title: Children’s query formulation and search result exploration

authors: Vanderschantz, Nicholas

subjects: computer science

abstract: Our research aims at understanding children’s information search and their use of information search tools during educational pursuits. We conducted an observation study with 50 New Zealand school children between the ages of 9 and 13 years old. In particular, we studied the way that children constructed search queries and interacted with the Google search engine when undertaking a range of educationally appropriate inquiry tasks. As a result of this in situ study, we identified typical query-creation and query-reformulation strategies that children use. The children worked through 250 tasks, and created a total of 550 search queries. 64.4% of the successful queries made were natural language queries compared to only 35.6% keyword queries. Only three children used the related searches feature of the search engine, while 46 children used query suggestions. We gained insights into the information search strategies children use during their educational pursuits. We observed a range of issues that children encountered when interacting with a search engine to create searches as well as to triage and explore information in the search engine results page lists. We found that search tasks posed as questions were more likely to result in query constructions based on natural language questions, while tasks posed as instructions were more likely to result in query constructions using natural language sentences or keywords. Our findings have implications for both educators and search engine designers.

text: Children’s query formulation and search result exploration Our research aims at understanding children’s information search and their use of information search tools during educational pursuits. We conducted an observation study with 50 New Zealand school children between the ages of 9 and 13 years old. In particular, we studied the way that children constructed search queries and interacted with the Google search engine when undertaking a range of educationally appropriate inquiry tasks. As a result of this in situ study, we identified typical query-creation and query-reformulation strategies that children use. The children worked through 250 tasks, and created a total of 550 search queries. 64.4% of the successful queries made were natural language queries compared to only 35.6% keyword queries. Only three children used the related searches feature of the search engine, while 46 children used query suggestions. We gained insights into the information search strategies children use during their educational pursuits. We observed a range of issues that children encountered when interacting with a search engine to create searches as well as to triage and explore information in the search engine results page lists. We found that search tasks posed as questions were more likely to result in query constructions based on natural language questions, while tasks posed as instructions were more likely to result in query constructions using natural language sentences or keywords. Our findings have implications for both educators and search engine designers.

year: 2021

title: Using ontologies to reason about the usability of interactive medical devices in multiple situations of use

authors: Bowen, Judy

subjects: Ontologies

abstract: Formally modelling interactive software systems and devices allows us to prove properties of correctness about such devices, and thus ensure effectiveness of their use. It also enables us to consider interaction properties such as usability and consistency between the interface and system functionality. Interactive modal devices, that have a ﬁxed interface but whose behaviour is dependent on the mode of the device, can be similarly modelled. Such devices always behave in the same way (i.e. have the same functionality and interaction possibilities) irrespective of how, or where, they are used. However, a user’s interaction with such devices may vary according to the physical location or environment in which they are situated (we refer to this as a system’s context and usage situation). In this paper we look at a particular example of a safety-critical system, that of a modal interactive medical syringe pump, which is used in multiple situations. We consider how ontologies can be used to reason about the effects of different situations on the use of such devices.

text: Using ontologies to reason about the usability of interactive medical devices in multiple situations of use Formally modelling interactive software systems and devices allows us to prove properties of correctness about such devices, and thus ensure effectiveness of their use. It also enables us to consider interaction properties such as usability and consistency between the interface and system functionality. Interactive modal devices, that have a ﬁxed interface but whose behaviour is dependent on the mode of the device, can be similarly modelled. Such devices always behave in the same way (i.e. have the same functionality and interaction possibilities) irrespective of how, or where, they are used. However, a user’s interaction with such devices may vary according to the physical location or environment in which they are situated (we refer to this as a system’s context and usage situation). In this paper we look at a particular example of a safety-critical system, that of a modal interactive medical syringe pump, which is used in multiple situations. We consider how ontologies can be used to reason about the effects of different situations on the use of such devices.

year: 2012

title: Investment in Authentic Sustainable Cultural Tourism : Planning for the Future Benefit of Waikato-Tainui along the Waikato River, Case Studies at Tūrangawaewae and Te Awamārahi Marae

authors: Cooper, Mei Te Werawera Te Reokaha

abstract: “Tērā ōkū hoa kei ngā tōpito e whā o te ao - My friends will come from all parts of the world” – Kīngi Tāwhiao 1822-1894

This doctorate is guided by the visions of the second Māori king, Kīngi Tāwhiao, which reflect the importance of global connections, relationships (Turongo House, 2000:109) and investment to achieve the ultimate goal of authentic or ‘true’ sustainability throughout the world.  The strategic process will require a balance between humans and the natural environment to ensure long-term growth and survival.  This research will investigate whether investment in Authentic Sustainable Cultural Tourism (ASCT) will provide long-term and sustainable benefits for tribes throughout New Zealand, using a study of Waikato-Tainui.  ASCT, if practiced correctly, must be driven by whānau of marae, hapū and iwi alongside ideal long-term partners to ultimately achieve indigenous autonomy. ASCT prioritises the wellbeing of indigenous and local communities, cultural preservation and environmental sustainability while providing secure economic returns to key stakeholders. 

