scholarly journals Public consultation in the evaluation of animal research protocols

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260114
Author(s):  
Michael W. Brunt ◽  
Daniel M. Weary

One response to calls for increased openness in animal research is to make protocols publicly accessible, but it is unclear what type of input the public would provide if given this opportunity. In this study we invited public responses to five different research projects, using non-technical summaries intended for lay audiences. Our aim was to assess the potential for this type of public consultation in protocol review, and a secondary aim was to better understand what types of animal research people are willing to accept and why. US participants (n = 1521) were asked (via an online survey) “Do you support the use of these (insert species) for this research”, and responded using a seven-point scale (1 = “No”, 4 = “Neutral”, and 7 = “Yes”). Participants were asked to explain the reasons for their choice; open-ended text responses were subjected to thematic analysis. Most participants (89.7%) provided clear comments, showing the potential of an online forum to elicit feedback. Four themes were prevalent in participant reasoning regarding their support for the proposed research: 1) impact on animals, 2) impact on humans, 3) scientific merit, and 4) availability of alternatives. Participant support for the proposed research varied but on average was close to neutral (mean ± SD: 4.5 ± 2.19) suggesting some ambivalence to this animal use. The protocol describing Parkinson’s research (on monkeys) was least supported (3.9 ± 2.17) and the transplant research (on pigs) was most supported (4.9 ± 2.02). These results indicate that public participants are sensitive to specifics of a protocol. We conclude that an online forum can provide meaningful public input on proposed animal research, offering research institutions the opportunity for improved transparency and the chance to reduce the risk that they engage in studies that are out of step with community values.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Afonso Magalhaes

Sociotope mapping is a tool that has been used to identify values in public spaces, as defined by the public. By developing an original sociotope map using the sociotope map methodology, utilizing the technique created in Stockhom, Sweden, this research attempts to understand the values of public space within and around Ryerson University, while providing a critique on the utility of the tool in this context. The information collected from an online survey will be analyzed and visually displayed on a sociotope map. This may be utilized by the school administration, municipal planners, urban designers or landscape architecture professionals to understand what concerns may be provoked by the development of certain spaces and the resources valued by the public in the public realm. This project explores how different public spaces within the Ryerson University Campus are utilized and how useful is the sociotope mapping tool in inferring these values. keywords: planning; sociotope; parks planning; perceptions of space; engagement; public consultation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (77) ◽  
pp. 246-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Macedo Pereira de Matos ◽  
Odilanei Morais dos Santos ◽  
Adriano Rodrigues ◽  
Rodrigo de Oliveira Leite

ABSTRACT The main goal of the paper is to analyze whether the positions of auditors and regulators, and their respective coalitions, regarding the proposals of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) in the last phase of the public consultation “Improving the Auditor’s Report” are significantly different, as well as the effectiveness of a lobbying strategy using comment letters. The relevance of this research lies in providing evidence on whether or not the IAASB is influenced by the lobbying strategies of different interest groups carried out via comment letters, especially auditors and regulators (both individually and in coalitions). The results show that both auditors and regulators attempeted to influence the IAASB’s decision-making process, with their coalitions taking a different position on some questions. However, none of these interest groups predominated in terms of the effectiveness of the lobbying carried out, hence the results are consistent with institutional theory, in that the IAASB seeks legitimacy in its actions and tries to accommodate several different interests, but does not let itself be captured by any specific group. We analyzed and classified the comments (from a total of 86 letters) to nine questions proposed by the IAASB into a five-point Likert scale. This classification was independently cross-validated by a second researcher. We applied ANOVA tests to analyze the position of the interest groups, and chi- squared tests for the position of their coalitions. This paper addresses lobbying within the process of auditing standards settings, thus expanding the current literature on lobbying in accounting, which is mainly restricted to accounting regulations. It also contributes methodologically by using a new five-point scale for the dependent variable instead of the usual binary approach.


Author(s):  
Fiona Lugg-Widger ◽  
Kim Munnery ◽  
Julia Townson ◽  
Mike Robling

BackgroundAnalysis of routine data makes an important contribution to service evaluation and research, providing cost-efficiencies, objective outcomes, burden reduction for patient and the public and is promoted by both policy and funders. Organisational, legal and ethical governance provide a framework for research but there is an onus on researchers to maintain their awareness of good practice when working with routine data. Aim To co-produce with data provider, researcher and public stakeholders a training curriculum for researchers working with routine data. Methods A curriculum for online and face-to-face training will be developed through consultations with three stakeholder groups. The first are researchers with existing interest /experience of using routine data. An online survey will be disseminated via UK research networks encompassing a range of disciplines and sectors. The non-probabilistic survey addresses current challenges, training experiences and learning preferences. Focus groups with three UK data provider organisations (SAIL, NHS Digital, National Pupil Database) will address provider’s experience of working with researchers, any training or support they either require, provide or sign-post to and opportunities to support best practice. Thirdly, a facilitated public consultation exercise using a deliberative enquiry process will be undertaken as a day’s workshop and include lay contributors identified via the HealthWise Wales cohort. ResultsWe will present initial results from each stakeholder engagement activity and show how this has informed the draft training curriculum and our understanding of potential benefits that the training will deliver. ConclusionsThe public may remain largely unaware of data captured when using public services, how it may contribute to research and the protections that apply. Involving the public in the development of researcher training informs this process and enables researchers to more effectively engage with patients and participants. Training will be promoted through data provider and research networks across sectors in the UK.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Afonso Magalhaes

Sociotope mapping is a tool that has been used to identify values in public spaces, as defined by the public. By developing an original sociotope map using the sociotope map methodology, utilizing the technique created in Stockhom, Sweden, this research attempts to understand the values of public space within and around Ryerson University, while providing a critique on the utility of the tool in this context. The information collected from an online survey will be analyzed and visually displayed on a sociotope map. This may be utilized by the school administration, municipal planners, urban designers or landscape architecture professionals to understand what concerns may be provoked by the development of certain spaces and the resources valued by the public in the public realm. This project explores how different public spaces within the Ryerson University Campus are utilized and how useful is the sociotope mapping tool in inferring these values. keywords: planning; sociotope; parks planning; perceptions of space; engagement; public consultation.


