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Factors Influencing Academics' Usage Of Electronic Journals, Margaret Krikorian Jan 2004

Factors Influencing Academics' Usage Of Electronic Journals, Margaret Krikorian

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Through a survey of academics at Edith Cowan University, Australia, this study explored their usage of and attitudes towards academic electronic journals (EJs). The data provided insights into the way academics were using EJs at the time of the study and their thoughts on how they will use them in the future. The emergence of academics publishing their work in EJs is a fairly recent phenomenon compared to the established tradition of publishing in paper-based journals. Many publishers have also begun to replace paper journals with electronic ones and many librarians have begun incorporating EJs into their resource collections. Librarians …


Molecular Genetic Investigation Of Autosomal Dominant Hemifacial Microsomia, Rebecca Watt Jan 2004

Molecular Genetic Investigation Of Autosomal Dominant Hemifacial Microsomia, Rebecca Watt

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The overall purpose of this project was to explore the underlying pathogenesis of Hemifacial microsomia (HFM), investigate treatment and management options identify likely candidate genes and screen candidate genes for mutation(s) causing the form of HFM segregating on chromosome 11 in a West Australian family. Hemifacial microsomia is a congenital malformation arising from the derivatives of the first and second branchial arches. It is both clinically and genetically heterogeneous and can occur sporadically or segregate within families in an autosomal fashion. HFM is characterised by significant undergrowth to one side of the face and is a common birth defect with …


Renaissance And Baroque Stage Technology And Its Meaning For Today's Theatre, Stan Kubalcik Jan 2004

Renaissance And Baroque Stage Technology And Its Meaning For Today's Theatre, Stan Kubalcik

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis seeks to address the understanding of the concept of old stage machinery. In addition, the research will determine the practical applications and meaning of old stage machinery for today's theatre. The approach to this topic will be more historical and practical than theoretical. A thorough examination of the history of theatre and stage technology is initially discussed. This is followed by an in-depth discussion of the practical component of this research and finally, the implications of this for today's theatre. Knowledge of traditional stage technology is a prerequisite for understanding the mechanics of stage technology today. A key …


A Public Survey On Electroconvulsive Therapy, Serene P. Teh Jan 2004

A Public Survey On Electroconvulsive Therapy, Serene P. Teh

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Health care professionals have debated the use and effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for more than 65 years. Yet, the attitudes towards, and knowledge about, ECT have not been thoroughly researched within the Australian community. There is also little empirical research documenting ECT recipient characteristics, the number of ECT administrations and the number of patients treated. This study aimed to develop an Australian perspective on: (1) the level of Public knowledge about and attitudes towards ECT and (2) the practice of ECT. The objectives were achieved through the development of questionnaires, and the distribution of these questionnaires to the public …


The Construction Of Alienated Students And Students At Educational Risk : A Study Of The Justice And Education Discourses In Western Australia, Melanie Zan Jan 2004

The Construction Of Alienated Students And Students At Educational Risk : A Study Of The Justice And Education Discourses In Western Australia, Melanie Zan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis locates, examines and interprets the written sources of information guiding how delinquent school-aged young people are viewed in relation to their education in Western Australia. The study involved an examination of texts discussing post industrial socio-historical events and currently policy, practice and research in relation to students who are alienated from school, including those who have criminal histories. An exploration of the discourses assembled around the costruction of Western Australian school-aged offenders as alienated students revealed an ongoing assumption that children and youth from low socio-economic backgrounds are often governed as low school achievers who are less likely …


Contrast Enhancement Of Ultrasound Images Using Shunting Inhibitory Cellular Neural Networks, Murali M. Gogineni Jan 2004

Contrast Enhancement Of Ultrasound Images Using Shunting Inhibitory Cellular Neural Networks, Murali M. Gogineni

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Evolving from neuro-biological insights, neural network technology gives a computer system an amazing capacity to actually generate decisions dynamically. However, as the amount of data to be processed increases, there is a demand for developing new types of networks such as Cellular Neural Networks (CNN), to ease the computational burden without compromising the outcomes. The objective of this thesis is to research the capability of Shunting Inhibitory Cellular Neural Networks (SICNN) to solve the clarity problems in ultrasound imaging. In this thesis, we begin by reviewing a number of traditional enhancement techniques and measures. Since the entire work of this …


The Effects Of A Heavy Resistance Training Intervention Of The Plantar Flexors On The Recovery Of Strength, Power, Acceleration, And Agility In Recreational Athletes, Naomi A. Forrest Jan 2004

