Tracy Rutherford | Texas A&M University (original) (raw)

Papers by Tracy Rutherford

Research paper thumbnail of Growth and Virulence of Steinernema glaseri Influenced by Different Subspecies of Xenorhabdus nematophilus

Journal of nematology, 1985

Three Xenorhabdus nematophilus subspecies influenced Steinernema glaseri growth profiles and grow... more Three Xenorhabdus nematophilus subspecies influenced Steinernema glaseri growth profiles and growth rates, but this was not necessarily because of different bacterial growth rates. Virulence of dauer nematodes in larval Galleria mellonella varied with the number of dauers retaining bacteria and the bacterial subspecies. Virulence was least for dauers grown on X. nematophilus subsp. bovienii because of the lack of retained bacteria. Virulence was subsequently restored by culturing these nematodes on X. nematophilus subsp. poinari.

Research paper thumbnail of Unanticipated unity and independence: A photovoice of Ugandan gender-based agriculture issues

Advancements in Agricultural Development

Globally, women are major contributors to agricultural productivity efforts, yet they face challe... more Globally, women are major contributors to agricultural productivity efforts, yet they face challenges in being as productive as their male counterparts. In Uganda, the male-dominant realities of agriculture are as strong as the country’s dependence upon it. In this country, women are responsible for the majority of agricultural production, despite facing a plethora of gender-based barriers. Therefore, this photovoice study aimed to discover gender-based agriculture issues from the perspective of female Ugandan agriculture producers to make applicable recommendations for improvements in research, practice, and extension. Through this study, we found major themes of both technical challenges in agriculture as well as abstract social constructs that hindered the productivity of women farmers. Despite these issues, Ugandan women agriculture producers display unity in self-identification and pride as women farmers. Therefore, we recommend efforts be made to improve education for, researc...

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating Agricultural Communications Students' Educational Experiences and Identity Development at a Co-Curricular Activity

Research paper thumbnail of Outcomes of Study Abroad in Three Domains of Human Development 1,2

Research paper thumbnail of Boundless Science for Bountiful Agriculture: Conducting a National Essay Contest for Middle School Youth

Research paper thumbnail of Texas Organization Board Members' Communication Methods and the 2002 Farm Bill

Texas Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2016

Extension education programs continue to intersect stakeholders’ interests with the U.S. Farm Bil... more Extension education programs continue to intersect stakeholders’ interests with the U.S. Farm Bill. The purpose of this study was to identify organizational communication methods and their relationship to Texas agricultural and natural resource organization board members’ perceptions of the 2002 Farm Bill. Respondents believed their organizations met their primary farm bill objectives. A significant positive relationship existed between perceived organizational communication methods and factors influencing the 2002 Farm Bill. Because of their local contact base, extension educators should study other organizations and the public’s interest in future farm bills to determine what provisions, issues, or programs are most needed to benefit society.

Research paper thumbnail of Selected College of Agriculture Students' Attitudes about Agriculture: Eurocentric Origins

NACTA Journal • December 2013 Abstract Eurocentrism suggests European ideologies provide the only... more NACTA Journal • December 2013 Abstract Eurocentrism suggests European ideologies provide the only viable sets of beliefs for understanding the world. Such belief systems were carried to America, shared from one generation to another and may continue to unduly influence U.S. college students’ beliefs about the world today. The purpose of this study was to determine college students’ Eurocentric attitudes about North American and European agriculture. Results indicate that students had Eurocentric attitudes about agriculture. Upperclassmen held less Eurocentric attitudes than did underclassmen. Students generally agreed and sometimes strongly agreed with the 16 Eurocentric propositions about North American and European agriculture. Future research should include a longitudinal study of changes in the formation of Eurocentric attitudes about agriculture, as students advance from secondary to post-secondary education. Specific investigations are needed to determine if colleges of agricu...

