NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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The Sensegiving Role of Advisors in Farmer Decision-making
No full textIn Ireland, and in several other countries around the world, a situation of economic vulnerability exists for many farmers. Alongside this economic vulnerability, the farm management literature acknowledges that most farmers spend little time on financial management. In this context, we argue that farm advisory services have the potential to add value to the farming community by assisting farmers to make informed financial decisions, to combat these economic challenges. In this study, the role of professional advisors in the strategic financial decision-making process of farmers is explored to develop an understanding of how farmers avail of advice from, and interact with, farm advisors. A qualitative research approach of 27 semi-structured interviews, and a focus group, is adopted to explore the strategic financial decision-making process of farmers. The application of sensemaking theory helps us to understand how advisors provide a sensegiving role in the farmer decision-making process. The evidence gathered identifies numerous professional advice sources that provide this sensegiving role in the strategic financial decision-making process of farmers, but contends that two sources, accountants and agricultural consultants, appear most prominent. This study also reveals that the use of specific advice sources is strongly influenced by the type of strategic decision undertaken and the farm type in operation. The results provide an opportunity for policymakers, and those who provide advisory services to farmers, to reflect on how best to create an environment where farmers and farm advisors can work together, to develop sustainable farm enterprises which can contribute to rural development
The selection advantages associated with advanced biological maturation vary according to playing position in national-level youth soccer
No full textThis study investigated the extent to which biological maturation selection biases existed according to playing position in national-level youth soccer. A total of 159 players from the U13 to U16 age groups in the Football Association of Ireland's national talent pathway and international representative squads had their relative biological maturity status assessed using the Khamis-Roche method for the percentage of predicted adult height at the time of observation. Players were categorised as goalkeeper (GK), central defender (CD), full-back (FB), centre defensive midfielder (CDM), centre midfielder (CM), centre attacking midfielder (CAM), wide midfielder (WM) or centre forward (CF). A series of one-sampled means t-tests were used to examine the degree to which biological maturation selection biases existed across playing positions. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate inter-positional differences. A small to very large selection bias in favour of early maturing players existed for GK (D = 0.7), CD (D = 1.65), FB (D = 0.49), CM (D = 0.62), WM (D = 0.78), and CF (D = 0.76) (p < 0.05). Maturational selection biases did not exist for CDM or CAM. Moreover, CD were significantly more advanced in maturation compared to FB, CDM and CAM (p < 0.05). This study supports the contention that maturation selection biases exist in youth soccer, but the magnitude of this bias is highly dependent upon playing position. The very strong maturity selection biases at the national level evidenced in this investigation highlight the need for Football Associations to explore strategies, such as futures programmes, to help to retain talented, yet late maturing athletes
Return values of temperature and snow loadings for 50, 100 and 120-year return periods to support building design standards in Ireland
No full textThis research produced gridded datasets and maps for use in building design standards to enhance resilience in support of climate change adaptation in Ireland.
The new isothermal maps of return values of maximum and minimum air temperatures at mean sea level for 50, 100 and 120-year return periods based on the generalised extreme value distribution will be crucial to inform the design of buildings and bridges. The warming of the maximum and minimum air temperatures due to climate change has increased the intensity of the highest maximum air temperature while decreasing the intensity of the lowest extreme minimum air temperature of the new isothermal maps compared to previously published maps for a 50-year return period. Specifically, the new extreme isotherms are 32 ∘C for the maximum air temperature and −14 ∘C for the minimum air temperature, whereas the processor maps presented 30 and −16 ∘C, respectively. The geographical distribution of the isotherms for the 120-year return period range from 28 to 34 ∘C for the maximum air temperature and from −6 to −18 ∘C for the minimum air temperature.
For the first time, isothermal maps of return values of the lowest 10 cm soil temperature for 50, 100 and 120-year return periods based on the generalised extreme value distribution have been produced for Ireland. The results presented here will be paramount to supporting the design of building structures. The values of the 120-year return period range from 0 to −2 ∘C. The produced maps represent the worst-case scenario in the current context of climate warming.
