Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Addressing Barriers To Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In Massachusetts Community Mediation, Madhawa Palihapitiya, Jarling Ho, Shino Yokotsuka, Karina Zeferino

Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration Publications

This report presents over three years of systematically engaging, documenting and analyzing the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) needs/gaps and assets of state funded community mediation centers in Massachusetts. The report was compiled by researchers and an in-house DEI expert at the statutory state office of dispute resolution, the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration (MOPC) at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The office has been serving as a neutral forum and state-level resource for over 30 years.

The report is based on qualitative research that falls into the category of community based participatory research conducted through a series of community …

Variación Lingüística De La Cortesía Verbal En El Discurso Académico Escrito: Atenuación E Intensificación De La Voz Del Autor En La Evaluación De Las Fuentes, David Sánchez-Jiménez

Publications and Research

Resumen

Como ocurre con la mayor parte de los elementos pragmáticos, la cortesía verbal cumple una función esencial en la elusión de los efectos no deseados de los actos amenazadores de la imagen, lo cual permite que se establezca una comunicación eficaz en la interpretación de los textos. Con el fin de facilitar esta labor, el escritor emplea una serie de recursos retóricos interpersonales −asociados con la expresión de la voz del autor− que se utilizan para proyectar una imagen social determinada del emisor del escrito y, al mismo tiempo, establecer un diálogo eficaz con su audiencia. En el análisis …

Users’ Perception Of Library Facilities: Evidence From The University Of Cape Coast, Seth K. Parbie, Rita Phuti Ms, Kwaku Anhwere Barfi Mr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of the users’ perception of library facilities on quality of service at Sam Jonah Library University of Cape Coast, Ghana using Library Quality (LibQUAL) model approach. The survey used the LibQUAL+ model to evaluate quality of service at Sam Jonah Library University of Cape Coast, Ghana. The data were collected from library users by administering the LibQUAL+ questionnaire in a printed format. Using the survey design, both open-ended and close-ended questions were used to obtain data from 400 respondents, comprising of 310 and 50 undergraduate and postgraduate students, respectively and …

Implementation And Evaluation Of A Pilot Training To Improve Transgender Competency Among Medical Staff In An Urban Clinic, Corina Lelutiu-Weinberger, Paula Pollard-Thomas, William Pagano, Nathan Levitt, Evelyn I. Lopez, Sarit A. Golub, Asa E. Radix

Publications and Research

Purpose: Transgender individuals (TGI), who identify their gender as different from their sex assigned at birth, continue facing widespread discrimination and mistreatment within the healthcare system. Providers often lack expertise in adequate transgender (TG) care due to limited specialized training. In response to these inadequacies, and to increase evidence-based interventions effecting TG-affirmative healthcare, we implemented and evaluated a structural-level intervention in the form of a comprehensive Provider Training Program (PTP) in TG health within a New York City-based outpatient clinic serving primarily individuals of color and of low socioeconomic status. This pilot intervention aimed to increase medical staff knowledge of …

Lassi: An Australian Evaluation Of An Enduring Study Skills Assessment Tool, James Gt Marland, Joanne Dearlove, Jennifer Carpenter

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

This study assesses the reliability and validity of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI), an American survey instrument, in an Australian context. The results of this study were compared with those generated by a comparison study held at a different Australian university and also against other internationally published research. There was a high degree of similarity between the LASSI scores from the students at the two Australian universities, however these scores were considerably different from norms published in the LASSI manual. The students' scores in this study were also compared with data on their gender and age and the …

Leadership Competencies: A Reference Point For Development And Evaluation, Margie Jantti, Nick Greenhalgh

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish a transparent, integrated approach to leadership competency development and succession management to respond to drivers associated with an ageing workforce, leadership drain and the enticement of people into leadership roles. Design/methodology/approach – A consultant was engaged to facilitate a review of the UOW Library’s leadership situation. Key to this process and subsequent activities was the use of the Lominger Leadership competencies; measurable characteristics related to success in the workplace to establish the desired leadership profile. Career interviews, professional coaching and targeted assignments were integral to the development of needed competencies. …

Lovebites: An Evaluation Of The Lovebites And Respectful Relationships Programs In A Sydney School, Michael Flood, Vicki Kendrick

Faculty of Arts - Papers (Archive)

This document reports on an evaluation of the impact
among students of two violence prevention programs
run by the National Association for the Prevention of
Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN). The evaluation
centres on the LOVEBiTES program run among
Year 10 students and a newly developed Respectful
Relationships program run among Year 7 students.
The evaluation was conducted among students who
participated in these programs in a Sydney school
in 2010. Students in Years 7 and 10 were surveyed
before and after their participation in a thirteenweek
program and a full-day workshop respectively,
using a quantitative survey. This evaluation report …

The Introduction And Evaluation Of A Warfarin Management Strategy Into Illawarra Residential Aged Care Facilities, Margaret Jordan, Judy Mullan, Victoria Traynor

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Process Evaluation Of An Innovative Sun Protection Intervention Targeting Adolescents, Sandra C. Jones, Keryn M. Johnson, Donald C. Iverson, Jeffrey Thom

