title: An Investigation of beliefs and attitudes of high school students in the Solomon Islands towards learning mathematics

authors: Kele, Andriane

subjects: beliefs

abstract: Mathematics is omnipresent in all walks of life in our society. For instance, every day, citizens all over the world are faced with a complex array of mathematics–from mathematics of business and employment to risks of household accidents. A knowledge of mathematics is needed to solve problems that are encountered in our everyday life. However, in reality, most people in general, and students in particular, dislike mathematics. Researchers had revealed that the majority of secondary school students in western countries find mathematics difficult because of their negative beliefs and attitudes. Research is needed that gives specific attention to beliefs and attitudes in the Pacific Islands. 
My study investigated the beliefs and attitudes of high school students in the Solomon Islands towards learning mathematics. Students from two year-12 senior national high schools were selected for the study. Two overarching paradigms that set the conceptual framework for this study were positivism and interpretivism. Research data were obtained through a mixed-method approach. A survey instrument was designed to explore students’ beliefs and attitudes towards learning mathematics. Focus group interviews were conducted with some students to solicit factors that impacted on their beliefs and attitudes. To explore factors students thought had affected their mathematics achievement, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Frequency percentage and thematic analysis were used to analyse data. 
Findings from the written survey revealed that students were very positive about learning mathematics. They seemed to believe that knowing and doing mathematics required logical thinking and applying mathematics procedures. They highly regarded the utility of mathematics in school and the practicality of it in everyday life. They were very optimistic about their self-efficacy in mathematics learning; for instance, 96% of the students thought they were confident in learning mathematics. 
Students’ attitudes toward mathematics were both positive and negative. Students who demonstrated positive attitudes tended to enjoy and learn effectively when they clearly understood mathematics well. Conversely, students with negative attitudes usually put less effort into their learning process. Most students disliked learning mathematics because it was difficult. Mathematics anxiety was ascertained as contributing negative beliefs and attitudes towards students’ mathematics learning.
Interesting findings were revealed in semi-structured and focus group interviews. Data from semi-structured interviews revealed that students’ beliefs about the nature of mathematics reflected on the aspects of mathematical content, mathematical processes, cognitive processes and the utility of mathematics. Furthermore, a major contributing factor that affected students’ mathematics achievement was the teacher. Additionally, students’ poor mathematical background was an area of concern that affected mathematics achievement. Focus group data revealed three key factors that impacted on students’ beliefs and attitudes. These are students themselves, teachers and peer groups. 
Considering the findings of this study, there is a need to advocate students’ affective domain in teaching and learning of mathematics. It is recommended to put more attention on students’ mathematics learning to provide an avenue by which teachers might better support them in nurturing their beliefs and attitudes and, in turn, enhance their mathematics achievement.

text: An Investigation of beliefs and attitudes of high school students in the Solomon Islands towards learning mathematics Mathematics is omnipresent in all walks of life in our society. For instance, every day, citizens all over the world are faced with a complex array of mathematics–from mathematics of business and employment to risks of household accidents. A knowledge of mathematics is needed to solve problems that are encountered in our everyday life. However, in reality, most people in general, and students in particular, dislike mathematics. Researchers had revealed that the majority of secondary school students in western countries find mathematics difficult because of their negative beliefs and attitudes. Research is needed that gives specific attention to beliefs and attitudes in the Pacific Islands. 
My study investigated the beliefs and attitudes of high school students in the Solomon Islands towards learning mathematics. Students from two year-12 senior national high schools were selected for the study. Two overarching paradigms that set the conceptual framework for this study were positivism and interpretivism. Research data were obtained through a mixed-method approach. A survey instrument was designed to explore students’ beliefs and attitudes towards learning mathematics. Focus group interviews were conducted with some students to solicit factors that impacted on their beliefs and attitudes. To explore factors students thought had affected their mathematics achievement, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Frequency percentage and thematic analysis were used to analyse data. 
Findings from the written survey revealed that students were very positive about learning mathematics. They seemed to believe that knowing and doing mathematics required logical thinking and applying mathematics procedures. They highly regarded the utility of mathematics in school and the practicality of it in everyday life. They were very optimistic about their self-efficacy in mathematics learning; for instance, 96% of the students thought they were confident in learning mathematics. 
Students’ attitudes toward mathematics were both positive and negative. Students who demonstrated positive attitudes tended to enjoy and learn effectively when they clearly understood mathematics well. Conversely, students with negative attitudes usually put less effort into their learning process. Most students disliked learning mathematics because it was difficult. Mathematics anxiety was ascertained as contributing negative beliefs and attitudes towards students’ mathematics learning.
Interesting findings were revealed in semi-structured and focus group interviews. Data from semi-structured interviews revealed that students’ beliefs about the nature of mathematics reflected on the aspects of mathematical content, mathematical processes, cognitive processes and the utility of mathematics. Furthermore, a major contributing factor that affected students’ mathematics achievement was the teacher. Additionally, students’ poor mathematical background was an area of concern that affected mathematics achievement. Focus group data revealed three key factors that impacted on students’ beliefs and attitudes. These are students themselves, teachers and peer groups. 
Considering the findings of this study, there is a need to advocate students’ affective domain in teaching and learning of mathematics. It is recommended to put more attention on students’ mathematics learning to provide an avenue by which teachers might better support them in nurturing their beliefs and attitudes and, in turn, enhance their mathematics achievement.

