title: A Magnitude Effect in Temporal discounting with Hens

authors: Budenberg, Grace Joy

subjects: Magnitude effect

abstract: This study aimed to determine whether a magnitude effect could be obtained in temporal discounting with brown shaver hens. Subjects responded in a classic self-control situation for the choice between a smaller-sooner reward (1-s access to food, after a 2 s delay) or a larger-later reward (4.5-s access to food, after a 28 s delay). Hens responded in a multiple concurrent-chain procedure on concurrent variable-interval (VI-30s, VI 30-s) schedules in the choice phase (initial links), and a fixed interval (FI) schedule, ranging from FI 2-s to FI 28-s in the outcome phase (terminal links). The outcome phase then resulted in reinforcement of either 1-s access to grain or 4.5-s access to grain. The results replicated the findings of a previous study by Grace, Sargisson & White (2012), who obtained evidence of a magnitude effect in temporal discounting with pigeons, in which subjects demonstrated a greater preference for the larger reward compared to the small reward over increasing time delay. The findings indicate that the magnitude effect is not unique to humans, as previous studies have suggested. Data was applied the Generalized Matching Law (GML) and the Contextual Choice Model (CCM) equations to determine if the data was comparable with models of behavioural choice.

text: A Magnitude Effect in Temporal discounting with Hens This study aimed to determine whether a magnitude effect could be obtained in temporal discounting with brown shaver hens. Subjects responded in a classic self-control situation for the choice between a smaller-sooner reward (1-s access to food, after a 2 s delay) or a larger-later reward (4.5-s access to food, after a 28 s delay). Hens responded in a multiple concurrent-chain procedure on concurrent variable-interval (VI-30s, VI 30-s) schedules in the choice phase (initial links), and a fixed interval (FI) schedule, ranging from FI 2-s to FI 28-s in the outcome phase (terminal links). The outcome phase then resulted in reinforcement of either 1-s access to grain or 4.5-s access to grain. The results replicated the findings of a previous study by Grace, Sargisson & White (2012), who obtained evidence of a magnitude effect in temporal discounting with pigeons, in which subjects demonstrated a greater preference for the larger reward compared to the small reward over increasing time delay. The findings indicate that the magnitude effect is not unique to humans, as previous studies have suggested. Data was applied the Generalized Matching Law (GML) and the Contextual Choice Model (CCM) equations to determine if the data was comparable with models of behavioural choice.

year: 2014

title: Science and technology development and the depoliticization of the public space: The case of socially and culturally sustainable biotechnology in New Zealand

authors: Macdonald, Linda R.

subjects: biotechnology

abstract: Purpose – The authors aim to review a five-year multi-study research programme on the role of public dialogue in the social and cultural sustainability of biotechnology developments in New Zealand. 
Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a critical review of all the published research products from a five-year government-funded study of the cultural and social aspects of sustainable biotechnology in New Zealand. 
Findings – The review research highlights how New Zealand Government policies on biotechnology, which motivated the research programme, were fore-grounded on economic progress and competitive positioning. Thus, debate on sustainable biotechnology issues became cast in economic and technical terms, while public dialogue became seen as diversionary and unsubstantiated. The analysis concludes that the programme was ineffective in influencing government policy and fell victim to the very problem of science governance that its purpose was designed to address. 
Research limitations/implications – The research develops implications regarding the ability of government-funded sustainability research to influence policy. 
Originality/value – The review focuses on the purpose, content, outcomes, and context of the research programme and identifies a number of key themes that arose from the programme that are useful for other sustainability policy researchers. The reviewers conclude that this case demonstrates that the marketization of the public sphere depoliticises the social and cultural construction of the nation's future.

text: Science and technology development and the depoliticization of the public space: The case of socially and culturally sustainable biotechnology in New Zealand Purpose – The authors aim to review a five-year multi-study research programme on the role of public dialogue in the social and cultural sustainability of biotechnology developments in New Zealand. 
Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a critical review of all the published research products from a five-year government-funded study of the cultural and social aspects of sustainable biotechnology in New Zealand. 
Findings – The review research highlights how New Zealand Government policies on biotechnology, which motivated the research programme, were fore-grounded on economic progress and competitive positioning. Thus, debate on sustainable biotechnology issues became cast in economic and technical terms, while public dialogue became seen as diversionary and unsubstantiated. The analysis concludes that the programme was ineffective in influencing government policy and fell victim to the very problem of science governance that its purpose was designed to address. 
Research limitations/implications – The research develops implications regarding the ability of government-funded sustainability research to influence policy. 
Originality/value – The review focuses on the purpose, content, outcomes, and context of the research programme and identifies a number of key themes that arose from the programme that are useful for other sustainability policy researchers. The reviewers conclude that this case demonstrates that the marketization of the public sphere depoliticises the social and cultural construction of the nation's future.

year: 2011

title: Enabling conditions for professional development of te reo Māori teachers

authors: Franken, Margaret

subjects: Māori language teachers

abstract: The paper outlines a professional development programme for secondary school teachers of te reo Māori (under the auspices of Te Hiringa i te Mahara) conducted by a language teacher educator and an expert in Māori bilingualism and biliteracy. While the principles underpinning the programme reflect a strong task-based
orientation, the programme approached development needs for the teachers from the point of view of understanding “enabling conditions” (Franken, Rau, Ngata & Parata, n.d.) for effective language learning and teaching (see also Ellis, 2005),
rather than understanding task based learning and teaching per se. The programme drew on the current practices of the teachers and made use of epistemology of Māori language and Māori language learning. The paper presents observations from monitoring data collected during the programme supporting the claim that such an approach to the professional development of language teachers promotes a strong knowledge base and pedagogical reasoning skills (Richards, 1998), and in particular for te reo Māori teachers, fosters a sense of their own professional identity.

text: Enabling conditions for professional development of te reo Māori teachers The paper outlines a professional development programme for secondary school teachers of te reo Māori (under the auspices of Te Hiringa i te Mahara) conducted by a language teacher educator and an expert in Māori bilingualism and biliteracy. While the principles underpinning the programme reflect a strong task-based
orientation, the programme approached development needs for the teachers from the point of view of understanding “enabling conditions” (Franken, Rau, Ngata & Parata, n.d.) for effective language learning and teaching (see also Ellis, 2005),
rather than understanding task based learning and teaching per se. The programme drew on the current practices of the teachers and made use of epistemology of Māori language and Māori language learning. The paper presents observations from monitoring data collected during the programme supporting the claim that such an approach to the professional development of language teachers promotes a strong knowledge base and pedagogical reasoning skills (Richards, 1998), and in particular for te reo Māori teachers, fosters a sense of their own professional identity.

year: 2009