Research paper thumbnail of Urban High School Students ' Perceptions about Agricultural Careers and General Agricultural Knowledge

Research paper thumbnail of Awareness and Acceptance of Biotechnology Issues among Youth, Undergraduates, and Adults

Producers and consumers view the potential of genetically modified (GM) crops from different pers... more Producers and consumers view the potential of genetically modified (GM) crops from different perspectives. From the producers’ perspective, an increase in acceptance has resulted in increased production of GM crops. For example, between 1995 and 2001, the share of US soybean, cotton, and corn acreage planted to GM varieties increased from a negligible amount to over 70% for soybeans, 56% for cotton, and 26% for corn (Huffman, Rousu, Shogren, & Tegene, 2003). According to another report by industry-backed International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech applications (2003), seven million farmers in 18 countries grew GM crops on 167.2 million acres in 2003, compared with six million farmers in 16 countries on 145.2 million acres in 2002, for an approximate increase of 22 million acres. From the consumer perspective, domestic and international studies of consumer acceptance reveal a mismatch of acceptance with production. This mismatch potentially threatens the future of agric...

Research paper thumbnail of Describing Parents' Perceptions, Valuation, and Support of Study Abroad Programs at Three Southern Land-Grant Universities

Journal of Agricultural Education, 2017

Parents are an integral part of the decision to study abroad, but little research investigates pa... more Parents are an integral part of the decision to study abroad, but little research investigates parents’ perceptions about study abroad. This study uses the Theory of Planned Behavior as a conceptual framework to explain perceptions and value of study abroad by parents of agriculture students Land-Grant universities based on previous international experiences and other beliefs. Researchers delivered a questionnaire to 1511 parents at three universities to measure perceptions and value of study abroad, and intent to support their students’ participation in study abroad. We found that parents had little international experience, which may limit their behavioral beliefs and impact their decision to support study abroad. We also found that parents believed short-term, summer programs, that cost between 2000and2000 and 2000and4000 were ideal. Finally, we found that parents believed that study abroad programs were somewhat important and that they were somewhat likely to support their students’ partici...

Research paper thumbnail of Trust, Bias, and Fairness of Information Sources for Biotechnology Issues

What do journalists think about information source trustworthiness, bias, and fairness in communi... more What do journalists think about information source trustworthiness, bias, and fairness in communicating agricultural biotechnology issues? Fifty Texas journalists and 40 national agriculture journalists representing newspapers and television media responded to this study. Journalists believed university scientists/researchers and newspapers were trustworthy, unbiased, and fair, while activist groups were untrustworthy, completely biased, and unfair in communicating agricultural biotechnology issues. They were most opposed to public opinion outweighing scientists’ opinions when making decisions about scientific research. A substantial positive correlation occurred between national agriculture journalists’ attitudes toward democratic processes in science (i.e., the extent that public opinion is considered in scientific decision-making processes) and trust in newspapers.

Research paper thumbnail of A Model to Augment Critical Thinking and Create Knowledge through Writing in the Agricultural Social Sciences

1Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, 262 AG... more 1Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, 262 AGLS Mail Stop 2116; Ph: 979-458-3039; Email: hollileggette@tamu.edu 2Professor, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, 264 AGLS Mail Stop 2116; Ph: 979-458-2744; Email: rutherford@tamu.edu 3Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, 269 AGLS Mail Stop 2116; Ph: 979-458-3389; Email: dunsford@tamu.edu Abstract Effective writing instruction is essential to the development of a competent and diverse 21st century workforce in the agricultural social sciences. Writing instruction can be illustrated using a model framework that describes its relationships, elements and characteristics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use a mixedmethod research design to develop a model to augment critical thinking and create knowledge through writing in the agricultural social sciences. Writing instruction in the agricultural so...