year: 2014

title: Several new methods for the development of latent and blood fingerprints

authors: Caldwell, Jonathan Paul

abstract: Several new methods for the development of latent and blood fingerprints have been investigated as well as a preliminary appraisal of a technique for the estimation of post-mortem interval and age of blood stains.

The utilisation of coordinatively-unsaturated (six-coordinate) europium and terbium complexes as reactive reagents for the direct visualisation of latent fingerprints on porous and non-porous surfaces has been investigated. The main complex investigated in this study was tris(6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionato) europium(III) [Eu(fod)₃] and was the only one which proved to be effective in the fluorescent visualisation of latent fingerprints using a one step process. Eu(fod)₃ was found to work for fingerprints on porous paper and to a limited extent on aluminium drink cans and galvanized iron.

The use of the two and three ringed analogues of ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) for the fluorescent enhancement of latent fingerprints was also investigated. Solution trials proved that the reaction products of 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxaldehyde (NDA) and 2,3- anthracenedicarboxaldehyde (ADA) with analine produce favourable “red-shifts” in emission wavelengths which would make them stand out from the blue background emissions commonly obtained from paper. However, poor results were obtained when NDA and ADA were trailed on latent fingerprints on paper.

2,2’-azino-di-[3-ethylbenzthiazolinesulfonate(6)] diammonium salt (ABTS), ortho-phenylenediamime (OPD), and para-phenylenediamine (PPD) have been found to be
successful reagents in the visual enhancement of blood fingerprints. Colours obtained from the oxidised products are green, orange, and purple respectively. A comparison with the commonly-used and hazardous 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) has proved all three reagents to be effective, safer alternatives with the added bonus of ABTS being (as far as is known) non-toxic. 

A preliminary appraisal has indicated that fluorescein diacetate (FDA) may be useful in estimating the post-mortem interval or age of blood stains and blood prints.

Of the range of techniques and processes investigated with the aim of improving fingerprint visualisation, some proved unsuccessful, yet provided some useful information. These included attempts to improve the colloidal gold technique of latent fingerprint visualisation, increase the chemiluminescence from luminol-treated blood fingerprints in the presence of bromide ions, increase the colour development of ABTS-treated blood fingerprints using an albumin antibody conjugated to peroxidase, an attempt to force fluorescein into the lipid component of a latent fingerprint by acidification of an alkaline solution of fluorescein, and an attempt to stain blood fingerprints with a fluorescent protein stain called SYPROᵀᴹ Orange.

text: Several new methods for the development of latent and blood fingerprints Several new methods for the development of latent and blood fingerprints have been investigated as well as a preliminary appraisal of a technique for the estimation of post-mortem interval and age of blood stains.

The utilisation of coordinatively-unsaturated (six-coordinate) europium and terbium complexes as reactive reagents for the direct visualisation of latent fingerprints on porous and non-porous surfaces has been investigated. The main complex investigated in this study was tris(6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionato) europium(III) [Eu(fod)₃] and was the only one which proved to be effective in the fluorescent visualisation of latent fingerprints using a one step process. Eu(fod)₃ was found to work for fingerprints on porous paper and to a limited extent on aluminium drink cans and galvanized iron.

The use of the two and three ringed analogues of ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) for the fluorescent enhancement of latent fingerprints was also investigated. Solution trials proved that the reaction products of 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxaldehyde (NDA) and 2,3- anthracenedicarboxaldehyde (ADA) with analine produce favourable “red-shifts” in emission wavelengths which would make them stand out from the blue background emissions commonly obtained from paper. However, poor results were obtained when NDA and ADA were trailed on latent fingerprints on paper.

