The process of knowledge acquisition through interpersonal communication in the "Parents as first teachers" programme : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Communication Management at Massey University

Communication researchers interested in the role played by knowledge in social terms have produced a variety of explorations in recent times of "knowledge gaps" and informational inequities between various groups in society. More broadly, studies of the significance of issues of relative access to information and thus ability to participate in civil society have been described as the sociology of knowledge. Arising out of an interest in documenting successful strategies in bridging knowledge gaps, the present study aimed to explore an information programme called Parents As First Teachers (PAFT), which operates on the basis of a one­ to-one relationship between informationally needy individuals (parents of newborn infants) and trained experts in parenting matters. This arrangement continues monthly for three years. It seemed likely that this information programme could present an example of an effective receiver-focused model of bridging knowledge gaps. A series of 22 in-depth interviews was conducted with parent and educator participants in the PAFT programme in Auckland, New Zealand. In addition, observation was carried out of the hour-long monthly home visits so that a detailed picture could be obtained of the significance of the interpersonal relationship between parent and educator for effective learning. Transcripts of interviews were analysed using a coding protocol developed on the basis of the research objectives. The study found limited support for the contentions of extant information poverty literature in regard to self-imposed isolation and avoiding disclosing problems. Interviewees preferred to isolate themselves within their neighbourhoods, but they did seek information via family and social networks. They were also highly motivated in regard to seeking the best for their children, and it is possible that motivation in this instance has been a more powerful factor in knowledge acquisition than education, often used as a predictor of response to informational need. The significance of this study is in its detailed presentation of the information world of the insider, and the support the data give for a situational approach to knowledge gaps. It signals that there is a definite role for a close and trusting interpersonal relationship between source and receiver in the knowledge acquisition process. Two key areas for follow-up studies are the role played by interpersonal communication networks in disseminating knowledge beyond the original knowledge exchange context, and whether the strong motivation observed in the parents interviewed for this research was attributable to the PAFT programme itself or was a characteristic already present in participants

Measurements over distributed high performance computing and storage systems

A strawman proposal is given for a framework for presenting a common set of metrics for supercomputers, workstations, file servers, mass storage systems, and the networks that interconnect them. Production control and database systems are also included. Though other applications and third part software systems are not addressed, it is important to measure them as well

Nordic Himalaya Research Network (NHRN) First Inaugural Meeting

On May 7, 2018, the inaugural meeting for the newly established Nordic Himalaya Research Network was held at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen

How getting noticed helps getting on: successful attention capture doubles children's cooperative play

Cooperative social interaction is a complex skill that involves maintaining shared attention and continually negotiating a common frame of reference. Privileged in human evolution, cooperation provides support for the development of social-cognitive skills. We hypothesize that providing audio support for capturing playmates' attention will increase cooperative play in groups of young children. Attention capture was manipulated via an audio-augmented toy to boost children's attention bids. Study 1 (48 6- to 11-year-olds) showed that the augmented toy yielded significantly more cooperative play in triads compared to the same toy without augmentation. In Study 2 (33 7- to 9-year-olds) the augmented toy supported greater success of attention bids, which were associated with longer cooperative play, associated in turn with better group narratives. The results show how cooperation requires moment-by-moment coordination of attention and how we can manipulate environments to reveal and support mechanisms of social interaction. Our findings have implications for understanding the role of joint attention in the development of cooperative action and shared understanding

Estimation of parameters in the generalized graded unfolding model using a genetic algorithm

In the current study, a genetic algorithm was used in conjunction with the expectation-maximization algorithm to estimate parameters in a polytomous unfolding IRT model known as the generalized graded unfolding model (GGUM). One advantage of using a genetic algorithm for IRT parameter estimation is that this global optimization procedure is not easily affected by local maxima in the likelihood function – a condition that is often encountered in unfolding IRT models including the GGUM. Additionally, because genetic algorithms do not use derivatives to maximize the likelihood function, it is computationally simple and could be deployed efficiently with higher dimensional data. The focus of this study was to implement the genetic algorithm in the context of the GGUM, and then evaluate the speed and accuracy of the resulting parameter estimates Program development was done with the R computer language, and the efficacy of estimates was examined with simulation methods, which systematically vary sample size, test length and number of response categories. The resulting estimation strategy was also illustrated with real data from an abortion attitude questionnaire.Ph.D

Gender and Social Dimensions of Solar Development in the Upper West region of Ghana

As a Freshman Fellow, I assisted on research with the Illume Lab uncovering the gender, political, and social dimensions of the Kaleo-Lawra Solar Plant in the Upper West region of Ghana. The Upper West is an arid region with little natural resources and a low per capita income. Most citizens work in the agricultural sector, which is lucrative for the scant amount of rainfall. The proposal of the 35-megawatt solar park came as a part of the country’s efforts to reduce business of usual greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030. The project was funded in its entirety by the German government. Energy distribution in both Kaleo and Lawra falls to the Volta River Authority (VRA). This research examines the relationship between gendered livelihoods, renewable development, and climate change vulnerability. Using a mixed-methods approach, I break down raw data from 407 surveys. Also provided is an analysis of oral interviews and photographs from locals affected by the project. Preliminary data has found that farmers were compensated for enclosed land and some women were employed at the parks. Special attention is placed on specific gender impacts, like employment and compensation for lost land, as is the public perception of the plant, economic changes, fulfillment of promises by developers, and the impact on daily life. Geographic research of this caliber is crucial to creating a sustainable world in a socially conscious, responsible, equitable way