Information Delivery Channels Research Articles

“Respect my opinion and I'll respect yours!”: Exploring the challenges, concerns, and informational needs of vaccine‐hesitant caregivers and pregnant women in the Philippines

AbstractBackgroundDespite the instrumental role of vaccines, public confidence is declining, and anti‐vaccine movements have increased worldwide. With the goal of informing policy decisions and the development of interventions, we explore the concerns and challenges related to vaccine uptake (of childhood, maternal, and COVID‐19 vaccines) among parents or caregivers of under‐two children and pregnant women in urban and rural communities in the Philippines.MethodsBetween May and June 2022, we conducted combined in‐person and online interviews with purposively selected caregivers and pregnant women in the Calabarzon region (Naic, Cavite and Tanay, Rizal), and National Capital Region (Pasay and Muntinlupa Cities), Philippines. A total of 43 interviews were completed, audio‐recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to the tenets of hermeneutic phenomenology.ResultsOur results, grounded on the social ecological model, underlined the interplays of contextual or logistical challenges on vaccine uptake, respondents’ overarching concerns about vaccines, and their informational needs that affected their vaccine decision‐making. Respondents described that the long‐established maternal and childhood vaccines no longer represent a high‐risk concern but highlighted their fears and hesitancy particularly to newer vaccines.ConclusionOur findings underscore the multilayered challenges in vaccine decision‐making among caregivers and pregnant women. The volatility of vaccine decision‐making necessitates rethinking the current immunization process, recalibrating the health workforce, and reinvigorating the health information delivery channels for more inclusive and responsive health care.

A Wearable Textile-Embedded Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Haptic Display.

With advances in mobile computing and virtual/augmented reality technologies, communicating through touch using wearable haptic devices is poised to enrich and augment current information delivery channels that typically rely on sight and hearing. To realize a wearable haptic device capable of effective data communication, both ergonomics and haptic performance (i.e., array size, bandwidth, and perception accuracy) are essential considerations. However, these goals often involve challenging and conflicting requirements. We present an integrated approach to address these conflicts, which includes incorporating multilayered dielectric elastomer actuators, a lumped-parameter model of the skin, and a wearable frame in the design loop. An antagonistic arrangement-consisting of an actuator deforming the skin-was used to achieve effective force transmission while maintaining a low profile, and the effect of the wearable frame and structure was investigated through lumped-model analysis and human perception studies.

Design Proposal for Sign Language Services in TV Broadcasting from the Perspective of People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Sign language services are provided so that people with hearing loss are not alienated from socially and politically important information through TV broadcasting. In this paper, we conducted a user survey and evaluation of the current sign language services for deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) people, and solutions were proposed for the problems found in the course of the analyses. To this end, a total of five stages of research were conducted. First, the communication problems experienced by DHH individuals and previous studies on their language and information acquisition were investigated. Second, the most typical types of information delivery channels via TV were defined as news, discussions, and weather reports, and by investigating the actual sign language service cases for each type, three visual information delivery elements were identified: sign language interpreters, reference videos, and subtitles. Third, a preference survey, an interview survey, and an eye tracker experiment on the DHH participants were conducted with varying arrangement options of information delivery elements. Fourth, based on the results of the investigations and experiments, the options to be considered when arranging information delivery elements were compiled. The results showed that the sign language interpreter, which is the first element of information delivery, should be presented in a size clearly visible because the visibility of their facial expressions is important. In addition, it is recommended to present the interpreter without a background since DHH participants did not prefer the presence of a background. As for subtitles, which is the third element of information delivery, it was confirmed that the provision of sign language interpretation and subtitles together helped DHH participants to understand the contents more quickly and accurately. Moreover, if there are multiple speakers, individual subtitles for each speaker should be provided so that the viewers can understand who is talking. Reference videos, which are mainly placed on the screen background, the second information delivery element, were considered less important to DHH participants compared to sign language interpreters and subtitles, and it was found that DHH participants preferred reference videos to be visually separated from sign language interpreters. Fifth, based on the overall results of the study, a screen layout design was proposed for each type of information delivery element for DHH people. Contrary to the general conception that there would be no problem in viewing information-delivering TV broadcasts by DHH people simply by placing a sign language interpreter on the screen, the results of this study confirmed that a more delicate screen layout design is necessary for DHH people. It is expected that this study will serve as a helpful guide in providing better sign language services for TV broadcasts that can be conveniently viewed by both DHH and non-disabled people.

