Objectives

Presently, there is insufficient knowledge involving stakeholders and their opinion on using NPK microbial biosensor. This is chiefly the case in situations with weak research environments on the study of stakeholders’ perceptions, and in relatively emerging field in which there is insufficient evidence to categorically define them. The study of stakeholders’ perceptions on using microbial NPK biosensor is seemingly in a new field. Deploying an exploratory research is a possible way.

To accomplish this purpose, the following research questions were addressed:

1. What are the perceived criteria regarding biosensor for NPK concentration detection?
2. What are the expected achievements in attaining sustainability in applying microbial NPK biosensor in their field?
3. How do perceptions of stakeholders change with the use of in-field microbial biosensor in terms of appropriateness of their settings?
4. How do perceptions of stakeholders change with the use of in-field microbial biosensor in terms of safety?

Methodology on analysis

The research questions were examined and validated through various exploratory experimentations. In this research, interviews were used to query the beliefs and perceptions of the participants. Taking a post-positivist paradigm (Guba & Lincoln, 1994), triangulation (Denzin, 1994), member-checking (Lincoln & Guba, 1985) and the audit trail (Lincoln & Guba, 1985) were used to validate the data collected.

Target Groups

The sample was drawn from Hong Kong, including possible end-users, researchers and government officers, where more people are aware of the research in genetic engineering and the possibility of its application in environment or in their field. The ultimate intent of the research was to provide a paradigm for understanding how people perceive the in-field application of microbial biosensor. The findings from this research could enable the researchers to respond to the appropriateness of applying the microbial biosensor in a particular field and to the safety concerns of the application, and provide a paradigm for other stakeholders to decide whether to apply microbial biosensor in their field. And if the stakeholders decide to apply microbial biosensor in their field, further research, for example quantitative analysis of their perception, based on this study’s finding could help establish guidelines for promoting awareness of the pros and cons of the application of in-field microbial biosensor.

Results

Graph 2.The paradigm of the interviewees’ perceptions on the in-field application of NPK microbial sensor

The participants’ perceptions and emergent themes are consistent with the literature review, in terms of soil and water quality management schemes, local soil and water testing methods, soil management in organic farms, and the international and local regulations on the deliberate release of GEM.

The paradigm above illustrates interviewees’ perceptions on the in-field use of NPK microbial biosensors in their field (Graph 1). While most stakeholders still agreed that a biosensor possessing the expected characteristics would be an effective and efficient means to lowering their operation cost, reducing their manpower, knowing the test results quicker, and thereby making immediate strategy to manage soil or water, etc.; followed by notifying the involvement of GEM in the device, stakeholders began to consider how the desired biosensor actually fits into their field. They believed the design should be suitable to their field and considered its appropriateness.