title: The role of tourism promoting community participation in the development of Jiwaka Province in Papua New Guinea

authors: Kau, Theresia Wome

subjects: Tourism development

abstract: This master’s thesis explored whether or not tourism can facilitate community development in the Jiwaka Province in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The people of Jiwaka Province, a newly created province, could benefit from tourism if a national tourism policy is implemented at the provincial level. The literature review examined the role of tourism development in less developed countries, indigenous tourism development, tourism policy, indigenous tourism, tourism advocacy and community development. Action research was used to identify the role of tourism in development of the new province to identify the role, if any, that community participation can have in tourism development. It identified the extent of tourism demand for the Jiwaka Province, some obstacles to tourism development in the province, and how people and smaller communities can become involved in tourism development in Jiwaka Province. The research process led to tourism advocacy, where the researcher helped to educate local people in awareness of the potential they possess and the opportunities available for their community to participate in and to promote development through tourism. The qualitative techniques adopted as part of action research to collect data were interviews and participatory observation. Individual and focus group interviews were used, involving 271 participants, including tourism policy officials in Port Moresby, political leaders of Jiwaka Province, Local leaders and community representatives. 
The results indicate that the top down approach of the current tourism policy is not effective for tourism development and does not facilitate community participation at the grass roots level. Most local people in Jiwaka Province are very ignorant of the potential and benefits of tourism. There is potential for tourism development, but there are obstacles at all levels of government. Currently, development for all sectors of Jiwaka Province is at an embryonic stage. Therefore, growth in tourism and the Jiwaka community can become a reality over time alongside infrastructural development and other economic advancements. 
The key issues preventing community participation in tourism are corruption in the government, limited government funding, security and law and order problems, and issues related to tourism marketing and policy implementation at the national, provincial and district levels. Other issues involve funding from the office of the governor in Jiwaka, delays in establishing the provincial government apparatus in the province due to inefficient government human resource processes in Port Moresby, no tourism office space in the province, infrastructural development, and ignorance of tourism. 
The thesis concluded that community tourism development is the only way for tourism development in Jiwaka because of customary land ownership; a bottom-up approach will deliver more benefits to the community than the current top down approach; a government policy/funding vacuum to support community development leading the communities to turn to corporate and NGO support is deeded, as is the need for tourism advocacy. Recommendations are made to the Jiwaka Provincial Government to prioritise tourism, as a key development agent for communities in Jiwaka Province, using a bottom-up approach, which empowers local people and encourages community participation.

text: The role of tourism promoting community participation in the development of Jiwaka Province in Papua New Guinea This master’s thesis explored whether or not tourism can facilitate community development in the Jiwaka Province in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The people of Jiwaka Province, a newly created province, could benefit from tourism if a national tourism policy is implemented at the provincial level. The literature review examined the role of tourism development in less developed countries, indigenous tourism development, tourism policy, indigenous tourism, tourism advocacy and community development. Action research was used to identify the role of tourism in development of the new province to identify the role, if any, that community participation can have in tourism development. It identified the extent of tourism demand for the Jiwaka Province, some obstacles to tourism development in the province, and how people and smaller communities can become involved in tourism development in Jiwaka Province. The research process led to tourism advocacy, where the researcher helped to educate local people in awareness of the potential they possess and the opportunities available for their community to participate in and to promote development through tourism. The qualitative techniques adopted as part of action research to collect data were interviews and participatory observation. Individual and focus group interviews were used, involving 271 participants, including tourism policy officials in Port Moresby, political leaders of Jiwaka Province, Local leaders and community representatives. 
The results indicate that the top down approach of the current tourism policy is not effective for tourism development and does not facilitate community participation at the grass roots level. Most local people in Jiwaka Province are very ignorant of the potential and benefits of tourism. There is potential for tourism development, but there are obstacles at all levels of government. Currently, development for all sectors of Jiwaka Province is at an embryonic stage. Therefore, growth in tourism and the Jiwaka community can become a reality over time alongside infrastructural development and other economic advancements. 
The key issues preventing community participation in tourism are corruption in the government, limited government funding, security and law and order problems, and issues related to tourism marketing and policy implementation at the national, provincial and district levels. Other issues involve funding from the office of the governor in Jiwaka, delays in establishing the provincial government apparatus in the province due to inefficient government human resource processes in Port Moresby, no tourism office space in the province, infrastructural development, and ignorance of tourism. 
The thesis concluded that community tourism development is the only way for tourism development in Jiwaka because of customary land ownership; a bottom-up approach will deliver more benefits to the community than the current top down approach; a government policy/funding vacuum to support community development leading the communities to turn to corporate and NGO support is deeded, as is the need for tourism advocacy. Recommendations are made to the Jiwaka Provincial Government to prioritise tourism, as a key development agent for communities in Jiwaka Province, using a bottom-up approach, which empowers local people and encourages community participation.

