Undergraduate student attitudes towards animal welfare science: An investigation to inform teaching approaches.

ABSTRACT: The study of animal welfare is essential for undergraduates seeking to pursue careers with animals, yet pedagogical research on this topic is limited. While animal welfare is an accepted (albeit relatively new) scientific discipline, student views on animal welfare as a science require further exploration. This article reports the findings from a mixed-methods action research project undertaken at Harper Adams University (HAU) in the UK. Undergraduate student questionnaire responses (n = 123) revealed key attitudinal constructs related to animal welfare, and relationships to demographic factors. Students overwhelmingly defined animal welfare in terms of health; however, rural (compared to urban) students more often perceived 'naturalness' as important in the maintenance of good welfare. No

SUBMITTER: Beaver A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12451403 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature