title: Investigating on-field decision making in rugby union

authors: Sherwood, Sebastian

subjects: Rugby union

abstract: Quick, accurate decision making in sport is essential for successful performance. In this five study thesis, psychological elements of decision making were investigated, guided by real world challenges encountered in a professional rugby organisation. Chapter 1 provided a background and review of relevant literature. Chapters 2 and 3 focused on pattern recall, an individual’s ability to recollect specific patterns from previous experiences. The results of Chapter 2 showed that professional players with more years of rugby experience were more accurate when recalling structured patterns. However, it was shown that pattern recall tasks did not predict on-field decision making performance and thus did not warrant inclusion in talent identification programs. Chapter 2 concluded that more appropriate stimuli (structured and semi-structured patterns) should be included in future studies to investigate the viability of pattern recall tasks for talent identification purposes. Chapter 3 found that a high tendency for decision reinvestment (a predisposition to consciously process decision-making) led to slower and less accurate performance on pattern recall tasks.

In Chapter 4, the effect of reinvestment (movement specific and decision specific) and expertise on anticipation of deceptive and non-deceptive movements was investigated. The results showed experts to be significantly more accurate than novices at anticipating both deceptive and non-deceptive movements. It was also found that experts took significantly longer to respond than novices. Decision reinvestment did not play a role in anticipatory performance; however, increased movement reinvestment tendencies were associated with poorer anticipatory accuracy of deceptive movements.

Both Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 investigated the decoy runners tactic, which is a novel form of deception in the literature to date, as it centres on players who are not in possession of the ball. The tactic involves multiple players in an attacking team running option lines off the ball carrier, making it possible that any of the players could receive the ball. Runners who do not receive the ball are decoys who aim to create confusion in defences. It was shown that decoy runners were significantly more effective when they displayed certain characteristics to attract defenders’ attention (i.e., hands up as if receiving the ball and line change as if exploiting a gap in the defensive line). Chapter 6 followed up on a claim made in the discussion of Chapter 5, that the increased effectiveness of decoy runners (when displaying certain characteristics) was caused by momentary inattentional blindness of the player who received the ball. This study showed that the player who received the ball was more likely to be unnoticed when attention was diverted by a secondary task – fitting the description of inattentional blindness (an individual failing to register an unexpected object clearly within their field of vision when their attention is diverted to another object or task (Mack & Rock, 1998)). The findings are summarised and discussed in the context of relevant research in the decision making field. Practical applications for coaches are provided and future directions for research are considered.

text: Investigating on-field decision making in rugby union Quick, accurate decision making in sport is essential for successful performance. In this five study thesis, psychological elements of decision making were investigated, guided by real world challenges encountered in a professional rugby organisation. Chapter 1 provided a background and review of relevant literature. Chapters 2 and 3 focused on pattern recall, an individual’s ability to recollect specific patterns from previous experiences. The results of Chapter 2 showed that professional players with more years of rugby experience were more accurate when recalling structured patterns. However, it was shown that pattern recall tasks did not predict on-field decision making performance and thus did not warrant inclusion in talent identification programs. Chapter 2 concluded that more appropriate stimuli (structured and semi-structured patterns) should be included in future studies to investigate the viability of pattern recall tasks for talent identification purposes. Chapter 3 found that a high tendency for decision reinvestment (a predisposition to consciously process decision-making) led to slower and less accurate performance on pattern recall tasks.

In Chapter 4, the effect of reinvestment (movement specific and decision specific) and expertise on anticipation of deceptive and non-deceptive movements was investigated. The results showed experts to be significantly more accurate than novices at anticipating both deceptive and non-deceptive movements. It was also found that experts took significantly longer to respond than novices. Decision reinvestment did not play a role in anticipatory performance; however, increased movement reinvestment tendencies were associated with poorer anticipatory accuracy of deceptive movements.

