scholarly journals Chinese views on nuclear weapons: Evidence from an online survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 205316802110328
Author(s):  
Naomi Egel ◽  
R. Lincoln Hines
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Weapons ◽  
Text Analysis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
The Public ◽  
Self Defense ◽  
Public Views ◽  
Chinese Public

What are Chinese public attitudes regarding nuclear weapons? Although scholars have studied Chinese elites’ views on nuclear weapons, surprisingly little is known about the views of China’s public. To understand Chinese public views on nuclear weapons, we conduct an online survey ( N = 1066) of Chinese respondents. This is, to our knowledge, the first survey of Chinese public attitudes towards nuclear weapons. We find that although Chinese citizens view the possession of nuclear weapons as important for their country’s security, they strongly oppose the use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. We also provide respondents an opportunity to describe their views on nuclear weapons in their own words. Using computer-assisted text analysis, we assess patterns in these open-ended responses and compare across age groups. We find that younger respondents emphasize non-material factors such as having a greater voice internationally, whereas older respondents emphasize self-defense. Overall, this analysis sheds light on the public attitudes that may shape China’s evolving approach to nuclear weapons.

scholarly journals Is the public supportive and willing to pay for a national assistive reproductive therapies programme? Results from a multicountry survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e044986
Author(s):  
Chris Skedgel ◽  
Eleanor Ralphs ◽  
Elaine Finn ◽  
Jennifer A Whitty ◽  
Marie Markert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Fertility Treatment ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Secondary Outcome Measure ◽  
Additional Contribution ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Usa

ObjectivesTo understand attitudes towards infertility and willingness to pay (WTP) towards a publicly funded national assistive reproductive therapies (ART) programme.DesignAttitudes survey with dichotomous and open-ended WTP questions.SettingOnline survey administered in the USA, UK, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and China.Participants7945 respondents, analysed by country. Nordic respondents were pooled into a regionally representative sample.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were proportion of sample agreeing with different infertility-related and ART-related value statements and supporting a monthly contribution to fund a national ART programme, expressed in local currency. Secondary outcome measure was maximum WTP.ResultsAcross the nationally representative samples, 75.5% of all respondents agreed with infertility as a medical condition and 82.3% and 83.7% with ART eligibility for anyone who has difficulty having a baby or a medical problem preventing them from having a baby, respectively. 56.4% of respondents supported a defined monthly contribution and 73.9% supported at least some additional contribution to fund a national ART programme. Overall, converting to euros, median maximum WTP was €3.00 and mean was €15.47 (95% CI 14.23 to 16.72) per month. Maximum WTP was highest in China and the USA and lowest in the European samples.ConclusionsThis large, multicountry survey extends our understanding of public attitudes towards infertility and fertility treatment beyond Europe. It finds evidence that a majority of the public in all sampled countries/regions views infertility as a treatable medical condition and supports the idea that all infertile individuals should have access to treatments that improve the chance of conception. There was also strong agreement with the idea that the desire for children is a basic human need. WTP questions showed that a majority of respondents supported a monthly contribution to fund a national ART programme, although there is some evidence of an acquiescence bias that may overstate support among specific samples.

scholarly journals Identifying Aspects of Public Attitudes Toward Whole Genome Sequencing to Inform the Integration of Genomics into Care

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Holly Etchegary ◽  
Daryl Pullman ◽  
Charlene Simmonds ◽  
Zoha Rabie ◽  
Proton Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Genetic Counselor ◽  
Genomic Medicine ◽  
Genomic Data ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
The Public ◽  
Genomic Test