Trends in complementary feeding practices and caregivers' feeding knowledge among children aged 6-23 months: Repeated cross-sectional surveys in rural Qinghai China 2012-18.

BackgroundAppropriate infant and young child feeding is the basis for child survival, growth and development. The aim of this study was to investigate trends in complementary feeding practices and caregivers’ feeding knowledge among children from 2012 to 2018 in Huzhu County, Qinghai Province, China.MethodsThis study took place during and after a controlled interventional evaluation trial in Qinghai Province, China, which aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based nutrient-dense complementary food supplements (YingYangBao) combined with dietary counseling on improving 6-23 month-old children's health status. We conducted four representative cross-sectional surveys on caregivers of children aged 6-23 months in Huzhu County, Qinghai Province, China (baseline survey for the trial (N = 1804) in August 2012, end-line survey for the trial (N = 2186) in August 2014, follow-up survey 1 (N = 496) in January 2016, and follow-up survey 2 (N = 754) in July 2018). In all surveys we used the same questionnaire to collect household information, infant feeding practices and caregivers’ feeding knowledge.ResultsDuring the trial period (2012-2014), the proportion of children aged 6-8 months that introduced (semi-) solid food increased from 86.1% to 96.3% (P < 0.0001), however, there was a downward trend from 2014 to 2018 (P = 0.0014 for trend). The prevalence of minimum dietary diversity also increased from 51.4% at 2012 baseline survey to 57.5% at 2014 endline survey (P = 0.0004), but the upward trend did not maintain from 2014 to 2018 (P = 0.7863 for trend). The minimum dietary frequency, the minimum acceptable diet, and continued breastfeeding at one year were nearly unchanged from 2012 to 2018 (P = 0.9529, P = 0.7602 and P = 0.6013 for trend, respectively), remaining around 30%, 10% and 20% respectively in the four surveys. Caregivers’ feeding knowledge on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and introduction of semi or solid foods at 6-8 months increased from 2012 to 2018 (18.6% to 39.5%, 43.2% to 64.3%, respectively).ConclusionThis study showed that the sustainability of community-based YYB and dietary counseling program was suboptimal. We suggest that multiple information delivery channels such as smartphones and the Internet should be explored as a supplement to existing channels for delivering counseling information.Trial registrationChiCTRPRC12002444.

Information delivery channels and agricultural technology uptake: experimental evidence from Ghana

Abstract Purpose: Adequate information is necessary for investments. We use data from a randomized controlled experiment in northern Ghana to advance knowledge on which communication options are most effective for reaching farmers with a new technology (Bradyrhizobium inoculation) to boost adoption. Farmers received information through either video documentaries or radio listening clubs. Joint test of all treatment effects provide strong evidence that the video was effective for inducing technology uptake and increased yields; the radio listening club effects were mostly imprecise, partly due to insufficient statistical power. We conclude that barriers to learning about correct technology usage or benefits constrain adoption.

Content enhancement with augmented reality and machine learning

Content enhancement of real-world environments is demonstrated through the combination of machine learning methods with augmented reality displays. Advances in machine learning methods and neural network architectures have facilitated fast and accurate object and image detection, recognition and classification, as well as providing machine translation, natural language processing and neural network approaches for environmental forecasting and prediction. These methods equip computers with a means of interpreting the natural environment. Augmented reality is the embedding of computer-generated assets within the real-world environment. Here I demonstrate, through the development of four sample mobile applications, how machine learning and augmented reality may be combined to create localised, context aware and user-centric environmental information delivery channels. The sample mobile applications demonstrate augmented reality content enhancement of static real-world objects to deliver additional environmental and contextual information, language translation to facilitate accessibility of forecast information and a location aware rain event augmented reality notification application that leverages a nowcasting neural network.

An empirical study on patients′ risk of access to online medical information

Objective To explore the critical risk points and major current threats for patients to access online medical information. Methods The patient perception value questionnaire was used, to sample survey 1 164 patients with online medical experiences from hospitals in Zhejiang province in January 2018.Their risks in accessing online medical information was evaluated.The evaluation results were ranked according to their importance and satisfaction, and a cross comparison was made between the two, to identify the top ranking factors and the highest difference factor.Descriptive statistics and related analysis methods were used for the data so obtained. Results Health risks and privacy risks were the highest concerns for patients in accessing online medical information.Among the risk factors, information content credibility and transmission channel credibility rank top two.A cross-comparison found that factors of good risk control for online medical information were information author credibility, transmission mode reliability and service risk in turn.The factor of the worst risk control was privacy, while the most problematic risk points were information type credibility and transmission channel credibility. Conclusions The present focus should be placed on the factors of privacy risks and the credibility of information delivery channels, and the main cause of risks is the regulatory awareness.In this consideration, it is suggested that the relevant risk indicators be hierarchically managed according to the current perception characteristics in patients′ online medical access risks, with measures taken accordingly to minimize their risk in such information access. Key words: Information management; Online medical information; Risk of information access; Patient medical risks; Medical management

Sharing health information online in South Korea: motives, topics, and antecedents.

