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Evaluating The Impact Of Peer Review And Participation Awareness In An Online Collaborative Document Authoring Environment, Greg Baatard Jan 2006

Evaluating The Impact Of Peer Review And Participation Awareness In An Online Collaborative Document Authoring Environment, Greg Baatard

Theses : Honours

Online Learning Environments (OLEs) have been widely adopted by higher education facilities, offering distance education with the potential to support the social and collaborative aspects deemed crucial to modern constructivist pedagogy. Groupware, a form of software which aims to facilitate group work, has been the subject of much research, from both educational and enterprise perspectives. This research introduced Reportal, an online groupware system designed to facilitate the collaborative authoring of a document. Reportal's peer review and participation awareness features were the focus of this research, and their impact was measured against the elements of online collaboration, a typology established by …


Contextualising Identity : The Intersection Of Gay Culture And Consumer Culture On The Gay Male Body, Dan Gladden Jan 2006

Contextualising Identity : The Intersection Of Gay Culture And Consumer Culture On The Gay Male Body, Dan Gladden

Theses : Honours

Gay Culture is largely informed and influenced by the wider social values and systems that surround it. Commodity culture infiltrates every area of day-to-day living, and is no less influential within gay culture. Images presented by the media, particularly gay targeting media such as DNA magazine, show a male body as almost exclusively young, muscular, good-looking and of western appearance. The continuously repeated image of the male body as being of only one specific type can be problematic within a minority culture as it can lead to exclusion for those who do not measure up to the standards. While acceptance …


Perceived Multi-Dimensional Locus Of Control Over Young To Older Adults : A Contemporary Australian Cross-Sectional Study, Richard Syrkiewicz Jan 2006

Perceived Multi-Dimensional Locus Of Control Over Young To Older Adults : A Contemporary Australian Cross-Sectional Study, Richard Syrkiewicz

Theses : Honours

Locus of control (LOG) influences many aspects of one's behaviour and associated quality of life (Rotter, 1992). LOG is particularly important for the increasing older adult population and wider health-care system (Swett & Bishop, 2004). Researchers have criticised LOG studies for: an assumed dichotomy of LOG, a lack of recent investigation, non-validity of underlying theoretical position, pronounced inconsistency of findings, and inattention to possible age and gender effects. The current review presents a contemporary focus of LOG research literature to highlight the aforementioned concerns, and provides a systematic account of generalisability for key studies. In addition to discussing the associations …


Age-Phasing And The Use Of Life-Cycle Funds, Shelley Farr Jan 2006

Age-Phasing And The Use Of Life-Cycle Funds, Shelley Farr

Theses : Honours

The Superannuation Guarantee legislation has made many Australian employees compulsory investors. The reality that many Australian employees are failing to save adequate retirement benefits highlights the importance of selecting an appropriate superannuation investment strategy. With a majority of members having their employer-sponsored contributions in Defined Contribution Funds, it is ultimately members who are responsible for making investment decisions. Given that Australian employees are faced with myriad investment options, it is opportune to examine how members are exercising investment choice. A key factor for a member to consider is whether their investment strategy should be influenced by their age. Using the …


Electoral Professionalism And The 2004 Australian Federal Election Campaign, Ryan Boyd Jan 2006

Electoral Professionalism And The 2004 Australian Federal Election Campaign, Ryan Boyd

Theses : Honours

Electoral professionalism, a. term first coined by Panebianco (1988), explains the changing organisational structure of modern political parties and changes to the way parties engage with the electorate. This thesis demonstrates the extent to which electoral professionalism was prevalent during the 2004 Australian federal election campaign. Australian democracy has undergone a process of professionalisation in recent decades. The Liberal Party and the Labor Party's ability to adapt to these changes has enabled Australia's two major parties to remain relevant and come to dominate Australia's political system. Campaign professionals skilled in areas such as polling, marketing, media management, computer technologies, direct …


The Experience Of The Transition To An Aged-Care Facility: A Qualitative Exploration, Jenny M. Smith Jan 2006

The Experience Of The Transition To An Aged-Care Facility: A Qualitative Exploration, Jenny M. Smith

Theses : Honours

The transition from one's place of residence to an aged-care facility may be a daunting prospect, with many factors relevant to the degree of ease in which this change occurs. Whilst this is a significant life event, qualified information about older adults' experience of it is limited, with little found about Australia. Much of what is available focuses on the caregivers' and relatives' viewpoints or their interactions with staff and do not pertain to the transition period itself, but to aged care in general. The main findings from the available literature suggest that the way a new resident perceives their …