The new maps of return values of snow loading at 100 m above mean sea level for 50, 100 and 120-year return periods based on the generalised Pareto distribution will be indispensable to support the design of buildings and civil engineering works such as roof patterns or bridges. The values of the 50-year return period map present four classes spread North-East to South-West: < 0.3, 0.3–0.4, 0.4–0.5 and 0.5–0.6 kN m−2, which is more accurate than the previously published map.
It is expected that the comprehensive explanation of the methods and the rationale for the new maps presented here as being more accurate than the preceding maps will assist regulators in adopting these new maps in their own jurisdictions. Furthermore, these new maps will be of interest to a diversity of sectors, planners and policymakers to make long, lasting and climate-based sensitive decisions
International selection and competition in youth sport: pin the tail on the donkey or targeted intervention?
No full textAcross sporting contexts, there is growing debate surrounding the utility of junior international age group selection in sport. In this regard, there has been considerable focus on the age of selection, with the low conversion of athletes from junior to senior international level often used to critique the efficiency of such programmes. In this perspective article, we argue that there is a need for a more nuanced consideration of the effectiveness of international age groups in talent systems. We begin this perspective article with a synthesis of the literature pertaining to junior to senior transitions in sport, followed by the implications and opportunity cost presented by international age groups. We argue for a more contextual evaluation of international age groups relative to the performance aims of a talent system, the need for manipulation of challenge dynamics, and the resource costs of doing so (e.g., providing developmental challenges for those who have early advantage, or spreading resource amongst greater numbers for broader impact). We suggest that talent systems evaluate the opportunity cost presented by international age groups, with decisions based upon individual strategic context
The Far Right and Overseas Development Aid (ODA): Narratives, Policies and Impact.
No full textThere has been an increasing level of far right activity in Ireland, particularly in protests against the siting of asylum seeker accommodation. An under-explored aspect of this emergent political activity has been its impact on overseas development aid (ODA). This article reviews a selected number of recent academic and policy articles on the rise of the far right and ODA with a view to understanding the nature and content of anti-ODA far right narratives. It considers counterstrategies that can be used by the ODA supporting community to combat far right anti-ODA narratives and policy changes. They include increased coordination between national and global issue campaigns, greater emphasis on positive rather than negative narratives based on alternative policy responses, and better messaging in these campaigns working closely with local affected communities to frame those messages. Ultimately, some of these recommendations could have implications for the political neutrality of non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
How do entrepreneurs build a resilient and persistent identity? Re-examining the financial crisis impact
No full textThis study examines re-entry entrepreneurs’ response to exogenous shakeouts (economic crises). Concretely, we analyse how prior business failure experience contributes to the creation of an entrepreneurial resilience identity, through entrepreneurial persistence, during/after the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Using data from 24 European countries from 2007 to 2014, our analysis shows that, while experiencing business failure can be challenging both personally and professionally, it also provides a tailored form of learning applicable in these challenging times. If entrepreneurs are confident and persistent, they may take advantage of failure experience, thus leading to entrepreneurial resilience, especially if they are re-entering via high-tech sectors. Our results contribute to the entrepreneurship literature by exposing the factors that increase entrepreneurial resilience and support entrepreneurial persistence. These insights may lead to the development of a resilient economy capable of overcoming the pandemic’s recessionary impact. Several implications for policymakers and entrepreneurs emerged from this study
Seasonal Prediction of Arabian Sea Marine Heatwaves
No full textMarine heatwaves are known to have a detrimental impact on marine ecosystems, yet predicting when and where they will occur remains a challenge. Here, using a large ensemble of initialized predictions from an Earth System Model, we demonstrate skill in predictions of summer marine heatwaves over large marine ecosystems in the Arabian Sea seven months ahead. Retrospective forecasts of summer (June to August) marine heatwaves initialized in the preceding winter (November) outperform predictions based on observed frequencies. These predictions benefit from initialization during winters of medium to strong El Niño conditions, which have an impact on marine heatwave characteristics in the Arabian Sea. Our probabilistic predictions target spatial characteristics of marine heatwaves that are specifically useful for fisheries management, as we demonstrate using an example of Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps)
