Place: Uppsala, Sweden
Date: 25-27 November 2009
(beginning around 10 am on day 1 and
finishing
around 3 pm on day 3)
Topic: Introduction to social
science research methodology for use
in
veterinary epidemiologic research
Course contents:
Overview
Animal health outcomes and the spread of
disease in animal populations are affected by the way people behave and
the
decisions they take, both as individuals and in various social
contexts.
Understanding human behaviour and decision making can therefore
contribute to
efforts to manage and improve animal health and welfare. This short
course will
introduce you to major themes, research designs and methodologies from
the
social sciences that are relevant to veterinary epidemiology. An
empirical
exercise will complement discussions on theoretical frameworks and
research
methodologies. Handouts and an annotated list of suggested reading will
be
given.
Day 1
Social science perspectives on human
behaviour: an overview of theoretical frameworks from Economics,
Sociology and
Social Psychology, how these have influenced efforts to encourage
behaviour
change, and their relevance to veterinary epidemiology.
The use of expectancy models in explaining
behaviour and decision making, focusing specifically on the theoretical
and
methodological frameworks underpinning the Theory of Reasoned Action
(TORA) and
Theory of Planned Behaviour (TpB).
“Why do we do what we do, rather than
what people tell us to do?” An empirical
activity
in which participants will be guided in the design of a questionnaire
to
explore attitudes and behaviour in relation to “healthy eating”. In the
evening, participants will conduct a survey using this questionnaire.
Day 2
Data analysis and interpretation: data from
the survey will be compiled and processed (using ExcelTM),
leading
into a discussion of how data of this kind are analysed within an
expectancy
model framework and the conclusions we can draw from the survey.
Application of TORA and TpB in livestock
research: several studies will be presented for discussion and critical
review,
including:
- a TORA
study of the factors underpinning UK dairy, sheep and beef
farmers’ response to technologies and management practices promoted by
technology transfer agencies
- a TpB study
on farmers’ attitudes towards animal health insurance
- research on
farmers’ behavioural responses to the introduction of the Single
Payment Scheme in England.
Day 3
Critique of expectancy models, including
ways in which researchers have extended them to increase the range of
factors
they consider; factors to consider in making methodological choices.
Looking
ahead: discussion on the potential of
social science research in participants’ current and future work.
Teachers: Chris Garforth,
Professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural
Development,
and
Tahir Rehman,
Professor of Farm Economics, University of Reading
Target group: Ph.D.-students,
researchers and others working within the
field of
epidemiology.
Prerequisites:
none
Price: 7000 SEK, including food,
lodging in single room (2 nights),
course
material and tuition. For participants that share room the price is
6200 SEK.
Maximum number
of participants: 40
Registration: Fill in the registration
form and send by email to Maria
Nöremark
(maria.noremark@sva.se) or by fax to +46 18 67 44 45.
Deadline for
registration: 10 October 2009
Course
organisers: Ann Lindberg, Maria Nöremark and
Ulla
Malmström