title: The use of artificial neural networks to analyze and predict alongshore sediment transport

authors: van Maanen, Barend

subjects: artificial neural networks

abstract: An artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to predict the depth-integrated alongshore suspended sediment transport rate using 4 input variables (water depth, wave height and period, and alongshore velocity). The ANN was trained and validated using a dataset obtained on the intertidal beach of Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands. Rootmean- square deviation between observations and predictions was calculated to show that, for this specific dataset, the ANN ("rms=0.43) outperforms the commonly used Bailard (1981) formula ("rms=1.63), even when this formula is calibrated ("rms=0.66). Because of correlations between input variables, the predictive quality of the ANN can be improved further by considering only 3 out of the 4 available input variables ("rms=0.39). Finally, we use the partial derivatives method to “open and lighten” the generated ANNs with the purpose of showing that, although specific to the dataset in question, they are not “black-box” type models and can be used to analyze the physical processes associated with alongshore sediment transport. In this case, the alongshore component of the velocity, by itself or in combination with other input variables, has the largest explanatory power. Moreover, the behaviour of the ANN indicates that predictions can be unphysical and therefore unreliable when the input lies outside the parameter space over which the ANN has been developed. Our approach of combining the strong predictive power of ANNs with “lightening” the black box and testing its sensitivity, demonstrates that the use of an ANN approach can result in the development of generalized models of suspended sediment transport.

text: The use of artificial neural networks to analyze and predict alongshore sediment transport An artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to predict the depth-integrated alongshore suspended sediment transport rate using 4 input variables (water depth, wave height and period, and alongshore velocity). The ANN was trained and validated using a dataset obtained on the intertidal beach of Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands. Rootmean- square deviation between observations and predictions was calculated to show that, for this specific dataset, the ANN ("rms=0.43) outperforms the commonly used Bailard (1981) formula ("rms=1.63), even when this formula is calibrated ("rms=0.66). Because of correlations between input variables, the predictive quality of the ANN can be improved further by considering only 3 out of the 4 available input variables ("rms=0.39). Finally, we use the partial derivatives method to “open and lighten” the generated ANNs with the purpose of showing that, although specific to the dataset in question, they are not “black-box” type models and can be used to analyze the physical processes associated with alongshore sediment transport. In this case, the alongshore component of the velocity, by itself or in combination with other input variables, has the largest explanatory power. Moreover, the behaviour of the ANN indicates that predictions can be unphysical and therefore unreliable when the input lies outside the parameter space over which the ANN has been developed. Our approach of combining the strong predictive power of ANNs with “lightening” the black box and testing its sensitivity, demonstrates that the use of an ANN approach can result in the development of generalized models of suspended sediment transport.

year: 2010

title: A Scale to measure motivation and behaviour in psychological experiments

authors: Flay, Brian Richard

abstract: The aim in this study was to develop and validate a set of scales to measure subject motivation and behaviour in psychological experiments. This was achieved by factor analysing the responses by 140 subjects to 60 statements concerning the feelings aroused and the behaviour adopted when a subject in a psychological experiment, and attitudes towards psychology, psychological research, science, and scientific method. Seven factors were obtained: 
I Attitudes towards psychology and psychological research 
II Evaluation apprehension 
III The good-negativistic subject role 
IV Volunteering 
V The faithful subject role 
VI Awareness of deception and 
VII Attitudes towards science and scientific method. 
The validity of each factor was studied by considering its relationship with other psychological variables and the other factors, using a sample of 96 psychology students. Reliability estimates were also obtained from test-retest scores for 31 subjects, as well as from item-total correlations. 
The limitations and usefulness of the scale are discussed, and suggestions for further research are made.

text: A Scale to measure motivation and behaviour in psychological experiments The aim in this study was to develop and validate a set of scales to measure subject motivation and behaviour in psychological experiments. This was achieved by factor analysing the responses by 140 subjects to 60 statements concerning the feelings aroused and the behaviour adopted when a subject in a psychological experiment, and attitudes towards psychology, psychological research, science, and scientific method. Seven factors were obtained: 
I Attitudes towards psychology and psychological research 
II Evaluation apprehension 
III The good-negativistic subject role 
IV Volunteering 
V The faithful subject role 
VI Awareness of deception and 
VII Attitudes towards science and scientific method. 
The validity of each factor was studied by considering its relationship with other psychological variables and the other factors, using a sample of 96 psychology students. Reliability estimates were also obtained from test-retest scores for 31 subjects, as well as from item-total correlations. 
The limitations and usefulness of the scale are discussed, and suggestions for further research are made.

year: 1972

title: Putting it in there: "PSYC575 Indigenous Psychologies" as a for-credit university paper in New Zealand

authors: Waitoki, Waikaremoana

abstract: Over the past 30 years, scholar advocates have sparked the emergence of indigenous psychology as an important contribution to understanding the experiences and challenges faced by indigenous peoples. Part of this exercise is to also bring indigenous knowledges to the learning table as critical information for meaning making and resolving psychological challenges. Increasingly, academics are writing and teaching papers in the fledgling field as important and legitimate contributions for undergraduate and graduate degree credit. Previously, students and academics were confined to the more flexible research driven, directed-learning, study options rather than papers explicitly advertised and institutionally promoted. In this paper, we discuss how we are going about writing the curricula for a graduate level paper called "Indigenous Psychologies" to be offered in 2016 at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. We discuss a) principles that guide curricula decision-making; b) the programme of lecture topics developed; and c) finding and developing supporting resources. We welcome conversation and resource sharing.

text: Putting it in there: "PSYC575 Indigenous Psychologies" as a for-credit university paper in New Zealand Over the past 30 years, scholar advocates have sparked the emergence of indigenous psychology as an important contribution to understanding the experiences and challenges faced by indigenous peoples. Part of this exercise is to also bring indigenous knowledges to the learning table as critical information for meaning making and resolving psychological challenges. Increasingly, academics are writing and teaching papers in the fledgling field as important and legitimate contributions for undergraduate and graduate degree credit. Previously, students and academics were confined to the more flexible research driven, directed-learning, study options rather than papers explicitly advertised and institutionally promoted. In this paper, we discuss how we are going about writing the curricula for a graduate level paper called "Indigenous Psychologies" to be offered in 2016 at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. We discuss a) principles that guide curricula decision-making; b) the programme of lecture topics developed; and c) finding and developing supporting resources. We welcome conversation and resource sharing.

year: 2015