scholarly journals Public views of coronavirus science and scientists: findings from a cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Rachael Gooberman-Hill ◽  
Michelle L. Taylor ◽  
Ulrika Maude ◽  
Lucy Yardley ◽  
Richard Huxtable ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Information ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Scientific Uncertainty ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
White Ethnicity ◽  
The Public ◽  
True Representation ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Public Views

Background: Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, references to scientific findings have permeated public-facing communications. Understanding how members of the public view science, scientists and scientific uncertainty should enhance approaches to communication and individuals’ decisions to engage with public health measures, including restrictions and vaccination programmes. Methods: A survey was conducted on our behalf by YouGov in November 2020. The survey asked about: level of public trust in scientists and scientific information; changes in trust between March and November 2020; views about communication of scientific uncertainty; confidence in the accuracy of scientific findings; and views about whether public information is an accurate representation of coronavirus science. Results: The sample comprised 2,025 individuals living in England; 40.5% were ≥55 years old, 51.1% were female, and 12.3% identified as members of an ethnic minority/mixed ethnicity. Here, we present descriptive statistics across six key variables: age, gender, ethnicity, keyworker status, shielding status, and coronavirus exposure. Trust was highest among older respondents and those who identified as of white ethnicity. The concurrent (November 2020) levels of reported trust in scientific information about coronavirus were generally lower than those reported retrospectively for the start of the pandemic (March 2020). There was higher trust and positivity about science among people who had been shielding and among those who had not contracted coronavirus. Around half of respondents did not think that the uncertainty in science was conveyed much or at all, most were confident in the accuracy of coronavirus science, and around half thought that public information was a true representation of the science. Conclusions: Our study indicates that there is room to improve trust and communication in science. As well as detailed analyses to account for inter-relationships, further research could examine reasons behind change in trust over time and any persisting patterns by age, ethnicity, and shielding status.

scholarly journals Acceptance Rates and Beliefs toward COVID-19 Vaccination among the General Population of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Yasmin ◽  
Waleed Asghar ◽  
Maryam Salma Babar ◽  
Hiba Khan ◽  
Shoaib Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Polio Vaccination ◽  
Acceptance Rates ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Do So

Developing countries like Pakistan have previously suffered from barriers to acceptance of vaccination by the public because of financial and belief barriers. This study aims to explore these beliefs and highlight concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy in the general population of Pakistan since they are a hindrance to an effective coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) immunization in the country. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 1,778 participants from all four provinces of Pakistan. Results from the study showed more than half of the participants to be unsure of the safety (50%) and efficacy (51%) of the vaccine, whereas 42% were concerned about the side effects of the vaccine. About 72% of the respondents planned to get vaccinated, whereas 28% refused to do so. Internationally made imported vaccines were more trusted by the participants. Forty-four percent of the participants agreed to receive the vaccine upon recommendation from a physician. Lastly, participants who believed in the efficacy of the polio vaccination also considered the COVID-19 vaccine to be safe and effective.

Effect of Audit Expectation Gap in Nigerian Capital Market

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul N. Onulaka
Keyword(s):  
Capital Market ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Expectation Gap ◽  
The Relationship

Audit expectation gap is a phenomenon that presently attracts the attention of researchers all over the world. The basic problem is in the area of how the public perceives the role of the auditor, which in most cases centers on the prevention of fraud and irregularities. On the other hand the auditor and the auditing profession always exonerate themselves from the fact and perception of the public towards their work. However, the continued litigation against the auditor and the auditing profession has called on a rethink on the relationship of the auditor and the audit work he performs This paper is structured to briefly establish what auditing and its expectations gap is and the relationship audited financial statement has on capital market and to investigate if the identified gaps have any significant effect in the volume of transactions in the Nigerian capital market.It sought to establish the perception of the capital market operators on its existence. Respondents view was also sought on how the gap could be narrowed. Chi-square (χ2) was used to analyze the data obtained from the study. The data were obtained through questionnaire. Two hundred and ninety (290) copies of the instrument were found useful out of 350 copies distributed using purposive sampling technique. In this study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Lagos and Abuja stock Exchange to capture the perceptions of key users of financial statements in Nigerian capital market. The tests of hypothesis were done using Microsoft Excel 2010 version. Tests were carried out at a significant level of 5% and twelve degree of freedom. The findings of the study indicated that there is a wide expectation gap in the areas of auditors’ responsibility for fraud prevention and detection. Audit expectation gap has negative impact on the volume of transactions in Nigerian stock exchange.