The Effects Of A Heavy Resistance Training Intervention Of The Plantar Flexors On The Recovery Of Strength, Power, Acceleration, And Agility In Recreational Athletes, Naomi A. Forrest

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Resistance training is a highly utilised form of exercise that is used to develop strength, power, speed and muscular endurance. Although it is associated with many positive benefits it also has some potentially unfavourable effects. These are manifested in the form of altered muscle function through the effects of muscle fatigue and exercise induced muscle damage. Various aspects muscle fatigue and damage have been well studied, however research into the effects of these on tests of strength, power, acceleration and agility is sparse. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a heavy resistance intervention on …


Players' And Coaches' Perceptions Of Soccer Coaches' Specific Leadership Behaviours, Fadi Y. Ma'ayah Jan 2004

Players' And Coaches' Perceptions Of Soccer Coaches' Specific Leadership Behaviours, Fadi Y. Ma'ayah

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research has examined players' and coaches' perceptions of the specific leadership behaviours of soccer coaches. The research was comprised two studies, the first a quantitative study and the second a qualitative study. Both studies focused on researching Yuki's (1989, 1994) 14 specific leadership behaviours. These are: (a) team building and conflict management, (b) developing, (c) supporting, (d) rewarding, (e) recognising, (I) motivating and inspiring, {g) delegating. (h) consulting, (i) problem solving, (j) planning, (k) monitoring, (1) clarifying, (m) informing, and (n) networking. Subjects for Study I were 400 randomly selected soccer players and 40 randomly selected soccer coaches. The …


The Construction Of A Business English Curriculum, Relevant To The Workplace, And Making Use Of Word Processing In Place Of Handwriting, Ladawan Wattanaboot Jan 2004

The Construction Of A Business English Curriculum, Relevant To The Workplace, And Making Use Of Word Processing In Place Of Handwriting, Ladawan Wattanaboot

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Since the Thailand economic crisis in 1997 there has been a sense of urgency expressed in many areas of the society that businesses must modernize their practices and focus more on international trade and communication. Two important components of the changes required are better use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and better use of the English language for business communication. In the education arena this has translated into the need to provide graduates with better skills in the use of English and computers. These two skill areas come together naturally in the study of Business English. In Thailand Rajabhat …


Male Sexuality And Masculinity: Implications For Stis/Hiv And Sexual Health Interventions In Bangladesh, Sharful I. Khan Jan 2004

Male Sexuality And Masculinity: Implications For Stis/Hiv And Sexual Health Interventions In Bangladesh, Sharful I. Khan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

My thesis concerns male sexuality as revealed by men living in contemporary urban and rural Bangladesh. I pursue what men think it means to be a man. dimensions of manliness and manhood, and male influences in the construction of male/female relationships. Significant meanings men attribute to sexual acts, pleasure, pain,. risk and safety in multiple social realities, particularly in the era of HIV/AIDS, were explored. A social constructionist perspective guided my research. Using qualitative research methods, I conducted 50 in-depth interviews with men aged between 18 and 58 years from diverse socio-occupational backgrounds. Twenty key informants included religious leaders. traditional …


History Of Costume : The Consumption, Governance, Potency And Patronage Of Attire In Colonial Western Australia, Damayanthie Eluwawalage Jan 2004

History Of Costume : The Consumption, Governance, Potency And Patronage Of Attire In Colonial Western Australia, Damayanthie Eluwawalage

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This dissertation represents a new' departure in the study of dress in colonial Western Australia, focusing on the rationale behind individual and collective clothing practices in the new society. As a study of significant social and cultural practices, rather than an account of fashion, this research contributes to the understanding of previously disregarded elements in colonial Western Australian ethno-economic and social histories. The study investigates the internal and external influences which impacted upon colonial inhabitants' ways of dressing, their societal attitudes and social demeanour. The research compares the influences on attire and finery in colonial Western Australian society with the …


The Effect Of Strength Training On 3km Performance In Recreational Female Endurance Runners, Cherina M. Rice Jan 2004

The Effect Of Strength Training On 3km Performance In Recreational Female Endurance Runners, Cherina M. Rice

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a strength training program, as an additive to endurance training, would cause significant improvements in 3km run time in a group of recreational female endurance runners when compared to endurance training only. Subjects were 16 active women, randomly assigned to either a running only group (control group, n=9) or a combined strength and endurance training group (experimental group, n=7). The ten-week training program for both groups consisted of an endurance running program three times per week, which included steady-state endurance running, tempo runs and interval training. The experimental group however, participated …


