title: A knowledge-based search engine powered by Wikipedia

authors: Milne, David N.

subjects: information retrieval

abstract: This paper describes Koru, a new search interface that offers effective domain-independent knowledge-based information retrieval. Koru exhibits an understanding of the topics of both queries and documents. This allows it to (a) expand queries automatically and (b) help guide the user as they evolve their queries interactively. Its understanding is mined from the vast investment of manual effort and judgment that is Wikipedia. We show how this open, constantly evolving encyclopedia can yield inexpensive knowledge structures that are specifically tailored to expose the topics, terminology and semantics of individual document collections. We conducted a detailed user study with 12 participants and 10 topics from the 2005 TREC HARD track, and found that Koru and its underlying knowledge base offers significant advantages over traditional keyword search. It was capable of lending assistance to almost every query issued to it; making their entry more efficient, improving the relevance of the documents they return, and narrowing the gap between expert and novice seekers.

text: A knowledge-based search engine powered by Wikipedia This paper describes Koru, a new search interface that offers effective domain-independent knowledge-based information retrieval. Koru exhibits an understanding of the topics of both queries and documents. This allows it to (a) expand queries automatically and (b) help guide the user as they evolve their queries interactively. Its understanding is mined from the vast investment of manual effort and judgment that is Wikipedia. We show how this open, constantly evolving encyclopedia can yield inexpensive knowledge structures that are specifically tailored to expose the topics, terminology and semantics of individual document collections. We conducted a detailed user study with 12 participants and 10 topics from the 2005 TREC HARD track, and found that Koru and its underlying knowledge base offers significant advantages over traditional keyword search. It was capable of lending assistance to almost every query issued to it; making their entry more efficient, improving the relevance of the documents they return, and narrowing the gap between expert and novice seekers.

year: 2007

title: Keeping goods moving in the wake of a disaster: A qualitative study of intermodal transport

authors: L'Hermitte, Cécile

abstract: Purpose: This paper examines what facilitates the swift reconfiguration of freight movements across transport modes in the wake of a major disaster. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research approach focussing on the New Zealand (NZ) domestic freight transport operations in the wake of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake is used with data collected through 19 interviews with 27 informants. The interviews are thematically analysed by using the framework method. 
Findings: The paper provides rich and detailed descriptions of the ability of a freight transport system to recover from a disaster through rapid modal shifts. This paper identifies nine factors enabling modular transport operations and highlights the critical role of physical, digital, operational and inter-organisational interconnectivity in the aftermath of a disaster. 
Originality/value: Although the management of freight disruptions has become a prevalent topic not only in industry and policy-making circles, but also in the academic literature, qualitative research focussing on the ability of commercial freight systems to adapt and recover from a disaster through rapid modal shifts is limited. This qualitative study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the continuity of freight operations in the wake of a disaster and provides a comprehensive understanding of modular transport operations and the ability of freight systems to keep goods moving.

text: Keeping goods moving in the wake of a disaster: A qualitative study of intermodal transport Purpose: This paper examines what facilitates the swift reconfiguration of freight movements across transport modes in the wake of a major disaster. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research approach focussing on the New Zealand (NZ) domestic freight transport operations in the wake of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake is used with data collected through 19 interviews with 27 informants. The interviews are thematically analysed by using the framework method. 
Findings: The paper provides rich and detailed descriptions of the ability of a freight transport system to recover from a disaster through rapid modal shifts. This paper identifies nine factors enabling modular transport operations and highlights the critical role of physical, digital, operational and inter-organisational interconnectivity in the aftermath of a disaster. 
Originality/value: Although the management of freight disruptions has become a prevalent topic not only in industry and policy-making circles, but also in the academic literature, qualitative research focussing on the ability of commercial freight systems to adapt and recover from a disaster through rapid modal shifts is limited. This qualitative study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the continuity of freight operations in the wake of a disaster and provides a comprehensive understanding of modular transport operations and the ability of freight systems to keep goods moving.

year: 2023

title: Reflections on relationship-building between tangata whenua and local government: Notes from research and practice

authors: Neill, Beth

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: In this paper, the author takes a reflective look at two areas: the preliminary discussions and fieldwork they undertook to set up a collaborative doctoral research project exploring relationship-building between
tangata whenua and local government (regional and district councils); and their
practice as a community psychologist within local government, advising on social
research and community participation in a number of environmental management
projects.

text: Reflections on relationship-building between tangata whenua and local government: Notes from research and practice In this paper, the author takes a reflective look at two areas: the preliminary discussions and fieldwork they undertook to set up a collaborative doctoral research project exploring relationship-building between
tangata whenua and local government (regional and district councils); and their
practice as a community psychologist within local government, advising on social
research and community participation in a number of environmental management
projects.

year: 2003-06