title: Applying generalizability theory to examine assessments of subjective cognitive complaints: whose reports should we rely on - participant versus informant?

authors: Truong, Quoc Cuong

subjects: Aging

abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to apply the generalizability theory (G-theory) to investigate dynamic and enduring patterns of subjective cognitive complaints (SCC), and reliability of two widely used SCC assessment tools. DESIGN: G-theory was applied to assessment scales using longitudinal measurement design with five assessments spanning 10 years of follow-up. SETTING: Community-dwelling older adults aged 70-90 years and their informants, living in Sydney, Australia, participated in the longitudinal Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 232 participants aged 70 years and older, and 232 associated informants. Participants were predominantly White Europeans (97.8%). The sample of informants included 76 males (32.8%), 153 females (65.9%), and their age ranged from 27 to 86 years, with a mean age of 61.3 years (SD = 14.38). MEASUREMENTS: The Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q) and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). RESULTS: The IQCODE demonstrated strong reliability in measuring enduring patterns of SCC with G = 0.86. Marginally acceptable reliability of the 6-item MAC-Q (G = 0.77-0.80) was optimized by removing one item resulting in G = 0.80-0.81. Most items of both assessments were measuring enduring SCC with exception of one dynamic MAC-Q item. The IQCODE significantly predicted global cognition scores and risk of dementia incident across all occasions, while MAC-Q scores were only significant predictors on some occasions. CONCLUSIONS: While both informants' (IQCODE) and self-reported (MAC-Q) SCC scores were generalizable across sample population and occasions, self-reported (MAC-Q) scores may be less accurate in predicting cognitive ability and diagnosis of each individual.

text: Applying generalizability theory to examine assessments of subjective cognitive complaints: whose reports should we rely on - participant versus informant? OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to apply the generalizability theory (G-theory) to investigate dynamic and enduring patterns of subjective cognitive complaints (SCC), and reliability of two widely used SCC assessment tools. DESIGN: G-theory was applied to assessment scales using longitudinal measurement design with five assessments spanning 10 years of follow-up. SETTING: Community-dwelling older adults aged 70-90 years and their informants, living in Sydney, Australia, participated in the longitudinal Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 232 participants aged 70 years and older, and 232 associated informants. Participants were predominantly White Europeans (97.8%). The sample of informants included 76 males (32.8%), 153 females (65.9%), and their age ranged from 27 to 86 years, with a mean age of 61.3 years (SD = 14.38). MEASUREMENTS: The Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q) and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). RESULTS: The IQCODE demonstrated strong reliability in measuring enduring patterns of SCC with G = 0.86. Marginally acceptable reliability of the 6-item MAC-Q (G = 0.77-0.80) was optimized by removing one item resulting in G = 0.80-0.81. Most items of both assessments were measuring enduring SCC with exception of one dynamic MAC-Q item. The IQCODE significantly predicted global cognition scores and risk of dementia incident across all occasions, while MAC-Q scores were only significant predictors on some occasions. CONCLUSIONS: While both informants' (IQCODE) and self-reported (MAC-Q) SCC scores were generalizable across sample population and occasions, self-reported (MAC-Q) scores may be less accurate in predicting cognitive ability and diagnosis of each individual.

year: 2021

title: Motel accommodation: trigger points to guest accommodation selection

authors: Lockyer, Tim

subjects: consumer behaviour

abstract: Purpose – The understanding of the factors that influence the selection of accommodation by guests is an important issue for international accommodation providers. The purpose of this research is to gain a greater understanding not only of the factors that influence the selection of motel accommodation by guests, but also of when and under which situations these factors become trigger points for decision making, focusing in particular on the influence that the length of stay has on the trigger points that impacted the selection process. 

Design/methodology/approach – To undertake this research, five focus groups were conducted, involving participants who had previous experience in staying in motel accommodation either for business, on vacation or a combination of the two. Participants were selected and invited from a large variety of occupations and backgrounds. 

Findings – Three levels of trigger points were identified for different lengths of stay. For overnight stays requirements were “minimalist”, convenience being the prime trigger point, and visitors felt they could tolerate most situations. For stays of two-four nights there were certain requirements, “essentials”, that provided the necessary requirements for sleeping, eating and relaxation, while for stays longer than four nights, additional requirements that enhanced the stay, “enhancers”, were sought, raising the provision of the “essentials” to a higher level of sophistication and comfort. 

