scholarly journals ASAS-NANP SYMPOSIUM: Review of systems thinking concepts and their potential value in animal science research

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma C Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Grand Challenge ◽  
Animal Science ◽  
Dynamic Complexity ◽  
Production Decisions ◽  
Persistent Problem ◽  
Research Frameworks

Abstract Worldwide, our collective research and policy institutions, including the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), are calling for more systems-based research and analysis of society’s most pressing and complex problems. However, the use of systems analysis within animal science remains limited and researchers may not have the tools to answer this call. This review thus introduces important concepts in systems thinking methodology, such as policy resistance, feedback processes, and dynamic complexity. An overall rationale for systems thinking and analysis is presented, along with examples of the application of these concepts in current animal science research. In order to contrast systems approaches to more frequently employed event-oriented research frameworks, both frameworks are then applied to the ASAS’ identified “Grand Challenge” problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in order to compare these two kinds of analyses. Systems thinking stresses the importance of underlying system structures that lead to persistent problem behaviors vs a focus on unidirectional cause-and-effect relationships. A potential systems framework for animal production decisions to use antimicrobials is shown that more explicitly accounts for AMR in a way that can lead to different animal production decisions than the event-oriented framework. Acknowledging and accounting for fundamental system structures that can explain persistent AMR will lead to different potential solutions to this problem than would be suggested from more linear approaches. The challenges and benefits of incorporating systems methods into animal science research are then discussed.

BSAS Ethical Policy British Society of Animal Science Ethical guidelines for research in animal science

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 ◽  
pp. 247-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jarvis ◽  
J.E.L. Day ◽  
B. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Science Research ◽  
British Society ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Animal Science ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Ethical Policy ◽  
Physical Environments ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Performance

Animal science research is important in relation to our understanding of animals, their function and performance, and their relationships with their social and physical environments. Animal science research covers a wide range of disciplines and so can lead to the use of a variety of experimental techniques on animals for many different purposes. This has the potential to lead to a multitude of diverse ethical issues. Members of the British Society of Animal Science and authors of papers submitted to the Society for publication come from countries around the world and therefore are subject to differences in legislative requirements and recommendations regarding animal experimentation. These legal requirements, along with the ethical implications of the research must be fully considered before any experimental work is undertaken.

Influencing Perceptions in Non-animal Science Majors: Impact of a High Enrollment, Asynchronous Core Curriculum Science General Animal Science Course

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 45-45
Author(s):  
Sushil Paudyal ◽  
Leslie Frenzel ◽  
Kathrin Dunlap
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Science Majors ◽  
Animal Science ◽  
Production Industry

Abstract Perceptions of animal production industry and background knowledge of animal science vary greatly amongst students, particularly non-animal science majors. The objective was to assess the influence of a large asynchronous core curriculum science course, General Animal Science, on non-major student perceptions and knowledge of animal science. Student surveys (n = 634) were conducted (preceding and subsequent to course completion. The majority (57.66%) indicated no agriculture background. Among those reporting an agriculture background, 47.82% indicated having animal industry experience, and a mean score of 4.22 [SD 2.96; Likert scale (0–10)] evaluating perceived strength of their agriculture background. Of respondents, 34.77% indicated experience with companion animal, 13.6% beef cattle, 12.5% equine, 10.4% sheep and goats, 8.01% swine, 9.7% poultry, and 3.5% dairy cattle. Post-course responses were received from 71% of the enrolled students (n=541), and comprised of freshman (0–29 credit hours; n = 81), sophomore (30–59, n = 142), junior (60–89; n = 141), senior (90+; n = 48). Respondents indicated a mean score of 7.51 [SD 2.47; Likert scale (0–10)] that this course increased their interest in animal science and indicated a mean score of 6.71 (SD 2.97) on motivation to further their animal science knowledge. Students reported they felt more informed in beef cattle (40.10%), dairy cattle (15.05%), equine (14.56%), poultry (10.92%), swine (4.61%), and small animal (6.55%) production industries. Respondents (98.06%) indicated increased confidence as an educated consumer of animal products and a majority (92.2%) agreed this course helped eliminate misconceptions related to the animal production industry. In addition, 34.22% responded extremely likely, and 50.73% somewhat likely to utilize course knowledge in their everyday life. We concluded that enrollment in the asynchronous core curriculum science course, General Animal Science, reduced misconceptions related to animal production and increased knowledge of and appreciation of the animal production industry in non-animal science majors.

scholarly journals The Inference Engine: A Grand Challenge to Address the Context Sensitivity Problem in Social Science Research

