Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a hand using the Mellorater app?
We'd love to help. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about using Mellorater.
What is the confidence score about? Mellorater asks you to log your level of confidence in the evidence you used to determine your response to each statement. The intention is to prompt you to question the reliability and quality of the evidence you have used, and to seek expert advice when needed. Acknowledging uncertainty when evaluating welfare is beneficial, particularly since Mellorater users are making qualitative evaluations.
Why doesn't Mellorater give an aggregate score?
Is Mellorater a validated welfare assessment tool? Not at this stage. Mellorater is being developed as a reflective tool for animal guardians. Because it relies on self-reporting, it is influenced by the user’s subjectivity. However, if users’ responses are consistent over time, the app may generate useful proxies for trends in quality of life. With further development, and by incorporating species-specific indicators, Mellorater has potential to be adapted for use by specialist auditors.
Who can use Mellorater? Our aim is to make Mellorater applicable across species kept in captive or managed environments — including companion, farmed, working, and sport animals. Right now, the app is in pilot testing for use in dogs, cats and horses. We welcome guardians, owners, and animal welfare professionals who are interested in trying it out and providing feedback.
What happens to the data I provide? All data are anonymised and collected under the approval of the University of New England Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval number HE22-136). Right now, only your feedback data are collected. This is to help us refine the use of the app. In future, data will be used to study how responses to the same welfare questions may vary between species and contexts. Your participation contributes to this research and helps us improve the app.