Research paper thumbnail of Opinion Leaders' Influence on College Students' Perceptions of the National Animal Identification System

The purpose of this study was to determine opinion leaders’ (as information sources) influence on... more The purpose of this study was to determine opinion leaders’ (as information sources) influence on college of agriculture students’ awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). An online survey was used to collect data. Students (N=92) were somewhat aware of the NAIS, and were knowledgeable about general NAIS concepts. Students’ NAIS perceptions and awareness were positively associated. University professors, Internet, and family members were preferred information sources. Opinion leaders influenced students’ awareness and perceptions of the NAIS. The influence from Cooperative Extension, private organizations, and university professors was moderately correlated with students’ awareness of the NAIS. The role of university professors as information sources highlighted the significance of the two-step flow of communication in influencing students’ perceptions of the NAIS. Hypotheses tests confirmed the existence of an indirect flow of infor...

Research paper thumbnail of National Agricultural and Texas Journalists' Attitudes Toward and Information Sources for Biotechnology Issues

Biotechnology, and the perceptions of biotechnologypractices in food and fiber production, contin... more Biotechnology, and the perceptions of biotechnologypractices in food and fiber production, continues to bedebated in popular media outlets. According to researchfrom the International Food Information Council Foun-dation (IFICF, 2004), coverage of biotechnology as foodnews has slightly declined. However, it remains in thetop three food topics discussed by popular media outlets(IFICF, 2004). Coverage of biotechnology by these out-lets has been dominated by generalizations. Followingthe Monarch butterfly (USDA Agricultural ResearchService, 2005) and Starlink corn (Shelton et al., 2002)stories in 1999 and 2001, respectively, emphasis hasshifted to domestic labeling and international safetyconcerns. The shift to generalizations about biotechnol-ogy and decreasing coverage leads researchers to thequestions of public perception about biotechnology andthe information sources used to create these perceptions.Who can you trust to report accurately the benefits andrisks of agricultural biotec...

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of Computer-Based Peer Review on College Students’ Performance and Perceived Self-Efficacy in an Online Graphic Design Course

Journal of Applied Communications

Prior research has indicated that the incorporation of computer-based peer review into writing in... more Prior research has indicated that the incorporation of computer-based peer review into writing instruction increases student engagement, improves student performance, and increases student perceptions of self-efficacy. This study used a quasi-experimental untreated control group design to examine the impact of computer-based peer review on student performance and perceived self-efficacy in an undergraduate agricultural graphic design course. The impact of participation in computer-based peer review on performance scores was investigated using a MANOVA. After two rounds of peer review, students improved their overall course performance by one-half letter grade. Perceptions of self-efficacy were further analyzed using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Most (54.17%) students who participated in the computer-based peer review process reported increases in perceived self-efficacy in graphic design. The findings from this study indicate the benefits of computer-based peer review extend to instruction in graphic design courses.

Research paper thumbnail of Making a Difference: Two Case Studies Describing the Impact of a Capstone Leadership Education Experience provided through a National Youth Leadership Training Program

Journal of Leadership Education

Many youth leadership organizations exist today and provide a variety of leadership experiences. ... more Many youth leadership organizations exist today and provide a variety of leadership experiences. One such organization provides a week long leadership experience to high school students with its primary purpose being to guide students through a process of identifying a community need and developing a plan to address that need. This article reports on two qualitative case studies which investigate this leadership education tool and its impacts on the students' involved, as well as the participating communities. The Living to Serve plans (LTS), the capstone leadership education experience, which the students develop are used to help students understand the process of identifying problems and solving those problems through identified steps.

Research paper thumbnail of Expert? What does that mean? Describing the Term "Expert" in Agricultural Communications, Education, Extension, and Leadership Research

