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Edith Cowan University

2004

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Articles 1 - 30 of 60

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Lego Mindstorms As A Training Tool For Software Development Methodology In Multimedia Education., Elias Wyber Jan 2004

Lego Mindstorms As A Training Tool For Software Development Methodology In Multimedia Education., Elias Wyber

Creative Connections Symposium @ BEAP2004 September 4, 2004

This paper outlines an approach to educating multimedia practitioners utilizing Lego MindStorms® which evolved out of a desire to bridge the technical and aesthetic worldviews. The approach focuses on three aspects of the development process. First, it examines the linguistic model of code production. In order to convey the act of writing code as a linguistic task, the students are introduced to several aspects of linguistic theory, with examples illustrating their application in spoken, programmed and Lego MindStorms® based languages. The second area of focus is object theory. Adopting a similar approach to the previous section, but giving only Lego …

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Will A Rise In Consumption Tax Share Increase The Effectiveness Of Government Spending?, Y H. Cheung Jan 2004

Will A Rise In Consumption Tax Share Increase The Effectiveness Of Government Spending?, Y H. Cheung

Research outputs pre 2011

The Australian tax reform in July 2000 gave heavier weights to consumption tax in the tax mix at the expense of the income tax. This paper shows that the trade off among the tax-mix policy parameters depends on the structure of the economy. Given that the reform is tax-revenue neutral and no change in monetary stance, a rise in the share of consumption tax in the tax mix may increase the effectiveness of government spending in stabilising the economy if certain contain is fulfilled. A numerical example is included for illustration purpose.

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Promoting Metacognition Through Negotiated Assessment, Joseph Luca, Mark Mcmahon Jan 2004

Promoting Metacognition Through Negotiated Assessment, Joseph Luca, Mark Mcmahon

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

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Ausfta And Its Implications For The Australian Stock Market, David E. Allen, Lee Kian Lim, Trent Winduss Jan 2004

Ausfta And Its Implications For The Australian Stock Market, David E. Allen, Lee Kian Lim, Trent Winduss

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper investigates whether current and future domestic and United States macroeconomic variables can explain long and short run stock returns in Australia. This is undertaken with a view to examining the potential implications of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA). America is included in the analysis as a “foreign influence”. In the recent past it has been Australia’s second largest trading partner after Japan. The long run relationship tested in this study is based on the present value model of stock prices, which is tested using a range of cointegration and causality tests. These include the Johansen ML …

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Pressure Groups And The State Homelessness Taskforce: An Investigation Of The Insider/Outsider Model Of Pressure Group Theory, Bianca Blake Jan 2004

Pressure Groups And The State Homelessness Taskforce: An Investigation Of The Insider/Outsider Model Of Pressure Group Theory, Bianca Blake

Theses : Honours

This research investigates the activities and experiences of two pressure groups involved in the State Homelessness Taskforce. The aim of the research is to critique the predominant understanding of insider and outsider pressure groups within the Australian literature, which is based primarily upon the sectional/promotional typology. The applicability of the Aberdeen insider/outsider model of pressure group theory within the Australian context is also determined. Due to methodological difficulties inherent in attempting to quantify the success or effectiveness of pressure groups, this research focuses specifically upon the strategies employed by each group in their attempt to influence the findings and recommendations …

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Exploring Women's Experiences Of A Medically Necessary Caesarean, Michelle Cotterell Jan 2004

Exploring Women's Experiences Of A Medically Necessary Caesarean, Michelle Cotterell

Theses : Honours

Caesarean delivery accounts for approximately one in four births both in Australia and on a global level. Examination of the experience of caesarean delivery is limited, although as caesarean delivery rates are increasing, a practical understanding of the constructs surrounding surgical birth needs to be gained. This review aims to present an overview of the current literature exploring the mother's experience of caesarean delivery. The different modes of medically necessary caesarean delivery, both unplanned and planned are defined. Societal views of caesarean birth as an easier and convenient mode of delivery in comparison to vaginal birth are described and it …

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Under The Thumb : The Role Of Sms In The Forming And Maintenance Of Adolescent Dating Relationships, Jason Noble Jan 2004

Under The Thumb : The Role Of Sms In The Forming And Maintenance Of Adolescent Dating Relationships, Jason Noble

