Increasing Positive Perceptions of Food Irradiation: Appealing to One\u27s Affective Domain

A study tested the effectiveness of experiential learning techniques in food irradiation technology to positively influence understanding in both the affective and cognitive domain. Research shows that food irradiation is a safe food technology effective at reducing foodborne illness, but the adoption rate of the technology remains slow. The short course employed experiential components, such as tours of food irradiation facilities, group activities, and taste-tests of irradiated produce. Data were collected assessing participants\u27 knowledge and perceptions about food irradiation, using Likert-type scales. The short course produced significant gains in participants\u27 knowledge and positively influenced participants\u27 perceptions of food irradiation issues

Characteristics of Innovations: Lessons Learned From a Statewide Mandatory Implementation of the Animal Health Network

The Animal Health Network is designed to connect state veterinarians with Extension partners and local feed retailers to deliver timely, relevant animal disease-related information to non-commercial livestock and poultry owners. The study reported here explored perceptions of key opinion leaders related to the characteristics of the Network as an innovation. Qualitative interviews conducted with13 stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Network revealed that the relative advantage, complexity, and compatibility of the Network were readily apparent to participants, while trialability and observability were not as pervasive. Findings can assist those attempting to diffuse a concept or idea with similar characteristics