2,2’-azino-di-[3-ethylbenzthiazolinesulfonate(6)] diammonium salt (ABTS), ortho-phenylenediamime (OPD), and para-phenylenediamine (PPD) have been found to be
successful reagents in the visual enhancement of blood fingerprints. Colours obtained from the oxidised products are green, orange, and purple respectively. A comparison with the commonly-used and hazardous 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) has proved all three reagents to be effective, safer alternatives with the added bonus of ABTS being (as far as is known) non-toxic. 

A preliminary appraisal has indicated that fluorescein diacetate (FDA) may be useful in estimating the post-mortem interval or age of blood stains and blood prints.

Of the range of techniques and processes investigated with the aim of improving fingerprint visualisation, some proved unsuccessful, yet provided some useful information. These included attempts to improve the colloidal gold technique of latent fingerprint visualisation, increase the chemiluminescence from luminol-treated blood fingerprints in the presence of bromide ions, increase the colour development of ABTS-treated blood fingerprints using an albumin antibody conjugated to peroxidase, an attempt to force fluorescein into the lipid component of a latent fingerprint by acidification of an alkaline solution of fluorescein, and an attempt to stain blood fingerprints with a fluorescent protein stain called SYPROᵀᴹ Orange.

year: 1999

title: The biology and general ecology of the Koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) in some tributary streams of Lake Taupo

authors: Kusabs, Ian Andrew

abstract: The ecology and general biology of Galaxias brevipinnis were studied in three tributary streams of Lake Taupo between May 1988 and April 1989. Adult koaro were found in relatively high densities in the Waipehi and Omori streams but in low densities in the larger Waiotaka stream. The results of population estimation studies suggest that the distribution and abundance of koaro is negatively correlated with that of trout. There was a general decline in the population density of stream-resident koaro in the winter months. Juvenile koaro were found to migrate into the tributaries from August to December, with migrations being at a peak in October and November.

Population length-frequency distributions and otoliths used to age koaro indicated that there were up to 5 age classes. Growth was allometric and was adequately described by the von Bertalanffy equation after the first year of life. Koaro were found to be in best condition in the Spring and lowest in Winter.

Spawning appeared to occur from December through to April peaking in late Summer to early in the Waipehi Stream was Autumn. The mean fecundity of koaro approximately 5500. A sex-ratio of approximately 1:1 (males: females) were found in the koaro populations in the Omori and Waipehi streams, but during spawning there were always more ripe males than gravid females.

There was considerable overlap in the diets of both koaro and juvenile rainbow trout in the Waipehi and Omori streams, with invertebrates being consumed according to their relative abundance in the benthos. Ephemeroptera larvae were numerically the most important food item in the diet of both species. However, by weight, fish (juvenile koaro) were the most important food · item in the diet of koaro and rainbow trout in the Waipehi stream. In the Omori stream in Winter, trout eggs were the most important food item in terms of weight. Terrestrial prey was found to be of relatively minor importance in the diets of koaro and rainbow trout in the Waipehi and Omori streams.

text: The biology and general ecology of the Koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) in some tributary streams of Lake Taupo The ecology and general biology of Galaxias brevipinnis were studied in three tributary streams of Lake Taupo between May 1988 and April 1989. Adult koaro were found in relatively high densities in the Waipehi and Omori streams but in low densities in the larger Waiotaka stream. The results of population estimation studies suggest that the distribution and abundance of koaro is negatively correlated with that of trout. There was a general decline in the population density of stream-resident koaro in the winter months. Juvenile koaro were found to migrate into the tributaries from August to December, with migrations being at a peak in October and November.

Population length-frequency distributions and otoliths used to age koaro indicated that there were up to 5 age classes. Growth was allometric and was adequately described by the von Bertalanffy equation after the first year of life. Koaro were found to be in best condition in the Spring and lowest in Winter.

Spawning appeared to occur from December through to April peaking in late Summer to early in the Waipehi Stream was Autumn. The mean fecundity of koaro approximately 5500. A sex-ratio of approximately 1:1 (males: females) were found in the koaro populations in the Omori and Waipehi streams, but during spawning there were always more ripe males than gravid females.

There was considerable overlap in the diets of both koaro and juvenile rainbow trout in the Waipehi and Omori streams, with invertebrates being consumed according to their relative abundance in the benthos. Ephemeroptera larvae were numerically the most important food item in the diet of both species. However, by weight, fish (juvenile koaro) were the most important food · item in the diet of koaro and rainbow trout in the Waipehi stream. In the Omori stream in Winter, trout eggs were the most important food item in terms of weight. Terrestrial prey was found to be of relatively minor importance in the diets of koaro and rainbow trout in the Waipehi and Omori streams.

year: 1989