Energy use and conservation in the residential sector Methodological questions and policy prescriptions
Abstract Whatever future energy path is chosen in the USA, it will be critical to know energy supply and demand patterns at the micro (family) level. This article examines public surveys which gather information at this level and then suggests possibilities for further research.
Correlates of Energy Use: Domestic Electricity Consumption in Sydney
The role of income in domestic electricity consumption, compared with the influence of other sociophysical characteristics such as household or dwelling structure, has long been under debate. The major problem is one of multicollinearity among the independent variables. Sequential regression models are used to overcome this problem. The role of income is disaggregated from that of gas usage, dwelling type, dwelling size, and family structure, and found to be less important than some studies would suggest. Much of its influence is indirect, its role often that of a surrogate for other causative influences. The importance of these findings bears on the development of government policies in the electricity conservation area.
English Code-Mixing and Code-Switching in Thai Songs
This study aims to investigate the attitudes of Thai people toward English code-mixing and code-switching in Thai songs and to find out if English code-mixing and code-switching in Thai songs could be an effective pedagogical instrument for learning the English language. The researcher selected a target population of 50 Thai participants (25 adolescent and 25 middle aged participants) and, by using a questionnaire, surveyed their attitudes towards the mixing and switching of English vocabulary in Thai songs. In addition to the questionnaire, two from the 50 participants were interviewed. One was an adolescent who has a very good knowledge of English and the other was a middle aged participant with almost no knowledge of English. The findings show that a majority of the middle aged participants disagree on the positive attitudes and reasons of people who listen to Thai songs which mix and switch the English language while a majority of the adolescent participants believe that some people who listen to Thai songs which mix and switch the English language are knowledgeable as well as show good taste and have a high social status. On the other hand, both the adolescent and middle aged group agree that some Thai songs which mix and switch the English language sound annoying and are inconsistent in conveying the meaning of the lyrics. Both groups also agree that Thai songs which mix and switch the English language may help listeners to enhance their knowledge of the English language. When interviewed individually, the participant who is very good in the English language tended to emphasize only the English competency of the listeners; while the participant who does not have any knowledge of the English language tended to emphasize the listeners‟ liking of the lyrics, the meaning and the melody of the songs. However, the use, as a pedagogical instrument, of Thai songs which mix and switch the English language could open up an additional choice for language learners in English vocabulary learning. Such songs would be acceptable as an effective pedagogical instrument for learning the English language if the English words in the songs also show correct English syntax.