Meeting The Challenge : The Female Carers' Perspective Of Managing Dyspnoea, Kim A. Skett Jan 2004

Meeting The Challenge : The Female Carers' Perspective Of Managing Dyspnoea, Kim A. Skett

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The aim of this descriptive, explorative study was to describe the lived experience of informal carers providing care within the home, to a family member who has lung cancer and the symptom of dyspnoea. Many studies have highlighted the stressors associated with care provision, but no studies have focused on the experience associated with caring for a family member who is dyspnoeic. Ten carers were interviewed regarding their experiences of providing care to the family member during the palliative phase of the illness and while the family member was experiencing the symptom of dyspnoea. Analysis of the initial data highlighted …


Facilitating Teacher Professional Learning : Analysing The Impact Of An Australian Professional Learning Model In Secondary Science, Rachel Sheffield Jan 2004

Facilitating Teacher Professional Learning : Analysing The Impact Of An Australian Professional Learning Model In Secondary Science, Rachel Sheffield

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In education, innovations are frequently introduced to promote changes to the curriculum, teachers' practice, and the classroom environment, however, these initiatives are often implemented without sufficient evaluation to monitor their impact and effectiveness in bringing about the desired changes. This thesis analyses the impact of a teacher professional learning program on lower secondary science teachers' practice. It examines the relationship between teachers' concerns about the strategies incorporated in the Collaborative Australian Secondary Science Program (CASSP) and teachers' ability to understand the strategies, on their ability to utilise those strategies in the classroom. It also seeks to determine teachers' beliefs about …


An Action Research Investigation Into New Ways Rural Women In Western Australia Can Increase Their Involvement In Government Decision-Making, Teresa Maiolo Jan 2004

An Action Research Investigation Into New Ways Rural Women In Western Australia Can Increase Their Involvement In Government Decision-Making, Teresa Maiolo

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research investigates the role of information communication technologies (ICTs) in the promotion of rural women's participation in governmental decision-making. The origins of the research lie in apparent discrepancies between the Australian government’s high-level, policy commitment to increase rural women's involvement in government decision-making and the continuing barriers to their participation as demonstrated by researchers such as Elix and Lambert, (1998); and Wilkinson and Alston, (1999). This research deploys a feminist action research methodology to explore new ways to increase rural women's involvement in government decision-making in Western Australian. The first phase of the research, a phenomenological field study, investigated …


The Shifting Frontiers Of Belonging In The Fiction Of J. M. Coetzee, Dawn Grieve Jan 2004

The Shifting Frontiers Of Belonging In The Fiction Of J. M. Coetzee, Dawn Grieve

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis is an examination of the fictional works of J.M. Coetzee to date. There are two aspects to my argument. First I posit that Coetzee adumbrates the prevailing crisis of belonging in the world and the universal yearning for a sense of connectedness. Secondly, I maintain that Coetzee prompts a review of the demarcation lines that divide and alienate in two ways. He installs boundaries that are shifting and. unstable. He also represents numerous frontier transgressions that expose the permeability of these finite conceptual constructions and reveals their potential for revision. It is my contention that Coetzee exploits the …


Mental Disorder Labelling As An Extralegal Variable In Mock Jury Deliberations, Kristin B. Wallengren Jan 2004

Mental Disorder Labelling As An Extralegal Variable In Mock Jury Deliberations, Kristin B. Wallengren

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Previous research has shown that a number of characteristics of trial participants (extralegal variables) can and do influence juror’s judgements. This is of importance as only the legally relevant facts of the case should be considered during a trial. The present study investigates the influence of victim characteristics on the juror decision making process during deliberation and the judgements made about the victim, crime and defendant in a mock jury setting, as well as investigating mock juror gender differences. A representative sample of people eligible for jury duty in Western Australia viewed a video vignette depicting a trial, in which …


The Role Of Farm Dams As Refugia For Aquatic Invertebrates In A Salinised Landscape, South Western Australia, Jean-Michel Benier Jan 2004

The Role Of Farm Dams As Refugia For Aquatic Invertebrates In A Salinised Landscape, South Western Australia, Jean-Michel Benier

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In a salinised landscape farm dams may represent the last truly freshwater surface resource, and therefore provide refuge habitats for the biota of wetlands affected by increasing salinity. One wetland threatened by increased salinity in south-west Western Australia is Lake Toolibin. It is listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in recognition of its high conservation value, and remediation actions to halt (and possibly reverse) further increases in salinity are being undertaken at this wetland. Farm dams act as aquatic refugia if they convey resistance and/or resilience to the biotic communities of a disturbed habitat. This …