Theses : Honours

The use of the mobile phone is a ubiquitous feature of many an individual's social life within contemporary society. Given this, it is somewhat surprising that little academic research has been undertaken into its effects on the social and cultural lives of key user populations. In particular, the Short Message Service- SMS texting- is a mobile phone application that has transformed the lives of large numbers of adolescent city dwellers. Moreover, teenagers and young adults, who represent the adolescent population, have adopted this mobile phone application and subsequently applied it to their social lives in ways that never would have …

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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 …

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Preventing Depressive Symptomatology In Children Aged Eight To Eleven Years : Application Of The Positive Thinking Program, Parma Barbaro Jan 2004

Preventing Depressive Symptomatology In Children Aged Eight To Eleven Years : Application Of The Positive Thinking Program, Parma Barbaro

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Recent research has demonstrated that exposure to prevention programs can decrease the incidence of depressive symptomatology in children. Universal prevention programs for children younger than 10 years of age are scarce. The current study examined the effectiveness of an eight week cognitive-behavioural prevention program in decreasing depressive symptoms and anxiety and, promoting a more optimistic explanatory style in children aged 8 to 11 years. Effectiveness of the program for children with initially low or high scores based on the pre-intervention median score of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI; Kovacs, 1992) scores was also examined. Children were matched on grade and …

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Electroconvulsive Therapy : An Assessment Of Experience, Knowledge, And Attitudes Of Clinical Psychologists In Western Australia, Dawn A. Barrett Jan 2004

Electroconvulsive Therapy : An Assessment Of Experience, Knowledge, And Attitudes Of Clinical Psychologists In Western Australia, Dawn A. Barrett

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Introduced to modern psychiatry in 1938, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the application of an electrical current to the brain, administered under a general anaesthetic and with the use of muscle relaxants. The procedure is primarily used for psychiatric disorders and remains a controversial intervention. Issues of contention centre on claims of efficacy, safety and the validity of “informed” consent. Prominent side effects include memory loss with psychological sequelae reported to include fear, grief and loss. Previous studies of mental health professionals report experience of working in a ECT environment increases knowledge and promotes a positive attitude. Very few studies have …

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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 …

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Compatibility Of A Western Systemic Approach For Handling Complex, Pluralist And Coercive Problems In Developing Countries: A Case Study Of Micro Satellite Development In Indonesia, Alexander Sudibyo Jan 2004

Compatibility Of A Western Systemic Approach For Handling Complex, Pluralist And Coercive Problems In Developing Countries: A Case Study Of Micro Satellite Development In Indonesia, Alexander Sudibyo

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In this era of globalization, there has been much western investment in the eastern world, increasing the number of large projects financed by internal and foreign investments. It was thought a challenging proposition to investigate whether systemic approaches could be used in eastern developing countries that are in transition between Toffler’s first (agricultural focused) and second (industrial centered) waves of economic development.

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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 …

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Cast(E) In Between: A Mixed-Descent Family's Coexistence In The West Kimberley 1944-1969, Jacinta Solonec Jan 2004

Cast(E) In Between: A Mixed-Descent Family's Coexistence In The West Kimberley 1944-1969, Jacinta Solonec

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates the social and racial dynamics of life in the West Kimberley between 1944 and 1969. It identifies three groups defined by their racial characteristics which co-existed on the land: full-descent, mixed-descent and Gudia. It argues that despite many people in these different groups being related to each other, their lives followed different trajectories as a result of government policies and laws which defined people by their degree of Aboriginality. These racial categories were reflected in the social and economic relations of full-descent, mixed descent and Gudia people. Coexistence of these groups is analysed by focusing on one …

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An Exploratory Examination Of The Relationship Between Substance Use And Suicidal Ideation, David Felton Jan 2004

An Exploratory Examination Of The Relationship Between Substance Use And Suicidal Ideation, David Felton

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Drug use has long been considered a risk factor when assessing the likelihood of an individual committing suicide (Weiss & Hufford, 1999). The research to date is primarily correlative and provides little guidance to the clinician when assessing the role that drug use plays in influencing the risk of suicide for a given individual. Clinical observations within the literature (Downey, 1991; Motto, 1999) report that alcohol or other drug (AOD) use may provide the means to regulate emotional distress. No published studies were found that examined the proposition that AOD use may have a range of positive as well as …

