Gaze patterns of expert and amateur sight-readers with particular focus on the cognitive underpinnings of reading key and time signatures
- Authors: Viljoen, Jacobus Frederick
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Sight-reading (Music) , Eye tracking , Cognition , Musical notation , Tonality , Musical meter and rhythm
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190908 , vital:45040 , 10.21504/10962/190908
- Description: Over the last decade, eye-tracking technology has provided researchers with specific tools to study the process of reading (language and music) empirically. Most of these studies have focused on the “Eye-Hand Span” phenomenon (the ability to read ahead of the point of playing). However, little research investigates the cognitive implications of specific aspects of musical notation when performed in real time. This research aimed to observe the fixations patterns of sight-readers in order to investigate the cognitive underpinnings of key and time signatures in music scores. This research project is a quantitative study using a quasi-experimental research design. Tobii eye-tracking equipment and software were used to record the eye movements of 11 expert and 7 amateur keyboard sight-readers. Two key aspects of music notation, key and time signatures, were selected as the main focus of the study. To investigate these aspects, eighteen research participants were provided with seventeen sight-reading examples for one hand (low complexity) and two hands (high complexity) composed specifically by the researcher. Several examples contained one or more unexpected aspects (accidentals or changes of time signature) to test their effect on fixation count and duration. Two variables (fixation count and fixation duration) were utilised to analyze fixation patterns on the selected aspects of the scores. Three main results emerged from the data analysis: 1) Expert sight-readers performed with much greater accuracy than experts in both tests; 2) Expert sight-readers exhibited a higher fixation count on entire scores in complex examples; 3) Both expert and amateur sight-readers fixate more and for longer on certain notational aspects such as key and time signatures than other notational aspects such as deviations or individual notes. This selection of focused attention suggests that both expert and amateur sight-readers cognitively process music scores in a hierarchical order. In conclusion, key and time signatures appear to require more and longer fixations by both groups of readers than other aspects of the score. This supports previous research which suggests that sound musical knowledge may play a positive role in performers’ sight-reading skills, thereby contributing to more successful sight-reading performances. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Viljoen, Jacobus Frederick
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Sight-reading (Music) , Eye tracking , Cognition , Musical notation , Tonality , Musical meter and rhythm
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190908 , vital:45040 , 10.21504/10962/190908
- Description: Over the last decade, eye-tracking technology has provided researchers with specific tools to study the process of reading (language and music) empirically. Most of these studies have focused on the “Eye-Hand Span” phenomenon (the ability to read ahead of the point of playing). However, little research investigates the cognitive implications of specific aspects of musical notation when performed in real time. This research aimed to observe the fixations patterns of sight-readers in order to investigate the cognitive underpinnings of key and time signatures in music scores. This research project is a quantitative study using a quasi-experimental research design. Tobii eye-tracking equipment and software were used to record the eye movements of 11 expert and 7 amateur keyboard sight-readers. Two key aspects of music notation, key and time signatures, were selected as the main focus of the study. To investigate these aspects, eighteen research participants were provided with seventeen sight-reading examples for one hand (low complexity) and two hands (high complexity) composed specifically by the researcher. Several examples contained one or more unexpected aspects (accidentals or changes of time signature) to test their effect on fixation count and duration. Two variables (fixation count and fixation duration) were utilised to analyze fixation patterns on the selected aspects of the scores. Three main results emerged from the data analysis: 1) Expert sight-readers performed with much greater accuracy than experts in both tests; 2) Expert sight-readers exhibited a higher fixation count on entire scores in complex examples; 3) Both expert and amateur sight-readers fixate more and for longer on certain notational aspects such as key and time signatures than other notational aspects such as deviations or individual notes. This selection of focused attention suggests that both expert and amateur sight-readers cognitively process music scores in a hierarchical order. In conclusion, key and time signatures appear to require more and longer fixations by both groups of readers than other aspects of the score. This supports previous research which suggests that sound musical knowledge may play a positive role in performers’ sight-reading skills, thereby contributing to more successful sight-reading performances. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Towards effective monitoring, control and surveillance policy and implementation in South Africa and its relevance to other Southern African States
- Authors: Fikizolo, Lisolomzi Assaph
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Fishery management Africa, Southern , Fisheries Monitoring Africa, Southern , Fishery policy Africa, Southern , Fishery law and legislation Africa, Southern , South Africa. Fisheries Management Branch
