title: A comparison of free access, multiple stimulus without replacement, and concurrent schedule preference assessment methods for evaluating food preference

authors: Bates, Nicole

abstract: Outcomes from three preference assessment methods were examined in a study of food preference with goats. The methods used were: free access, multiple stimulus without replacement, and a concurrent schedule analysis. Results from each method were compared, in terms of the preference ranking they produced. Two male goats, one domesticated wild goat and one Saanen, were used as subjects in this study. Each method yielded similar results, although the concurrent schedule test provided more comprehensive information than either of the other methods. There was moderate agreement between the multiple stimulus without replacement and the concurrent schedule tests, however the free access procedure identified only the two most highly preferred items and provided limited information on preference level of the remaining food items. Five foods were tested in this experiment, all of different texture and composition – crushed maize, sheep and goat pellets, chopped lucerne, lucerne haylage, and timothy and lucerne haylage. During the free access, goats were given unrestricted access to a particular food for 12 seconds. During the multiple stimulus without replacement, goats were presented with all five foods simultaneously and allowed to make one choice. Once the subject had selected a food by pressing the respective cover with their muzzle, that cover was removed to allow access to that food only. When the subject stopped eating, the cover was replaced - subjects could then select another food. This process was repeated until either all five feeds had been sampled or goats had not made contact with any covers for fifteen seconds. The concurrent schedule test involved making two foods available concurrently. Food delivery was determined by a VI 60s schedule and controlled by a computer software program that was linked to the apparatus. The assessment procedure was arranged so that each food was tested alongside every other food. Data was analysed in terms of the proportion of time and responses allocated to each food. Proportion of time and responses varied considerably depending on the food that was available concurrently.

text: A comparison of free access, multiple stimulus without replacement, and concurrent schedule preference assessment methods for evaluating food preference Outcomes from three preference assessment methods were examined in a study of food preference with goats. The methods used were: free access, multiple stimulus without replacement, and a concurrent schedule analysis. Results from each method were compared, in terms of the preference ranking they produced. Two male goats, one domesticated wild goat and one Saanen, were used as subjects in this study. Each method yielded similar results, although the concurrent schedule test provided more comprehensive information than either of the other methods. There was moderate agreement between the multiple stimulus without replacement and the concurrent schedule tests, however the free access procedure identified only the two most highly preferred items and provided limited information on preference level of the remaining food items. Five foods were tested in this experiment, all of different texture and composition – crushed maize, sheep and goat pellets, chopped lucerne, lucerne haylage, and timothy and lucerne haylage. During the free access, goats were given unrestricted access to a particular food for 12 seconds. During the multiple stimulus without replacement, goats were presented with all five foods simultaneously and allowed to make one choice. Once the subject had selected a food by pressing the respective cover with their muzzle, that cover was removed to allow access to that food only. When the subject stopped eating, the cover was replaced - subjects could then select another food. This process was repeated until either all five feeds had been sampled or goats had not made contact with any covers for fifteen seconds. The concurrent schedule test involved making two foods available concurrently. Food delivery was determined by a VI 60s schedule and controlled by a computer software program that was linked to the apparatus. The assessment procedure was arranged so that each food was tested alongside every other food. Data was analysed in terms of the proportion of time and responses allocated to each food. Proportion of time and responses varied considerably depending on the food that was available concurrently.

year: 2018

title: Moderating role of acculturation in a mediation model of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand

authors: Shang, Sudong

subjects: Social Sciences

abstract: This study examined the antecedents of work–family conflict (WFC) and the mediation effects of WFC on well‐being consequences among Chinese immigrants to New Zealand, along with the moderating role of acculturation. Four types of WFC were explored: time‐based and strain‐based work interference with family, and time‐based and strain‐based family interference with work. Data were collected from 577 Chinese immigrants in New Zealand, who had full‐time or part‐time work and lived with family members in New Zealand. The four types of WFC were differentially related to the antecedents and well‐being consequences, providing some evidence that both Chinese and New Zealand cultures may exert influences on Chinese immigrants' experiences of WFC. Both directions of WFC (work interference with family, and family interference with work) were related to job satisfaction and family satisfaction, and strain‐based WFC influenced their well‐being more than time‐based WFC. Most importantly, we found immigrants who were proficient in English perceived greater WFC and psychological strain.

text: Moderating role of acculturation in a mediation model of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand This study examined the antecedents of work–family conflict (WFC) and the mediation effects of WFC on well‐being consequences among Chinese immigrants to New Zealand, along with the moderating role of acculturation. Four types of WFC were explored: time‐based and strain‐based work interference with family, and time‐based and strain‐based family interference with work. Data were collected from 577 Chinese immigrants in New Zealand, who had full‐time or part‐time work and lived with family members in New Zealand. The four types of WFC were differentially related to the antecedents and well‐being consequences, providing some evidence that both Chinese and New Zealand cultures may exert influences on Chinese immigrants' experiences of WFC. Both directions of WFC (work interference with family, and family interference with work) were related to job satisfaction and family satisfaction, and strain‐based WFC influenced their well‐being more than time‐based WFC. Most importantly, we found immigrants who were proficient in English perceived greater WFC and psychological strain.

year: 2017

title: A Maori and Psychology Research Unit

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori

abstract: Little psychological information and few applications have been informed by Maori centred research. The psychological research base available to support prevention or change strategies aimed at Maori is almost non-existent. Most information and applications are imported from outside of Aotearoa/New Zealand and are seldom subjected to vetting procedures to ensure adequacy and appropriateness. Even though numbers have changed slightly in the last 10 years, there are still too few Maori in the professional ranks of psychology, both as practitioners, teachers and researchers. More of everything is needed, and it was needed yesterday. At the University of Waikato, staff of the Psychology Department have recognised the need to support positive changes to rectify that situation described above.

This paper describes the fledgling development of a Maori and Psychology Research Unit and how it is intended to promote Maori centred-research, Maori-partnership research, and the scholarly development of Maori professionals. The first section deals with issues and challenges the MPRU expects to face in its development and is written by the first author. The second section describes the nature of learning and support that the MPRU will afford to a new generation of Maori researchers and scholars within the discipline of psychology. This section is written by the second author.

text: A Maori and Psychology Research Unit Little psychological information and few applications have been informed by Maori centred research. The psychological research base available to support prevention or change strategies aimed at Maori is almost non-existent. Most information and applications are imported from outside of Aotearoa/New Zealand and are seldom subjected to vetting procedures to ensure adequacy and appropriateness. Even though numbers have changed slightly in the last 10 years, there are still too few Maori in the professional ranks of psychology, both as practitioners, teachers and researchers. More of everything is needed, and it was needed yesterday. At the University of Waikato, staff of the Psychology Department have recognised the need to support positive changes to rectify that situation described above.

This paper describes the fledgling development of a Maori and Psychology Research Unit and how it is intended to promote Maori centred-research, Maori-partnership research, and the scholarly development of Maori professionals. The first section deals with issues and challenges the MPRU expects to face in its development and is written by the first author. The second section describes the nature of learning and support that the MPRU will afford to a new generation of Maori researchers and scholars within the discipline of psychology. This section is written by the second author.

year: 1998-07-01