title: Learning journals leading to authentic learning in a hospitality context

authors: Zahra, Anne Louise

subjects: Assessment

abstract: There is a call for more reflective practices in hospitality education to deliver authentic learning. This article evaluates a learning journal assessment that stimulates both real-world relevance and experience and documents how the assessment was managed. The literature review outlines assessment characteristics and implementation considerations. This empirical article uses both quantitative and qualitative data. It was found that the informality of the assessment, student insecurity, and the lack of structure regarding expectations made the learning journal problematic in the early stages for most students, yet if managed well, it can lead to an authentic learning experience.

text: Learning journals leading to authentic learning in a hospitality context There is a call for more reflective practices in hospitality education to deliver authentic learning. This article evaluates a learning journal assessment that stimulates both real-world relevance and experience and documents how the assessment was managed. The literature review outlines assessment characteristics and implementation considerations. This empirical article uses both quantitative and qualitative data. It was found that the informality of the assessment, student insecurity, and the lack of structure regarding expectations made the learning journal problematic in the early stages for most students, yet if managed well, it can lead to an authentic learning experience.

year: 2012

title: Home and away: the role of intraspecific behavioural variation in biological invasion

authors: Pyper, Nicola

abstract: Invasive populations cause adverse impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and economic activities. Advancing understanding of how populations respond to environmental changes and develop their invasive status will enable improved prediction, prevention, and management of ecological invasions. Here, we review recent literature and find that behavioural shifts within species across native and invasive populations are common during invasion. We collate examples which demonstrate how behaviours associated with invasion can be an outcome of plastic, pre-adaptive, and/or post-adaptive processes. However, we find that research investigating the molecular basis of observed behavioural shifts associated with invasion is limited. Important research (but perhaps the most challenging to conduct), is the long-term study of ongoing invasions that track species’ behaviour and genetic change throughout the stages of the invasion process. Additionally, future research should aim to establish whether behavioural shifts originate from plasticity, microevolutionary processes, or a combination of both. Common garden experiments (using distinct populations grown under shared conditions), carried out in conjunction with genetic studies that track changes at the molecular level, could aid this endeavour.

text: Home and away: the role of intraspecific behavioural variation in biological invasion Invasive populations cause adverse impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and economic activities. Advancing understanding of how populations respond to environmental changes and develop their invasive status will enable improved prediction, prevention, and management of ecological invasions. Here, we review recent literature and find that behavioural shifts within species across native and invasive populations are common during invasion. We collate examples which demonstrate how behaviours associated with invasion can be an outcome of plastic, pre-adaptive, and/or post-adaptive processes. However, we find that research investigating the molecular basis of observed behavioural shifts associated with invasion is limited. Important research (but perhaps the most challenging to conduct), is the long-term study of ongoing invasions that track species’ behaviour and genetic change throughout the stages of the invasion process. Additionally, future research should aim to establish whether behavioural shifts originate from plasticity, microevolutionary processes, or a combination of both. Common garden experiments (using distinct populations grown under shared conditions), carried out in conjunction with genetic studies that track changes at the molecular level, could aid this endeavour.

year: 2024-04-04

title: Network Analysis Reveals Unique Associations of Mindfulness and Distress with Immunity in Māori and Non-Māori New Zealanders

authors: Billot, Moana

abstract: Objectives: 
A healthy immune system is required to protect against viral infection and ensure the efficacy of vaccines. Psychological distress can threaten immune resilience, while mindfulness practices can be protective. In New Zealand, Māori experience significantly higher levels of distress compared to non-Māori. The aim of this study was to explore the role of ethnicity in the relations among immunity, depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness relate to each other.
Method:
Network analysis was used to explore unique relations among distress (depression, anxiety, stress), mindfulness facets, and immune status in matched (age, ranging from 19 to 88 years, sex, and self-classified socio-economic status) samples of Māori (n=195) and non-Māori (n=195) participants from New Zealand.
Results:
The networks of distress, mindfulness, and immune status were significantly different between Māori and non-Māori participants. The mindfulness facets Describe and Act with Awareness were more strongly positively linked in Māori, and Non-judge and Depression more strongly negatively linked in Māori, while Describe and Non-judge were more strongly positively linked in non-Māori. For both Māori and non-Māori, similarities included a negative link between anxiety and immune status, strong positive links between the distress variables, and positive links between the mindfulness facets of Non-judge and Act with Awareness, Observe and Non-React, and Observe and Describe.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that anxiety is strongly linked to poor immunity across both Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand while networks of mindfulness and distress also demonstrated differences unique for each of these groups. Both similarities and differences between Māori and non-Māori should be considered when developing targeted interventions to improve physical and mental health in New Zealand.
Preregistration:
This study is not preregistered.

text: Network Analysis Reveals Unique Associations of Mindfulness and Distress with Immunity in Māori and Non-Māori New Zealanders Objectives: 
A healthy immune system is required to protect against viral infection and ensure the efficacy of vaccines. Psychological distress can threaten immune resilience, while mindfulness practices can be protective. In New Zealand, Māori experience significantly higher levels of distress compared to non-Māori. The aim of this study was to explore the role of ethnicity in the relations among immunity, depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness relate to each other.
Method:
Network analysis was used to explore unique relations among distress (depression, anxiety, stress), mindfulness facets, and immune status in matched (age, ranging from 19 to 88 years, sex, and self-classified socio-economic status) samples of Māori (n=195) and non-Māori (n=195) participants from New Zealand.
Results:
The networks of distress, mindfulness, and immune status were significantly different between Māori and non-Māori participants. The mindfulness facets Describe and Act with Awareness were more strongly positively linked in Māori, and Non-judge and Depression more strongly negatively linked in Māori, while Describe and Non-judge were more strongly positively linked in non-Māori. For both Māori and non-Māori, similarities included a negative link between anxiety and immune status, strong positive links between the distress variables, and positive links between the mindfulness facets of Non-judge and Act with Awareness, Observe and Non-React, and Observe and Describe.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that anxiety is strongly linked to poor immunity across both Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand while networks of mindfulness and distress also demonstrated differences unique for each of these groups. Both similarities and differences between Māori and non-Māori should be considered when developing targeted interventions to improve physical and mental health in New Zealand.
Preregistration:
This study is not preregistered.

year: 2023-08-25