title: The MIREX Grand Challenge: A Framework of Holistic User-Experience Evaluation in Music Information Retrieval

authors: Hu, Xiao

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Music Information Retrieval (MIR) evaluation has traditionally focused on system‐centered approaches where components of MIR systems are evaluated against predefined data sets and golden answers (i.e., ground truth). There are two major limitations of such system‐centered evaluation approaches: (a) The evaluation focuses on subtasks in music information retrieval, but not on entire systems and (b) users and their interactions with MIR systems are largely excluded. This article describes the first implementation of a holistic user‐experience evaluation in MIR, the MIREX Grand Challenge, where complete MIR systems are evaluated, with user experience being the single overarching goal. It is the first time that complete MIR systems have been evaluated with end users in a realistic scenario. We present the design of the evaluation task, the evaluation criteria and a novel evaluation interface, and the data‐collection platform. This is followed by an analysis of the results, reflection on the experience and lessons learned, and plans for future directions.

text: The MIREX Grand Challenge: A Framework of Holistic User-Experience Evaluation in Music Information Retrieval Music Information Retrieval (MIR) evaluation has traditionally focused on system‐centered approaches where components of MIR systems are evaluated against predefined data sets and golden answers (i.e., ground truth). There are two major limitations of such system‐centered evaluation approaches: (a) The evaluation focuses on subtasks in music information retrieval, but not on entire systems and (b) users and their interactions with MIR systems are largely excluded. This article describes the first implementation of a holistic user‐experience evaluation in MIR, the MIREX Grand Challenge, where complete MIR systems are evaluated, with user experience being the single overarching goal. It is the first time that complete MIR systems have been evaluated with end users in a realistic scenario. We present the design of the evaluation task, the evaluation criteria and a novel evaluation interface, and the data‐collection platform. This is followed by an analysis of the results, reflection on the experience and lessons learned, and plans for future directions.

year: 2017

title: Paleolimnology to determine lake reference conditions – fact sheet

authors: Kpodonu, Alfred Theodore Nutefe Kwasi

abstract: Paleolimnology is the study of the early history of lakes based on sediment composition. Lake sediments build up in undisturbed areas of lake bottoms (e.g. in deep central basins) over long periods of time. These sediments will reflect the prevailing conditions in the catchment, climate and in-lake processes at the time of deposition. Specific 'markers' can be used to determine when a particular layer of sediment was deposited. For example, in volcanic areas lakes sediments may contain volcanic ash layers from historical eruptions that can be used to date the sediment (Figure 1). Where it is possible to take long sediment cores in relatively undisturbed areas the historical record of the lake may stretch back far enough to give insights into historical climatic conditions and pre-human settlement state of the lake. This pre-human condition is sometimes referred to as a "reference state". Defining the reference state is important as it provides an indication of the extent to which the current state differs from it. This difference provides a useful reference point for setting targets to improve the state of a lake (e.g., as part of the limiting-setting process envisaged under the National Objectives Framework for Freshwater Management 2011).

text: Paleolimnology to determine lake reference conditions – fact sheet Paleolimnology is the study of the early history of lakes based on sediment composition. Lake sediments build up in undisturbed areas of lake bottoms (e.g. in deep central basins) over long periods of time. These sediments will reflect the prevailing conditions in the catchment, climate and in-lake processes at the time of deposition. Specific 'markers' can be used to determine when a particular layer of sediment was deposited. For example, in volcanic areas lakes sediments may contain volcanic ash layers from historical eruptions that can be used to date the sediment (Figure 1). Where it is possible to take long sediment cores in relatively undisturbed areas the historical record of the lake may stretch back far enough to give insights into historical climatic conditions and pre-human settlement state of the lake. This pre-human condition is sometimes referred to as a "reference state". Defining the reference state is important as it provides an indication of the extent to which the current state differs from it. This difference provides a useful reference point for setting targets to improve the state of a lake (e.g., as part of the limiting-setting process envisaged under the National Objectives Framework for Freshwater Management 2011).

year: 2015

title: Gendered geographies of resistance, resilience and reworking in Aotearoa feminist geography scholarship

authors: Adams-Hutcheson, Gail

abstract: Aotearoa New Zealand feminist geographies involve alliances of connected and vibrant researchers who pay close attention to the politics of knowledge production, power, intersectionality and decolonisation. Safe spaces to speak and write together have been nurtured over time ‘down under’ due to a collective politics of care and mentoring. This special issue demonstrates the strength of collective thinking on resistance, resilience and reworking contemporary geographical practice in Aotearoa. The four empirically based and theoretically informed articles develop new thinking about resistance to colonialism, patriarchy, racism, metricisation and oppression. These critical articles contribute to feminist geographical knowledges both locally and globally.

text: Gendered geographies of resistance, resilience and reworking in Aotearoa feminist geography scholarship Aotearoa New Zealand feminist geographies involve alliances of connected and vibrant researchers who pay close attention to the politics of knowledge production, power, intersectionality and decolonisation. Safe spaces to speak and write together have been nurtured over time ‘down under’ due to a collective politics of care and mentoring. This special issue demonstrates the strength of collective thinking on resistance, resilience and reworking contemporary geographical practice in Aotearoa. The four empirically based and theoretically informed articles develop new thinking about resistance to colonialism, patriarchy, racism, metricisation and oppression. These critical articles contribute to feminist geographical knowledges both locally and globally.

year: 2022-11-22