title: Exploring researchers' views on metrics and research impact: Internal report

authors: Chivers, Melanie

subjects: research culture

abstract: Research excellence is a goal that universities and researchers alike strive for, but how do we identify and measure research excellence? Do quantitative metrics demonstrate the impact that researchers are aiming for? This report details the results of an exploratory case study investigating how researchers responded to a range of quantitative metrics. As a part of their approach, the project team interviewed thirteen academic staff at the University of Waikato across a range of disciplines. 
A thematic analysis of the interviews was carried out, bringing to light eight dominant themes from the participants’ discussions: 
• No one-size fits all - impact and excellence varies greatly across disciplines and matter more to some disciplines than others
• Lack of understanding of metrics and reliance on h-index 
• Metrics are subjective and can be gamed 
• A general nervousness around metrics or disdain, especially for Altmetrics 
• Cultural considerations and the importance of the collective 
• Disconnect between what they value and what they think their peers value 
• Publishing decisions are driven by a diverse range of factors 
• Varying levels of importance in getting research out into the public including OA 
This paper argues that metrics can be used as a tool for researchers, but should be understood in the context of non-quantitative measures. Metrics alone cannot determine how impactful a researcher’s contribution may be. It is important for researchers to be recognised as individuals in order for them to tell the story of their work. This will require upskilling both for researchers and those who evalu-ate research.

text: Exploring researchers' views on metrics and research impact: Internal report Research excellence is a goal that universities and researchers alike strive for, but how do we identify and measure research excellence? Do quantitative metrics demonstrate the impact that researchers are aiming for? This report details the results of an exploratory case study investigating how researchers responded to a range of quantitative metrics. As a part of their approach, the project team interviewed thirteen academic staff at the University of Waikato across a range of disciplines. 
A thematic analysis of the interviews was carried out, bringing to light eight dominant themes from the participants’ discussions: 
• No one-size fits all - impact and excellence varies greatly across disciplines and matter more to some disciplines than others
• Lack of understanding of metrics and reliance on h-index 
• Metrics are subjective and can be gamed 
• A general nervousness around metrics or disdain, especially for Altmetrics 
• Cultural considerations and the importance of the collective 
• Disconnect between what they value and what they think their peers value 
• Publishing decisions are driven by a diverse range of factors 
• Varying levels of importance in getting research out into the public including OA 
This paper argues that metrics can be used as a tool for researchers, but should be understood in the context of non-quantitative measures. Metrics alone cannot determine how impactful a researcher’s contribution may be. It is important for researchers to be recognised as individuals in order for them to tell the story of their work. This will require upskilling both for researchers and those who evalu-ate research.

year: 2023-09-01

title: Development of habitat suitability criteria and in-stream habitat assessment for the benthic cyanobacteria phormidium

authors: Heath, M. W.

subjects: benthic cyanobacteria

abstract: Global demand for freshwater has led to unprecedented levels of water abstraction from riverine systems. This has resulted in large alterations in natural river flows. The deleterious impacts of reduced flows on fish and macroinvertebrate abundances have been thoroughly investigated; in contrast, there is a limited understanding of the potential for changes in the abundance of nuisance benthic algal/cyanobacterial blooms. In New Zealand, Phormidium sp. blooms are common in numerous rivers during summer low flows. In this study, an in-stream habitat assessment is used to examine the relationship between Phormidium habitat availability and reducing flows. Over 650 observations of Phormidium mats, from seven sites (Hutt River, lower North Island, New Zealand), were used to construct habitat suitability curves for depth, velocity and substrate. Preference curves were fitted using both the ‘forage ratio’ and ‘quantile regression’ methods. Phormidium growth, observed at all seven sites, increased significantly from upstream (uppermost site, 5.2% mat cover) to downstream (63.5%). The habitat suitability curves revealed Phormidium had a large tolerance to velocity, depth and substrate type. Consequently, decreases in flow had only negligible effects on available Phormidium habitat. During periods of stable flow, Phormidium abundance positively correlated with increased nitrogen concentrations, potentially explaining the large variation in Phormidium cover from upstream to downstream. Quantile regression generated habitat suitability criteria were a more accurate predictor of available Phormidium habitat than the forage ratio criteria.

text: Development of habitat suitability criteria and in-stream habitat assessment for the benthic cyanobacteria phormidium Global demand for freshwater has led to unprecedented levels of water abstraction from riverine systems. This has resulted in large alterations in natural river flows. The deleterious impacts of reduced flows on fish and macroinvertebrate abundances have been thoroughly investigated; in contrast, there is a limited understanding of the potential for changes in the abundance of nuisance benthic algal/cyanobacterial blooms. In New Zealand, Phormidium sp. blooms are common in numerous rivers during summer low flows. In this study, an in-stream habitat assessment is used to examine the relationship between Phormidium habitat availability and reducing flows. Over 650 observations of Phormidium mats, from seven sites (Hutt River, lower North Island, New Zealand), were used to construct habitat suitability curves for depth, velocity and substrate. Preference curves were fitted using both the ‘forage ratio’ and ‘quantile regression’ methods. Phormidium growth, observed at all seven sites, increased significantly from upstream (uppermost site, 5.2% mat cover) to downstream (63.5%). The habitat suitability curves revealed Phormidium had a large tolerance to velocity, depth and substrate type. Consequently, decreases in flow had only negligible effects on available Phormidium habitat. During periods of stable flow, Phormidium abundance positively correlated with increased nitrogen concentrations, potentially explaining the large variation in Phormidium cover from upstream to downstream. Quantile regression generated habitat suitability criteria were a more accurate predictor of available Phormidium habitat than the forage ratio criteria.

year: 2013

title: Introduction: Recognition, redistribution and reconciliation in postcolonial settler societies

authors: van Meijl, Toon

subjects: multiculturalism

abstract: Various questions are addressed regarding recognition of special rights for indigenous minorities in postcolonial nation-states, redistributing resources to redress longstanding indigenous grievances about the history of colonial dispossession and strategy of reconciliation between the immigrant majority of settlers and their descendants against a backdrop of multiculturalism.

text: Introduction: Recognition, redistribution and reconciliation in postcolonial settler societies Various questions are addressed regarding recognition of special rights for indigenous minorities in postcolonial nation-states, redistributing resources to redress longstanding indigenous grievances about the history of colonial dispossession and strategy of reconciliation between the immigrant majority of settlers and their descendants against a backdrop of multiculturalism.

year: 2003-09-01