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Investigating the significance of the Bellwether Effect to improve software effort prediction: Further empirical study
No full textContext: In addressing how best to estimate how much effort is required to develop software, a recent study found that using exemplary and recently completed projects [forming Bellwether moving windows (BMW)] in software effort prediction (SEP) models leads to relatively improved accuracy. More studies need to be conducted to determine whether the BMW yields improved accuracy in general, since different sizing and aging parameters of the BMW are known to affect accuracy. Objective: To investigate the existence of exemplary projects (Bellwethers) with defined window size and age parameters, and whether their use in SEP improves prediction accuracy. Method: We empirically investigate the moving window assumption based on the theory that the prediction outcome of a future event depends on the outcomes of prior events. Sampling of Bellwethers was undertaken using three introduced Bellwether methods (SSPM, SysSam, and RandSam). The ergodic Markov chain was used to determine the stationarity of the Bellwethers. Results: Empirical results show that 1) Bellwethers exist in SEP and 2) the BMW has an approximate size of 50 to 80 exemplary projects that should not be more than 2 years old relative to the new projects to be estimated. Conclusion: The study's results add further weight to the recommended use of Bellwethers for improved prediction accuracy in SEP
Concert Premiere of The Quest (Keyboardist), Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival 2017
No full textKeyboardist in the band for the concert premiere of The Quest, written by Chris Williams, at the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival, 23 February 2017
Performance of Suspended Time, International Piano Day
Get PDFPerformance of Suspended Time, composed by Nick Braae, for the 2017 Opening Concert for International Piano Day, at Creative Waikato and Miltons Canteen, Wednesday 29 March 2017
The Power of Portfolios: Adults and Children engaging with ePortfolios in an early childhood education setting
Get PDFWhile common across the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of education, ePortfolios are relatively new in the early childhood education sector, nationally and internationally. They are, however, becoming more widespread in Aotearoa New Zealand as a platform to present children’s formative assessment documentation. There is very little documented evidence of the use of ePortfolios in early childhood education (ECE) and as such little is known about how they could impact on parent and whānau engagement with their children’s learning; teachers’ formative assessment practices; how they contribute to children’s learning journeys and indeed how children could use ePortfolios. This PhD study located in Aotearoa New Zealand investigated the use of ePortfolios in an early childhood education setting and how teachers, parents, whānau and children engaged with them in comparison to their engagement with paper-based portfolios.
The ECE setting involved in this research was using paper-based portfolios as artefacts to document children’s development and learning over time, and had been doing so for several years prior to the research being undertaken. The setting had a history of robust documentation but struggled to find ways that enabled parents and whānau to contribute to this documentation in a written form. After a period of investigation into the use of paper-based portfolios, and their effectiveness in encouraging parents and whānau to contribute, ePortfolios were introduced. Accordingly, this research presents a comparative study of paper-based portfolios and ePortfolios.
After the introduction of ePortfolios significant changes were evident in the ways that parents, whānau and teachers engaged with the learning documentation contained in the ePortfolios. Changes were also evident in the teachers’ formative assessment practices and in the ECE setting’s community of practice, which at the onset of the research was just developing.
Consequently, the research identified the importance of portfolios, in whatever format, as artefacts which encourage children, their families and teachers to revisit their learning – allowing for support and extension of the learning. This presentation will include these findings and will discuss implications for practice and policy in terms of ePortfolio use in early childhood education settings
Afterword: What is shared and learned
No full textThis is Afterword to a book of cases on practitioner research at tertiary institutions in Malaysi
Evaluation of software system implementation in an SME changes in charities accounting standard in New Zealand
Get PDFThe study addresses research gaps on methodologies for implementing software systems into Small to Medium-sized Businesses (“SMEs”). Clarification of how the implementation of Xero™ accounting software and WorkFlowMax™ information management software (“WFM™”) was provided to an SME, as well as the impacts of changing software systems on an SME. An evaluative case study was carried out on a small business in New Zealand, over a period of six months where this software had recently been implemented. Interviews with three SME staff members and a senior member of the software vendor, plus participant observation showed that there was scope for significant improvements to be made on both sides. For the vendors, recommendations from this case study include better management of SME expectations of software capability; increasing time spent with the client; and providing greater clarity around the scope and limitations of training provided. For the SME, recommendations from this case study include: identifying an internal champion with effective communication skills and/or spreading championship roles between more than one staff member; providing greater transparency during planning stages of software adoption combined with opportunities for staff to discuss their user needs; and greatly increasing the frequency of minuted meetings with all company administrators
Strategies around networking with specific focus on finding skilled and experienced installers for insulation.
Get PDFThis research report is about a study conducted in Sustain Energy Solutions to form a strategic alliance with JSR. The JSR is another company based in Hamilton, doing business in refrigeration, heating, and ventilation. The qualitative research method is used in this study as it is based on the response and opinions of participants. The thematic analysis is used to evaluate the respondent's interview and record the results. We looked up various scopes for the literature review to identify strategies for competitive advantage. This research describes the benefits that SES can attain by forming an alliance with JSR. We found that formation of alliance could help them to give the customers a complete and effective home solution for heating and cooling. We also found that outsourcing of insulation is not a good option for Sustain Energy Solutions as the installation of insulation is the major source of revenue for SES. Hiring of inexperienced installers and giving them, adequate training is one of the strategies that could help SES to solve the issue of lack of installers for insulation. Maintaining the competitive advantage of Energy Conservation Awareness Programme (ECAP) through the door to door marketing would give the company a long-term advantage over its competitors
How to gain a competitive advantage in the healthy fast food industry?
Get PDFWith a long time operating experience in the healthy fast food industry, the business of Sian Sushi has built up a strong brand image among the healthy fast food industry. The product offering in the business including various sushi and set meals, and each person in the business has a deep sense of organisational value and mission in committing to providing the food with high quality and superior customer service. The aim of the research refers to identify the competitive advantages of Sian Sush in the healthy fast food industry and several areas are related to the research aim including PESTEL Analysis, Porter’s Five Forces Analysis, Value Chain Analysis and VRIO analysis. A combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis has been used. The target market of the Sian Sushi has been identified, as well as the perception and satisfactory level of customers towards a series of specific aspects of the Sian Sushi has been gained, also the particular thoughts from interview participants regarding the research aim can be figured out clearly
Feasibility Study of a new liquor store in Hamilton, New Zealand
Get PDFThe main objective of the study is to determine the feasibility of opening a new liquor store in one of three potential locations in Hamilton city. The study will primarily look at the literature review with respect to any one of three-liquor store feasibility studies. It will follow the four analysis processes proposed by the literature to conduct the feasibility study of the three potential liquor stores locations. Financial analysis, Market analysis, organizational or technical analysis, and competition analysis which are made through a literature review and finally, the results of the analysis are determined through primary research and the literature review. Main consideration is given to the competition in the respective areas because they need to be examined. Theoretical knowledge and personal observance is correlated to find a viable solution for the business set up. In the findings, it has been conclude that five cross road location is the best to set up a new business based on analysis and research. There are some areas where researcher needs to focus are covered under recommendations
New research on overseas drivers
No full textA study carried out in 2016 of overseas drivers in New Zealand has provided insights into issues that highlight the need for new policy to reduce accidents