Overview of the SOWtrack expert elicitation tools
The SOWtrack expert elicitation tools form a coordinated suite for structured assessment of animal welfare measures. The Impact Tool allows experts to rank and rate welfare consequences according to their perceived impact on welfare outcomes. The Feasibility Tool enables users to evaluate each animal-based measure (ABM) for ease of use under practical farm conditions. The Sensitivity Tool captures expert judgement on how well each ABM can identify animals suffering from each linked welfare consequence, working step-by-step through each relationship. Together, these three tools provide a consistent digital framework for quantifying expert opinion on key dimensions of animal welfare indicators.
Implementation and deployment
All three tools are written in lightweight, self-contained JavaScript and HTML, with styling defined in-line for compatibility across browsers. They require no server-side database. Data are handled locally in the browser and exported as .csv files for later analysis. Each tool reads its configuration and item lists from a simple .csv file uploaded to the WordPress Media Library, and is embedded directly into a WordPress page using a Custom HTML block. This makes deployment straightforward and flexible. Each instance can be configured independently by linking to a different .csv file (for species, production class, or study type) while maintaining a uniform interface and workflow.
Links to the suite of tools
Impact
Round 1
- Impact of welfare consequences: Dry sows and gilts
- Impact of welfare consequences: Farrowing and lactating sows
- Impact of welfare consequences: Piglets
Round 2
- Impact of welfare consequences: Dry sows and gilts
- Impact of welfare consequences: Farrowing and lactating sows
- Impact of welfare consequences: Piglets
