title: The assessment of preference with children: The effects of pre-exposure

authors: Lynch, Denise Mary

subjects: preference assessments

abstract: This research examined the effects of relative degree of exposure (a possible establishing operation) to potential reinforcers that were non-edible (i.e., toys) on the preferences of four children who have a developmental disability. The children, ranged from eight to twelve years of age and the experiment was conducted in each of their homes after school. Parents helped select six toys that were small and easily handled for each child and that they thought the child enjoyed. The children had access the toys only in the experimental sessions. Multiple stimulus without replacement (MSWO) preference assessments were conducted with each child to identify a preference ranking for each toy. The four bottom ranking toys were used in alternating control and test sessions. In the control sessions, participants were given 5 min of free access to each of the four toys prior to a MSWO preference assessment in each session. In the first eight test sessions, called deprivation sessions, the participants were given 5 min of free access to all but their lowest preferred toy before the MSWO assessment. The four highest ranked of the six toys were used for the second series of control and test sessions. Control sessions continued as before using these highest ranked toys. In the eight test sessions, called habituation sessions, participants were given 5 min of free access to only the most preferred toy. There were no consistent effects on preferences for the toys in the deprivation sessions, whereas the most preferred toy was selected less often in the in the habituation sessions. These results suggest that prior exposure to toys reduces the value of the toys.

text: The assessment of preference with children: The effects of pre-exposure This research examined the effects of relative degree of exposure (a possible establishing operation) to potential reinforcers that were non-edible (i.e., toys) on the preferences of four children who have a developmental disability. The children, ranged from eight to twelve years of age and the experiment was conducted in each of their homes after school. Parents helped select six toys that were small and easily handled for each child and that they thought the child enjoyed. The children had access the toys only in the experimental sessions. Multiple stimulus without replacement (MSWO) preference assessments were conducted with each child to identify a preference ranking for each toy. The four bottom ranking toys were used in alternating control and test sessions. In the control sessions, participants were given 5 min of free access to each of the four toys prior to a MSWO preference assessment in each session. In the first eight test sessions, called deprivation sessions, the participants were given 5 min of free access to all but their lowest preferred toy before the MSWO assessment. The four highest ranked of the six toys were used for the second series of control and test sessions. Control sessions continued as before using these highest ranked toys. In the eight test sessions, called habituation sessions, participants were given 5 min of free access to only the most preferred toy. There were no consistent effects on preferences for the toys in the deprivation sessions, whereas the most preferred toy was selected less often in the in the habituation sessions. These results suggest that prior exposure to toys reduces the value of the toys.

year: 2009

title: Graphical Discrimination of New Zealand Honey from International Honey Using Elemental Analysis.

authors: Grainger, Megan N.C.

subjects: Fingerprint

abstract: This study investigated the potential of utilising the elemental fingerprinting of honey to differentiate New Zealand (NZ) honey from that of international origin. Twenty elements were analysed by ICP-MS in 352 honeys from 34 various countries. Of these, 323 honeys (245 New Zealand honeys, 78 international) and two subsets of data (NZ and European origin, n = 306, and, NZ and Denmark/Germany, n = 280) were visualised using principal component analysis (PCA). For the NZ/Europe subset, 42.2% of data was explained in the first two principal components. Statistical classification rules were also derived using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and decision tree analysis. Various combinations of elements were explored for classification, considering the effect of soil-derived elements and those from anthropogenic sources. A high degree of accuracy (at least 90%) for the characterisation of New Zealand honey was observed for all statistical models, showing the robustness of these analyses. When using decision tree analysis to distinguish New Zealand samples from international samples, a tree with five terminal nodes (using Cs, Ba and Rb) was created with 92.4% accuracy. This work has demonstrated that elemental fingerprints of honey are a promising tool for categorising New Zealand honey from other geographical locations.

text: Graphical Discrimination of New Zealand Honey from International Honey Using Elemental Analysis. This study investigated the potential of utilising the elemental fingerprinting of honey to differentiate New Zealand (NZ) honey from that of international origin. Twenty elements were analysed by ICP-MS in 352 honeys from 34 various countries. Of these, 323 honeys (245 New Zealand honeys, 78 international) and two subsets of data (NZ and European origin, n = 306, and, NZ and Denmark/Germany, n = 280) were visualised using principal component analysis (PCA). For the NZ/Europe subset, 42.2% of data was explained in the first two principal components. Statistical classification rules were also derived using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and decision tree analysis. Various combinations of elements were explored for classification, considering the effect of soil-derived elements and those from anthropogenic sources. A high degree of accuracy (at least 90%) for the characterisation of New Zealand honey was observed for all statistical models, showing the robustness of these analyses. When using decision tree analysis to distinguish New Zealand samples from international samples, a tree with five terminal nodes (using Cs, Ba and Rb) was created with 92.4% accuracy. This work has demonstrated that elemental fingerprints of honey are a promising tool for categorising New Zealand honey from other geographical locations.

year: 2023-04-29

title: I Muri i Te Ārai:  Ko Ngā Mōrehu Ka Toe: Healing processes in Tangihanga for Wāhine Māori

authors: Paterson, Keriata Jane

subjects: Tangihanga

abstract: This study involved a qualitative examination of the healing elements of tangihanga as described by eight female Māori respondents whose loss was not spousal but was dearly loved. Few substantive contemporary works on the subject of tangihanga experiences and processes existed (Nikora & Te Awekōtuku, 2013).

