scholarly journals Do human values predict perceptions, attitudes & behaviours towards the New Zealand marine environment?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Hamish Howard

<p>Human values predict perceptions, attitudes and behaviours towards the NZ marine environment. A confidential online survey (The New Zealand Marine Values Survey) was completed by 1,567 NZ citizens and residents in September and October of 2019. Respondents answered a variety of questions relating to demographic variables, PABs (perceptions, attitudes and behaviours) towards the NZ marine environment, and psychographic variables. Human values (values), as conceptualised and operationalised in the Theory of Basic Human Values by social psychologist and cross-cultural researcher Shalom H. Schwartz, have been demonstrated to be universal in nature and capable of predicting a range of PABs. Respondents’ prioritisation of values were measured using the latest Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-RR). Statistical analysis identified many significant (p < .01) relationships between values and variables of interest, including the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) and a variety of PAB scales created in undertaking this research. Values explained between 24.6% and 57.2% of the variance seen in 14 scales, with each of the 19 value domains proving to be of some significance (p < .01) in the regression analyses performed. Universalism values were prominent in many of the analyses and often exhibited negative relationships with Conservation values. Findings provided mixed support for the Value Belief Norm (VBN) theory, which postulates a causal chain between values, worldviews, norms, and behaviour. Benevolence values, despite being prioritised strongly by the sample population as a whole, explained little of the variance seen in PABs towards the NZ marine environment and were an unexpected negative predictor of the NEP. This research provides an overview of how individuals, from a large sample of New Zealanders with an interest in the marine environment, prioritise human values and how these values are likely to inform PABs towards the NZ marine environment. This research should provide valuable insights to any individual or organisation hoping to engage with stakeholders in the NZ marine environment in a more meaningful and effective manner —especially those confronted with social barriers to change.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Hamish Howard

<p>Human values predict perceptions, attitudes and behaviours towards the NZ marine environment. A confidential online survey (The New Zealand Marine Values Survey) was completed by 1,567 NZ citizens and residents in September and October of 2019. Respondents answered a variety of questions relating to demographic variables, PABs (perceptions, attitudes and behaviours) towards the NZ marine environment, and psychographic variables. Human values (values), as conceptualised and operationalised in the Theory of Basic Human Values by social psychologist and cross-cultural researcher Shalom H. Schwartz, have been demonstrated to be universal in nature and capable of predicting a range of PABs. Respondents’ prioritisation of values were measured using the latest Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-RR). Statistical analysis identified many significant (p < .01) relationships between values and variables of interest, including the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) and a variety of PAB scales created in undertaking this research. Values explained between 24.6% and 57.2% of the variance seen in 14 scales, with each of the 19 value domains proving to be of some significance (p < .01) in the regression analyses performed. Universalism values were prominent in many of the analyses and often exhibited negative relationships with Conservation values. Findings provided mixed support for the Value Belief Norm (VBN) theory, which postulates a causal chain between values, worldviews, norms, and behaviour. Benevolence values, despite being prioritised strongly by the sample population as a whole, explained little of the variance seen in PABs towards the NZ marine environment and were an unexpected negative predictor of the NEP. This research provides an overview of how individuals, from a large sample of New Zealanders with an interest in the marine environment, prioritise human values and how these values are likely to inform PABs towards the NZ marine environment. This research should provide valuable insights to any individual or organisation hoping to engage with stakeholders in the NZ marine environment in a more meaningful and effective manner —especially those confronted with social barriers to change.</p>


1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 231-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian D. Lewis

To assess the F-specific bacteriophage as an indicator of pathogenic viruses, a comparative study has been made of the occurrence of F-phage and human enteroviruses in sewage wastes and the marine environment. Although F-phage seemed in several respects to match pathogen behaviour, its low abundance in bathing beach water, uncertainty as to its source and other detection irregularities make its use as an indicator problematical.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Scheetz ◽  
Philip Rothschild ◽  
Myra McGuinness ◽  
Xavier Hadoux ◽  
H. Peter Soyer ◽  
...  

AbstractArtificial intelligence technology has advanced rapidly in recent years and has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes. However, technology uptake will be largely driven by clinicians, and there is a paucity of data regarding the attitude that clinicians have to this new technology. In June–August 2019 we conducted an online survey of fellows and trainees of three specialty colleges (ophthalmology, radiology/radiation oncology, dermatology) in Australia and New Zealand on artificial intelligence. There were 632 complete responses (n = 305, 230, and 97, respectively), equating to a response rate of 20.4%, 5.1%, and 13.2% for the above colleges, respectively. The majority (n = 449, 71.0%) believed artificial intelligence would improve their field of medicine, and that medical workforce needs would be impacted by the technology within the next decade (n = 542, 85.8%). Improved disease screening and streamlining of monotonous tasks were identified as key benefits of artificial intelligence. The divestment of healthcare to technology companies and medical liability implications were the greatest concerns. Education was identified as a priority to prepare clinicians for the implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare. This survey highlights parallels between the perceptions of different clinician groups in Australia and New Zealand about artificial intelligence in medicine. Artificial intelligence was recognized as valuable technology that will have wide-ranging impacts on healthcare.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
A. J. Million