Journal of Applied Communications

Expertise is dynamic, domain specific, and characterized according to an individual's level of kn... more Expertise is dynamic, domain specific, and characterized according to an individual's level of knowledge, experience, and problem-solving ability. Having expertise in the phenomenon under investigation can be used as an indicator of an individual's aptitude to effectively serve as a coder in a content analysis or as panelist in a Delphi study. The purpose of this study was to assess 10 years of scholarship published in the premier journals of agricultural education and describe the ways researchers in agricultural communications, education, extension, and leadership disciplines who use content analysis and Delphi study methods are describing the qualifications of the people serving as expert coders and panelists. The study findings revealed the majority of researchers publishing in the premier agricultural education journals are not describing the qualifications used in selecting coders or the credentials the coders possess that would make them qualified to code the data in a content analysis. Furthermore, researchers were inconsistent citing literature that supported their selection of content analysis coders and citing literature to support a decision to describe or not to describe coders' qualifications. However, a description of Delphi study panelists' qualifications and citations to support why panelists were selected in a Delphi study were present in all of the Delphi studies analyzed over the 10-year period. Based on these findings, it was concluded that ACEEL researchers should include a description of coder credentials to enhance the consistency, transparency, replicability, rigor, and integrity of ACEEL research. Editors and research professionals who perform journal article reviews for the premier agricultural education journals are encouraged to note the exclusion of a description of content analysis coders' credentials as part of the peer review process.

Research paper thumbnail of How Newspapers in Kansas Are Using News Releases from K-State Research and Extension

Journal of Applied Communications

This study looks at how newspaper editors in Kansas use news releases from Kansas State Universit... more This study looks at how newspaper editors in Kansas use news releases from Kansas State University Research and Extension (KSRE), which distributes more than 700 news releases annually to newspapers across the state. An analysis of clippings over 10 weeks showed that editors rarely change the original text or headline in KSRE news releases, and more than half of the releases were published within 10 days of release. KSRE news releases were published in all regions of Kansas. Using a formula to determine the advertising equivalency value of news clips, the data indicates a value of $33,286.94 for the sample studied. The findings provide one way in which to report accountability to the organization's administrators, as well as a better understanding of possible areas of improvement for the KSRE news office.

Research paper thumbnail of Selected College Students' Knowledge and Perceptions of Biotechnology Issues Reported in the Mass Media

Journal of Applied Communications

The purpose of this study was to determine college students' awareness of and attitudes toward bi... more The purpose of this study was to determine college students' awareness of and attitudes toward biotechnology issues reported in the mass media. Future agricultural communicators (N = 330) representing 11 land-grant universities in 10 states recorded their knowledge and perceptions of biotechnology issues as reported in the mass media. Respondents were mostly seniors (46%), female (55%), and considered themselves "8" average students (60%). Students achieved only 30% correct responses (M = 3.05) in a knowledge assessment of biotechnology practices, illustrating a lack of knowledge. However, nearly 84% of the respondents perceived their level of knowledge as average to high (24% perceived they possessed above-average scientific knowledge). Future agricultural communicators were somewhat accepting of biotechnology practices for genetically modified organisms involving plant life (M = 3.28), but viewed these same practices as somewhat unacceptable for use on humans (M = 1.84). Significant, low positive relationships existed between respondents' perceived and assessed levels ofbiotechnology knowledge (r = .17) and between their assessed knowledge and acceptance of biotechnology practices (r = .16). Selected college students in the agricultural sciences have much less knowledge about biotechnology practices than what they believed to possess. Although correctable through increased study of biotechnology, this finding may pose serious problems for students choosing to "communicate" the science of biotechnology issues in the mass media. Agricultural communications faculty nationwide should analyze their curricula to determine if students are being given the opportunity to study biotechnology issues while learning how to communicate it to a larger audience.

Research paper thumbnail of Texas Agricultural Organization Board Members Knowledge of and Information Sources for the 2002 Farm Bill

Journal of Applied Communications

This study attempted to assess Texas agricultural board members' knowledge levels of the 2002 Far... more This study attempted to assess Texas agricultural board members' knowledge levels of the 2002 Farm Bill and to explore perceived values of information sources used to learn about the farm bill. Selected Texas agricultural organization board members (70) were most knowledgeable about the crop insurance and direct payment programs, findings that parallel previous studies. Respondents were least knowledgeable about the food stamp program. Respondents identified the Cooperative Extension Service and farm publications as the most valuable information sources for learning about the 2002 Farm Bill. No significant relationships existed between respondents' knowledge of the 2002 Farm Bill and their information sources. If agricultural communicators want to reach agricultural board members, they should communicate farm bill programs and issues using the Cooperative Extension Service, the Internet (agricultural sites), and farm publications.