Both Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 investigated the decoy runners tactic, which is a novel form of deception in the literature to date, as it centres on players who are not in possession of the ball. The tactic involves multiple players in an attacking team running option lines off the ball carrier, making it possible that any of the players could receive the ball. Runners who do not receive the ball are decoys who aim to create confusion in defences. It was shown that decoy runners were significantly more effective when they displayed certain characteristics to attract defenders’ attention (i.e., hands up as if receiving the ball and line change as if exploiting a gap in the defensive line). Chapter 6 followed up on a claim made in the discussion of Chapter 5, that the increased effectiveness of decoy runners (when displaying certain characteristics) was caused by momentary inattentional blindness of the player who received the ball. This study showed that the player who received the ball was more likely to be unnoticed when attention was diverted by a secondary task – fitting the description of inattentional blindness (an individual failing to register an unexpected object clearly within their field of vision when their attention is diverted to another object or task (Mack & Rock, 1998)). The findings are summarised and discussed in the context of relevant research in the decision making field. Practical applications for coaches are provided and future directions for research are considered.

year: 2020

title: High Frequency Monitoring and Three-Dimensional Modelling of Temporal Variations in Water Quality of Lake Rotorua, New Zealand

authors: Zhang, Chenguang

subjects: Lake Rotorua

abstract: Over the last few decades, anthropogenic eutrophication has become a significant problem in New Zealand and other parts of the world. Lake Rotorua is located in the central North Island, New Zealand. It is a lake with significant historical, cultural and recreational values that has undergone anthropogenic eutrophication.

Lake Rotorua has been exposed to anthropogenic impacts through conversion of forested land to agricultural use within its catchment, and the discharge of domestic sewage into the lake. Cyanobacterial blooms have become a common occurrence in the lake each summer. These blooms not only reduce aesthetic appeal but also have potential to affect human health. Lake stratification and physical mixing events are the most important factors influencing nutrient availability and phytoplankton growth in Lake Rotorua.

The main objective of this study was to use high frequency monitoring data to investigate the significance of lake stratification events and how these events interact with the development of the cyanobacteria population and changes in nutrient concentrations in Lake Rotorua. The second objective was to use an ecological model to understand the relationship between physical, chemical and biological variables, and phytoplankton dynamics.

Data from a high frequency real-time water quality monitoring buoy was used as the basis for 12 sampling trips to Lake Rotorua timed around stratification and mixing events. Water samples were collected from five different sites for nutrient analysis, chlorophyll a analysis, and phytoplankton and zooplankton identification at depth intervals of 6 meters. Profiles were taken for temperature, dissolved oxygen and fluorescence. Total suspended solids and volatile suspended solids were also analysed. The data provided by the buoy, combined with additional sampling and measurements around stratification events, were used to calibrate a three-dimensional ecosystem model, ELCOM-CAEDYM.

Periods consisting of a few days of high solar radiation and low winds caused Lake Rotorua to become stratified between 26 January 2009 and 20 February 2009. During this stratification period the bottom waters became deoxygenated and there were large increases in of phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in bottom waters, which were subsequently dispersed through the water column when the lake mixed again. Ammonium and phosphate were the dominant species of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in bottom waters during the periods of stratification. Upon mixing there was rapid growth of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp. and Anabaena sp.). For the zooplankton community, copepod and rotifer densities increased significantly after the stratification event and replaced the previously dominant cladocerans.

In the study high frequency modelling with ELCOM-CADYM simulated the general trends of water temperature, dissolved oxygen and nutrient concentrations in Lake Rotorua. The model captured the water temperature fluctuation before, during, and after lake stratification as well as subsequent dissolved oxygen changes over time and space. Simulated nutrient concentrations were close to the field measurements, in particular NH4, TN and TP. Some issues occurred with high frequency simulations such as being unable to capture the strong fluctuations of lake surface temperature, and the magnitude of the decreases in dissolved oxygen under strong stratification.

text: High Frequency Monitoring and Three-Dimensional Modelling of Temporal Variations in Water Quality of Lake Rotorua, New Zealand Over the last few decades, anthropogenic eutrophication has become a significant problem in New Zealand and other parts of the world. Lake Rotorua is located in the central North Island, New Zealand. It is a lake with significant historical, cultural and recreational values that has undergone anthropogenic eutrophication.

Lake Rotorua has been exposed to anthropogenic impacts through conversion of forested land to agricultural use within its catchment, and the discharge of domestic sewage into the lake. Cyanobacterial blooms have become a common occurrence in the lake each summer. These blooms not only reduce aesthetic appeal but also have potential to affect human health. Lake stratification and physical mixing events are the most important factors influencing nutrient availability and phytoplankton growth in Lake Rotorua.