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This study explores bureaucratic organization and innovation in U.S. state department of transportation (DOT) websites. To determine if working with third parties fosters change in state DOT websites, it employs a two-part, explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. In phase one, an online survey was disseminated to IT managers and communications officers in all 50 states to collect data regarding agency demographics, bureaucratic models, and Web infrastructure. In total, 45 valid responses (or 90 percent) were received from DOTs indicating that most built, hosted, and managed their websites in-house, but that state-level IT consolidations required many to pool resources with third parties. In research phase two, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted of a maximum variation sample of survey respondents. These interviews were conducted to explain why DOTs built and operated their websites with the support of third parties. Employing a grounded theoretical approach, analysis revealed 6 themes explaining website adoption and showed that working with third parties can foster innovation; however, not all change is positive. Therefore, a need exists for governments to selectively work with others, ascertain future barriers to change, and ensure that adopted innovations meet desired ends. Finally, five best practices informed by study findings are presented that may help decision-makers and civil servants provide e-government services in a flexible manner.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Woon Kian Chong ◽  
Zhuang Ma

PurposeThis paper attempts to identify key factors (i.e., personalization, privacy awareness and social norms) that affect user experiences (UXs) of mobile recommendation systems according to the user involvement theory (push-based and pull-based) and their relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on an online survey with students from an international business school located in southwestern China. The sample population for the study included randomly selected 600 university students who are active mobile phone users. A total of 470 questionnaires were returned; 456 were valid (14 were invalid due to the incompleteness of their responses), providing a response rate of 65%.FindingsSocial norms have the largest impact on user experience quality, followed by personalization and privacy awareness. User involvement in mobile recommendation systems has mediating effects on the above relationships, with larger effects on pull-based systems than on push-based systems.Originality/valueThis study provides an integrated framework for researchers to measure the effects of social, personal and risk factors on the quality of user experience. The results enrich the literature on user involvement, mobile recommendation systems and UX. The findings provide significant implications for both retailers and developers of mobile recommendation systems.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Mullan ◽  
Pippa Burns ◽  
Kathryn Weston ◽  
Shelley Crowther ◽  
Robyn Dixon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Caitlyn Shannon

<p>The global marine environment is currently facing unprecedented anthropomorphic change and stress. One such stressor is plastic pollution, which has continually increased in magnitude since mass production began in the 1940’s. An increase in plastic debris throughout the oceans not only results in an infiltration of the pollutants throughout the entirety of the marine environment, but also increases the risk that it impacts the physiological, structural, and behavioural traits of various organisms – including humans. These negative interactions are particularly likely with microplastic particles (< 5 mm), as they can enter and be transferred throughout the food web with ease. However, research in the field of microplastic pollution is extremely one-sided, with most present studies focusing on the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, comparatively little has been investigated regarding temporal and spatial patterns of microplastic occurrence. The aim of this research was to 1) examine the abundance and distribution of synthetic particles in sub-surface waters of the Southern Ocean, across broad temporal and spatial scales and 2) examine finer-scale spatial and temporal patterns of microplastic load within the urbanised Wellington Harbour, New Zealand, using a combination of environmental and biological indicators.  To assess the broad-scales of temporal and spatial variation in the Southern Ocean, annual Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) tows were undertaken between New Zealand waters and the Ross Sea, Antarctica, over a span of 9 years (the austral summers of 2009/10 – 2017/18) and a range of 5 oceanographic zones and two frontal systems, totalling a distance of approximately 22,000 km. Overall, patterns were inconsistent, with no constant increase or decrease in load throughout the years, while spatial variation was minimal and not associated with particular oceanographic fronts or proximity to an urban area. Despite no consistent spatial variation, temporal differences did occur between years. Again, there were no identifiably consistent trends across years (i.e. a gradual increase), but there was a substantial peak in 2009/10 and a trough in 2012/13. Such changes are likely due to large-scale variations in ocean circulation systems, along with environmental drivers such as El Niño and La Niña events.  To investigate the microplastic load in a more urbanised environment, 3-monthly surveys were undertaken with surface waters, beach sediments, and M. gallloprovincialis mussels in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand, using samples from three sites for beach and mussel surveys, and two sites for the surface water tows. Weekly variation was also measured for beach sediments and mussel tissues. Again, no consistency was observed in temporal or spatial variation for any environmental or biological indicator, however the average pollutant loads were on par with reported results in other literature, particularly for M. galloprovincialis tissues. Temporally, the peak microplastic load in the tissues of the mussel, M. galloprovincialis, appeared to correlate with the peak load found within the surface waters of the harbour, indicating a possible relationship between plastic pollution in the environment and that which is found within organisms. Finally, the spatial variation observed within beach sediments was far larger than that seen throughout the mussel tissues, supporting the idea that beach sediments are microplastic sinks, but also susceptible to a range of environmental drivers including wind strength, wind direction, and sediment erosion.  Throughout the Southern Ocean and within Wellington Harbour, particle characteristics were similar, in that microfibres were the prevailing synthetic morphotype – accounting for upwards of 90% of all particles found. These results are similar to reports from other current literature, but not associated with public knowledge that is currently in the media and represented in the legislation. The results of this thesis illustrate the importance of monitoring and managing the occurrence and effect of microplastics on both fine- and broad-scales of temporal and spatial variation and helps address the knowledge gap surrounding microplastics in the Southern Hemisphere.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Anna Huia Williams

