scholarly journals Citizen science breathes new life into participatory agricultural research. A review

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeske van de Gevel ◽  
Jacob van Etten ◽  
Sebastian Deterding
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Agricultural Science ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Fresh Perspective

Abstract Participatory research can improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and scope of research processes, and foster social inclusion, empowerment, and sustainability. Yet despite four decades of agricultural research institutions exploring and developing methods for participatory research, it has never become mainstream in the agricultural technology development cycle. Citizen science promises an innovative approach to participation in research, using the unique facilities of new digital technologies, but its potential in agricultural research participation has not been systematically probed. To this end, we conducted a critical literature review. We found that citizen science opens up four opportunities for creatively reshaping research: (i) new possibilities for interdisciplinary collaboration, (ii) rethinking configurations of socio-computational systems, (iii) research on democratization of science more broadly, and (iv) new accountabilities. Citizen science also brings a fresh perspective on the barriers to institutionalizing participation in the agricultural sciences. Specifically, we show how citizen science can reconfigure cost-motivation-accountability combinations using digital tools, open up a larger conceptual space of experimentation, and stimulate new collaborations. With appropriate and persistent institutional support and investment, citizen science can therefore have a lasting impact on how agricultural science engages with farming communities and wider society, and more fully realize the promises of participation.

Agricultural research reclamation in Ukraine: Professor D.O. Dzhovani (1886–1971)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Verhunov ◽  
Yu. Dovgoruk
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Land Reclamation ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Agricultural Science ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Archival Documents ◽  
Active Interest ◽  
Agricultural Schools

The monograph highlights the main stages of development of agricultural research land reclamation work in Ukraine, one of the founders, creators and developers of which was Professor D.O. Dzhovani. The scientific, scientific-organizational and pedagogical activities of the well-known domestic scientist was described, who is an iconic figure for the formation of experimental reclamation work in Ukraine and abroad. The professor laid the scientific-organizational and conceptual principles, in particular the state legislative acts of development of the scientific direction of agro-amelioration in Ukraine and Russia during the 20-30's of the 20th century. He is the author of a number of scientific papers in the field of experimental land reclamation, author of the first textbook in Ukrainian for agricultural courses "Reclamation legislation: a guide for the agricultural schools"(1927). D.O. Dzhovani was personally involved in the opening of a number of reclamation stations in the research network of Ukraine. He was a member of the Scientific & Advisory Board (SAB) on the construction of Dniprelstan and the Special Commission on Dniprelstan at the Agricultural Scientific Committee of Ukraine. The scientist is one of the founders of the Ukrainian Scientific & Research Institute of Agricultural Land Reclamation. The available archival documents attest to his significant contribution to the establishment and subsequent functioning of this institution. After forced emigration to Great Britain, he continued to supplement his inventions and research in the field of agriculture, until the end of his days he did not lose active interest in the business of his life – land reclamation and swamp culture. This edition also contains bibliographic descriptions of his works, written personally and in co-authorship, reports on scientific activities, scientific & popular publications. The book is recommended for scientists, teachers, graduate students, students, specialists in agricultural science, all those who are interested in the history of agricultural research work development.

scholarly journals Using a Citizen Science Approach with German Horse Owners to Study the Locomotion Behaviour of Horses on Pasture

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1835
Author(s):  
Anja Schmitz ◽  
Bettina Tonn ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Schöppner ◽  
Johannes Isselstein
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Sustainable Land Use ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Science Approach ◽  
Simple Technology

Engaging farmers as citizen scientists may be a cost-efficient way to answering applied research questions aimed at more sustainable land use. We used a citizen science approach with German horse farmers with a dual goal. Firstly, we tested the practicability of this approach for answering ‘real-life’ questions in variable agricultural land-use systems. Secondly, we were interested in the knowledge it can provide about locomotion of horses on pasture and the management factors influencing this behaviour. Out of 165 volunteers, we selected 40 participants to record locomotion of two horses on pasture and provide information on their horse husbandry and pasture management. We obtained complete records for three recording days per horse from 28 participants, resulting in a dataset on more individual horses than any other Global Positioning System study published in the last 30 years. Time spent walking was greatest for horses kept in box-stall stables, and walking distance decreased with increasing grazing time. This suggests that restrictions in pasture access may increase stress on grass swards through running and trampling, severely challenging sustainable pasture management. Our study, involving simple technology, clear instructions and rigorous quality assessment, demonstrates the potential of citizen science actively involving land managers in agricultural research.

