title: “It’s a case of access.” The problematics of accessing research participants

authors: Amundsen, Diana Leigh

subjects: Gatekeepers

abstract: The problematics of accessing res participants have been largely under-stated in the education research literature. This article discusses two case studies which illustrate the complexity of the process of access. This is complexity beyond ethical consent; it is the complexity of gaining access to research sites and participants and of ongoing negotiation concerning aspects of access, especially when the stakes are high for participants. In this article we first set out what is already known in the literature about challenges and strategies of access. Next, we evaluate our own experiences of access with others. Our analysis reveals key findings: a) the relevance of insider/outsider status; b) the need to engage in repeated negotiations to obtain the agreement and consent of gatekeepers; c) the value of identifying kaiārahi (guides) and building relationships; d) the importance of understanding organisational culture, power dynamics of relationships and of knowledge production; and e) the significance of operating in a transparent manner around researcher identity and the nature of the specific study. A research plan may be approved as ethical but may not prove to be practical when the researcher tries to enact it, thus necessitating modification. The challenge becomes finding a practice that is ethical for a particular group and context. Lastly, we propose that education researchers who have negotiated the power dynamics to build relationships among kaiārahi, gatekeepers and participants need to communicate their knowledge and experiences of accessing research participants with other researchers.

text: “It’s a case of access.” The problematics of accessing research participants The problematics of accessing res participants have been largely under-stated in the education research literature. This article discusses two case studies which illustrate the complexity of the process of access. This is complexity beyond ethical consent; it is the complexity of gaining access to research sites and participants and of ongoing negotiation concerning aspects of access, especially when the stakes are high for participants. In this article we first set out what is already known in the literature about challenges and strategies of access. Next, we evaluate our own experiences of access with others. Our analysis reveals key findings: a) the relevance of insider/outsider status; b) the need to engage in repeated negotiations to obtain the agreement and consent of gatekeepers; c) the value of identifying kaiārahi (guides) and building relationships; d) the importance of understanding organisational culture, power dynamics of relationships and of knowledge production; and e) the significance of operating in a transparent manner around researcher identity and the nature of the specific study. A research plan may be approved as ethical but may not prove to be practical when the researcher tries to enact it, thus necessitating modification. The challenge becomes finding a practice that is ethical for a particular group and context. Lastly, we propose that education researchers who have negotiated the power dynamics to build relationships among kaiārahi, gatekeepers and participants need to communicate their knowledge and experiences of accessing research participants with other researchers.

year: 2017

title: Passive, fractional, battery equivalent-circuit model in time and frequency domains part 1: Linear model

authors: Farrow, Vance

abstract: Existing time-domain fractional model simulations of batteries are either limited to short time sequences, frequently less than 100 s, if truly fractional or use low order RC-ladder fractional approximations to reduce computational burden. Here we present an entirely-passive, truly fractional, equivalent-circuit model of a battery. We rely on a Reimann-Louiville fractional order differintegral to account for long time-scales out to 12 days. An analytical solution is provided for the differintegral, subject to the constraint of piecewise constant current. We validate our model fitting against a multi-day sequence of measured time domain data and EIS measured to 10 μ Hz. The spectral content of the current waveform is identified as a crucial factor. The full evaluation of fractional elements leads to residual error of voltage waveforms that is amongst the best in the literature despite the model having only five parameters. In the time-domain, a root-mean-square error (RMSE) as low as 2.8 mV is achieved while maintaining a frequency-domain RMSE of 14 % from measured impedance values over a span of 6 decades. The use of time-weighted regression is shown to be important to the time-domain fit.

text: Passive, fractional, battery equivalent-circuit model in time and frequency domains part 1: Linear model Existing time-domain fractional model simulations of batteries are either limited to short time sequences, frequently less than 100 s, if truly fractional or use low order RC-ladder fractional approximations to reduce computational burden. Here we present an entirely-passive, truly fractional, equivalent-circuit model of a battery. We rely on a Reimann-Louiville fractional order differintegral to account for long time-scales out to 12 days. An analytical solution is provided for the differintegral, subject to the constraint of piecewise constant current. We validate our model fitting against a multi-day sequence of measured time domain data and EIS measured to 10 μ Hz. The spectral content of the current waveform is identified as a crucial factor. The full evaluation of fractional elements leads to residual error of voltage waveforms that is amongst the best in the literature despite the model having only five parameters. In the time-domain, a root-mean-square error (RMSE) as low as 2.8 mV is achieved while maintaining a frequency-domain RMSE of 14 % from measured impedance values over a span of 6 decades. The use of time-weighted regression is shown to be important to the time-domain fit.

year: 2024

title: Ki te kapu o taku ringa - In the palm of my hand [Photography exhibition at Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts]

authors: Hill, Rodrigo

subjects: Mātauranga Māori

abstract: (Exhibition catalogue)
The title Ki te kapu o taku ringa is taken from a line of
‘Maioha mō Waikato’ by Kīngi Tāwhiao. Ejected from their
homelands he and his Waikato brethren took refuge with
their Maniapoto relations in Te Nehenehenui. The maioha
was composed expressing Kīngi Tāwhiao’s love for his
homelands, and his solastalgic holding fast to those lands
‘... in the palm of his hand.’ The words from the song-poem
were used as guide to our research and photography practice.

text: Ki te kapu o taku ringa - In the palm of my hand [Photography exhibition at Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts] (Exhibition catalogue)
The title Ki te kapu o taku ringa is taken from a line of
‘Maioha mō Waikato’ by Kīngi Tāwhiao. Ejected from their
homelands he and his Waikato brethren took refuge with
their Maniapoto relations in Te Nehenehenui. The maioha
was composed expressing Kīngi Tāwhiao’s love for his
homelands, and his solastalgic holding fast to those lands
‘... in the palm of his hand.’ The words from the song-poem
were used as guide to our research and photography practice.

year: 2025