Death Lilly : Performing The 'Flower Girl' Role In The Age Of Consumption, Catherine Gomersall Jan 2006

Death Lilly : Performing The 'Flower Girl' Role In The Age Of Consumption, Catherine Gomersall

Theses : Honours

This self-reflexive photomedia project interrogates the 'flower girl' role as a cultural fetishism of 'innocent' white-girl femininity, which I claim is perpetuated in the bridal fantasy. In my photomedia work the theme of 'death' and the uncanny is explored as well as the themes of 'wildness' and 'violence' in order to subvert the dominant discourse of ideal white femininity which is defined in popular culture by a sanitised bourgeois aesthetic. I attack the bourgeois surface of the bridal magazine in my artwork as I perform the 'flower girl' role in the context of popular culture and capitalism. The flower girl …


The Relationship Between Body Image And Self-Esteem In Older Adulthood, Lucie Guegan Jan 2006

The Relationship Between Body Image And Self-Esteem In Older Adulthood, Lucie Guegan

Theses : Honours

Purpose: Given the global trend of population ageing and the fact that Australia will experience a significant increase in the proportion of older adults, research into ageing issues has become a National priority. Whilst body image and self-esteem have been empirically linked, the relationship among older adults has been neglected. The present study investigated several body image variables and their relationship to self-esteem in a sample of older adults. Design and Methods: Questionnaires consisting of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire were administered to 148 adults aged between 65 and 85 years, living independently in the …


That's Freakin' Sweet: The Collecting Of Family Guy, Matthew Knight Jan 2006

That's Freakin' Sweet: The Collecting Of Family Guy, Matthew Knight

Theses : Honours

The animated series Family Guy (1999-2006) has been cancelled twice and resurrected twice mainly because of the efforts of viewers. It is worth asking, however; why has Family Guy attained a level of fanaticism that repeatedly rescues it from permanent cancellation? Arguably, the Family Guy audience is made up predominantly of members of generation y and as such, the way they view the program and their relationship to it will differ to that of previous generations. In short, Family Guy was cancelled due to poor ratings, however, these ratings were a result of erratic scheduling that was not conducive to …


Natural Death In The West Australian Newspaper, Heinrich Benz Jan 2006

Natural Death In The West Australian Newspaper, Heinrich Benz

Theses : Honours

This thesis analyses the way The West Australian presents natural death to its readers. Previous research involving death notices and obituaries has focused on gender and numerical analysis. There are hundreds of books dealing with death, covering legal, biological, physical, sociological and spiritual aspects of death, but books on death in the media tend to skirt around natural death. The diverse areas of death research fail to postulate a common definition of natural death. A similar diversity of views exists on the good death and the concepts surrounding life after death. This encourages the analysis of material from daily life, …


Older Adults' Perspective On Engaging In Physical Activity After The Age Of 65 : An Exploratory Study, Amanda Kathleen England Jan 2006

Older Adults' Perspective On Engaging In Physical Activity After The Age Of 65 : An Exploratory Study, Amanda Kathleen England

Theses : Honours

The increasing number of older Australians who are living sedentary lifestyles is of great concern due to the significant implications of increasing health risks for these people and the increasing pressure on the nation's welfare services as well as its health care systems. To alleviate the pressure, factors that motivate or inhibit older adults' engagement in physical activity should be identified. The purpose of the current review is to examine the literature that is relevant to the engagement in physical activity past the age of 65. Issues of prevalence, benefits, risks, deterrents and attractions of physical activity in older adulthood …


The Politics Of Problem Gambling: Explaining Differences Between Victoria And Western Australia, Ryan Blake Jan 2006

The Politics Of Problem Gambling: Explaining Differences Between Victoria And Western Australia, Ryan Blake

Theses : Honours

Greater accessibility of electronic gaming machines increases the prevalence of problem gambling. The emergence of gaming machines in the context of Australian gambling is a relatively recent phenomenon. Victoria has had strong growth in electronic gaming machines, whereas in Western Australia growth and accessibility has been very limited. This dissertation examines the importance of gambling revenue to the state economies, what factors explain Western Australia's lower dependence on gambling revenue and the extent to which problem gambling is more prevalent in Victoria.