Research paper thumbnail of Growth and Virulence of Steinernema glaseri Influenced by Different Subspecies of Xenorhabdus nematophilus

Journal of nematology, 1985

Three Xenorhabdus nematophilus subspecies influenced Steinernema glaseri growth profiles and grow... more Three Xenorhabdus nematophilus subspecies influenced Steinernema glaseri growth profiles and growth rates, but this was not necessarily because of different bacterial growth rates. Virulence of dauer nematodes in larval Galleria mellonella varied with the number of dauers retaining bacteria and the bacterial subspecies. Virulence was least for dauers grown on X. nematophilus subsp. bovienii because of the lack of retained bacteria. Virulence was subsequently restored by culturing these nematodes on X. nematophilus subsp. poinari.

Research paper thumbnail of Unanticipated unity and independence: A photovoice of Ugandan gender-based agriculture issues

Advancements in Agricultural Development

Globally, women are major contributors to agricultural productivity efforts, yet they face challe... more Globally, women are major contributors to agricultural productivity efforts, yet they face challenges in being as productive as their male counterparts. In Uganda, the male-dominant realities of agriculture are as strong as the country’s dependence upon it. In this country, women are responsible for the majority of agricultural production, despite facing a plethora of gender-based barriers. Therefore, this photovoice study aimed to discover gender-based agriculture issues from the perspective of female Ugandan agriculture producers to make applicable recommendations for improvements in research, practice, and extension. Through this study, we found major themes of both technical challenges in agriculture as well as abstract social constructs that hindered the productivity of women farmers. Despite these issues, Ugandan women agriculture producers display unity in self-identification and pride as women farmers. Therefore, we recommend efforts be made to improve education for, researc...

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating Agricultural Communications Students' Educational Experiences and Identity Development at a Co-Curricular Activity

Research paper thumbnail of Outcomes of Study Abroad in Three Domains of Human Development 1,2

Research paper thumbnail of Boundless Science for Bountiful Agriculture: Conducting a National Essay Contest for Middle School Youth

Research paper thumbnail of Texas Organization Board Members' Communication Methods and the 2002 Farm Bill

Texas Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2016

Extension education programs continue to intersect stakeholders’ interests with the U.S. Farm Bil... more Extension education programs continue to intersect stakeholders’ interests with the U.S. Farm Bill. The purpose of this study was to identify organizational communication methods and their relationship to Texas agricultural and natural resource organization board members’ perceptions of the 2002 Farm Bill. Respondents believed their organizations met their primary farm bill objectives. A significant positive relationship existed between perceived organizational communication methods and factors influencing the 2002 Farm Bill. Because of their local contact base, extension educators should study other organizations and the public’s interest in future farm bills to determine what provisions, issues, or programs are most needed to benefit society.

Research paper thumbnail of Selected College of Agriculture Students' Attitudes about Agriculture: Eurocentric Origins

NACTA Journal • December 2013 Abstract Eurocentrism suggests European ideologies provide the only... more NACTA Journal • December 2013 Abstract Eurocentrism suggests European ideologies provide the only viable sets of beliefs for understanding the world. Such belief systems were carried to America, shared from one generation to another and may continue to unduly influence U.S. college students’ beliefs about the world today. The purpose of this study was to determine college students’ Eurocentric attitudes about North American and European agriculture. Results indicate that students had Eurocentric attitudes about agriculture. Upperclassmen held less Eurocentric attitudes than did underclassmen. Students generally agreed and sometimes strongly agreed with the 16 Eurocentric propositions about North American and European agriculture. Future research should include a longitudinal study of changes in the formation of Eurocentric attitudes about agriculture, as students advance from secondary to post-secondary education. Specific investigations are needed to determine if colleges of agricu...