1987 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-200
Author(s):  
B. H. Ewald

Government and accrediting agencies have mandated the establishment of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) with slightly different functional and membership requirements. The committee has two primary functions, including protocol review and observation of facilities and procedures. The committee's mission is to reduce, replace, or refine animal use without interfering with research. Procedures for establishment of the committee and methods of review are presented. The veterinarian assumes a quality assurance role that includes disease prevention, consultation, establishment of standards, and training. Scientists, veterinarians, and committee members cooperatively can reduce unnecessary animal use, pain, and distress.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-167
Author(s):  
Inês Fernandes Godinho ◽  
Cláudio R. Flores ◽  
Nuno Castro Marques

SUMMARY From 19 February to 14 June 2020, the European Commission held a Public Consultation on several policy and regulatory proposals that are currently being considered in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This consultation was centered on two main documents presented by the Commission: the White Paper on Artificial Intelligence[1] and the “Report on the safety and liability implications of Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and robotics”[2]. The consultation also included an online survey[3], where the central themes of those two documents were covered in a summarized way. In November 2020, the results of the consultation were presented, as well as the texts accepted for publication[4]. In order to participate in this pre-legislative process, a working group was created within the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the Lusófona University of Porto, which presented a contribution that was accepted and published by the European Commission[5]. The White Paper is centred in one powerful objective which is “to enable a trustworthy and secure development of AI in Europe, in full respect of the values and rights of EU citizens”, and for that presents two central ideas considered essential to attain it that are to create an ecosystem of excellence along the entire value chain and an ecosystem of trust that ensure compliance with EU rules, including rules protecting fundamental rights and consumers’ rights. The text that follows is divided in two main parts: Part I is focused on presenting an overview on the three main topics pointed out at the consultation: Excellence, Trust and Liability; Part II corresponds to text of the contribution submitted in the Public Consultation held by the European Commission. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Liability; Cybercrime; Ethics; Competition


Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ourania Tzoraki ◽  
Svetlana Dimitrova ◽  
Marin Barzakov ◽  
Saad Yaseen ◽  
Vasilis Gavalas ◽  
...  

The ongoing ‘refugee crisis’ of the past years has led to the migration of refugee researchers (RRs) to European countries. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RRs often had to work from home and/or to continue their social, cultural and economic integration process under new conditions. An online survey carried out to explore the impact of the pandemic on the refugee researchers showed that RRs found it difficult to adapt their everyday working life to the ‘home’ setting. The majority have had neither a suitable work environment at home nor the appropriate technology. Although they stated that they are rather pleased with the measures taken by the public authorities, they expressed concern about their vulnerability due to their precarious contracts and the bureaucratic asylum procedures, as the pandemic has had a negative impact on these major issues. The majority of RRs working in academia seem not to have been affected at all as far as their income is concerned, while the majority of those employed in other sectors became unemployed during the pandemic (58%). Recommendations are provided to the public authorities and policy makers to assist RRs to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic on their life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 205316802110328
Author(s):  
Naomi Egel ◽  
R. Lincoln Hines

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Seale ◽  
Anita E. Heywood ◽  
Julie Leask ◽  
Meru Sheel ◽  
David N. Durrheim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background As immunisation program launches have previously demonstrated, it is essential that careful planning occurs now to ensure the readiness of the public for a COVID-19 vaccine. As part of that process, this study aimed to understand the public perceptions regarding a future COVID-19 vaccine in Australia. Methods A national cross-sectional online survey of 1420 Australian adults (18 years and older) was undertaken between 18 and 24 March 2020. The statistical analysis of the data included univariate and multivariable logistic regression model analysis. Results Respondents generally held positive views towards vaccination. Eighty percent (n = 1143) agreed with the statement that getting myself vaccinated for COVID-19 would be a good way to protect myself against infection. Females (n = 614, 83%) were more likely to agree with the statement than males (n = 529, 78%) (aOR = 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1–1.8); P = 0.03), while 91% of those aged 70 years and above agreed compared to 76% of 18–29-year-olds (aOR = 2.3 (95% CI:1.2–4.1); P = 0.008). Agreement was also higher for those with a self-reported chronic disease (aOR = 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1–2.0); P = 0.04) and among those who held private health insurance (aOR = 1.7 (95% CI: 1.3–2.3); P < 0.001). Beyond individual perceptions, 78% stated that their decision to vaccinate would be supported by family and friends. Conclusion This study presents an early indication of public perceptions towards a future COVID-19 vaccine and represents a starting point for mapping vaccine perceptions. To support an effective launch of these new vaccines, governments need to use this time to understand the communities concerns and to identify the strategies that will support engagement.


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