title: The textual expression of critical thinking in PhD discussions in applied linguistics

authors: Bruce, Ian

abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the textual resources used to express critical thinking in the Discussion chapters or chapter sections of PhD theses from the discipline of Applied Linguistics. Five Discussions were manually analysed using the social genre/cognitive genre model of the author (Bruce, 2008a) as the analytical framework. Three generic elements, used integratively, were found to express critical evaluations as part of constructing an overall argument in the Discussion chapters examined. The first element was the recursive use of an organizing content schema (move pattern), described as: Point, Support, Evaluation. The second was the use of key coherence relations to make critical statements in the ‘Evaluation’ part of this content schema. The third element was the embedding within the critical statements of the metadiscourse devices of hedging and attitude markers (Hyland, 2005). While not providing a prescriptive approach to expressing critical evaluation in this genre, the findings offer an analytical lens through which novice writers may examine and develop awareness of the types of textual resource used to develop this important element of Discussions

text: The textual expression of critical thinking in PhD discussions in applied linguistics The purpose of this study was to identify the textual resources used to express critical thinking in the Discussion chapters or chapter sections of PhD theses from the discipline of Applied Linguistics. Five Discussions were manually analysed using the social genre/cognitive genre model of the author (Bruce, 2008a) as the analytical framework. Three generic elements, used integratively, were found to express critical evaluations as part of constructing an overall argument in the Discussion chapters examined. The first element was the recursive use of an organizing content schema (move pattern), described as: Point, Support, Evaluation. The second was the use of key coherence relations to make critical statements in the ‘Evaluation’ part of this content schema. The third element was the embedding within the critical statements of the metadiscourse devices of hedging and attitude markers (Hyland, 2005). While not providing a prescriptive approach to expressing critical evaluation in this genre, the findings offer an analytical lens through which novice writers may examine and develop awareness of the types of textual resource used to develop this important element of Discussions

year: 2018

title: Statistical representations of the housing problem in briefings to incoming ministers, 2008–2020: The politics of housing numbers

authors: Barrett, Patrick

abstract: An interpretive policy studies perspective on what is understood to be the ‘facts’ about the housing problem in New Zealand has potential to uncover the way statistical representations of problems are embedded in larger normative narratives, and the consequential implications for housing policy and governance. This paper analyses such representations as they are evident in policy briefings to incoming Ministers of Housing between 2008 and 2020 by Housing New Zealand (HNZ) and its successor Kāinga Ora, and the way these reflect and reinforce a neoliberal political rationality and an agenda to residualise and marketise state housing support. The briefings represent authoritative accounts by a key bureaucratic advisory agency of the significant issues and priorities in the housing portfolio. The period prior to 2017 saw the emergence of new articulations of housing problems relating to affordability, declining rates of home ownership, an increasing rental population, and increasing homelessness. In the briefings to ministers, these problems were routinely framed as issues of supply and demand and market adjustment, and this has continued following the change of government in 2017. The focus of the paper is on identifying statistical representations within the discursive context that give weight to particular policy choices.

text: Statistical representations of the housing problem in briefings to incoming ministers, 2008–2020: The politics of housing numbers An interpretive policy studies perspective on what is understood to be the ‘facts’ about the housing problem in New Zealand has potential to uncover the way statistical representations of problems are embedded in larger normative narratives, and the consequential implications for housing policy and governance. This paper analyses such representations as they are evident in policy briefings to incoming Ministers of Housing between 2008 and 2020 by Housing New Zealand (HNZ) and its successor Kāinga Ora, and the way these reflect and reinforce a neoliberal political rationality and an agenda to residualise and marketise state housing support. The briefings represent authoritative accounts by a key bureaucratic advisory agency of the significant issues and priorities in the housing portfolio. The period prior to 2017 saw the emergence of new articulations of housing problems relating to affordability, declining rates of home ownership, an increasing rental population, and increasing homelessness. In the briefings to ministers, these problems were routinely framed as issues of supply and demand and market adjustment, and this has continued following the change of government in 2017. The focus of the paper is on identifying statistical representations within the discursive context that give weight to particular policy choices.

year: 2021

title: Maori perspectives of the environment: A review of Environment Waikato iwi environmental management plans.

authors: Whangapirita, Laura

subjects: Maori

abstract: The purpose of this report is to gather, summarise, analyse and distribute information held by Environment Waikato on Maori and the environment. To achieve this we evaluated and summarised the Ngaati Te Ata Iwi Policy Statement, Iwi Environmental management Plans and iwi contributions made toward the Proposed Waikato Regional Plan (1998) using a Maori values framework. This report has been prepared to contribute towards developing a resource for Environment Waikato’s Strategic Plan Review Teams. The report itself refers to values and beliefs sourced from iwi documents held by Environment waiakto and are presented using a Maori values framework providing the reader with an introduction to the environmental perspectives of tangat whenua in  the Waikato region.

text: Maori perspectives of the environment: A review of Environment Waikato iwi environmental management plans. The purpose of this report is to gather, summarise, analyse and distribute information held by Environment Waikato on Maori and the environment. To achieve this we evaluated and summarised the Ngaati Te Ata Iwi Policy Statement, Iwi Environmental management Plans and iwi contributions made toward the Proposed Waikato Regional Plan (1998) using a Maori values framework. This report has been prepared to contribute towards developing a resource for Environment Waikato’s Strategic Plan Review Teams. The report itself refers to values and beliefs sourced from iwi documents held by Environment waiakto and are presented using a Maori values framework providing the reader with an introduction to the environmental perspectives of tangat whenua in  the Waikato region.

year: 2003-09