Research paper thumbnail of Urban High School Students ' Perceptions about Agricultural Careers and General Agricultural Knowledge

Research paper thumbnail of Awareness and Acceptance of Biotechnology Issues among Youth, Undergraduates, and Adults

Producers and consumers view the potential of genetically modified (GM) crops from different pers... more Producers and consumers view the potential of genetically modified (GM) crops from different perspectives. From the producers’ perspective, an increase in acceptance has resulted in increased production of GM crops. For example, between 1995 and 2001, the share of US soybean, cotton, and corn acreage planted to GM varieties increased from a negligible amount to over 70% for soybeans, 56% for cotton, and 26% for corn (Huffman, Rousu, Shogren, & Tegene, 2003). According to another report by industry-backed International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech applications (2003), seven million farmers in 18 countries grew GM crops on 167.2 million acres in 2003, compared with six million farmers in 16 countries on 145.2 million acres in 2002, for an approximate increase of 22 million acres. From the consumer perspective, domestic and international studies of consumer acceptance reveal a mismatch of acceptance with production. This mismatch potentially threatens the future of agric...

Research paper thumbnail of Describing Parents' Perceptions, Valuation, and Support of Study Abroad Programs at Three Southern Land-Grant Universities

Journal of Agricultural Education, 2017

Parents are an integral part of the decision to study abroad, but little research investigates pa... more Parents are an integral part of the decision to study abroad, but little research investigates parents’ perceptions about study abroad. This study uses the Theory of Planned Behavior as a conceptual framework to explain perceptions and value of study abroad by parents of agriculture students Land-Grant universities based on previous international experiences and other beliefs. Researchers delivered a questionnaire to 1511 parents at three universities to measure perceptions and value of study abroad, and intent to support their students’ participation in study abroad. We found that parents had little international experience, which may limit their behavioral beliefs and impact their decision to support study abroad. We also found that parents believed short-term, summer programs, that cost between 2000and2000 and 2000and4000 were ideal. Finally, we found that parents believed that study abroad programs were somewhat important and that they were somewhat likely to support their students’ partici...

Research paper thumbnail of Trust, Bias, and Fairness of Information Sources for Biotechnology Issues

What do journalists think about information source trustworthiness, bias, and fairness in communi... more What do journalists think about information source trustworthiness, bias, and fairness in communicating agricultural biotechnology issues? Fifty Texas journalists and 40 national agriculture journalists representing newspapers and television media responded to this study. Journalists believed university scientists/researchers and newspapers were trustworthy, unbiased, and fair, while activist groups were untrustworthy, completely biased, and unfair in communicating agricultural biotechnology issues. They were most opposed to public opinion outweighing scientists’ opinions when making decisions about scientific research. A substantial positive correlation occurred between national agriculture journalists’ attitudes toward democratic processes in science (i.e., the extent that public opinion is considered in scientific decision-making processes) and trust in newspapers.

Research paper thumbnail of A Model to Augment Critical Thinking and Create Knowledge through Writing in the Agricultural Social Sciences

1Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, 262 AG... more 1Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, 262 AGLS Mail Stop 2116; Ph: 979-458-3039; Email: hollileggette@tamu.edu 2Professor, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, 264 AGLS Mail Stop 2116; Ph: 979-458-2744; Email: rutherford@tamu.edu 3Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, 269 AGLS Mail Stop 2116; Ph: 979-458-3389; Email: dunsford@tamu.edu Abstract Effective writing instruction is essential to the development of a competent and diverse 21st century workforce in the agricultural social sciences. Writing instruction can be illustrated using a model framework that describes its relationships, elements and characteristics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use a mixedmethod research design to develop a model to augment critical thinking and create knowledge through writing in the agricultural social sciences. Writing instruction in the agricultural so...

Research paper thumbnail of Opinion Leaders' Influence on College Students' Perceptions of the National Animal Identification System

The purpose of this study was to determine opinion leaders’ (as information sources) influence on... more The purpose of this study was to determine opinion leaders’ (as information sources) influence on college of agriculture students’ awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). An online survey was used to collect data. Students (N=92) were somewhat aware of the NAIS, and were knowledgeable about general NAIS concepts. Students’ NAIS perceptions and awareness were positively associated. University professors, Internet, and family members were preferred information sources. Opinion leaders influenced students’ awareness and perceptions of the NAIS. The influence from Cooperative Extension, private organizations, and university professors was moderately correlated with students’ awareness of the NAIS. The role of university professors as information sources highlighted the significance of the two-step flow of communication in influencing students’ perceptions of the NAIS. Hypotheses tests confirmed the existence of an indirect flow of infor...

