Digital Commons Network^™

Strategies For Tutoring Written Expression In Students With Adhd And Learning Difficulties, Josephine Bishop

Theses : Honours

ADHD and learning difficulties are associated with limitations in working memory capacity which may disrupt performance of writing skills. This thesis investigated teaching strategies to improve story-writing skills in five students with ADHD and learning difficulties in writing. The strategies were based on the view that these students would write more effectively if the task imposed fewer constraints on working memory capacity (the ability to store information while performing a task). Students were taught to write stories under time constraints using the PW2R approach of five minutes to plan, five to draft and five to review. Students planned orally during …

Managing Mountain Bike Impacts In The South West Of Western Australia : Combining Biophysical Impact Studies With Rider Preferences For Better Trail Design, Ute Goeft

Theses : Honours

This thesis examines the environmental impacts of mountain bikes on trails in the southwest of Western Australia and the preferences, perceptions, trail use and demographics of mountain bike riders in that region. This information is important for resource managers and trail developers to ensure that the trails that are provided and planned for mountain bike use in the region are environmentally appropriate and acceptable to users. The environmental impacts were examined through biophysical studies, which investigated soil loss, soil compaction and vegetation damage on and adjacent to mountain bike trails over a period of six months. A mountain bike racing …

Self Concept: Mothers And Their Children, Leanne D. Wood

Theses : Honours

Over the past 30 years divorce has been on the incline, resulting in more children living in one parent families, the majority headed by single mothers. The study of the impact of divorce and outcomes for children and their mothers has become increasingly important. According to many researchers, the study of self-concept is considered to be one of the best indicators of a person's psychological adjustment and wellbeing (Hattie, 1992; Ford, 1985). Studies have neglected to consider self-concept as a major focus and consider the relationship between the child's self-concept and their mother's self-concept. This study focuses on single mothers …

Culture As Commodity: The Home As Spectacle In Popular Culture, Jillian E. Benn

Theses : Honours

This study proposes to examine representations of the home in the media. The media play a significant role in the culture of Australians, who are obsessed with the suburban home and its cultural and social meanings. The place of the home within popular thought and culture and the subsequent ideologies and meanings associated with the home are questioned in this dissertation. The major theme to emerge is that the contemporary suburban home is a spectacle. This project interprets, evaluates and contributes to current theories and debates surrounding the concept of suburbia. It is an original contribution to the perception of …

Suck My Dick: G.I. Jane, Demi Moore And The Action Heroine, Matthew Mckeown

Theses : Honours

The content of my thesis sits at the tail end of about three decades of feminist criticism that has examined women's place in film texts. During which, theoretical work has been done studying the types of roles given to women, how they are constructed visually and narratively across different genres. This thesis then sets out to examine the action genre and the room it makes for the central female protagonist. How does this genre, largely ignored by critics and academics and inherently masculine and dominated by males, allow for a central female heroine? What room is there for any femininity, …

Nene Gare, A Biographical Study: Australian Novelist, 1919-1994, Rosina Squarcini

Theses : Honours

This thesis undertakes an introductory biographical study of Australian writer, Nene Gare, and a critical reading of her work with special reference to The Fringe Dwellers. The author of this study has sought to establish the basis for that novel's positive literary reception. The research has been directed at correcting, in part, the comparative neglect of this writer. Nene Gare's life and work has been surveyed in the belief that this study will contribute to the current knowledge of twentieth-century Australian fiction writers as well as showing the critical reception to Nene Gare's work as a part of Australian …

What Are The Important Elements Of The Pre-Primary Curriculum? : The Views Of Parents And Teachers, Ann Hyde

Theses : Honours

The delivery of pre-primary education in Western Australia has undergone dramatic and rapid change since its tentative beginnings in 1911. During the 1990's we have seen the most tumultuous period of change with the implementation of the government's Good Start Program. It is timely that we investigate what the primary stakeholders expect from pre-primary programs. Are parents and teachers expecting the same things? Is there harmony between the curriculum of the home and the school? This study addressed these questions. A survey was conducted, involving 150 parents and 60 teachers (30 pre-primary teachers and 30 year one teachers). Schools were …

Short-Term Memory For Nonsense Strings In Children With Reading Disabilities, Linda K. Lane

Theses : Honours

A large body of evidence exists that demonstrates strong correlations between reading ability, phonological awareness and memory. The current study was designed to compare the performance of 24 10-year-old students with reading disabilities and a group of 24 8-year-old average readers, who were matched according to reading age. These students were given a decoding task requiring the recall of nonsense strings. This task was designed to measure working memory for phonological elements. An ANOVA yielded a significant main effect for group in favour of the older students, and a main effect for total errors and vowel and space location. Participants …