Bullying And Victimisation In Primary Schools: Relations Between Bully Status, Empathy, And Gender, Teresa B. Sapienza Jan 2006

Bullying And Victimisation In Primary Schools: Relations Between Bully Status, Empathy, And Gender, Teresa B. Sapienza

Theses : Honours

Bullying and victimisation at school has been associated with increased reports of psychological and psychosomatic health issues. As such, schools have sought to implement programmes to reduce the prevalence of bullying. These programmes commonly include empathy-raising strategies which are expected to reduce the incidences of bullying. The present paper reviews the empathy and bullying literature, focussing on the suggested relationship between the two. The literature revealed that the concepts of empathy and bullying have undergone rapid development over recent years and as a result, there is much methodological variation between studies, culminating in inconsistent results. However, early research pertaining to …


The Influence Of Genetics And The Environment On Human Personalities, Relationships And Experiences, Patrice Smith Jan 2006

The Influence Of Genetics And The Environment On Human Personalities, Relationships And Experiences, Patrice Smith

Theses : Honours

It's no mystery that our genetic make-up plays an integral part in the outcome of our lives, but to what extent exactly are our personalities, relationships and experiences pre-determined by this genetic code? There are two forces that contribute to the outcome of these aspects of our lives. Genetics and Environment. The significance of the environment, i.e., our upbringing, lifestyle and the world around us is often emphasized by psychologists as the more dominant force, however our genes are just as, if not more, influential on our lives. My choreographic process is directly in relation to the group of artists …


Another Paradise Lost? : A Case Study Of Nation Building In East Timor, Brendan Paul Mcshanag Jan 2006

Another Paradise Lost? : A Case Study Of Nation Building In East Timor, Brendan Paul Mcshanag

Theses : Honours

This thesis examines the form of reconstruction intervention known as 'nation building', through a case study of the United Nations led operation in East Timor that began in 1999. It examines how the idea of the nation and statehood first arose, and how these ideals are still prevalent in modern nation building interventions. The thesis also examines the weaknesses and ambiguities that have become associated with nation building, and how such weaknesses have found a common thread through subsequent interventions The thesis then uses the case study of the intervention in East Timor, dividing the operation in to three stages; …


Ethnic Identity During Adolescence And Adulthood: A Review ; The Impact Of Becoming A Parent On Ethnic Identity: Adult Migrant Mothers' Experiences, Abby Taylor Jan 2006

Ethnic Identity During Adolescence And Adulthood: A Review ; The Impact Of Becoming A Parent On Ethnic Identity: Adult Migrant Mothers' Experiences, Abby Taylor

Theses : Honours

Developing a positive ethnic identity has often been linked to the psychological well-being of immigrants living in culturally diverse societies. Ethnic identity development theories have primarily concentrated on identity development during adolescence. As a result there are significant gaps in the literature and little is known about ethnic identity during adulthood. However, significant life transitions during adulthood, such as becoming a parent, may be influential in the development of ethnic identity. Intergenerational conflict and an increased desire to be ethnically oriented may relate to the experience of becoming a parent and influence ethnic identity. A means to achieving generativity has …


Examination Of Different Levels Of Restorative Behaviour Utilising The Affect, Affirmation And Action Model, Jessica Sumner Jan 2006

Examination Of Different Levels Of Restorative Behaviour Utilising The Affect, Affirmation And Action Model, Jessica Sumner

Theses : Honours

The present paper reviews the relevant literature to determine whether there is support for the Affirmation, Affect and Action Model of Apology and True Sorriness (AAA model) that was developed by Slocum, Allan and Allan (2006). The chronological review of the literature examines how the constructs of apology and true sorriness evolved. Initially, apologetic types were perceived on a continuum, however, with time researchers' acknowledged different components of apologetic behaviour. These components were later named affirmation, affect and actions in the development of Slocum's et al. AAA model. In further research, such components were quantified for manipulation in experimental research …


The Psychological Implications Of Breast Cancer: A Review Of The Literature ; Shattered Motherhood: Young Mothers Living With Breast Cancer, Kelly Gibson Jan 2006

The Psychological Implications Of Breast Cancer: A Review Of The Literature ; Shattered Motherhood: Young Mothers Living With Breast Cancer, Kelly Gibson

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review regarding the psychological implications of breast cancer, with a particular focus on younger women. In general due to their life stage, it appears that younger women have more problems with psychological adjustment to breast cancer compared to their older counterparts. Specifically, younger women appear to be more psychologically vulnerable to greater disruption to their daily lives due to the untimely nature of a breast cancer diagnosis, and have greater unmet practical needs, such as childcare. Limitations of the research literature are explored with specific attention to sample characteristics. Suggestions …


The Relationship Between Daytime Experiences And Nighttime Marital Behaviour ; Spillover Of Daytime Emotions On Marital Interactions, Katherine J. Fitzsimmons Jan 2006

The Relationship Between Daytime Experiences And Nighttime Marital Behaviour ; Spillover Of Daytime Emotions On Marital Interactions, Katherine J. Fitzsimmons