Research paper thumbnail of National Agricultural and Texas Journalists' Attitudes Toward and Information Sources for Biotechnology Issues

Biotechnology, and the perceptions of biotechnologypractices in food and fiber production, contin... more Biotechnology, and the perceptions of biotechnologypractices in food and fiber production, continues to bedebated in popular media outlets. According to researchfrom the International Food Information Council Foun-dation (IFICF, 2004), coverage of biotechnology as foodnews has slightly declined. However, it remains in thetop three food topics discussed by popular media outlets(IFICF, 2004). Coverage of biotechnology by these out-lets has been dominated by generalizations. Followingthe Monarch butterfly (USDA Agricultural ResearchService, 2005) and Starlink corn (Shelton et al., 2002)stories in 1999 and 2001, respectively, emphasis hasshifted to domestic labeling and international safetyconcerns. The shift to generalizations about biotechnol-ogy and decreasing coverage leads researchers to thequestions of public perception about biotechnology andthe information sources used to create these perceptions.Who can you trust to report accurately the benefits andrisks of agricultural biotec...

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of Computer-Based Peer Review on College Students’ Performance and Perceived Self-Efficacy in an Online Graphic Design Course

Journal of Applied Communications

Prior research has indicated that the incorporation of computer-based peer review into writing in... more Prior research has indicated that the incorporation of computer-based peer review into writing instruction increases student engagement, improves student performance, and increases student perceptions of self-efficacy. This study used a quasi-experimental untreated control group design to examine the impact of computer-based peer review on student performance and perceived self-efficacy in an undergraduate agricultural graphic design course. The impact of participation in computer-based peer review on performance scores was investigated using a MANOVA. After two rounds of peer review, students improved their overall course performance by one-half letter grade. Perceptions of self-efficacy were further analyzed using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Most (54.17%) students who participated in the computer-based peer review process reported increases in perceived self-efficacy in graphic design. The findings from this study indicate the benefits of computer-based peer review extend to instruction in graphic design courses.

Research paper thumbnail of Making a Difference: Two Case Studies Describing the Impact of a Capstone Leadership Education Experience provided through a National Youth Leadership Training Program

Journal of Leadership Education

Many youth leadership organizations exist today and provide a variety of leadership experiences. ... more Many youth leadership organizations exist today and provide a variety of leadership experiences. One such organization provides a week long leadership experience to high school students with its primary purpose being to guide students through a process of identifying a community need and developing a plan to address that need. This article reports on two qualitative case studies which investigate this leadership education tool and its impacts on the students' involved, as well as the participating communities. The Living to Serve plans (LTS), the capstone leadership education experience, which the students develop are used to help students understand the process of identifying problems and solving those problems through identified steps.

Research paper thumbnail of Expert? What does that mean? Describing the Term "Expert" in Agricultural Communications, Education, Extension, and Leadership Research

Journal of Applied Communications

Expertise is dynamic, domain specific, and characterized according to an individual's level of kn... more Expertise is dynamic, domain specific, and characterized according to an individual's level of knowledge, experience, and problem-solving ability. Having expertise in the phenomenon under investigation can be used as an indicator of an individual's aptitude to effectively serve as a coder in a content analysis or as panelist in a Delphi study. The purpose of this study was to assess 10 years of scholarship published in the premier journals of agricultural education and describe the ways researchers in agricultural communications, education, extension, and leadership disciplines who use content analysis and Delphi study methods are describing the qualifications of the people serving as expert coders and panelists. The study findings revealed the majority of researchers publishing in the premier agricultural education journals are not describing the qualifications used in selecting coders or the credentials the coders possess that would make them qualified to code the data in a content analysis. Furthermore, researchers were inconsistent citing literature that supported their selection of content analysis coders and citing literature to support a decision to describe or not to describe coders' qualifications. However, a description of Delphi study panelists' qualifications and citations to support why panelists were selected in a Delphi study were present in all of the Delphi studies analyzed over the 10-year period. Based on these findings, it was concluded that ACEEL researchers should include a description of coder credentials to enhance the consistency, transparency, replicability, rigor, and integrity of ACEEL research. Editors and research professionals who perform journal article reviews for the premier agricultural education journals are encouraged to note the exclusion of a description of content analysis coders' credentials as part of the peer review process.