The main objective of this study was to use high frequency monitoring data to investigate the significance of lake stratification events and how these events interact with the development of the cyanobacteria population and changes in nutrient concentrations in Lake Rotorua. The second objective was to use an ecological model to understand the relationship between physical, chemical and biological variables, and phytoplankton dynamics.

Data from a high frequency real-time water quality monitoring buoy was used as the basis for 12 sampling trips to Lake Rotorua timed around stratification and mixing events. Water samples were collected from five different sites for nutrient analysis, chlorophyll a analysis, and phytoplankton and zooplankton identification at depth intervals of 6 meters. Profiles were taken for temperature, dissolved oxygen and fluorescence. Total suspended solids and volatile suspended solids were also analysed. The data provided by the buoy, combined with additional sampling and measurements around stratification events, were used to calibrate a three-dimensional ecosystem model, ELCOM-CAEDYM.

Periods consisting of a few days of high solar radiation and low winds caused Lake Rotorua to become stratified between 26 January 2009 and 20 February 2009. During this stratification period the bottom waters became deoxygenated and there were large increases in of phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in bottom waters, which were subsequently dispersed through the water column when the lake mixed again. Ammonium and phosphate were the dominant species of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in bottom waters during the periods of stratification. Upon mixing there was rapid growth of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp. and Anabaena sp.). For the zooplankton community, copepod and rotifer densities increased significantly after the stratification event and replaced the previously dominant cladocerans.

In the study high frequency modelling with ELCOM-CADYM simulated the general trends of water temperature, dissolved oxygen and nutrient concentrations in Lake Rotorua. The model captured the water temperature fluctuation before, during, and after lake stratification as well as subsequent dissolved oxygen changes over time and space. Simulated nutrient concentrations were close to the field measurements, in particular NH4, TN and TP. Some issues occurred with high frequency simulations such as being unable to capture the strong fluctuations of lake surface temperature, and the magnitude of the decreases in dissolved oxygen under strong stratification.

year: 2010

title: Strategic framing: indigenous culture, identity, and politics

authors: Schoenberger-Orgad, Michèle Anne

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: This article analyses the role played by culture and the strategic communication of culture in the formation and establishment of the Māori Party. As an indigenous grassroots party, which achieved electoral success in the 2005, general election in New Zealand, the Māori Party offers an unusual case of cultural primacy as a political party for indigenous people. The Māori Party campaigned to be the first successful party to give a distinctive voice to Māori in a parliament dominated by Pakeha (New Zealand Europeans).

In examining the Māori Party's formation and campaign as a case study, the article focuses on socio-political conditions, issues of national identity, media changes, and the cultural relations between Māori and Pakeha. It pays particular attention to those that influenced public opinion during the 14 months of election campaigning. It argues that the strategic framing of the Māori Party as a movement giving a distinctive voice for Māori established the foundations for the campaign's success. In conclusion, the significance of the achievements of the Māori Party in the 2008 general election are discussed as evidence of the now distinct and recognized representation of Māori within the New Zealand democratic process.

text: Strategic framing: indigenous culture, identity, and politics This article analyses the role played by culture and the strategic communication of culture in the formation and establishment of the Māori Party. As an indigenous grassroots party, which achieved electoral success in the 2005, general election in New Zealand, the Māori Party offers an unusual case of cultural primacy as a political party for indigenous people. The Māori Party campaigned to be the first successful party to give a distinctive voice to Māori in a parliament dominated by Pakeha (New Zealand Europeans).

In examining the Māori Party's formation and campaign as a case study, the article focuses on socio-political conditions, issues of national identity, media changes, and the cultural relations between Māori and Pakeha. It pays particular attention to those that influenced public opinion during the 14 months of election campaigning. It argues that the strategic framing of the Māori Party as a movement giving a distinctive voice for Māori established the foundations for the campaign's success. In conclusion, the significance of the achievements of the Māori Party in the 2008 general election are discussed as evidence of the now distinct and recognized representation of Māori within the New Zealand democratic process.

year: 2011