Moral Dilemmas And Cases Of Conscience : Trollope's Morality In The Warden And The Last Chronicle Of Barset, Hannah Louise Rogers

Theses : Honours

This thesis offers an exploration of Trollope's morality in The Warden and The Last Chronicle of Barset. Existing critical work which explores Trollope's morality often argues either for or against Trollope's moral relativism. This thesis argues, instead, that Trollope's morality unifies aspects of both theoretical perspectives. It reconciles the polarisation of Trollope's moral absolutism and moral relativism, taking the middle-ground. In doing so, it makes evident the contradictions and extremes in existing Trollopian criticism.

The thesis places Trollopian morality within the historical and socio-cultural context of Victorianism. It focuses on the Victorian consciousness of change, securing a definition …

Children's Reactions To Aggressive And Submissive Peers, Natalie Honey

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this study was to investigate children's attitudes towards aggressive and submissive peers. A 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design was used to test the hypotheses. The three between-subjects variables were (a) the label given to the target child (aggressive/submissive) in a vignette, (b) the nature of the behaviour displayed in a critical incident (aggressive/nonaggressive response) as described in a vignette, and (c) the sex of the participants. A sample of 169 Year 6 and 7 students was divided into four groups containing at least 20 girls and 20 boys. A survey was administered to measure the …

K-1 Children's Understandings Of Selected Child Abuse Prevention Concepts, Samantha Wynne

Theses : Honours

Over the past decade, child sexual abuse has gained increasing recognition as a problem of social consequence and significant proportion in Australia. Children have the right to be safe at all times and adults have the responsibility to preserve this basic right for all children. The risk and the growing statistics on the prevalence of abuse has led Australia to follow the United States and develop child sexual abuse prevention programmes. The programme used in WA schools is the WA Health Syllabus, Prevention Education Supplement (1990). Prevention education relies on children recognising when they feel unsafe. The aim of this …

Effects Of Letterland On Phonemic Awareness And Retrieval Of Phonological Information From Long Term Memory, Dianne Hodgson

Theses : Honours

This study examined whether a pictorial mnemonic based program called Letterland, with and without fluency training, improved accuracy and fluency of decoding letter-sounds for children experiencing difficulties learning to read. A single subject experimental ABCDA research design was used with four Year 1 students experiencing difficulties with reading. After baseline (A), the first intervention (B) taught seven Letterland characters and letter-sounds without fluency training over 6 sessions, the second intervention (C) taught seven new letters using Letterland and including fluency training, and the third intervention (D) reviewed all 14 letters with fluency training. Testing involved CVC real words and …

The Effects Of Moulting On Muscle Fibre Characteristics Of The Yabby, Cherax Albidus, Tina Marie Lamey

Theses : Honours

In order to grow, crustaceans must shed their exoskeleton in a process known as "moulting'. Although this process is short and intermittent, it remains dominant over the life of a crustacean. Physiological changes in the period between moults (intermoult) are comparatively quiescent as opposed to the periods directly before and after the actual moult, known as premoult, and postmoult respectively (West, 1997). Moulting is associated with distinct physiological changes including the breakdown of muscle (Musgrove and Geddes, 1985). This muscle breakdown, known as atrophy is the diminution in size of the actual muscle mass and is very specific, occurring to …

To Immunize Or Not To Immunize, That Is The Question! An Investigation Into The Reasons Behind Parents' Decisions In Immunizing Their Children Against Whooping Cough In Western Australia, Eliena Kirov

Theses : Honours

Demographic data on the immunization status of Australia indicates that Western Australia has relatively low immunization coverage for whooping cough. Australian quantitative studies have been carried out on parental attitudes in Australia towards immunization, but there has been no analysis of parents' reasons for their decisions. This study identified the key issues that influenced the decisions made by the target group of parents and explored their decision-making in more depth. The data from this study could also be used to supplement the information currently available to health workers. Eight participants with children between the ages of 2 months and 6 …

Parliament Or Protest? : The Parliamentary Impact Of The Greens (Wa) In The Legislative Council : May 1993 To May 1999, Stewart Murdo Jackson

Theses : Honours

From their beginnings as a protest party in the early 1970s to their election to the federal parliaments of countries around the world, the Greens have largely been seen us the political wing of a direct action movement. As a political organisation, however, Greens are now making a transition away from an exclusive focus on direct action to mainstream parliamentary activity. The key benchmark in assessing the success or otherwise of the Greens remains the environment, and their capacity to effect changes to the benefit of the environment. This thesis, then, addresses the central question in the evolution of the …