year: 2014

title: Developing equivalent Chinese and English scale-point labels for rating scales used in survey research

authors: Au, Wing-tung

subjects: agreement

abstract: Rating scales are the most frequently-used response tool in surveys, and the scale levels are commonly described with words [verbal scale-point labels (VSPL)]. In this study, Chinese VSPL were identified which employ five-point scales that are psychometrically equivalent to English VSPL. In several bilingual studies, a total of 61 Chinese and 44 English items addressing intensity, frequency, and agreement rating modalities were tested. For each VSPL, three aspects were measured: position between minimum and maximum, familiarity, and appeal. The correspondence between pertinent Chinese and English words was also assessed. Based on these findings, we recommend specific VSPL that are best-suited for achieving equivalence between Chinese and English in rating scales.

text: Developing equivalent Chinese and English scale-point labels for rating scales used in survey research Rating scales are the most frequently-used response tool in surveys, and the scale levels are commonly described with words [verbal scale-point labels (VSPL)]. In this study, Chinese VSPL were identified which employ five-point scales that are psychometrically equivalent to English VSPL. In several bilingual studies, a total of 61 Chinese and 44 English items addressing intensity, frequency, and agreement rating modalities were tested. For each VSPL, three aspects were measured: position between minimum and maximum, familiarity, and appeal. The correspondence between pertinent Chinese and English words was also assessed. Based on these findings, we recommend specific VSPL that are best-suited for achieving equivalence between Chinese and English in rating scales.

year: 2010

title: Examining the effects of Ki-o-Rahi on the development of fundamental movement skills by children in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Daveta, Wiliame

subjects: fundamental movement skills

abstract: Children with poor fundamental movement skills might have challenges when engaging in activities that require specific skills to help them perform effectively. Development of those skills through targeted training has the potential to build the foundation for fundamental movement skills. This study examined whether Ki-o-Rahi can enhance learning fundamental movement skills (FMS) and cognitive and social skills in Aotearoa New Zealand children. A quasi-experimental pre-post design was conducted over 8 weeks with 86 primary school children from five separate classes that were allocated to treatment conditions via cluster sampling: two classes to the intervention group, two to the control group, and one to the legend-only control group. The intervention group learned the legend and played Ki-o-Rahi over 8 sessions, whereas the control groups continued with their regular physical activities, but only one of the control groups learned the legend. FMS were measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development—Third Edition (TGMD-3) and the Motor Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2). Cognitive skills were measured using the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders test (HTKS), forward and backward digit span, and forward and backward corsi block. Researchers measured social skills using the Early Childhood Social Relationship with Peers (ECSRP) teacher-proxy questionnaire. The results demonstrated that the intervention and control group gained improvements in the FMS and social skills but not cognitive skills. The legend-only group showed no significant changes. The findings suggest that Ki-o-rahi can contribute to developing FMS, cognitive, and social skills in Aotearoa New Zealand children. Future research should consider extending the duration of the study to assess long-term effects and include a larger cohort of Pacific or Māori children to explore potential benefits of Ki-o-Rahi in greater depth.

text: Examining the effects of Ki-o-Rahi on the development of fundamental movement skills by children in Aotearoa New Zealand Children with poor fundamental movement skills might have challenges when engaging in activities that require specific skills to help them perform effectively. Development of those skills through targeted training has the potential to build the foundation for fundamental movement skills. This study examined whether Ki-o-Rahi can enhance learning fundamental movement skills (FMS) and cognitive and social skills in Aotearoa New Zealand children. A quasi-experimental pre-post design was conducted over 8 weeks with 86 primary school children from five separate classes that were allocated to treatment conditions via cluster sampling: two classes to the intervention group, two to the control group, and one to the legend-only control group. The intervention group learned the legend and played Ki-o-Rahi over 8 sessions, whereas the control groups continued with their regular physical activities, but only one of the control groups learned the legend. FMS were measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development—Third Edition (TGMD-3) and the Motor Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2). Cognitive skills were measured using the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders test (HTKS), forward and backward digit span, and forward and backward corsi block. Researchers measured social skills using the Early Childhood Social Relationship with Peers (ECSRP) teacher-proxy questionnaire. The results demonstrated that the intervention and control group gained improvements in the FMS and social skills but not cognitive skills. The legend-only group showed no significant changes. The findings suggest that Ki-o-rahi can contribute to developing FMS, cognitive, and social skills in Aotearoa New Zealand children. Future research should consider extending the duration of the study to assess long-term effects and include a larger cohort of Pacific or Māori children to explore potential benefits of Ki-o-Rahi in greater depth.

year: 2024