The Pathway Analysis on Benefit of Agricultural Science and Technology Projects (ASTP) Based on Logical Framework Approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 998-999 ◽  
pp. 1642-1648
Author(s):  
Chun Mei Wang ◽  
Bao Feng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Social Benefit ◽  
Agricultural Science ◽  
Logical Framework ◽  
Ecological Benefit ◽  
Research Investment ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Research Achievement

Research achievements of the ASTP Policy-Oriented cannot generate directly economic benefit, social benefit and ecological benefit. It would realize benefit of ASTP only if the outputs can be transformed practical productive forces. In this paper, the mechanism and pathway of achieving benefit of ASTP is analyzed deeply based on the logical framework model. Then the empirical studies shows that the inputs (research investment) have positive correlation with outputs (research achievement), extension and outcomes (changes in productivity). Although the inputs have a certain influence to agricultural economics, it mainly affects indirectly agricultural development by research achievements and extension. Therefore, the benefits of ASTP should not be evaluated according by inputs/outputs methods. We must analyze and assess the anticipated chain of cause/effect relationships of ASTP based on the program “theory-driven” approach. It can promote agricultural research and extension projects to integrated closely, at the same time the benefit of ASTP can be improved greatly.

Development of more effective conservation farming systems through participatory on-farm research

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.B. Wuest ◽  
D.K. McCool ◽  
B.C. Miller ◽  
R.J. Veseth
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Research ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Conservation Farming ◽  
Working Together ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Current Emphasis

AbstractResearch aimed at advancing conservation farming practices is typically performed using traditional scientific approaches, which have been highly successful in increasing agricultural output and efficiency. With the current emphasis on environmental and economic sustainability of agriculture, there is a need for a more integrated approach to applied agricultural research. Participatory research helps to bring scientific methods and the integrated production needs of farmers together to develop practical, effective, and carefully tested farming methods. The strength of participatory research is in the synergism of scientists and farmers working together to design, implement, and evaluate research. The development of new technologies for farming systems large or small, conventional or organic, can be greatly enhanced through more extensive use of participatory research.

scholarly journals The SMART Framework: Integration of Citizen Science, Community-Based Participatory Research, and Systems Science for Population Health Science in the Digital Age (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarun Reddy Katapally
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Systems Science ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Science Community

UNSTRUCTURED Citizen science enables citizens to actively contribute to all aspects of the research process, from conceptualization and data collection, to knowledge translation and evaluation. Citizen science is gradually emerging as a pertinent approach in population health research. Given that citizen science has intrinsic links with community-based research, where participatory action drives the research agenda, these two approaches could be integrated to address complex population health issues. Community-based participatory research has a strong record of application across multiple disciplines and sectors to address health inequities. Citizen science can use the structure of community-based participatory research to take local approaches of problem solving to a global scale, because citizen science emerged through individual environmental activism that is not limited by geography. This synergy has significant implications for population health research if combined with systems science, which can offer theoretical and methodological strength to citizen science and community-based participatory research. Systems science applies a holistic perspective to understand the complex mechanisms underlying causal relationships within and between systems, as it goes beyond linear relationships by utilizing big data–driven advanced computational models. However, to truly integrate citizen science, community-based participatory research, and systems science, it is time to realize the power of ubiquitous digital tools, such as smartphones, for connecting us all and providing big data. Smartphones have the potential to not only create equity by providing a voice to disenfranchised citizens but smartphone-based apps also have the reach and power to source big data to inform policies. An imminent challenge in legitimizing citizen science is minimizing bias, which can be achieved by standardizing methods and enhancing data quality—a rigorous process that requires researchers to collaborate with citizen scientists utilizing the principles of community-based participatory research action. This study advances SMART, an evidence-based framework that integrates citizen science, community-based participatory research, and systems science through ubiquitous tools by addressing core challenges such as citizen engagement, data management, and internet inequity to legitimize this integration.