This study aimed to examine the motives, topics and antecedents for sharing health information online among Korean Internet users. Eight hundred adults completed a web-based survey exploring the motives; topics; physical, cognitive, affective and environmental factors; and experiences relating to sharing health information online. The motives for not sharing information included information absence and inappropriateness. The most preferred topic was disease. Good subjective health was significantly associated with frequent information sharing while individuals with a history of disease involving themselves or family members were more likely to share health information than were those without such a history. Further, a higher level of depressed mood was related to a higher level of sharing. Internet-related self-efficacy and trust in information delivery channels were positively related to sharing. Future research could extend the factors related to information sharing to include the evaluation of shared information.

Using kiosks as information-delivery channels to apply for Schemes and other government services for Rural India

Using kiosks as information-delivery channels to apply for Schemes and other government services for Rural India

Assessing Metacognitive Components in Self-Regulated Reading of Science Texts in E-Based Environments

The boom in Internet and communication technology has accelerated change in information delivery channels from paper to networked, digital displaying devices. Reading electronically has altered the cognitive and metacognitive processes readers use to approach science texts. Assessing reading in a digitized environment also opens up opportunities to examine the recursive process of self-regulated learning. However, a systematic analysis in this area across paper- and e-based environments is lacking. This study explores methods of assessing metacognition in reading informational science texts to address this gap. A total of 55 studies in 47 articles published from 1990 to 2016 investigating effects of metacognition on science reading are reviewed. The analysis reveals frequently applied methods, including self-report questionnaires for measuring metacognitive knowledge, event-based assessment for metacognitive skills, and questionnaires or interviews for metacognitive experiences. Community acceptable instruments are presented and illustrated. E-based environment has potential to support comprehensive and complicated measurement of metacognition. Future research may further the investigation of interactions among metacognitive components by designing sequential tasks and combining multiple assessment methods. Finally, triangulation of findings from various methods is essential in assessing metacognition involved in self-regulated reading.

Effective information service delivery to rural dwellers in Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper is deliberately designed to be thought-provoking. It reiterates the importance of effective information service delivery to rural communities. Adopting the desk research method, available literature on rural information sources and services to rural dwellers in various countries in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa was extensively reviewed and descriptively analysed to showcase the effectiveness of various information delivery channels to the rural dwellers. This led to the identification of six major channels through which rural information delivery is generally anchored. These channels are made up of the mass media, information service systems, education and training programmes, change agents, personal contacts and miscellaneous channels. The strength and weaknesses of each of these channels in terms of delivering information services to rural dwellers were analysed in the light of contemporary realities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although libraries, especially public libraries, are expected to be at the centre of rural/community-based information services, these libraries and their staff contend with several challenges which, inevitably, undermine their effectiveness. Worried about the situation, the researcher calls for field experiment studies towards designing rural-oriented, practical and replicable models that will be effective for rural information delivery across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Empirical Study on the Independent Director System' Effectiveness on the Corporate Performance of Listed Companies in Shenzhen Stock Exchange

This essay has chosen 568 companies listed in Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) as research samples. And it empirically analyzed the independent director system' effectiveness on the corporate performance. The result indicates that the proportion of independent directors is not significantly correlated with corporate performance, and that the independent directors' compensation is significantly positively correlated with the company’s performance and that the meeting attendance of independent directors is not significantly positively correlated with firm’s performance. At last, two proposals are put forward: firstly, broaden the company information's delivery channels to independent directorst; secondly, perfect the incentive and constraint mechanism of independent directors

EntertainmentManagementOnline.com: Integrating an Online Publication into the Entertainment Management Curriculum