A re-evaluation of teenage sunbed use following the introduction of banning legislation for under 18-year-olds

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 588-593
Author(s):  
S Menzies ◽  
S Daly ◽  
R O’Connor ◽  
A Kelly ◽  
M Fitzgerald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Education ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multifaceted Approach ◽  
The Public ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
The Media ◽  
Sunbed Use

Abstract Background There is little information on the effectiveness of introducing age restriction legislation alone to reduce the rate of sunbed usage by teenagers. Prior to the Public Health (Sunbed) Act of 2014 prohibiting the use of sunbeds in under 18-year-olds in Ireland we reported the rate of sunbed use at 7.5%. Objectives The aim of the study was to compare the rate of sunbed usage among Irish teenagers before and after the introduction of banning legislation to determine if it had the desired effect of reducing its rate of use. Methods In a cross-sectional survey, students from the same schools as in our previous study completed an anonymous, written questionnaire pertaining to sunbed usage. Results In total, 783 questionnaires, from 13 schools across Ireland, were completed. The rate of sunbed use in the current study was 7.2%, compared to 7.5% in the pre-ban study, (P = 0.76). A higher rate of sunbed use was observed in Dublin schools and female public students. Conclusion Our study suggests that legislation alone is ineffective at reducing sunbed usage in a teenage population. A multifaceted approach is required that includes enforcement of the legislation together with targeted public education and awareness campaigns using all aspects of the media.

Who cares for nutrition information at a restaurant? Food-related lifestyles and their association to nutrition information conscious behaviors

2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (7) ◽  
pp. 1625-1640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinkyung Choi
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Body Satisfaction ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Nutrition Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
New Information

Purpose – People have become more health conscious about the food they eat on any occasion. As healthy dietary information has been released to the public in order to correspond with active public adaptation, more consumers have become aware of and are showing interest in new information related to health. The purpose of this paper is to utilize food-related lifestyle (FRL) instruments to explain nutrition information-conscious behaviors. Design/methodology/approach – This study used a cross-sectional survey design. A questionnaire was developed based on previous studies. A factor analysis and a cluster analysis were conducted to segment nutrition information-conscious behaviors of consumers. Participants were 200 and the survey was administered to citizens in South Korea. Exploratory factor analysis, cluster analysis, analysis of variance, Duncan’s multiple comparison tests, and χ2 test were used. Findings – Nine factors were identified and four clusters were established. These clusters were named: “personal value concern group,” “enthusiastic group,” “moderation group,” and “unconcerned group.” Each segment was significantly different in body satisfaction and nutrition information-conscious behaviors. Nutrients such as dietary fibers, sodium, and trans fat were considered differently by the four segments. Originality/value – Using an FRL instrument in relation to nutrition information-conscious behavior, interesting conclusions were drawn. Results of this study suggested that each segment has its characteristics in relation to nutrition information-conscious behaviors. Also it can be concluded that it is time for individuals to take responsibility for their own health problems.