General Practitioners And Depression In Older Adult Males : Ageism, Physical Problems And Treatment, Gary M. Duggan

Theses : Honours

Depression in older adults can have fatal consequences if undetected and not treated. Comparisons of studies are difficult because of the lack of methodical consistency. The literature is reviewed with regard to the definition, prevalence, consequences, recognition, treatment and prognosis of depression in relation to general practitioners (GPs) and with particularly regard to elderly males. The research indicates poor recognition and treatment of depression in older adults, despite the research indicating that older adults have a similar prognosis as younger adults, when the depression is treated. Factors influencing the detection of depression are included.

The Perception Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Values : Is Value Incongruence Related To Social Distance?, Lauren Jennifer Breen

Theses : Honours

This review examines prejudicial actions directed towards outgroups as a function of personal values and the perception of the values held by other groups. Prejudice is a result of social and cognitive categorisation. Although it is well learned, prejudice is not inevitable, if individuals attend to and control their prejudicial thoughts. Pleasurable interaction, cooperation, equal status, and making humanitarian values conspicuous serve to reduce intergroup conflict. It was proposed that values motivate approach and avoidance behaviours directed at outgroups, and both belief congruence theory and expectance-value theory arc relevant in explaining such behaviour.

The Sacrifice Of Les Murray, Jill Reading

Theses : Honours

Les Murray's vivid and evocative poetry has made him a major Australian literary figure. Critics routinely note the sophisticated, often highly wrought nature of Murray's poetic language and acclaim his technical virtuosity, including gifts for pun, paradox, aphorism, idiom and metaphor. The themes of both Murray's poetry and his non-fiction prose often revolve around the divisions he sees in Australia between cultures, between society and people, and within individuals themselves. Despite his efforts to bring healing to these schisms, however, the poet is criticised for his frequent dogmatism and didacticism, which mark his work as divisive. Although Murray professes to …

Loneliness Underneath Laughter : Aspects Of Alienation In The Early Plays Of Tom Stoppard, Steven Hounsome

Theses : Honours

This thesis investigates the various states of alienation that exist in the early plays of the British dramatist Tom Stoppard. By first defining alienation (and discussing the areas of contention which surround the concept), it proceeds to argue that whilst Stoppard has been greatly revered as a comic writer his works are equally consequential for their sensitivity and insight. They depict a prolificacy of characters who fail to assimilate with their society, can no longer relate to those around them and, as is often the case, reach for, but never manage to grasp a sense of their own identity. The …

Smoking : An Exploration Of Message Framing And Death Anxiety, Ian James Parker

Theses : Honours

The focus of this thesis is the replication and extension of research by Tversky and Kahneman (1981) who found that how a message is worded or framed can significantly affect decisional choice. Tversky and Kahneman (1981) demonstrated that a message framed in terms of "lives saved" was favoured over one which read "lives lost" notwithstanding that the net sum of survivors was equal in both instances. The authors referred to the effects of message framing on decision making as Prospect Theory. This thesis studied Tversky and Kahneman's (1981) research applied to the issue of smoking. The preference for a positive …

Head Motion In Overarm Throwing For Children With Varying Levels Of Motor Proficiency, Kevin J. Netto

Theses : Honours

The overarm throw has been classified as a fundamental motor skill that is the basis for a number of more complex sporting skills. There are a number of developmental stages over which a child progresses to the mature form of the skill. Control of the overarm throw, especially towards a target is very dependent on visual and vestibular information for successful execution. The quality of the information is, in tum, dependant on the head movement of the performer during the execution of the skill. It has been reported that head angular velocities above 350 degrees/second result in a degradation of …

Repetition Priming And Melody : Implicit Memory For Music, Jacqueline Landre

Theses : Honours

The present study investigated the existence of repetition priming for melody and the extent to which that priming would be affected by the manipulation of frequency. A group of 62 university students and 2 members of the public listened to 20 high frequency and 20 low frequency melodies in the first phase of a repetition priming experiment. Participants were required to name as many melodies as they could as quickly as possible. The same melodies were then re-presented immediately in the second phase of the experiment along with another group of 40 melodies matched in frequency to those in the …

The Effects Of Nationality And Educational Background On World Music Preference Of A Sample Of Expatriate Students In Singapore, Karen Ann Niedermeyer

