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: Locating whitebait (Galaxias argenteus) eggs via canine scent detection

authors: Cooper, Ashlee Jane

subjects: Dog

abstract: The New Zealand whitebait fishery consists of five species of Galaxiidae fish and constitutes a culturally important commercial and recreational resource for New Zealand. Despite efforts by the Department of Conservation and regional councils, there has been a significant decline in whitebait over the past several decades, with three of the five whitebait species (īnanga, giant kōkopu, kōaro) now classified as 'declining’ and one (shortjaw kōkopu) considered ‘threatened’. Adult fish spawn on riparian vegetation near river mouths during spring tides, the eggs then develop aerially until the following spring tide when they hatch, and the larvae disperse into coastal estuaries. Anthropogenic activities such as flood management, vegetation removal and reduced water quality have led to widespread loss of suitable spawning habitat. Identification of spawning habitat is a key aspect to conserving whitebait species. However, visual surveys for spawning sites are time consuming and spawning areas difficult to predict, as most species do not return to the same spawning site each year. Scent-detection dogs may provide an efficient and effective way of locating whitebait nests, allowing increased protection of spawning areas against disturbance. Four dogs were trained to reliably detect and discriminate giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus) eggs from garden snail (Cantareus aspersus) eggs, grass, and blank (no scent) samples within a laboratory-based line-up with a high level of accuracy (≥90% hit rate and ≤10% false alarm rate). Progressing from this, one dog worked on scent line-ups outdoors and demonstrated the ability to reliably detect giant kōkopu eggs (≥90% hit rate and ≤10% false alarm rate), with increasing environmental complexity, as a progression towards application of these dogs for whitebait egg detection in the field. This research provides an opportunity to further explore the use of dogs to detect whitebait spawning sites in the field, potentially providing a new tool for whitebait conservation in New Zealand.

text: Locating whitebait (Galaxias argenteus) eggs via canine scent detection The New Zealand whitebait fishery consists of five species of Galaxiidae fish and constitutes a culturally important commercial and recreational resource for New Zealand. Despite efforts by the Department of Conservation and regional councils, there has been a significant decline in whitebait over the past several decades, with three of the five whitebait species (īnanga, giant kōkopu, kōaro) now classified as 'declining’ and one (shortjaw kōkopu) considered ‘threatened’. Adult fish spawn on riparian vegetation near river mouths during spring tides, the eggs then develop aerially until the following spring tide when they hatch, and the larvae disperse into coastal estuaries. Anthropogenic activities such as flood management, vegetation removal and reduced water quality have led to widespread loss of suitable spawning habitat. Identification of spawning habitat is a key aspect to conserving whitebait species. However, visual surveys for spawning sites are time consuming and spawning areas difficult to predict, as most species do not return to the same spawning site each year. Scent-detection dogs may provide an efficient and effective way of locating whitebait nests, allowing increased protection of spawning areas against disturbance. Four dogs were trained to reliably detect and discriminate giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus) eggs from garden snail (Cantareus aspersus) eggs, grass, and blank (no scent) samples within a laboratory-based line-up with a high level of accuracy (≥90% hit rate and ≤10% false alarm rate). Progressing from this, one dog worked on scent line-ups outdoors and demonstrated the ability to reliably detect giant kōkopu eggs (≥90% hit rate and ≤10% false alarm rate), with increasing environmental complexity, as a progression towards application of these dogs for whitebait egg detection in the field. This research provides an opportunity to further explore the use of dogs to detect whitebait spawning sites in the field, potentially providing a new tool for whitebait conservation in New Zealand.

year: 2021

title: Claiming space and restoring harmony within hui whakatika

authors: Berryman, Mere

subjects: Maori

abstract: The time has come for indigenous, specifically Māori psychologies, to move from the margins, and claim legitimate space within the discipline of psychology (MPRU, 2007). Phinney and Rotheram (1987) argue that there are ethnicallylinked ways of thinking, feeling and acting that are acquired through socialisation. The message implicit in this statement has profound implications for a discipline that seeks to understand and respond to the intricacies of human behaviour. Although the epistemological paradigms emerging from the experiences of indigenous minorities such as Māori may offer a challenge to mainstream knowledge and perspectives (Gordon, 1997), it is clear that disregarding such alternatives may well leave the discipline of psychology impoverished. On the other hand, paying attention to alternative paradigms may well serve to enrich this discipline. This paper presents two successful Hui Whakatika that were led by Māori in mainstream settings. Particular dimensions of, and congruencies between both are explored. The first highlights the vital role of a kaumatua in facilitating and guiding the entire process; the second focuses on the role and experiences of a kaitakawaenga as he works collaboratively with whānau members to find resolution and restore harmony.

text: Claiming space and restoring harmony within hui whakatika The time has come for indigenous, specifically Māori psychologies, to move from the margins, and claim legitimate space within the discipline of psychology (MPRU, 2007). Phinney and Rotheram (1987) argue that there are ethnicallylinked ways of thinking, feeling and acting that are acquired through socialisation. The message implicit in this statement has profound implications for a discipline that seeks to understand and respond to the intricacies of human behaviour. Although the epistemological paradigms emerging from the experiences of indigenous minorities such as Māori may offer a challenge to mainstream knowledge and perspectives (Gordon, 1997), it is clear that disregarding such alternatives may well leave the discipline of psychology impoverished. On the other hand, paying attention to alternative paradigms may well serve to enrich this discipline. This paper presents two successful Hui Whakatika that were led by Māori in mainstream settings. Particular dimensions of, and congruencies between both are explored. The first highlights the vital role of a kaumatua in facilitating and guiding the entire process; the second focuses on the role and experiences of a kaitakawaenga as he works collaboratively with whānau members to find resolution and restore harmony.

year: 2008