Scientific Uncertainty in Health and Risk Messaging

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Zehr
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Scientific Uncertainty ◽  
Public Science ◽  
The Public ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
New Research ◽  
Societal Problems

Expressions of scientific uncertainty are normal features of scientific articles and professional presentations. Journal articles typically include research questions at the beginning, probabilistic accounts of findings in the middle, and new research questions at the end. These uncertainty claims are used to construct clear boundaries between uncertain and certain scientific knowledge. Interesting questions emerge, however, when scientific uncertainty is communicated in occasions for public science (e.g., newspaper accounts of science, scientific expertise in political deliberations, science in stakeholder claims directed to the public, and so forth). Scientific uncertainty is especially important in the communication of environmental and health risks where public action is expected despite uncertain knowledge. Public science contexts are made more complex by the presence of multiple actors such as citizen-scientists, journalists, stakeholders, social movement actors, politicians, and so on who perform important functions in the communication and interpretation of scientific information and bring in diverse norms and values. A past assumption among researchers was that scientists would deemphasize or ignore uncertainties in these situations to better match their claims with a public perception of science as an objective, truth-building institution. However, more recent research indicates variability in the likelihood that scientists communicate uncertainties and in the public reception and use of uncertainty claims. Many scientists still believe that scientific uncertainty will be misunderstood by the public and misused by interest groups involved with an issue, while others recognize a need to clearly translate what is known and not known. Much social science analysis of scientific uncertainty in public science views it as a socially constructed phenomenon, where it depends less upon a particular state of scientific research (what scientists are certain and uncertain of) and more upon contextual factors, the actors involved, and the meanings attached to scientific claims. Scientific uncertainty is often emergent in public science, both in the sense that the boundary between what is certain and uncertain can be managed and manipulated by powerful actors and in the sense that as scientific knowledge confronts diverse public norms, values, local knowledges, and interests new areas of uncertainty emerge. Scientific uncertainty may emerge as a consequence of social conflict rather than being its cause. In public science scientific uncertainty can be interpreted as a normal state of affairs and, in the long run, may not be that detrimental to solving societal problems if it opens up new avenues and pathways for thinking about solutions. Of course, the presence of scientific uncertainty can also be used to legitimate inaction.

scholarly journals Developing Civil Servants’ Commitment to Share Knowledge and Implement Cost Reduction Policy: The Perspective of Malaysian Public Sector

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Mohamad Hisyam Selamat ◽  
Haliza Mazlin Abdul Halim ◽  
Foo Kok Soon
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Moral Obligation ◽  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Civil Servants ◽  
Public Organization ◽  
Public Agencies ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Practical Implications

The present study is designed to propose values for developing civil servants’ commitment to share ideas on how to reduce public organization cost and in turn commitment to implement cost reduction policy in the workplace. If civil servants feel that they have a moral obligation in paying back the country through remain with the employing public agencies they become receptive towards cost reduction policy. To instil this moral obligation this study proposes the elements of means, attitude towards leaders and attitude towards government. The researchers have applied cross-sectional survey research to validate the framework. It is found that attitude towards government influenced the development of civil servants’ commitment to share knowledge in the workplace significantly. On the other hand, means and attitude towards government influenced the development of civil servants’ commitment to implement cost reduction policy in the workplace significantly. The practical implications are the discovery of theoretical, personal, and workplace practical best practices for the establishment of strategies to establish knowledge sharing commitment and cost reduction commitment amongst civil servants in the public organizations.

scholarly journals FOOD ADULTERATION AND FAMILY'S KNOWLEDGE ON FOOD ADULTERATION IN SELECTED VILLAGE OF UDUPI TALUK, KARNATAKA

2013 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 033-037
Author(s):  
Abidfaheem T. K. ◽  
Baby S. Nayak ◽  
Maxie Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Common Salt ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Adulteration ◽  
The Public ◽  
Knowledge Questionnaire ◽  
Powder Samples ◽  
Chili Powder