Theses : Honours

This review outlines literature on the influence of daytime experiences on nighttime marital behaviour. Researchers propose that experiences at work and home spillover into and influence the other domain. Factors affecting spillover included gender, job characteristics, role satisfaction, negative affect and marital satisfaction. Outcomes of spillover included withdrawn and angry marital behaviour. Results of the current research suggest that husbands tend to withdraw, whilst wives tend to display anger during marital interactions following a negatively arousing day. Individual differences and situational theories have been proposed to explain this gender difference. Limitations ofthe studies include the focus on married individuals living …


Anglo-Australians' Attitudes Towards Multiculturalism And Beliefs About Ethnic Groups, Tina Charles Jan 2006

Anglo-Australians' Attitudes Towards Multiculturalism And Beliefs About Ethnic Groups, Tina Charles

Theses : Honours

Australia's policy of multiculturalism was adopted in 1978. However, recent events in Australia have suggested some public dissent concerning multiculturalism, particularly among members of the dominant Anglo-Australian culture. Previous research in the Netherlands has found that essentialist beliefs about ethnic minority groups are related to negative attitudes towards multiculturalism within the dominant culture. This study was designed to qualitatively explore Anglo-Australians' attitudes towards multiculturalism and their beliefs about ethnic minority groups. A total of 11 participants were interviewed. Results showed that the participants expressed both positive and negative attitudes towards multiculturalism, and essentialist and non-essentialist beliefs about ethnic groups. The …


The Transition To Fatherhood: Exploration Of Fathers' Understandings And Perceptions Of Their Experiences Of Fatherhood, Yael S. Abitbol Jan 2006

The Transition To Fatherhood: Exploration Of Fathers' Understandings And Perceptions Of Their Experiences Of Fatherhood, Yael S. Abitbol

Theses : Honours

At the beginning of the 21st century, the face of fatherhood is a dynamic and complex reality. The aim of this study was to explore father's perceptions regarding their own experiences during the transition to fatherhood. More specifically, this study aimed at exploring the adjustment to fatherhood and the resources and support systems that the fathers utilised in managing their adjustment to fatherhood. A qualitative research design, specifically an approach based on grounded theory was employed. A total often white Caucasian fathers, with own biological children under the age of five participated in this study and were interviewed using a …


Literature Review: Mental Health Outcomes Associated With Exposure To Ethnic Discrimination, Peer Victimisation And Peer Rejection : Gender Differences In Internalising And Externalising Behaviour. Research Project : Gender As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between Perceived Discrimination And Problem Behaviour Among Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Children, Jarrod Turner Jan 2006

Literature Review: Mental Health Outcomes Associated With Exposure To Ethnic Discrimination, Peer Victimisation And Peer Rejection : Gender Differences In Internalising And Externalising Behaviour. Research Project : Gender As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between Perceived Discrimination And Problem Behaviour Among Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Children, Jarrod Turner

Theses : Honours

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between gender, perceived discrimination, and mental health among young ethnic-minority children. To address this aim, 32 participants (mean age= 10.8 years), with an even sample across gender and cultural backgrounds, were asked questions relating to two types of discrimination (day to day and lifetime experiences) and their' primary caregiver was asked questions relating to child internalising (e.g. anxiety, withdrawal) and externalising (aggression, breaking things) behaviour. Almost all participants reported exposure to at least one type of discrimination. Girls, on average, scored higher on all measures compared to boys. Regression …


Exploring The Notion Of Emotional Attachment In Orford's Model Of Addiction : Review, And A Step Towards Operationalising Orford's Concept Of Strong Attachment In Addiction : A Qualitative Study, Kate E. Baily Jan 2006

Exploring The Notion Of Emotional Attachment In Orford's Model Of Addiction : Review, And A Step Towards Operationalising Orford's Concept Of Strong Attachment In Addiction : A Qualitative Study, Kate E. Baily

Theses : Honours

Orford's (2001) notion that a strong emotional attachment to an object (drug) or activity (gambling) is a central component of addiction has received little empirical attention. The published research on attachment to inanimate objects was reviewed and led to the following conclusions. First, attachment theory has been validly applied to people's relationships with inanimate objects. Second, researchers have developed technologies (e.g., psychological measures, operational definitions) to enable empirical research in this area. Third, this research is in its early phases, but has produced reliable standardised measures of people's emotional attachment to brands. Further research is needed to operationalise Orford's (2001) …


The Role Of Implicit Memory In Visual Word Recognition: Principles And Processes Of Long- And Short-Term Repetition Priming, Matthew Robert Merema Jan 2006