Originality/value – This research, although conducted in New Zealand and in a specific part of a market, illustrates how complex the process of accommodation selection is by guests and in particular how the trigger points for selection change with the length of stay. It indicates how the physical facilities provided need to be tailored to the market in relation to the length of the visitor's stay.

text: Motel accommodation: trigger points to guest accommodation selection Purpose – The understanding of the factors that influence the selection of accommodation by guests is an important issue for international accommodation providers. The purpose of this research is to gain a greater understanding not only of the factors that influence the selection of motel accommodation by guests, but also of when and under which situations these factors become trigger points for decision making, focusing in particular on the influence that the length of stay has on the trigger points that impacted the selection process. 

Design/methodology/approach – To undertake this research, five focus groups were conducted, involving participants who had previous experience in staying in motel accommodation either for business, on vacation or a combination of the two. Participants were selected and invited from a large variety of occupations and backgrounds. 

Findings – Three levels of trigger points were identified for different lengths of stay. For overnight stays requirements were “minimalist”, convenience being the prime trigger point, and visitors felt they could tolerate most situations. For stays of two-four nights there were certain requirements, “essentials”, that provided the necessary requirements for sleeping, eating and relaxation, while for stays longer than four nights, additional requirements that enhanced the stay, “enhancers”, were sought, raising the provision of the “essentials” to a higher level of sophistication and comfort. 

Originality/value – This research, although conducted in New Zealand and in a specific part of a market, illustrates how complex the process of accommodation selection is by guests and in particular how the trigger points for selection change with the length of stay. It indicates how the physical facilities provided need to be tailored to the market in relation to the length of the visitor's stay.

year: 2009

title: Reduplication in Maori

authors: Keegan, Peter J.

subjects: Te reo Māori

abstract: This thesis is a study of reduplication in Māori. The aim of the thesis is to make a thorough study of both the formal and semantic properties of reduplication in Māori. This is done by reviewing the relevant literature on reduplication, and collating reduplication data. Most data are from textual sources. Some data have been provided by native-speaker informants. 
The first chapter looks at previous attempts to describe reduplication in Māori. It begins with some definitions of the term reduplication. This is followed by a review of the attempts made by previous authors to describe reduplication in Māori. Aspects of reduplication not covered by those attempts are noted.
The second chapter looks at reduplication in Māori within a Generative framework. The units of reduplication in Māori are given in prosodic terms. This is followed by an overview of Marantz (1982), and a critique of two very recent attempts to account for reduplication in Māori within Optimality Theory. Aspects of Māori reduplication that poses difficulties for Optimality Theory are noted.
The third chapter describes the semantics of reduplication in Māori. An illustration is given of some of the common meanings of reduplication attested across languages. The various meanings of reduplication in Māori are described. Also, the semantics of reduplication in Māori are compared to the semantics of reduplication in Malayo-Polynesian (Austronesian) languages within the framework suggested by Kiyomi (1995).
The fourth chapter comments on descriptive aspects of reduplication in Māori not covered by the previous three chapters.
The fifth chapter provides statistics on the reduplication data collated in the appendices. Reduplication data are divided according to the number of mora in the stem (or base) of origin. Statistics are given on the occurrence of various patterns of reduplication in Māori.

text: Reduplication in Maori This thesis is a study of reduplication in Māori. The aim of the thesis is to make a thorough study of both the formal and semantic properties of reduplication in Māori. This is done by reviewing the relevant literature on reduplication, and collating reduplication data. Most data are from textual sources. Some data have been provided by native-speaker informants. 
The first chapter looks at previous attempts to describe reduplication in Māori. It begins with some definitions of the term reduplication. This is followed by a review of the attempts made by previous authors to describe reduplication in Māori. Aspects of reduplication not covered by those attempts are noted.
The second chapter looks at reduplication in Māori within a Generative framework. The units of reduplication in Māori are given in prosodic terms. This is followed by an overview of Marantz (1982), and a critique of two very recent attempts to account for reduplication in Māori within Optimality Theory. Aspects of Māori reduplication that poses difficulties for Optimality Theory are noted.
The third chapter describes the semantics of reduplication in Māori. An illustration is given of some of the common meanings of reduplication attested across languages. The various meanings of reduplication in Māori are described. Also, the semantics of reduplication in Māori are compared to the semantics of reduplication in Malayo-Polynesian (Austronesian) languages within the framework suggested by Kiyomi (1995).
The fourth chapter comments on descriptive aspects of reduplication in Māori not covered by the previous three chapters.
The fifth chapter provides statistics on the reduplication data collated in the appendices. Reduplication data are divided according to the number of mora in the stem (or base) of origin. Statistics are given on the occurrence of various patterns of reduplication in Māori.

year: 1996