AbstractA cross sectional survey was under taken among 75 families using structured knowledge questionnaire and observation technique. The collected data was analysed using SPSS version 16. The study findings showed that majority (60%)of the subjects had moderate knowledge on food adulteration. Out of 75 samples tested, 2.7% chili powder samples were adulterated with artificial color and 10.7% of the common salt samples were adulterated with insoluble impurities. In tea powder 12 % were adulterated with iron fillings and 2.7% 2 were adulterated with artificial color. There was significant association of knowledge score on food adulteration with age (X2 (2) =8.627 p= (2), 2 0.013) and educational status (X2 (4) =9.876, p= 0.043) of the respondents. The study concludes that the food adulteration even though (4) low, still it is existing. However awareness of the public in relation to food adulteration should be ongoing especially to the general public with lower level of education.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Chinese Towards Dementia in Hong Kong—Diagnosis, Symptoms and Impacts

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tai Pong Lam ◽  
Kai Sing Sun ◽  
Hoi Yan Chan ◽  
Chak Sing Lau ◽  
Kwok Fai Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Public Hospital ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Dementia Patient ◽  
Early Screening ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Diagnosis Of Dementia

The increasing prevalence of dementia has become a public health issue worldwide including China. This study aims to explore the perception of Chinese in Hong Kong towards the diagnosis, symptoms and impacts of dementia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among outpatients (without diagnosed dementia) attending a regional public hospital using a standard questionnaire. The results from 290 respondents showed that most preferred to be told about the diagnosis of dementia as soon as possible if they got it, in order to deal with the news and to access treatment and support early. Nearly two thirds of the respondents perceived practical issues (61.3%), physical health (61.0%), and emotional distress (58.4%) as their most fearful impacts, while legal issues (7.4%) were their least concerns. Family history/genes (79.1%) and brain injury (75.9%) were the most commonly perceived causes of dementia. For symptoms, respondents were more likely to identify cognitive impairments than undesirable behaviours. The accepting and proactive attitudes of the public indicate that there is a timely need of more public education about the disease, early screening and better continuity of care to fulfil the anticipated increase of the dementia patient population.

scholarly journals Assessment of Enhancing Transparency of Financial Statements

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Viswa Nadham N.
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative

The study explored both the advantages of transparency and challenges facing finance departments of local government authorities in the course of preparing and presenting financial information. The study employed an explanatory case study,cross-sectional survey  and applied a triangulation of methods to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The participants were all selected based on the opportunity to learn and the typicality of Dodoma municipality. A total of 80 respondents were involved. Data analysis was done through SPSS. Figures, tables, pattern matching, comparison and strong explanation building all aided in simplifying the analyses of findings.Key findings of the study unveiled that participation of the public in finance affairs of local governments heightened transparency in the preparation and presentation of financial statements. Furthermore, the finding reveal that International Finnancial Report Standards (IFRS) was rarely applicable during  the preparation of financial statement. It was also found out that tansparency in financial matters reduced fraudulent behaviours in the allocation and expenditure of local government funds.Key words: Financial statements, IFRS, IAS, Financial transperancy.

scholarly journals Artificial insemination services under different institutional framework in Bangladesh

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-174
Author(s):  
MM Uddin ◽  
MN Sultana ◽  
GV Huylenbroek ◽  
KJ Peters
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Public ◽  
Small Scale Dairy

The objective of the study was to compare the provision of the existing artificial insemination service delivery system (AI-SDS) among public, private and autonomous institutions to the small-scale dairy farmers in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by using a pre-tested and pre-designed questionnaire and face-to-face interview technique. A stratified-purposive sampling technique was applied to select 165 small-scale dairy farmers from four study areas. Descriptive statistics were performed to know the frequency of the provision of AI services. Public services were available in all study areas whereas autonomous services were only delivered in Mymensingh district. The private service was increasing faster than the public and autonomous service. The public service had higher incentives and network coverage compared to private and autonomous services. The results also showed that 50% of the respondent perceived the AI service as “public goods” and showed no willingness to pay (e.g., free of charge for public service). The demand for the services has been increasing but the existing organizations were not able to provide the services especially to the remote areas. From this study, it is recommended that farmers’ needs should be translated in a way that they get access to their required services in a satisfactory manner.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i3.21643 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (3): 166-174

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