The Role Of Implicit Memory In Visual Word Recognition: Principles And Processes Of Long- And Short-Term Repetition Priming, Matthew Robert Merema

Theses : Honours

This review examines the role of long- and short-term repetition priming research in the theoretical debate between episodic and abstractionist accounts of implicit memory. The empirical research and theoretical accounts of priming reviewed indicate that neither episodic or abstractionist theories alone can successfully account for the processes of long- and short-term repetition priming. The major variations between studies in experimental methods used to measure repetition priming are also examined, providing a possible explanation for contrasting results obtained within repetition priming research and a reason for why the episodic versus abstractionist debate persists. Finally, research examining the underlying mechanisms responsible for …


Ethnic Identity, Perceived Discrimination And The Psychological Adjustment Of Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Children, Erin Louise Pratt Jan 2006

Ethnic Identity, Perceived Discrimination And The Psychological Adjustment Of Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Children, Erin Louise Pratt

Theses : Honours

Ethnic minorities can suffer detrimental health consequences as a result of their experiences with racial discrimination. A strong ethnic identity may buffer the impact of racial discrimination for the members of ethnic minority groups. The current paper reviews research on the negative health consequences associated with perceived racial discrimination. It presents research to support the notion of a strong ethnic identity providing a protective effect on the health status of ethnic minorities. Inconsistencies and limitations of the various studies are discussed. Abundant throughout the literature on this topic is correlational research design and experimental design is scarce; reasons behind this …


A Model For Successful Teamwork, Mohamed Bakir Jan 2006

A Model For Successful Teamwork, Mohamed Bakir

Theses : Honours

Increasingly, there have been greater expectations from industry and employers that universities in Australian focus on developing student generic skills, core competencies or graduate attributes. As a result, key skills included in the mission statements of most universities tend to include higher-level aims relating to critical thinking, lifelong learning and teamwork. These generic skills and others, are considered essential for successful work place practice and universities are constantly being called upon to produce graduates that can show these skills. This is not an easy task, and universities are trying different approaches to try and satisfy these needs, e.g. e-portfolios and …


Cyberactivism : Public Relations In A Wired World, Shane Newton Jan 2006

Cyberactivism : Public Relations In A Wired World, Shane Newton

Theses : Honours

Computer-mediated communication has revolutionised the way activist groups influence the opinion of corporations, governments and the community. It has never been so cheap or convenient to publish high-quality material to push a specific issue or cause. Activists are no longer restricted to satisfy the news values of media corporations to reach wide publics. Nor do these businesses (or governments) have any apparent advantage, despite their more economically sustainable and highly-resourced positions. Current literature is able to examine and explore how the Internet is used and the problems involved, yet much research fails to examine how these constraints and opportunities are …


Tacticians, Talent, Transmitters And Targets : The Power Of Pictures In The Howard Prime Ministership, Richard Goodwin Jan 2006

Tacticians, Talent, Transmitters And Targets : The Power Of Pictures In The Howard Prime Ministership, Richard Goodwin

Theses : Honours

After a decade as Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard has attained a substantial place in the nation's political history. His success can be measured in numerous ways: four successive victories for his Liberal National Party Coalition in general elections since 1996, five opponents in turn at the head of the rival Australian Labor Party and consistently high approval ratings in opinion polls for his performance as prime minister. He has also dominated the political discourse of Australia. His views and policy positions have become progressively entrenched. This is especially true in the areas of international affairs, military engagement and …


Papua New Guinea: Weak, Failing, Failed? : An Examination Of Failed State Theory And The Usefulness Of The Failed States Index, Maria Sussanna Tulkiewicz Jan 2006

Papua New Guinea: Weak, Failing, Failed? : An Examination Of Failed State Theory And The Usefulness Of The Failed States Index, Maria Sussanna Tulkiewicz

Theses : Honours

This thesis examines the problem of failed and failing states set against the 'theory' that has accompanied this discourse. It uses a case study of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to examine both the theory and its related application in the Failed States Index (FSI) developed by the Fund for Peace and the Foreign Policy magazine. Critically examining the methodology used in the FSI, the thesis analysis a wide range of information about the social, economic and political problems facing PNG to highlight shortcomings in the current construction of the Index. These shortcomings are then used to highlight conceptual problems in …


"Advertopia" : The Ethical Ramifications Of Advertising To Children, Matthew Jackson Jan 2006

"Advertopia" : The Ethical Ramifications Of Advertising To Children, Matthew Jackson

Theses : Honours

In this thesis I explore the ethical ramifications inherent in advertising to children. In particular the affect of commercial information on the psychological development of contemporary Western youth and I explore these issues in relation to my painting practice.