<p>In formal education and training, internal assessment (in which assessor judgements are made within education organisations) is widely used for summative purposes to contribute to the award of qualifications. In many jurisdictions including New Zealand, organisations that conduct these high-stakes internal assessments are required by regulation to engage in moderation within the organisation and with external quality assurance bodies to quality-assure those assessments. However, policies are rarely implemented directly as intended. Instead, they are enacted by organisations, that is, policies are interpreted and translated, with multiple factors influencing this process. One such factor is the person who takes the role of ‘policy narrator’ and leads the policy interpretation and translation within the organisation. In New Zealand there is further potential for enactment variation because education organisations are largely self-governing, and thus have substantial freedom regarding organisational systems and practices. Moderation is commonly held to have both accountability and improvement purposes. However, it is unknown what policy narrators within New Zealand organisations consider the functions of moderation to be.  This study sought to explore what the academic leaders who are responsible for moderation in New Zealand secondary and tertiary organisations (i.e., those likely to be policy narrators) perceive as the functions of internal moderation and national moderation conducted by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA moderation). Further, the study sought to ascertain whether there are any observable differences in perceptions according to organisation type. A pragmatic mixed methods sequential research design was implemented. An online survey instrument was developed informed from interview findings, and then administered using a census approach to collect data (n = 221). Both qualitative and quantitative data analyses were conducted.  Academic leaders were found to believe that moderation functions across multiple embedded contexts, from the immediate assessment event, to organisational and societal contexts. Internal and NZQA moderation were seen to work in the narrowly-focused area of assessment quality, and the broader areas of professional learning, organisational quality assurance, maintaining public and stakeholder confidence, and educational quality (internal moderation only). Instead of subscribing to the dominant improvement and accountability discourses, for the most part academic leaders tended think of moderation in more encompassing ways than the literature suggests.  Respondents from Private Training Enterprises (PTEs) tended to see the organisational quality assurance and educational quality functions as being more important or having a stronger emphasis, and to hold a broader view of moderation functions, than those from schools.  These findings could assist those in organisations to recognise and examine the influence of their own perceptions on practice, and identify opportunities to optimise how their organisations use moderation. The findings enable policy makers to ascertain the degree of alignment between policy intent and enactment, and could inform policy development and communication to the sector. Further, the potential for NZQA to increase the broader and improvement-focused aspects of moderation practice, while maintaining—and enhancing—its accountability focus is highlighted.</p>


Author(s):  
Grant Duncan ◽  
James H Liu ◽  
Sarah Y Choi

Leading up to the 2017 New Zealand general election, Stuff.co.nz and Massey University collaborated in two online surveys of public opinion to test the mood of the nation and seek opinions about a range of relevant political and social issues. Given their success, two more surveys were conducted in 2020. This article summarises results from the 2020 data, and reflects on the methodological advantages, disadvantages and challenges of conducting people-driven online surveys that need to meet the differing needs of academic researchers, journalists and the public. While the surveys produced very large samples, they were not representative. Moreover, the choices of items were influenced by what happened to be newsworthy at the time. Naturally, Covid-19 was a significant theme during the 2020 surveys. The results reveal predictable left–right polarization of opinions, a minority support for conspiracy theories, some areas of wide agreement across the political spectrum, and some unexpected nuances of opinions within and across ethnic groups.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liangni Sally Liu ◽  
Jun Lu

New Chinese migrants from the People’s Republic of China to New Zealand are renowned for their transnational mobility. Based on an online survey among this group of migrants, this paper aims to explore how economic factors in Chinese transnational migration play out in a way different from that posited by some conventional conceptions in migration studies. For example, compared with the conventional remittance flow that usually takes place from migrant-receiving countries to migrant-sending countries, this research finds a reverse remittance transaction channel among prc migrants. This reverse remittance flow is a manifestation of China’s economic revitalization, which benefited New Zealand, especially in the recent economic crisis. It was also found that economic reasons were not decisive in an immigrant’s decision to settle in New Zealand. However, economic reasons contributed significantly to their on-going movements after arriving in New Zealand. prc immigrants’ deciding to migrate or re-migrate reflects a layering of priorities that measure the short-term goal of maintaining economic livelihood against the longer-term goal of ensuring one’s family’s overall well-being.


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