scholarly journals Differential Effects of Korean vs. American Diet on Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Profiles in Korean Adults: A Randomized Crossover Intervention (P20-004-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Hee Shin ◽  
Sunhee Jung ◽  
Min-Sook Kang ◽  
Geum-Sook Hwang ◽  
Dong-Mi Shin
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Disease ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Agricultural Science ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Diet Intervention ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Westernized Diet ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Branched Chain

Abstract Objectives Habitual diet influences the intestinal microbiota and metabolites profiles, thereby influencing host physiology. In particular, the westernized diet can contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic disease whereas, traditional Korean (TK) diet which is rich in plant-based products and low in animal fat and protein provides health benefits. However, both from the gut microbial and metabolic point of view, the exact comparing westernized diet and the TK diet in regard to the biological mechanisms of metabolic disease development have not been studied yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of the TK diet and the western diet on metabolites and gut microbiota profiling in obese and/or overweight volunteers. Methods A randomized crossover clinical trial was conducted. Sixty-one subjects were randomly allocated to one of six possible sequential orders for consuming the three diets (traditional Korean (TK) diet, traditional American (TA) diet, recommended American (RA) diet). Each of the three intervention phases was 4 weeks in duration separated by a 2-week. Using 16S rRNA-targeted sequencing as well as serum and urinary metabolomic platforms, we compared gut microbiota and metabolites composition at the time point before and after each diet intervention. Results The diversity of gut microbiota was increased by TK diet intervention but not in TA and RA diet intervention. The TK diet consumption subjects had a reduced abundance of rx4–4, Parabacteroides, and Lactococcus, while an increased abundance of Pyramidobacter, Neisseria, Lachnospira, and Blautia compared with TA diet. The relative abundance of Bifidobacterium was negatively correlated with serum branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) only after TK diet intervention. Also, gut microbial lipid metabolism was positively correlated with serum trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), betaine, and choline only after TK diet intervention. Conclusions Our observations provide evidence that alteration of metabolites and gut microbiota profiles by dietary patterns would influence host metabolic status, which has relevance for metabolic disease. Funding Sources This study was supported by ‘Research Program for Agricultural Science and Technology Development’, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea (Project No. PJ013475032019).

scholarly journals Bioethics and Universal Vulnerability: Exploring the Ethics and Practices of Research Participation

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nola M Ries ◽  
Michael Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Institutional Support ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Inclusive Design ◽  
Care And Support ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
Scientific Value ◽  
Participation In Research

Abstract In this article, we advocate the adoption of universal vulnerability as a core value in bioethics. We argue that understanding vulnerability as the universal human condition—and rejecting the labelling of particular individuals or groups as vulnerable—would benefit bioethics and the research it governs. Bioethics first engaged with vulnerability in the context of participation in research and this continues to define how the value is typically understood. Thus, vulnerability is generally deployed to describe individuals (or populations), where real or perceived deficiencies limit the ability to function and to protect themselves from risks. Revisiting this initial context and the participation in research of people living with dementia, we note that the bioethical position of excluding the ‘vulnerable’ from research has led to major gaps in evidence and knowledge to inform care and support. Turning to universal vulnerability, we consider the research design and practices that the approach would mandate. We emphasise the importance of inclusive design and mechanisms of institutional support that enable participation. We argue that these positively impact on the scientific value of research and address social justice concerns around social inclusion. Our aim is to provoke a fundamental reassessment of how vulnerability is conceived of in bioethics.

scholarly journals Proceedings of the Thirty-first Meeting of the Agricultural Research Modellers' Group

1999 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. FRANCE ◽  
L. A. CROMPTON
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Agricultural Science

This group, which is concerned with the applications of mathematics to agricultural science, was formed in 1970 and has since met at approximately yearly intervals in London for one-day meetings. The thirty-first meeting of the group, chaired by Professor M. Gill of NR International, Chatham, was held in the Kohn Centre at the Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London on Friday, 16 April 1999 when the following papers were read.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document