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this study was to examine expatriate students' World music preferences and investigate the relationship between the number of years students have spent in international school education and their preferences for World music, and their ability to identify its origins. The researcher was of the view that two prime determinants probably influence World music preferences: a) the length of stay in an international school. b) positive cultural exposure in a harmonious, multi-cultural society. The research methodology used in examining the above determinants on World music preferences involved two separate tests, taken consecutively. Firstly, The World Music Preference Inventory …

Myofibrillar Protein Composition Of Regenerating And Pristine Claw Closer Muscles Of The Yabby, Cherax Albidis, Lanelle Cutler

Theses : Honours

Yabbies have the ability to regenerate lost limbs. Loss of a limb results in the growth of a limb bud. Development of this new limb involves many developing stages until the new limb becomes morphologically and physiologically virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor. In the yabby, the claw becomes functional after the first moult when the dactyl becomes moveable. However, the muscle fibres are able to develop force and appear to be functioning before the dactyl becomes moveable and the claw is operational (West et al., 1995). This study aimed to document morphological stages of claw regeneration and determine sequence and …

Head Stabilisation During Running In Place Of Children With Varying Motor Proficiency Levels, Craig Atkins

Theses : Honours

Understanding head motion in children may contribute to development of effective strategies to improve coordination of children. The purpose of this study was to investigate head motion in children during stationary running. Twelve healthy 8-year-old children participated in this study and underwent a running proficiency test based on the Test for Gross Motor Proficiency (TGMO). Subjects were then videotaped while running for one minute "on the spot". Reflective markers were digitised for analysis of head motion relative to the external environment, and relative to the trunk. Resultant and component head angular velocities were calculated for each subject over five consecutive …

Is There A Need For Speed? : Risky Driving Behaviour And Young Male Drivers : A Review Of The Literature, Catherine A. Ferguson

Theses : Honours

Young male drivers have been identified as a high risk for Motor Vehicle Accident. This paper reviews three components for accident risk: the driving environment, society and individual factors associated with accident histories. Possible predictors for identifying young men at risk for accident involvement are driving behaviour, driving attitude and sensation seeking. Protective factors to reduce the incidence of risky driving in youth might include legal restrictions, increased education and training. The paper recommends that future research tests the above predictors for a relationship with accident involvement in young men.

Internet Resource Management And Pricing, Christopher J. Clark

Theses : Honours

Originally conceived and funded as a research project, the Internet has grown into a commercial, global and integrated service network. This has changed the nature of traffic on the Internet with the increasing use of things like video conferencing and time critical transactions. These forms of Internet usage place high demands on bandwidth. Added to this is the fact that the number of users is increasing at a dramatic rate and shows no signs of slowing. This is leading to a 'tragedy of the commons' where endemic congestion will reduce the value of the Internet to everyone. It also implies …

Population Dynamics Of The Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon Obesulus) On Ellen Brook Reserve, Craig Pentland

Theses : Honours

The small, enclosed section of Ellen Brook Reserve provided the unique opportunity to observe a population of southern-brown bandicoots (lsoodon obesulus) in the absence of exotic predators. The reserves small-enclosed size enabled it possible to trap the whole area (excluding the ephemeral swamps) and so emigration and immigration could be excluded. This enabled good population size estimates, and inferences on the loss of individuals due to mortality could be more strongly argued for. An understanding of the population structure, dynamics, size and density, and body condition of I. obesulus in Ellen Brook Reserve, will provide important information, for …

Success Stories : A Means Of Enhancing The Personal-Professional Development Of Teachers, Elizabeth Kirstie Thorburn

Theses : Honours

This thesis details my experiences and findings as u teacher-researcher of narrative inquiry. To address the effectiveness of teacher story sharing as a means or enhancing teacher personal-professional development, I formed a 'story group' with four teacher participants, three of whom were at the pre-service level. The participants collaboratively engaged in the narrative processes of story sharing, story writing, reflection and story critiquing with myself shifting between the roles of researcher, facilitator and participant. Hence, the participants engaged in research about their peers, as well as about themselves, and their practice. In this way, knowledge was shared and jointly constructed, …

Implementing Flexible Software Techniques In A 4gl Environment, Stephen O'Connor

Theses : Honours

Today more IT professionals arc employed on the maintenance of existing software applications than are employed to develop new systems. Why is there such a need for this maintenance? Part of the problem is that developers have traditionally seen system requirements as fixed from the time they have been 'signed off. In reality requirements arc dynamic and subject to change as an organisation's environment changes. Flexible software techniques recognise that software requirements are subject to future changes. Flexibility is seen as an important design goal criterion with "true" or "strong" flexibility implying that an application's behaviour can be altered without …