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The growth of global sequencing initiatives and commercial genomic test offerings suggests the public will increasingly be confronted with decisions about sequencing. Understanding public attitudes can assist efforts to integrate sequencing into care and inform the development of public education and outreach strategies. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A 48-item online survey was advertised on Facebook in Eastern Canada and hosted on SurveyMonkey in late 2018. The survey measured public interest in whole genome sequencing and attitudes toward various aspects of sequencing using vignettes, scaled, and open-ended items. <b><i>Results:</i></b> While interest in sequencing was high, critical attitudes were observed. In particular, items measuring features of patient control and choice regarding genomic data were strongly endorsed by respondents. Majority wanted to specify upfront how their data could be used, retain the ability to withdraw their sample at a later date, sign a written consent form, and speak to a genetic counselor prior to sequencing. Concerns about privacy and unauthorized access to data were frequently observed. Education level was the sociodemographic variable most often related to attitude statements such that those with higher levels of education generally displayed more critical attitudes. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Attitudes identified here could be used to inform the development of implementation strategies for genomic medicine. Findings suggest health systems must address patient concerns about privacy, consent practices, and the strong desire to control what happens to their genomic data through public outreach and education. Specific oversight procedures and policies that are clearly communicated to the public will be required.

scholarly journals The Public Attitudes, Concerns and Behaviors towards Children Vaccination

2021 ◽  
pp. 39-43
Author(s):  
Nehad J. Ahmed ◽  
Abdulrahman S. Alrawili ◽  
Faisal Z. Alkhawaja
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Arabic Language ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior ◽  
Public Concerns

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the public concerns, attitudes and behavior towards vaccination. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study that included an online survey about the public concerns, attitudes and behavior towards vaccination in Saudi Arabia. The survey was translated to Arabic language and converted to an online form using google forms and after that it was sent to be filled by the parents. Results: About 92% of the respondents said that children should be vaccinated in order to protect them and about 86% of them believed that vaccinations are safe for children in general. Regarding the concerns about vaccination, about 69% of the respondents were concerned about the distress to children of the injection itself and 59% of them were concerned about the increasing number of vaccines recommended for children. Furthermore, about 62% of the respondents were concerned that vaccines are not tested enough for safety. Conclusion: The majority of respondents in this study reported positive attitude but more than half of them expressed some degree of concern regarding children vaccination. Healthcare professionals should play an active role in clarifying these concerns about vaccination with the public. Moreover, they should communicate with parents regarding the vaccinations and provide them with a trusted information about the vaccine.

Moral motives, police legitimacy and acceptance of force

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 799-815
Author(s):  
Jasmine R. Silver
Keyword(s):  
Procedural Justice ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Police Legitimacy ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Perceptions Of Police ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Moral Motive

PurposeThis study extends legitimacy theory by examining individualizing and binding moral motives and perceptions of police.Design/methodology/approachData are drawn from an online survey of the public (N = 961). OLS regression is used to predict global perceptions of legitimacy, as well as department legitimacy and acceptance of force in an experimental vignette that manipulates procedural justice.FindingsThe binding moral motive is associated with greater global and department legitimacy and acceptance of force. The individualizing moral motive is associated with reduced global legitimacy and acceptance of force, and with department legitimacy when procedural justice is low. Perceptions of legitimacy mediate the effects of the binding moral motive on acceptance of force and of the individualizing moral motive when procedural justice is low.Research limitations/implicationsThis study identifies novel antecedents of police legitimacy and acceptance of force (i.e. binding and individualizing moral motives).Social implicationsThis study provides insight into public attitudes regarding use of force.Originality/valueThis study is the first to propose and test a link between binding and individualizing moral motives and perceptions of police.

Public Attitudes Toward the Secondary Uses of Patient Records for Pharmaceutical Companies’ Activities in Japan

2019 ◽  
pp. 216847901987214
Author(s):  
Haruka Nakada ◽  
Yusuke Inoue ◽  
Keiichiro Yamamoto ◽  
Kenji Matsui ◽  
Tsunakuni Ikka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Development ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Patient Records ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Benefit ◽  
Secondary Use ◽  
New Drug ◽  
Opt Out