A Registered Report Survey of Open Research Practices in Psychology Departments in the UK and Ireland
No full textOpen research practices seek to enhance the transparency and reproducibility of research. Whilst there is evidence of increased uptake in these practices, such as study preregistration and open data, facilitated by new infrastructure and policies, little research has assessed general uptake of such practices across university researchers. The current study estimates psychologists’ level of engagement in open research practices across universities in the United Kingdom and Ireland, while also assessing possible explanatory factors that may impact their engagement. Data were collected from [insert final number of participants] psychology researchers in the UK and Ireland on the extent to which individual researchers have implemented various practices (e.g., use of preprints, preregistration, open data, open materials). Here we present the summarised descriptive results, as well as considering differences between various categories of researcher (e.g., career stage, subdiscipline, methodology), and examining the link between researcher’s practices and their self-reported capability, opportunity, and motivation (COM-B) to engage in open research practices. Results show [e.g., that there is wide/little variability across the discipline as well as differences between established researchers and postgraduate research students/postdoctoral researchers, who are more/less likely to be engaging in responsible research practices]. Estimating the prevalence of responsible research practices is important to assess sustained behaviour change in research reform, tailor educational training initiatives, and to understand potential factors that might impact engagement
Exploring the Experiences of Students with Additional Educational Needs in Further Education: An Investigation into the Transition from Mainstream Education to Further Education.
No full textThis study delves into the unique journeys of students with Additional Educational Needs
(AEN) as they transition from mainstream secondary school to Further Education and
Training (FET) colleges. With the introduction of the EPSEN Act in 2004, the Irish
Education System has made significant strides towards inclusivity, particularly within
primary and secondary schools. (Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs
(EPSEN) Act, 2004) However, what happens when these students embark on their adult
journey in the further education sector, without the constant supervision of their parents and
the dedicated support provided by SEN departments and an SNA during their earlier
educational years? The research focuses on five students enrolled in various QQI level five
Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses at a FET college in Dublin. These courses range from
Pre-University Arts to Art Portfolio Preparation to Pre-Nursing Studies. Each student
involved in this study has disclosed at least one disability or AEN, which includes autism
spectrum disorder (ASD), Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Chronic Regional Pain
Syndrome, and Anxiety. Their valuable insights and personal perspectives shed light on their
educational experiences within the context of Further Education. The research is qualitative
and uses semi structured informal interviews. This study aims to analyse the complexities and
power dynamics of education through a Foucauldian lens by exploring the double-edged
sword of care, policy implications, and the need for comprehensive training for educators
“I have to know. I have to understand how to do this!” Exploring personal and professional experiences of ESOL practitioners in Ireland during and since the COVID-19 pandemic.
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on how many of us view our professional and personal lives, including my own. For teachers of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) there was an immediate disruption as lockdown restrictions were announced in March 2020, with an imperative during that initial period to maintain contact with learners and facilitate online teaching and learning where possible.
This study explores the personal and professional experiences of ESOL practitioners working on the island of Ireland during and since the pandemic. It considers how they felt and what they did, but also how far they felt supported and who they might have collaborated or kept in touch with.
Before embarking on this study, I had spent the previous two decades working for City & Guilds where I managed, supported and advised on its ESOL, literacy and numeracy qualifications and services. Most of that work involved supporting practitioners and provider organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, though since relocating to Derry a decade ago my role had become home-based but nevertheless involved almost weekly commutes across the Irish Sea to meet with colleagues and customers. The pandemic provided me with pause for thought, an opportunity to consider how I might apply my knowledge and experience of language and literacy learning closer to home.
Based on qualitative interviews, eight ESOL practitioners’ insights and reflections are distilled across four themes:
• equity and learner engagement
• practicalities of lockdown and using technology
• collaboration and communication
• enduring changes.
The study also considers the wider context of Ireland’s publicly funded ESOL programmes, and especially why ESOL has not have gained the same level of high profile and cross-government support that can be seen with the ten-year Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) strategy