Below is a list of seven studies with comprehensive and/or innovative approaches to researching important animal protection issues. Click on the titles to see the full HumaneSpot.org record for each study (registered users only).
The Humane Index is an effort to determine the overall humaneness of America's largest metropolitan areas, as determined by 12 factors such as percentage of pet stores selling puppies and the ratio of wildlife watchers to hunters. The intent of the Humane Index is to facilitate improvement in America's treatment of animals by measuring its progress over time. [HSUS, 2007]
2. Creating High-Impact Nonprofits
Using research based on 12 of the most successful nonprofit organizations in recent U.S. history, representing a variety of social causes, this article discusses how nonprofits can achieve significant social impact. The authors describe six "myths" of nonprofit management, as well as six common practices of successful organizations. [Stanford Social Innovation Review, 2007]
3. Best Friends' Kindness Index
This survey shows that a majority of Americans love their pets and believe they have a "moral obligation" to protect animals, but that they are "not yet taking action." According to the results, this first year of the Kindness Index (which is intended to be an annual survey) yielded a score of 5.86 on a scale of 1-10. [Best Friends, 2006]4. The State of Animal Welfare in the UK 2005
This research is a broad overview of important animal welfare issues concerning how animals in the UK are treated, how they are viewed by society, and what legislation is in place to protect them. The report provides a detailed review of issues by primary animal sectors based on 25 animal indicators that can be measured and tracked to evaluate progress. [RSPCA, 2005]
5. Understanding the Public Image of the US Animal Protection Movement
This report provides a summary and analysis of public opinion research relating to the image and credibility of the animal protection movement, based on secondary research collected through March 2004. [The study was a joint effort between the Humane Research Council and the National Council for Animal Protection (formerly Summit for the Animals), 2004]
6. A Strategic Review of International Animal Protection
As part of its "State of the Animals" series, this chapter by the former HSUS President provides a brief overview of animal protection activity around the world, by region. Includes estimates for how many people participate in animal advocacy by country and how many animal organizations exist, along with an examination of trends over time. [HSUS, 2003]
7. Does Changing Attitudes, Norms or Self-Efficacy Change Intentions and Behaviour?
This study of 129 past successful behavior changing experiments spanning a range of social issues shows that the most effective strategies in encouraging behavioral changes among people are motivational and informative strategies, as opposed to negative strategies that induce fear, guilt, or regret. [Economic & Social Research Council, 1995]
So, what's missing from our list? Please let our users know about important or helpful studies relating to animal advocacy by adding comments below (for registered users only).