in the past such as field days

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Section: Recommendations For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 93%

Perceptions of Agricultural Extension and Communication Professionals Regarding Current, Preferred, and Emerging Communication Channels: A Qualitative Study

Worley¹,

Peake²,

Fuhrman³

2022

JAE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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High school students’ perceptions of science and scientists improve following university-based online DNA day

Barry

Stofer

Loizzo

et al. 2022

Journal of Biological Education

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Scientists’ side of the microphone: An examination of agricultural and natural resources podcast guests’ experiences

Aenlle,

Loizzo,

Lundy

et al. 2024

Adv Ag Dev

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While some food, agricultural, natural resources, and human science (FANRHS) experts participate in a variety of outreach opportunities, many face barriers to public interaction such as lack of incentive, knowledge, or confidence. This study examined scientists’ and Extensionists’ outreach experiences as guests on science podcasts. Results showed the guests had minimal formal science communication training yet were highly educated individuals and involved with informal education. Future research should examine how peer-modeling can be used to recruit more scientists to science communication opportunities and how institutions can improve training for outreach such as podcasts.

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A Pilot Qualitative Case Study of Agricultural and Natural Resources Scientists’ Twitter Usage for Engaging Public Audiences

Cited by 3 publications

References 21 publications

Perceptions of Agricultural Extension and Communication Professionals Regarding Current, Preferred, and Emerging Communication Channels: A Qualitative Study

Perceptions of Agricultural Extension and Communication Professionals Regarding Current, Preferred, and Emerging Communication Channels: A Qualitative Study

High school students’ perceptions of science and scientists improve following university-based online DNA day

Scientists’ side of the microphone: An examination of agricultural and natural resources podcast guests’ experiences

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