The Effect Of Technology-Based Lessons On Primary School Students Working In Mixed And Single-Gender Groupings, Brian Clarence Jan 2004

The Effect Of Technology-Based Lessons On Primary School Students Working In Mixed And Single-Gender Groupings, Brian Clarence

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study investigated primary school students working in mixed and single- gender groupings around a computer during technology-based lessons. In particular it observed the patterns of peer interaction that took place when students worked co-operatively in groups in lessons. In so doing, this study attempted to explain the effects of gender of the student and gender composition of the group, on peer interaction in such a situation. The study also focussed on the effect of gender groupings on the motivation of students and children's collaborative behaviours. The subjects for the study were twenty-nine students (sixteen boys and thirteen girls) in …


Cognitive Processes Involved In The Onset And Course Of Postnatal Distress From The Antenatal Period To Six Months Postpartum: New Findings, And Implications For Future Research, Anne Pratt Jan 2004

Cognitive Processes Involved In The Onset And Course Of Postnatal Distress From The Antenatal Period To Six Months Postpartum: New Findings, And Implications For Future Research, Anne Pratt

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Although studies have explored the epidemiology of Postnatal Depression (PND) and other mood disorders occurring in the postnatal period, there is some evidence to support the argument that there may be different subsets of women suffering from low mood, around the time of childbirth (Warner, Appleby, Whitton, & Faragher, 1997). Some new mothers may be responding to the inherent, but often understated, stressors of the childbirth experience itself and the period that follows it, linked to dysfunctional maternal attitudes. Others may have pre-existing dysfunctional cognitions before the birth arising from other factors, and therefore already be vulnerable to a mood …


Year 7 Students' English Reading Comprehension And Attitudes And Behaviours: Collaborative Genre-Based Versus Traditional Teaching Methods In Thailand, Sanguansri Torok Jan 2004

Year 7 Students' English Reading Comprehension And Attitudes And Behaviours: Collaborative Genre-Based Versus Traditional Teaching Methods In Thailand, Sanguansri Torok

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A new system-wide educational change has been introduced in Thailand that requires English as a foreign language (EFL) to be taught from primary to university level. This study investigates a genre-based method of teaching English to grade 7 secondary students in Thailand. The study was conducted in three phases. In phase 1, Rasch measures of reading comprehension (based on three kinds of genre texts) and of attitudes and behaviour towards genre-based learning of English were created for use in phase 2. An interval scale of 36 items (18 real and 18 ideal perspectives) was created from an original attitude and …


Indicators Of Community Resilience : A Study Of Communities Facing Impending Natural Disasters, Julie A. Pooley Jan 2004

Indicators Of Community Resilience : A Study Of Communities Facing Impending Natural Disasters, Julie A. Pooley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Disasters are defined as a 'crisis event in which the demands being placed on a human system, by the event, exceed the systems capacity to respond' (Bolin, 1989, p. 62). In the literature the negative consequences of disasters are focused at the individual level and fail to take into account the context In which Individuals live and where the disaster occurred. Few studies utilize residents within a disaster community to define the factors that are relevant to their disaster experience especially in Australian settings. This present studies view of disasters places the individual within an ecological system to understand their …


Can B2g Portals Be Used Effectively To Stimulate Business In Smes?: A Case Analysis Of The 2cities Business To Government Portal, Ian Martinus Jan 2004

Can B2g Portals Be Used Effectively To Stimulate Business In Smes?: A Case Analysis Of The 2cities Business To Government Portal, Ian Martinus

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have many options when purchasing goods or services. These include personal contacts and networks, familiar centralised supply sources and other ad hoc means. One purchasing possibility is to buy from and sell to other businesses within a similar geographic area. The benefits of buying and selling locally may not occur to SMEs. They seek, like other consumers, to get value for money, fast and efficient service, and a reasonable level of quality. Many factors can impinge upon an SME's decision to purchase locally. It can be assumed that, given a reasonable local option, SMEs wish …


Kodak's Worst Nightmare Super 8 In The Digital Age: A Cultural History Of Super 8 Filmmaking In Australia 1965-2003, Keith Smith Jan 2004

Kodak's Worst Nightmare Super 8 In The Digital Age: A Cultural History Of Super 8 Filmmaking In Australia 1965-2003, Keith Smith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This project charts the extraordinary history of the Super 8 film medium, a popular amateur home movie format first introduced in 1965 and largely assumed to have disappeared with the advent of home video technologies in the early 1980's. Kodak's Worst Nightmare investigates the cultural history of the Super 8 medium with an emphasis on its (secret) life since 1986. lt asks how (and why) an apparently obsolete consumer technology has survived some 35 years into a digital future despite the emergence of technologically-advanced domestic video formats and Eastman Kodak's sustained attempts since the mid-80s to suppress, what is for …