IntroductionIt is commonly regarded that good are critical for maximized productivity and success within the workplace, regardless of industry. Appleman (2009) suggests that studies have shown poor in the workplace leads hours of wasted time and money. It can also lead negative impressions from co-workers (Beason 2001). Beason found that grammar errors in workplace writings, regardless of severity, provoke negative responses from co-workers. Although to err is human, and, therefore, a stray error should not provoke judgment of a professional's competence, the negative reaction still remains. This is not surprising, considering over ninety-six percent of those polled believe are still important in the corporate world ( Wall Street Journal 2011).The importance of good is equally paramount for professionals within the entertainment industry. Individuals who work within entertainment management must write effectively over a variety of mediums for a variety of audiences. These pieces may include press releases, press kits, contracts, show announcements, blogs, websites, general email correspondence, sponsorship proposals, show reviews, etc. The ability clearly communicate key points about an artist, a tour, or a show is important in creating the intended appeal media, fans, and sponsors. Smith (2011, 46) claims effective are critical for successful progression from student professional, manager, or executive within any career path. Students in academic entertainment programs may avoid negative generalizations from future coworkers (Beason 2001), and move further along their career paths if they can write more effectively.Academic programs in music and entertainment have taken notice, and have responded with innovative approaches improve the of their students. The University of the Pacific uses seminars place emphasis on effective by having students conduct research and information synthesis (Chase and Hatschek 2010, 134). Emphasis on teaching was implemented into Pacific's seminars after a 2001 survey of alumni from the university's Music Management Program identified written communication skills as a key attribute attaining success in the music industry (Chase and Hatschek 2010, 141). Full Sail University highlights the emergence of a variety of information delivery channels within the entertainment industry and teaches students a transmedia approach writing {Creative Writing for Entertainment 2012). This approach recognizes the role of effective across multiple platforms, including social networking, mobile devices, and emerging platforms. Students at the Berklee College of Music write for an online publication, the Music Business Journal. The Music Business Journal publishes seven issues per year-three in the fall, three in the spring, and one in the summer {Music Business Journal 2011). The Music Business Journal is similar in content the publication that will be outlined in this article, EntertainmentManagementOnline.com. These integrated programs are examples of how educators are recognizing the importance of strong across a variety of platforms for a successful career in the entertainment industry.A Student-Generated Publication: A Means and an EndWhile it is accurate say that publishing an online magazine can be the end-goal of an integrated project within the entertainment business curriculum, it is also accurate say publishing an online magazine can be the means creating better writers who are also more knowledgeable about the entertainment industry. And, just as there are benefits and challenges associated with incorporating a student-run music label (Butler 2007), launching a student-generated online publication has its own set of hurdles and rewards.The initial idea for creating a student-generated online publication came as a result of a micro-grant program that Missouri State University offered professors who wanted implement innovative teaching methods in the classroom. …

Information and Communication Technologies as Agricultural Extension Tools: A Survey among Farmers in West Macedonia, Greece

This article critically assesses the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as agricultural extension tools. Specifically, the purpose of the current piece of work is to identify the extent of the use of ICTs on farms, look into farmers' characteristics as related to ICTs' adoption and explore farmers' preferred extension delivery techniques. Data were collected through a large-scale survey addressing farmers in the West Macedonia region, Greece. Data were analyzed by employing both descriptive statistics and multivariate techniques. Two-step cluster analysis was used to explore the different levels of ICTs' adoption and a categorical regression model was estimated to explain this variation. In the first place, three distinct farmers' profiles are identified. Besides, it is shown that regardless of the level of communication sophistication, farmers desire a wide range of information delivery channels, particularly on farm demonstrations and farmer involvement in applied research. Results indicate that ICTs may supplement rather than replace traditional extension methods as well as that, new roles for extension agents may emerge specifically addressing farmers' needs vis-à-vis IT. The contribution of this paper concerns the relationship of the use and adoption of ICTs on the part of farmers with ‘traditional’ extension methods as well as policy proposals for bridging the emerging digital divide within the farming community.

Information needs and preference for information delivery channels of small and medium-scale enterprise operators in Ghana

Information needs and preference for information delivery channels of small and medium-scale enterprise operators in Ghana