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Goroff ◽  
Neil Anthony Lewis ◽  
Anne M. Scheel ◽  
Laura Danielle Scherer ◽  
Joshua A Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Inference Engine ◽  
Context Sensitivity ◽  
Grand Challenge ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
The People ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Sensitivity Problem

Social science has a ‘context sensitivity’ problem: the people that we study, and the situations they engage in, are so complex and variable that predicting how they will think, feel, and behave in a given situation is very challenging. Even when we are able to make such predictions, it is often unclear how accurate they will be if some feature of the studied subjects and/or situation changes. This limits the utility of our research for application and policy, as the ‘contextual factors’ that might change our conclusions are often unknown. It is time to address this context sensitivity problem in social science research. While do not yet know how to solve it, we believe social scientists can make great progress by working together to build an inference engine.

An overview of animal science research 1945-2011 through science mapping analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 132 (6) ◽  
pp. 475-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Rodriguez-Ledesma ◽  
M.J. Cobo ◽  
C. Lopez-Pujalte ◽  
E. Herrera-Viedma
Keyword(s):  
Science Research ◽  
Animal Science ◽  
Science Mapping ◽  
Mapping Analysis

Reframing the Perfectionist's Catch-22 Dilemma: A Systems Thinking Approach

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah C. Ramsey ◽  
Philip L. Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Gifted And Talented ◽  
World View ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Fundamental Change ◽  
Dynamic Complexity ◽  
Cognitive Consistency ◽  
Catch 22 ◽  
Systems Thinking Approach

Perfectionist tendencies present a particular challenge to gifted and talented children. The complexity of perfectionism, however, acts as an impediment to agreement on the nature of the phenomenon and on the development of strategies to ameliorate its effects. This article uses systems thinking to examine the dynamic complexity of perfectionism. These dynamics are explained as an attempt by the perfectionist to achieve cognitive consistency. The unrealistic world view of a perfectionist generates a catch-22 situation that makes change difficult. Rather than change their world view, perfectionists are more likely to attempt to change their behavior or their levels of self-esteem. Fundamental change requires a world view that balances performance and learning, and this involves changing views on performance and failure. The article discusses how such fundamental change might be achieved effectively.

scholarly journals The Potential Impact of Animal Science Research on Global Maternal and Child Nutrition and Health: A Landscape Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 362-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Odle ◽  
Sheila K Jacobi ◽  
R Dean Boyd ◽  
Dale E Bauman ◽  
Russell V Anthony ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Animal Science ◽  
Maternal And Child Nutrition ◽  
Potential Impact

scholarly journals Intellectual property management at the National Animal Science Research Institute in India: A case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1070-1077
Author(s):  
C. Chithra Chandrasekharan ◽  
R. S. Jiji
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Property Management ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Animal Science ◽  
Science Research Institute ◽  
Intellectual Property Management ◽  
Research Institute

Background and Aim: The National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics is an animal science research institute under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The intellectual property management system (IPMS) of the institute oversees technology creation, protection, and transfer/commercialization. This study reviews the effectiveness of the IPMS using traditional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) evaluation. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive repository was developed to compile the SWOT pertaining to the IPMS based on relevant document reviews and the inputs of experts and stakeholders. The repository was shared among scientists of the institute for rating. The rating process revealed the top ten key SWOT associated with the structure and operation of the IPMS. The weighted SWOT matrix technique was used to identify the best strategies to improve and develop the IPMS further. This included strategies derived from the best combinations of key strengths and opportunities (S-O strategies), key weaknesses and opportunities (W-O strategies), key strengths and threats (S-T strategies), and key weaknesses and threats (W-T strategies). Results: The top-ranked strengths included "possession of patented technology" and "state-of-the-art biosafety laboratory facilities," while "lack of in-house faculty with legal expertise in intellectual property rights (IPR)"" and "lack of technology incubation facilities" were the key weaknesses. The key opportunities included "external funding for research projects" and "market demand for onsite diagnostic tools." The major threats were "lack of market for veterinary diagnostics" and "broadbased patents on research tools and technologies." Conclusion: The strengths of the system, such as a state-of-the-art biosafety laboratory and technology-marketing collaboration with Agrinnovate India Ltd., could be employed effectively to gain from the opportunities tendered by the market demand for on-site disease diagnostic tools (S-O strategies). The limitation arising from a dearth of technical staff could be overcome by technological backstopping through international linkages in the area of disease monitoring and surveillance. Funding from externally supported projects could also be utilized for recruitment of personnel (W-O strategies). Limitations arising from the combination of inadequate in-house IPR expertise and the threat arising from broadbased patents on research tools warrant vigilance (W-T strategies).

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