Teaching Twice Exceptional Children: Gifted With Learning Difficulties: Professional Development And Provision In A Montessori School, Elaine Lewis Jan 2004

Teaching Twice Exceptional Children: Gifted With Learning Difficulties: Professional Development And Provision In A Montessori School, Elaine Lewis

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study seeks to investigate the teaching of gifted children in a Montessori school, with particular reference to gifted students with learning difficulties in writing. A review of the literature on the Montessori method of education and on provision for gifted children, shows considerable philosophical and practical overlap in these two fields. However, it appears that this theoretical overlap is not necessarily realised in practice. Furthermore, although considerable research has been conducted on the characteristics, identification and classroom provision for the gifted, very little has been undertaken on the actual provision for gifted children in Montessori schools or gifted children …


Opto-Vlsi Based Wdm Multifunction Device, Selam T. Ahderom Jan 2004

Opto-Vlsi Based Wdm Multifunction Device, Selam T. Ahderom

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The tremendous expansion of telecommunication services in the past decade, in part due to the growth of the Internet, has made the development of high-bandwidth optical net-works a focus of research interest. The implementation of Dense-Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) optical fiber transmission systems has the potential to meet this demand. However, crucial components of DWDM networks – add/drop multiplexers, filters, gain equalizers as well as interconnects between optical channels – are currently not implemented as dynamically reconfigurable devices. Electronic cross-connects, the traditional solution to the reconfigurable optical networks, are increasingly not feasible due to the rapidly increasing bandwidth of the …


Openness In The Face Of Systemic Constraints On Science, Public Participation, And The Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement, Martin Brueckner Jan 2004

Openness In The Face Of Systemic Constraints On Science, Public Participation, And The Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement, Martin Brueckner

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The aim of this thesis is to explore the role of science and public participation in environmental policy-making processes in Australia. To this end, I analyse the Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) process, a recent Australian Federal Government initiative designed to resolve a longstanding dispute over native forest use and management. Theoretically underpinned by an open systems approach, the thesis employs a case study method for the analysis of the RFA process, using data from three distinct sources; interviews, RFA-related literature, and media content. The analysis of the RFA occurs against the historical background to this policy process and …


Exploring Community Development In Online Settings, Christopher Brook Jan 2004

Exploring Community Development In Online Settings, Christopher Brook

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

As educators and training providers embrace online technologies, some researchers posit that the development of a learning community is perhaps the most fundamental goal of online instructors (Hiltz, 1997). The process for developing and maintaining learning communities, however, remains unclear (Bonk & Wisher, 2000; PaJloff & Pratt, 1999). This study sought to provide insight into factors that influence community development through an exploration of the community experience in online settings. To do this, it was necessary to establish an understanding of the community construct through an extensive review of contemporary literature. A review of the online learning community literature was …


When The Carnival Is Over : Peter Barnes' Red Noses And The Theories Of Mikhail Bakhtin, Duncan A. Sharp Jan 2004

When The Carnival Is Over : Peter Barnes' Red Noses And The Theories Of Mikhail Bakhtin, Duncan A. Sharp

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Peter Barnes, acknowledged as one of Britain's most important contemporary playwrights, writes plays that are of an enormous scale, both physically and intellectually. Red Noses is one such play. Like Barnes' other works, Red Noses makes great technical demands on directors, designers, actors and audiences. As with all of Barnes' plays, Red Noses is, moreover, informed by a wide variety of theatrical styles. As Bernard Dukore (1990, p. 65) states, actors may be required to quickly "switch from intellectual discourse, to period argot, to poetry, to modern slang, to rhetoric, to musical comedy, to ritual, to dance, to opera, to …


Occupational Awareness Of Singapore Primary School Children, Joy S. Ang Jan 2004

Occupational Awareness Of Singapore Primary School Children, Joy S. Ang

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The introduction of career guidance programmes in Singapore schools had tended to predominantly focus on secondary pupils. The lack of proactive career guidance programmes for the primary school had been due to the misguided belief that children in the primary school still have an extremely long way to go before they enter the workforce, and that their career development had not yet begun. Studies have shown that children have a natural tendency to form firm impressions of occupations early in life. This has resulted in their adopting certain occupations and discarding others before they have fully explored and understood the …