title: Familiarity and Recollection in Everyday Driving

authors: James, Sarah Michelle

subjects: Everyday Driving

abstract: Driving a car is one of the most common activities that we take part in everyday, however previous research has indicated that there is a gap in our current knowledge about how familiarity affects our everyday driving behaviour. Many of the studies that examine everyday driving behaviours are conducted off-road through the use of driving simulators and self-report questionnaires. The objective of this present study was therefore to investigate the role of familiarity on everyday driving behaviours during on-road drives. Additionally, this thesis sought to to examine the relationship between familiarity and driver perceptions such as anxiety and risk. The relationship between familiarity and speed choices was also observed and finally, the impact of familiarity on a driver’s ability to recall important information about a drive was investigated. Data was collected through the use of video and self-report questionnaires. In total, 30 participants took took part in two on-road drives; one which they were familiar with and another that they found unfamiliar. Results indicated that speed choices were affected by how familiar a driver was with the environment, however no relationship was found between familiarity and driver perceptions of anxiety and risk, or recollection. Further research that builds on the present findings could prove to be beneficial for future approaches towards specific interventions aimed at reducing serious vehicle accidents.

text: Familiarity and Recollection in Everyday Driving Driving a car is one of the most common activities that we take part in everyday, however previous research has indicated that there is a gap in our current knowledge about how familiarity affects our everyday driving behaviour. Many of the studies that examine everyday driving behaviours are conducted off-road through the use of driving simulators and self-report questionnaires. The objective of this present study was therefore to investigate the role of familiarity on everyday driving behaviours during on-road drives. Additionally, this thesis sought to to examine the relationship between familiarity and driver perceptions such as anxiety and risk. The relationship between familiarity and speed choices was also observed and finally, the impact of familiarity on a driver’s ability to recall important information about a drive was investigated. Data was collected through the use of video and self-report questionnaires. In total, 30 participants took took part in two on-road drives; one which they were familiar with and another that they found unfamiliar. Results indicated that speed choices were affected by how familiar a driver was with the environment, however no relationship was found between familiarity and driver perceptions of anxiety and risk, or recollection. Further research that builds on the present findings could prove to be beneficial for future approaches towards specific interventions aimed at reducing serious vehicle accidents.

year: 2017

title: The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education students in New Zealand

authors: Cameron, Michael Patrick

subjects: COVID-19; lockdown; higher education; disruption; New Zealand

abstract: The coronavirus pandemic and associated move to online learning for students in higher education has been disruptive and challenging. We report on the New Zealand arm of an international survey of higher education students (n = 147). Using quantitative and qualitative data from the survey, we find that students coped reasonably well with the disruption to their studies and were generally satisfied with how their lecturers and institutions responded to unanticipated lockdowns. In comparison with the global sample, New Zealand students demonstrated a higher level of satisfaction. New Zealand students reported the highest satisfaction with recorded video lectures, whereas the global sample preferred real-time teaching. Many New Zealand students felt that their studies were negatively affected, and vulnerable groups such as students with low financial resources were the most severely affected. Moreover, students reported a range of negative emotions during lockdown that suggest mental health impacts may be a concern. Our results indicatethat clear communication from authorities, reducing the uncertainty for students, and ensuring that vulnerable groups are appropriately supported, may be the best avenues to reduce negative impacts on students during future significant disruptions to study, whether pandemic-related or otherwise

text: The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education students in New Zealand The coronavirus pandemic and associated move to online learning for students in higher education has been disruptive and challenging. We report on the New Zealand arm of an international survey of higher education students (n = 147). Using quantitative and qualitative data from the survey, we find that students coped reasonably well with the disruption to their studies and were generally satisfied with how their lecturers and institutions responded to unanticipated lockdowns. In comparison with the global sample, New Zealand students demonstrated a higher level of satisfaction. New Zealand students reported the highest satisfaction with recorded video lectures, whereas the global sample preferred real-time teaching. Many New Zealand students felt that their studies were negatively affected, and vulnerable groups such as students with low financial resources were the most severely affected. Moreover, students reported a range of negative emotions during lockdown that suggest mental health impacts may be a concern. Our results indicatethat clear communication from authorities, reducing the uncertainty for students, and ensuring that vulnerable groups are appropriately supported, may be the best avenues to reduce negative impacts on students during future significant disruptions to study, whether pandemic-related or otherwise

year: 2022

title: Maori perspectives of the environment: A review of resource use consent submissions made by iwi to Environment Waikato.

authors: Whangapirita, Laura

subjects: Maori

abstract: As part of our broader brief to gather, summarise, analyse and distribute information held by Environment Waikato on Maori and the environment, we reviewed and summarised iwi consent submissions made on various resource use consent applications. This report refers to values and beliefs sourced from iwi submissions held by Environment Waikato and are presented within a Maori values framework to highlight environmental perspectives of tangata whenua in the Waikato region.

text: Maori perspectives of the environment: A review of resource use consent submissions made by iwi to Environment Waikato. As part of our broader brief to gather, summarise, analyse and distribute information held by Environment Waikato on Maori and the environment, we reviewed and summarised iwi consent submissions made on various resource use consent applications. This report refers to values and beliefs sourced from iwi submissions held by Environment Waikato and are presented within a Maori values framework to highlight environmental perspectives of tangata whenua in the Waikato region.

year: 2003-11