How Can a Risk Be Increased? An Analysis of Risk Communication Channels

A risk is objective; however, its perception is subjective. This subjectivity is based on many factors (risk communication style, probability of the occurrence of risky events, etc.) with a relative stability and measurability. However, a gap exists between subjective perception and the objective risk. The psychometric paradigm proposed by Slovic is the most widely-used method to qualitatively analyze risk perception using psychometric scaling. It enables researchers to obtain dimensions that affect risk perception. Relevant researches in the field were all based on the paradigm. Findings showed that different sensory channels, information delivery channels, and types of environmental risks affected risk perception. Therefore, using the psychometric paradigm, this research aimed to explore the effects of risk communication styles and risk type on risk perception, and to determine the factors that cause individual perception to deviate from the actual situation. The participants were college students, with 178 participants in study 1 and 274 in study 2. The research combined an experimental design and a questionnaire survey, providing participants with actual environmental risk materials. The effects of different types of risks (man-made vs. natural) and image information (with vs. without pictures) were examined, with inputs from different sensory channels (in voice vs. in words) and information delivery channels on risk perception. ANOVA regression analysis with gender as the covariate and an independent sample t-test were used to analyze the data. The experimental design was used with the risk type and sensory channels as the within-subject variables and whether or not a picture was presented as the between-subject variable. Study 1 found that man-made risks aroused a higher level of risk perception than natural risks, and identical results were observed for the presentation of the image. However, the inputs from different sensory channels did not affect risk perception. In study 2, where real-life coverage of risk information by TV and Web pages were simulated, their effects on risk perception as compared with the risk type as the within-subject variable and the information delivery channel as the between-subject variable provided the result that a stronger risk perception was evoked by TV than by Web pages. The research, for the first time ever, combined a pure psychometric paradigm and actual environmental risk information. This offset the accompanying limitations when the psychometric paradigm was used alone to some extent, namely, the constraint in the participants' freedom to generate risk characteristics themselves and an excessive reliance upon the sample and the data derived from the result. The present study offers a deeper understanding of people's perception of the risks in real life and a better practical value in launching an effective risk communication strategy. Therefore, it is advisable to consider adopting this method in future researches. The results indicate that sensory channels did not influence risk perception. However, whether or not risk perception was affected by the presentation of a picture and the different information delivery channels has implications in actual risk communication situations. The concerned authority should resort to different and effective media through which the information conveyed is taken into account, in order to achieve the desired objective of their program in accordance with their highly specific goals.

Evaluation of an interactive, Internet-based weight loss program: a pilot study

The Internet can access a large number of consumers in a more cost-effective manner than other information delivery channels. In this pilot study, we assessed whether an online weight reduction program including dietary advice plus exercise (ED) was more effective in reducing weight than an exercise-only program (EX) >12 weeks. Participants were randomized to either the ED or EX group and attended a center for anthropometric measurements and dietary assessment. Both groups wore a pedometer and set weekly goals to increase daily steps through an interactive Web site. The ED group set weekly dietary goals via the Web site and received tailored e-mail assistance. Seventy-three participants commenced and 53 (73%) completed the study [EX n = 26; ED n = 27; body mass index-mean (standard deviation): 29.7 (2.5) kg m(-2), age 46.3 (10.8); 21% male]. Percent weight changes were EX, 2.1 (0.6)% and ED, 0.9 (0.6)% (P = 0.15). Both groups increased their daily steps with no difference between groups. Only the ED group significantly reduced their energy intake. Despite a greater fall in energy intake reported by the ED group and a similar increase in physical activity in both groups, setting individual dietary goals did not enhance weight loss.

Alternative Strategies for Small Fruit Production: A Summary of a Northeast SARE Project

Fourteen cooperators representing four universities and the USDA/ARS developed a 5-year program of research and education for small fruit production in the northeastern United States. The objectives were to develop and test alternative production practices for strawberries and raspberries, to analyze the economic feasibility of sustainable production practices, to evaluate grower acceptance of sustainable technology, and to deliver the knowledge based on this research to the farming public. Specific research efforts determined strawberry and raspberry cultivar susceptibility to insects and disease and the influence of various cultural practices on crop susceptibility to disease, insects, and weed competition. Farmers indicated a willingness to adopt new sustainable technologies, even if profits might be reduced. However, they were not willing to commit more management time to such technology. Information delivery channels included a newsletter, more than 150 public presentations, and more than 100 publications.

Adoption of Agricultural Innovations in Developing Countries: A Survey

This paper reviews various studies which have provided a description and possible explanation to patterns of innovation adoption in the agricultural sector. The survey points out that the tendency of many studies to consider innovation adoption in dichotomous terms (adoption/nonadoption) may not be appropriate in many cases where the actual decisions are defined over a more continuous range. More attention needs to be given to the socio-cultural and institutional environment in area studies so that their interrelation with economic factors affecting adoption can be inferred. The presence of several interrelated innovations is another aspect that needs to be considered more carefully in future research, since a number of simultaneous decisions may be involved. Furthermore, the possibility of regular sequential patterns in adopting components of a new technological package should be specifically addressed in future studies. Finally, the impact of differential adoption rates on land holding distribution merits attention in future research.