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The purpose of the current intervention was to target a defined segment of the adolescent population with a sun protection ‘offering’ that positioned sun protection as beneficial and addressed identified barriers (particularly inconvenience and image). A community intervention was conducted in one defined geographic region over the 2009/2010 Summer school holidays. Key elements of the intervention included the distribution of augmented products, promotional materials with a pre-tested impactful message, and partnerships with community and commercial organisations. The intervention was successful in creating interest and attention among adolescents. This paper reports on the process evaluations, focusing on barriers, facilitators and lessons …

Australian Mental Health Consumers' Contributions To The Evaluation And Improvement Of Recoveryoriented Service Provision, Sarah L. Marshall, Lindsay G. Oades, Trevor P. Crowe

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Munch And Move: Evaluation Of A Preschool Healthy Eating And Movement Skill Program, Louise L. Hardy, Bridget P. Kelly, Lesley King, Louise Farrell, Sarah Howlett

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of The Thermal Protective Clothing Used By Six Australian Fire Brigades, Pete Kerry, Anne Van Den Heuvel, Martin Van Dijk, Gregory E. Peoples, Nigel A.S. Taylor

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Individuals working in hot environments experience an increase in body core temperature due to the combined influences of physical activity, which elevates metabolic heat production, and external heat sources, which impede heat loss. Since dry heat exchanges are dependent upon thermal gradients, then hotter environments restrict heat dissipation, particularly when the air temperature approaches and exceeds that of the skin. Heat loss will now become progressively more reliant upon the evaporation of sweat, which is also gradient dependent.

Click Or Clique? Using Educational Technology To Address Students' Anxieties About Peer Evaluation, Ruth Walker, Graham C. Barwell

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

Peer bias is recognised as a primary factor in negative student perceptions of peer assessment strategies. This study trialled the use of classroom response systems, widely known as clickers, in small seminar classes in order to actively engage students in their subject’s assessment process while providing the anonymity that would lessen the impact of peer pressure. Focus group reflection on the students’ impressions of the peer evaluation process, the use of clickers, and their anxieties about potential peer bias were analysed in the light of the results of teacher and class evaluations of each individual student presentation. The findings revealed …

An Evaluation Of P50 Suppression Methodologies, Anna Dalecki, Rodney J. Croft, Stuart J. Johnstone

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

'P50 suppression', an index of sensory gating, has demonstrated utility in schizophrenia research. It is widely reported that P50 suppression is deficient in schizophrenia patients and an endophenotypic marker for the disorder. However, unresolved methodological issues including the unestablished reliability of the measure, unknown effects of time-on-task and long protocol undermine its usefulness. In order to address these methodological issues, twenty healthy participants' P50 suppression was measured in a long P50 paradigm. This enabled the measurement of within-session reliability, temporal course of P50 suppression, and effects of the inter-pair interval parameter. Results indicated good within-session reliability for P50 suppression (ICC …

Industry Syndicates In Functional Foods: Evaluating Existing Models For The Development Of Future Projects, Yasmine Probst

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The syndicate model developed by the National Centre of Excellence in Functional Foods enables a number of companies to work together in a pre-competitive space, leveraging their investment. Companies have access to a wide range of research knowledge and skills for a portion of what it would cost to complete the entire project as a single entity. By 2007, the Centre had run three separate syndicate projects each with different models. Both food and pharmaceutical companies have participated in the projects. This paper reports on an evaluation of the Functional Foods for Healthy Ageing and Functional Foods for Appetite Control …

An Evaluation Of A Life-Coaching Group Program: Initial Findings From A Waitlist Control Study, Suzy Green, Lindsay G. Oades, Anthony M Grant

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Life coaching has grown substantially in the last few years and received considerable media coverage worldwide (Rock, 2001). However, there have been few empirical investigations into its efficacy (Grant, 2003). The study outlined in this chapter aims to add to this limited empirical base.

Collaborative Design Projects: Evaluating Students' Online Discussions, S. R. Lambert

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

This paper reports on the author’s work to evaluate student online discussion, a learning tool used in a face-to-face graphic design subject centred around a collaborative design project. A modified teaching and learning model with new online resources was trialled with approx 45 undergraduate design students in session 1 of 2003. The 4 students in each project team were allocated a specific role based on contemporary design studio practice. An online discussion space was set up for each project team. A number of evaluation techniques were used including a content analysis of online discussion postings on which this paper focuses. …

Minding Your Own Business: Can A Business Excellence Framework Translate To The Education Sector? , Margie H. Jantti

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

As the first education and training organisation to be recognised with an Australian Business Excellence Award in the Award’s 14 year history, the University of Wollongong Library has demonstrated how the principles of excellence can readily be translated to the education and service sector.

Many higher education institutions are planning or preparing for the audit process developed by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA). The audit process, particularly the internal self assessment will be firmly focussed on practices and processes aligned with the stated vision and mission of the institution; how plans and objectives are translated into operational activities; how …

Evaluation Of The Helping Hands Volunteer Program For People With Mental Illness, Judy A. Pickard, Frank P. Deane

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Volunteer programs have been used to alter attitudes, provide long-term knowledge towards mental illness and increase the quality of life of consumers receiving volunteer services. Sixteen volunteers completed an 18-hour training program and in pairs worked with 11 consumers over 4 months. Sixteen volunteers completed training measures of knowledge and attitudes scales. Pre and post program quality of life and behavioural functioning measures were taken on 5 consumers. Volunteers maintained their knowledge of mental illness over 6 months and had significant increases in their comfort in interactions with people who have mental illness. Case managers, consumers and volunteers all reported …