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess public attitudes toward pharmaceutical companies’ secondary uses of patient records and public preferences regarding consent approaches. Method: 3000 responses to an online survey were collected from adults in Japan. The questionnaire included 32 items related to (1) awareness of “clinical trials”; (2) awareness of the processes of drug development, such as cost, time, and the number of candidate substances in a new drug; (3) knowledge of the laws and regulations for use of patient records in Japan; (4) assessment of the public benefit of the secondary use of patient records; (5) preferences for consent for the secondary use of patient records; and (6) basic characteristics of the respondents. Results: The public benefit from secondary use of records by academic institutions for scientific research was rated highest. All of the activities by pharmaceutical companies were rated higher than those by governmental institutions and other for-profit companies. Regarding consent approaches, 37.9% preferred an “opt-in” approach for new drug development by pharmaceutical companies, 79.7% of whom would change their preference to an “opt-out” approach under specific conditions, such as ensuring intended uses only. Conclusion: Our respondents consider the “public benefit” as dependent on the relative distance from “promoting public health” when assessing the secondary purpose of patient record use. Pharmaceutical companies should include the beneficial purposes when using patient records with “opt-out” approach. Policy makers should pay more attention to the purposes of use when developing personal information protection policies.

scholarly journals “Giving something back”: A systematic review and ethical enquiry into public views on the use of patient data for research in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Stockdale ◽  
Jackie Cassell ◽  
Elizabeth Ford
Keyword(s):  
Common Good ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Patient Data ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Biomedical Ethics ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Views

Background: Use of patients’ medical data for secondary purposes such as health research, audit, and service planning is well established in the UK. However, the governance environment, as well as public understanding about this work, have lagged behind. We aimed to systematically review the literature on UK and Irish public views of patient data used in research, critically analysing such views though an established biomedical ethics framework, to draw out potential strategies for future good practice guidance and inform ethical and privacy debates.Methods: We searched three databases using terms such as patient, public, opinion, and electronic health records. Empirical studies were eligible for inclusion if they surveyed healthcare users, patients or the public in UK and Ireland and examined attitudes, opinions or beliefs about the use of patient data for medical research. Results were synthesised into broad themes using a framework analysis.Results: Out of 13,492 papers and reports screened, 20 papers or reports were eligible. While there was a widespread willingness to share patient data for research for the common good, this very rarely led to unqualified support. The public expressed two generalised concerns about the potential risks to their privacy. The first of these concerns related to a party’s competence in keeping data secure, while the second was associated with the motivation a party might have to use the data.Conclusions: The public evaluates trustworthiness of research organisations by assessing their competence in data-handling and motivation for accessing the data. Public attitudes around data-sharing exemplified several principles which are also widely accepted in biomedical ethics. This provides a framework for understanding public attitudes, which should be considered in the development in any guidance for regulators and data custodians. We propose four salient questions which decision makers should address when evaluating proposals for the secondary use of data

scholarly journals Public Attitudes toward Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from Five Chinese Cities

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 5793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Guan ◽  
Ke Meng ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Lan Xue
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
National Level ◽  
Public Support ◽  
The Public ◽  
Heuristic Systematic Model ◽  
Development Goals

Raising public awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a critical prerequisite for their implementation. However, little is known about attitude formation among the public toward SDGs at the national level. We explored this topic in China, a country that has emerged as a leading world economy with strong transformational imperatives to work toward sustainable development. Following Chaiken’s heuristic–systematic model and using data from an online survey with 4128 valid respondents, this study investigated the factors that affect public support for SDGs and explains how individuals form supportive attitudes. Our empirical evidence showed that in China, first, public support is mainly shaped by demographic attributes (gender, age, and educational attainment), value predispositions (e.g., altruistic values and anthropocentric worldviews), and the level of SDG-relevant knowledge. Second, an interaction effect exists between value predispositions and knowledge among the public concerning support for SDGs. Third, the Chinese public views the implementation of SDGs as a part of development policy rather than environmental policy. This study provides empirical findings on the factors that account for public attitudes toward SDGs, outlining some useful implications for designing policy tools that would bolster SDG action.