Today, tourism is New Zealand’s largest and fastest growing industry; total tourism expenditure is forecast to increase from $34.7b in 2016, an increase of 12.2% from the previous year, to $41b by 2025.  The natural landscape is the main reason why international travellers visit New Zealand, followed by an interest in Māori culture (Tourism Industry Association, 2015).  Unfortunately, there is sparse funding for Māori tourism development (New Zealand Māori Tourism, 2015; Goulter, 2015) compared to mainstream tourism and Māori are the most impoverished people in New Zealand (Statistics New Zealand, 2011).  Cultural tourism has existed in New Zealand for more than 150 years and has a vital role in New Zealand’s tourism industry.  Te Kīngitanga and the Waikato River are the main aspects that make Waikato unique in New Zealand, however, there is very little cultural tourism in the region.  As a descendant of Waikato-Tainui, I work with my people at the marae level to inform tribal governance about the significant opportunities available to whānau compared to current mainstream investments by the tribe. 

Using Kaupapa Māori and critical realism, the methods used in this research include an investigation of government tourism organisations, interviews with Waikato-Tainui governance groups, case studies at Tūrangawaewae and Te Awamārahi Marae, case studies at fourteen successful Māori tourism providers throughout New Zealand, and an international comparison of best practices in indigenous tourism.

text: Investment in Authentic Sustainable Cultural Tourism : Planning for the Future Benefit of Waikato-Tainui along the Waikato River, Case Studies at Tūrangawaewae and Te Awamārahi Marae “Tērā ōkū hoa kei ngā tōpito e whā o te ao - My friends will come from all parts of the world” – Kīngi Tāwhiao 1822-1894

This doctorate is guided by the visions of the second Māori king, Kīngi Tāwhiao, which reflect the importance of global connections, relationships (Turongo House, 2000:109) and investment to achieve the ultimate goal of authentic or ‘true’ sustainability throughout the world.  The strategic process will require a balance between humans and the natural environment to ensure long-term growth and survival.  This research will investigate whether investment in Authentic Sustainable Cultural Tourism (ASCT) will provide long-term and sustainable benefits for tribes throughout New Zealand, using a study of Waikato-Tainui.  ASCT, if practiced correctly, must be driven by whānau of marae, hapū and iwi alongside ideal long-term partners to ultimately achieve indigenous autonomy. ASCT prioritises the wellbeing of indigenous and local communities, cultural preservation and environmental sustainability while providing secure economic returns to key stakeholders. 

Today, tourism is New Zealand’s largest and fastest growing industry; total tourism expenditure is forecast to increase from $34.7b in 2016, an increase of 12.2% from the previous year, to $41b by 2025.  The natural landscape is the main reason why international travellers visit New Zealand, followed by an interest in Māori culture (Tourism Industry Association, 2015).  Unfortunately, there is sparse funding for Māori tourism development (New Zealand Māori Tourism, 2015; Goulter, 2015) compared to mainstream tourism and Māori are the most impoverished people in New Zealand (Statistics New Zealand, 2011).  Cultural tourism has existed in New Zealand for more than 150 years and has a vital role in New Zealand’s tourism industry.  Te Kīngitanga and the Waikato River are the main aspects that make Waikato unique in New Zealand, however, there is very little cultural tourism in the region.  As a descendant of Waikato-Tainui, I work with my people at the marae level to inform tribal governance about the significant opportunities available to whānau compared to current mainstream investments by the tribe. 

Using Kaupapa Māori and critical realism, the methods used in this research include an investigation of government tourism organisations, interviews with Waikato-Tainui governance groups, case studies at Tūrangawaewae and Te Awamārahi Marae, case studies at fourteen successful Māori tourism providers throughout New Zealand, and an international comparison of best practices in indigenous tourism.

year: 2018