Research paper thumbnail of How Newspapers in Kansas Are Using News Releases from K-State Research and Extension

Journal of Applied Communications

This study looks at how newspaper editors in Kansas use news releases from Kansas State Universit... more This study looks at how newspaper editors in Kansas use news releases from Kansas State University Research and Extension (KSRE), which distributes more than 700 news releases annually to newspapers across the state. An analysis of clippings over 10 weeks showed that editors rarely change the original text or headline in KSRE news releases, and more than half of the releases were published within 10 days of release. KSRE news releases were published in all regions of Kansas. Using a formula to determine the advertising equivalency value of news clips, the data indicates a value of $33,286.94 for the sample studied. The findings provide one way in which to report accountability to the organization's administrators, as well as a better understanding of possible areas of improvement for the KSRE news office.

Research paper thumbnail of Selected College Students' Knowledge and Perceptions of Biotechnology Issues Reported in the Mass Media

Journal of Applied Communications

The purpose of this study was to determine college students' awareness of and attitudes toward bi... more The purpose of this study was to determine college students' awareness of and attitudes toward biotechnology issues reported in the mass media. Future agricultural communicators (N = 330) representing 11 land-grant universities in 10 states recorded their knowledge and perceptions of biotechnology issues as reported in the mass media. Respondents were mostly seniors (46%), female (55%), and considered themselves "8" average students (60%). Students achieved only 30% correct responses (M = 3.05) in a knowledge assessment of biotechnology practices, illustrating a lack of knowledge. However, nearly 84% of the respondents perceived their level of knowledge as average to high (24% perceived they possessed above-average scientific knowledge). Future agricultural communicators were somewhat accepting of biotechnology practices for genetically modified organisms involving plant life (M = 3.28), but viewed these same practices as somewhat unacceptable for use on humans (M = 1.84). Significant, low positive relationships existed between respondents' perceived and assessed levels ofbiotechnology knowledge (r = .17) and between their assessed knowledge and acceptance of biotechnology practices (r = .16). Selected college students in the agricultural sciences have much less knowledge about biotechnology practices than what they believed to possess. Although correctable through increased study of biotechnology, this finding may pose serious problems for students choosing to "communicate" the science of biotechnology issues in the mass media. Agricultural communications faculty nationwide should analyze their curricula to determine if students are being given the opportunity to study biotechnology issues while learning how to communicate it to a larger audience.

Research paper thumbnail of Texas Agricultural Organization Board Members Knowledge of and Information Sources for the 2002 Farm Bill

Journal of Applied Communications

This study attempted to assess Texas agricultural board members' knowledge levels of the 2002 Far... more This study attempted to assess Texas agricultural board members' knowledge levels of the 2002 Farm Bill and to explore perceived values of information sources used to learn about the farm bill. Selected Texas agricultural organization board members (70) were most knowledgeable about the crop insurance and direct payment programs, findings that parallel previous studies. Respondents were least knowledgeable about the food stamp program. Respondents identified the Cooperative Extension Service and farm publications as the most valuable information sources for learning about the 2002 Farm Bill. No significant relationships existed between respondents' knowledge of the 2002 Farm Bill and their information sources. If agricultural communicators want to reach agricultural board members, they should communicate farm bill programs and issues using the Cooperative Extension Service, the Internet (agricultural sites), and farm publications.