scholarly journals Worth living or worth dying? The views of the general public about allowing disabled children to die

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Brick ◽  
Guy Kahane ◽  
Dominic Wilkinson ◽  
Lucius Caviola ◽  
Julian Savulescu
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Treatment Withdrawal ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Ethical Frameworks ◽  
Role Of Parents ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Public Views

BackgroundDecisions about withdrawal of life support for infants have given rise to legal battles between physicians and parents creating intense media attention. It is unclear how we should evaluate when life is no longer worth living for an infant. Public attitudes towards treatment withdrawal and the role of parents in situations of disagreement have not previously been assessed.MethodsAn online survey was conducted with a sample of the UK public to assess public views about the benefit of life in hypothetical cases similar to real cases heard by the UK courts (eg, Charlie Gard, Alfie Evans). We then evaluated these public views in comparison with existing ethical frameworks for decision-making.ResultsOne hundred and thirty participants completed the survey. The majority (94%) agreed that an infant’s life may have no benefit when well-being falls below a critical level. Decisions to withdraw treatment were positively associated with the importance of use of medical resources, the infant’s ability to have emotional relationships, and mental abilities. Up to 50% of participants in each case believed it was permissible to either continue or withdraw treatment.ConclusionDespite the controversy, our findings indicate that in the most severe cases, most people agree that life is not worth living for a profoundly disabled infant. Our survey found wide acceptance of at least the permissibility of withdrawal of treatment across a range of cases, though also a reluctance to overrule parents’ decisions. These findings may be useful when constructing guidelines for clinical practice.

Ultimate Sovereignty and the Flexibility of the Islamic Caliphate/Democracy

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-322
Author(s):  
Mujtaba Isani
Keyword(s):  
Political Thought ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Popular Sovereignty ◽  
The Public ◽  
Islamic Political Thought ◽  
Book Covers ◽  
Public Views ◽  
Modern Era ◽  
Practical Implications

Abstract March’s exceptional book profoundly deals with the ideas of popular sovereignty and the Caliphate in modern Islamic political thought. While this book covers the concept of popular sovereignty in quite detail, March’s portrayal fails to convince the reader whether or not Islamic democracies are possible as a result. Based on previous work on medieval Islamic political thought and public attitudes towards the Caliphate, I argue that conceptions of Islamic government have differed according to context, place and time, and in the modern era the public views the Caliphate as a vehicle for justice and welfare. This implies that Islamic government can still be broadly based on the principles of modern Islamic political thought while the exact institutional configurations may still be able to differ according to place, time and context. In conclusion, while March’s book carefully synthesizes the theoretical debates, it might not have far-reaching practical implications for Islamic democracy.

Atomic Aversion: Experimental Evidence on Taboos, Traditions, and the Non-Use of Nuclear Weapons

2013 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 188-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
DARYL G. PRESS ◽  
SCOTT D. SAGAN ◽  
BENJAMIN A. VALENTINO
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Weapons ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Survey Experiment ◽  
State Behavior ◽  
The Public ◽  
Conventional Weapons ◽  
Original Survey ◽  
Willingness To Use ◽  
Do So

How strong are normative prohibitions on state behavior? We examine this question by analyzing anti-nuclear norms, sometimes called the “nuclear taboo,” using an original survey experiment to evaluate American attitudes regarding nuclear use. We find that the public has only a weak aversion to using nuclear weapons and that this aversion has few characteristics of an “unthinkable” behavior or taboo. Instead, public attitudes about whether to use nuclear weapons are driven largely by consequentialist considerations of military utility. Americans’ willingness to use nuclear weapons increases dramatically when nuclear weapons provide advantages over conventional weapons in destroying critical targets. Americans who oppose the use of nuclear weapons seem to do so primarily for fear of setting a negative precedent that could lead to the use of nuclear weapons by other states against the United States or its allies in the future.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document