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190886 , vital:45038 , 10.21504/10962/190886
- Description: The responsibility of Fisheries Governance Authorities (FGAs) is to ensure that there is sustainable utilisation and exploitation of marine living resources through effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS). MCS is a mechanism used to implement agreed policies, plans and strategies for oceans and fisheries governance, and it is key to their successful implementation. In the continent, the African Union (AU), through its agencies, economic and regional structures encourage and supports national and regional MCS programs. South Africa is a SADC coastal State with a fisheries governance branch mandated to ensure sustainable marine living resources’ utilisation with support from a national MCS program. This support depends on the effectiveness of the current national MCS organisational structure, capacity, legislative and policy framework, as well as regional cooperation. In addition to an extensive literature review, this study developed a MCS framework, following international fisheries legislation and guidelines, for testing the South African MCS’ conformity to such a model. Furthermore, Namibia and Mozambique were included as examples of SADC coastal States to determine their responsiveness to regional cooperation and coordination. Based on the framework, a questionnaire with four parts, Part A: Background Information; Part B: Evaluation of MCS Enablers; Part C: Evaluation of an MCS system process and its effectiveness – reactive approach; and Part D: - proactive approach was developed to collect information. The data was analysed, using appropriate statistical methods to determine, against set characteristics, the level of information that the government respondents could provide to the research topic, and to determine the effectiveness of the South African MCS program. Limited information from Namibia and Mozambique showed readiness in their respective MCS programs for a regional MCS integrated approach, as is the case with South Africa, but there is no serious engagement to implement any regional MCS program. Results showed that the South African MCS program's effectiveness is generally adequate, but there are challenges with planning; financial resources; MCS equipment; stakeholder engagement processes, and governance. A primary recommendation from this study was that business plans, as utilised in the private sector, should be developed by South African Fisheries Governance Authority (FGA) to address MCS governance shortcomings as revealed by this study. A reconfiguration of the MCS organisational structure to include a resource mobilisation unit is considered necessary to effect the much needed improvements. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Fikizolo, Lisolomzi Assaph
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Fishery management Africa, Southern , Fisheries Monitoring Africa, Southern , Fishery policy Africa, Southern , Fishery law and legislation Africa, Southern , South Africa. Fisheries Management Branch
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190886 , vital:45038 , 10.21504/10962/190886
- Description: The responsibility of Fisheries Governance Authorities (FGAs) is to ensure that there is sustainable utilisation and exploitation of marine living resources through effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS). MCS is a mechanism used to implement agreed policies, plans and strategies for oceans and fisheries governance, and it is key to their successful implementation. In the continent, the African Union (AU), through its agencies, economic and regional structures encourage and supports national and regional MCS programs. South Africa is a SADC coastal State with a fisheries governance branch mandated to ensure sustainable marine living resources’ utilisation with support from a national MCS program. This support depends on the effectiveness of the current national MCS organisational structure, capacity, legislative and policy framework, as well as regional cooperation. In addition to an extensive literature review, this study developed a MCS framework, following international fisheries legislation and guidelines, for testing the South African MCS’ conformity to such a model. Furthermore, Namibia and Mozambique were included as examples of SADC coastal States to determine their responsiveness to regional cooperation and coordination. Based on the framework, a questionnaire with four parts, Part A: Background Information; Part B: Evaluation of MCS Enablers; Part C: Evaluation of an MCS system process and its effectiveness – reactive approach; and Part D: - proactive approach was developed to collect information. The data was analysed, using appropriate statistical methods to determine, against set characteristics, the level of information that the government respondents could provide to the research topic, and to determine the effectiveness of the South African MCS program. Limited information from Namibia and Mozambique showed readiness in their respective MCS programs for a regional MCS integrated approach, as is the case with South Africa, but there is no serious engagement to implement any regional MCS program. Results showed that the South African MCS program's effectiveness is generally adequate, but there are challenges with planning; financial resources; MCS equipment; stakeholder engagement processes, and governance. A primary recommendation from this study was that business plans, as utilised in the private sector, should be developed by South African Fisheries Governance Authority (FGA) to address MCS governance shortcomings as revealed by this study. A reconfiguration of the MCS organisational structure to include a resource mobilisation unit is considered necessary to effect the much needed improvements. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
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