To contextualise, western society’s cultural death practices were explored from an interdisciplinary perspective. Literature on death and bereavement, the western contemporary funeral industry, the medicalisation of death, western gender roles in death and bereavement, hygiene and contamination issues, ethnicity and cross cultural studies were discussed. These provided an international background against which this study made explicit the cultural differences of death practice and grief in tangihanga for Māori.
Cultural issues for Māori were then discussed in terms of grief, literature on tangihanga, research about Māori women, women and death, issues for Māori women researching Māori women, and where colonization placed Māori women in society. I then described the traditional procedural processes which were sequentially carried out upon the death of a person. I noted the existence of modern variations in death practice, particularly among urban-based Māori. The diverse situations in which we as modern Māori have found ourselves were discussed with some historical context, however it was noted that despite change and diversity, we continued to share many experiences. The perpetuation of tangihanga has been important to the resilience and survival of Māori culture.

The methodology was described, including interview development and recruitment of respondents. The interview experiences, analysis of information provided, and the development of theory and identifying themes were described. The rationale for exploring the backgrounds of the respondents in terms of whānau upbringing, cultural values, and cultural identification over time were discussed. Specific tangihanga were explored in depth as case studies, with analysis and discussion throughout each korero. Key themes in the respondents’ accounts were identified, of the grief and healing processes, examining culturally defined gender contributors to recovery. Social structures and support, ritual, spiritual beliefs and grief practices were described. Aspects of modern life or even tradition which hindered the healing process were identified, as was the impact of grief on the life respondents lead subsequently.

The findings of the research were next discussed. The narratives supported existing literature that the tangihanga was an effective forum for sharing and expression of grief, honouring and farewelling the deceased, and ensuring that members of whānau pani were supported, protected and nurtured by others. Attending tangihanga from childhood allowed respondents to enjoy a sense of belonging and comfort. Two respondents whose childhoods had featured acculturation, felt confusion about their roles and expectations but overcame these feelings when they later learned more about their culture. By adulthood each of the respondents was in a position to control and influence choices made for the tangihanga, thus enabling them to grieve fully.

In the final discussion my theoretical model was presented, limitations of the research discussed, and future research recommendations made.

text: I Muri i Te Ārai:  Ko Ngā Mōrehu Ka Toe: Healing processes in Tangihanga for Wāhine Māori This study involved a qualitative examination of the healing elements of tangihanga as described by eight female Māori respondents whose loss was not spousal but was dearly loved. Few substantive contemporary works on the subject of tangihanga experiences and processes existed (Nikora & Te Awekōtuku, 2013).

To contextualise, western society’s cultural death practices were explored from an interdisciplinary perspective. Literature on death and bereavement, the western contemporary funeral industry, the medicalisation of death, western gender roles in death and bereavement, hygiene and contamination issues, ethnicity and cross cultural studies were discussed. These provided an international background against which this study made explicit the cultural differences of death practice and grief in tangihanga for Māori.
Cultural issues for Māori were then discussed in terms of grief, literature on tangihanga, research about Māori women, women and death, issues for Māori women researching Māori women, and where colonization placed Māori women in society. I then described the traditional procedural processes which were sequentially carried out upon the death of a person. I noted the existence of modern variations in death practice, particularly among urban-based Māori. The diverse situations in which we as modern Māori have found ourselves were discussed with some historical context, however it was noted that despite change and diversity, we continued to share many experiences. The perpetuation of tangihanga has been important to the resilience and survival of Māori culture.

The methodology was described, including interview development and recruitment of respondents. The interview experiences, analysis of information provided, and the development of theory and identifying themes were described. The rationale for exploring the backgrounds of the respondents in terms of whānau upbringing, cultural values, and cultural identification over time were discussed. Specific tangihanga were explored in depth as case studies, with analysis and discussion throughout each korero. Key themes in the respondents’ accounts were identified, of the grief and healing processes, examining culturally defined gender contributors to recovery. Social structures and support, ritual, spiritual beliefs and grief practices were described. Aspects of modern life or even tradition which hindered the healing process were identified, as was the impact of grief on the life respondents lead subsequently.

The findings of the research were next discussed. The narratives supported existing literature that the tangihanga was an effective forum for sharing and expression of grief, honouring and farewelling the deceased, and ensuring that members of whānau pani were supported, protected and nurtured by others. Attending tangihanga from childhood allowed respondents to enjoy a sense of belonging and comfort. Two respondents whose childhoods had featured acculturation, felt confusion about their roles and expectations but overcame these feelings when they later learned more about their culture. By adulthood each of the respondents was in a position to control and influence choices made for the tangihanga, thus enabling them to grieve fully.

In the final discussion my theoretical model was presented, limitations of the research discussed, and future research recommendations made.

year: 2015