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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 …

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Experiences Of Anglo-Burmese Migrants In Perth, Western Australia : A Substantive Theory Of Marginalisation, Adaptation And Community, Simon D. Colquhoun Jan 2004

Experiences Of Anglo-Burmese Migrants In Perth, Western Australia : A Substantive Theory Of Marginalisation, Adaptation And Community, Simon D. Colquhoun

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The experience of migration and adaptation of ethnically mixed migrants; like the Anglo-Burmese migrants, has received little attention. This group began migrating to Australia, in particular Western Australia, in the 1960s due to changing socio-political circumstances in Burma. The examination of cultural issues in psychological research has operated in a number of different perspectives including cross-cultural psychology, cultural psychology and more recently, community psychology in Australia. The development of community psychology in Australia has led to the development of a community research approach by Bishop, Sonn, Drew and Contos (2002). This approach requires the exploration of the substantive domain using …

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Is A Knowledge Based Value Network An Effective Model For Implementing E-Government?, Greg Robins Jan 2004

Is A Knowledge Based Value Network An Effective Model For Implementing E-Government?, Greg Robins

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Is a knowledge based value network an effective model for implementing e-government? E-Government is a vision of how public sector organisations will govern, serve citizens, and interact with business partners, their employees, and other Government organisations. The “e” in e-Government represents a move to fully integrated, secure, on-demand accessible electronic Government that will: • improve integrated service delivery • provide universal citizen access • begin to enhance traditional Government structures and processes • support new Government products and services by relying on the emergence and convergence of new technologies • improve effectiveness Electronic commerce (e-commerce) has fundamentally changed the way …

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Mock Jurors' Judgements Of The Victim, Crime And Defendant As A Function Of Victim Race And Deliberation, Lynley V. Poli Jan 2004

Mock Jurors' Judgements Of The Victim, Crime And Defendant As A Function Of Victim Race And Deliberation, Lynley V. Poli

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Extra-legal variables are factors within a trial that are logically irrelevant to the determination of a verdict. They are deemed extra-legal they are extra to the law and are not prescribed in the relevant statutes upon which the relevant issue must be decided. Research investigating judicial decision-making, however, demonstrates that extra-legal variables often affect jurors' judgements and improperly influence their decision-making. Examples of extra-legal variables include the personal attributes of trial participants, e.g., the victim's physical attractiveness, socio-economic status, and age. Studies conducted in North America indicate that the race of the victim and defendant inappropriately influences jurors' decision-making. However, …

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An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Organizational Culture And Occupational Stress: Perceptions Of Employees Following A Merger, Brent J. Pasula Jan 2004

An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Organizational Culture And Occupational Stress: Perceptions Of Employees Following A Merger, Brent J. Pasula

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

There is a growing body of literature regarding the physiological and psychological effects of stress resulting from the increasing concern about occupational stress. This study attempts to fill an identified gap within epidemiologic literature by examining whether organizational culture has an influence on the level of occupational stress, perceived by employees, following the merger of their company with another. To explore this relationship, five research questions were examined using a data gathering process that consisted of a self-administered survey to measure psychosomatic strain, stress-inducing work demands, and organizational culture.

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Using Information And Communication Technology For Human Development: Comparing Strategies, Jenny Engelbrektsson Jan 2004

Using Information And Communication Technology For Human Development: Comparing Strategies, Jenny Engelbrektsson

Theses : Honours

In the last 20 years, applications of lnformation and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have impacted on the economics of the industrialised world. In today's "information society", information and knowledge are essential to social and economic development. However, not everyone has access to ICI sand the information they may provide. There is concern that existing inequities of income, knowledge, skills and measures of social development may increase as a result of a growing "digital divide" both between and within countries. There is an ongoing discussion within the international community about whether ICTs may play a significant role in human development. This study …

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School Leaver Celebrations In Western Australia: A Three-Year Intervention Study, Richard Midford, Nicole Young, Fiona Farrington, Troy Bogaards Jan 2004

School Leaver Celebrations In Western Australia: A Three-Year Intervention Study, Richard Midford, Nicole Young, Fiona Farrington, Troy Bogaards

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

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An Academic Library Partnership In The Indian Ocean Region, Julia Gross, Aminath Riyaz Jan 2004

An Academic Library Partnership In The Indian Ocean Region, Julia Gross, Aminath Riyaz

Research outputs pre 2011

The emergence of a global marketplace in education offers valuable partnership opportunities. Libraries in small developing countries often do not have a critical mass of library professionals to share knowledge and to provide advice and collegial support. This case study describes a World Bank funded “Link Institution Arrangement”, which established a library partnership between an academic library in Western Australia and one in the Republic of Maldives. The authors describe the state of libraries and the emerging library profession in the Maldives. They also reveal ways in which the partners explored development issues facing an isolated academic library, shared knowledge …

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How Bank Risk Profiles Affect Their Strength : An Assessment Of Banks In The Asia-Pacific Region, David E. Allen, Mahendra Chandra, Jaime Li Ping Yong Jan 2004

How Bank Risk Profiles Affect Their Strength : An Assessment Of Banks In The Asia-Pacific Region, David E. Allen, Mahendra Chandra, Jaime Li Ping Yong

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper analyses bank relative riskiness by testing the sensitivity of Asia-Pacific banks to overall market risk, global credit risk shocks, interest rate risk shocks and maturity risk shocks. The banks’ risk profiles are categorised according to their capitalisation levels and functional degree of diversification. Our results indicate that highly capitalised banks yield higher average stock returns whilst functionally diversified banks have less volatile returns. Generally, banks that adopt capital adequacy guidelines and hold higher capital levels have greater protection from these risks. Functionally diversified banks are also more strongly positioned against system-wide shocks to the banking sector.

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The Columbus Project In The Family Court Of Western Australia: A Model Of Reflective Practice, Lisbeth Pike, Paul Murphy Jan 2004

The Columbus Project In The Family Court Of Western Australia: A Model Of Reflective Practice, Lisbeth Pike, Paul Murphy

Research outputs pre 2011

The Columbus Pilot project conducted in the Family Court of Western Australia during 2001-2003, was established to deal with cases that are characterised by violence. Paul Murphy and Lis Pike of the School of Psychology, Edith Cowan University, discuss how the Columbus process of jointly chaired interdisciplinary conferences in the court has influenced the evolution of a model of reflective practice.

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Construction Of Male Identity : The Relationship Between Cancer Support Groups And Identity For Men Who Are Living With Cancer, Kathryn M. Chegwidden Jan 2004

Construction Of Male Identity : The Relationship Between Cancer Support Groups And Identity For Men Who Are Living With Cancer, Kathryn M. Chegwidden

Theses : Honours

A diagnosis of cancer may have many meanings for a man in terms of the impact that cancer has on various aspects of his life, including his identity as a man. Subsequent membership of a cancer support group may support men negotiating their changing identity. A review of the relevant literature examines the impact of cancer and its treatments for men, and the various changes resulting from men's experiences with cancer and cancer treatments. An overview of support groups, their function, composition, and benefits is provided with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of professional and member facilitated cancer …

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Visions Must Be Re-Visioned : Gender Politics In Earthsea, Audrey Barton Jan 2004

Visions Must Be Re-Visioned : Gender Politics In Earthsea, Audrey Barton

Theses : Honours

This thesis analyses Ursula Le Guin's interpretation of gender and genre in her Earthsea novels, A Wizarf of Earthsea (1968) and Teha1111 (1990). Examining Le Guin's assertion for the need to "re-vision" her former work with the latter, I interrogate the ways in which she attempts to "break free" from the ideologies that impose themselves upon her work. Part one explores the mode of the hero quest used in A Wizard of Earthsea and examines the significance of this in terms of "gendering" the text. Part two examines the revisioned text Tehanu and the ways in which the …

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Can Anybody Own The Internet? : Microsoft, Open-Source And The Debate About Intellectual Property, Greg Stratton Jan 2004

Can Anybody Own The Internet? : Microsoft, Open-Source And The Debate About Intellectual Property, Greg Stratton

Theses : Honours

The Internet has become one of the most important mediums of communication and information in modem society. For many, the rapid adoption of these technologies into mainstream society has been combined with a reliance on commercial software, most notably the Microsoft Corporation's Windows operating system. Question arise out of the commercial dominance in a realm that until recently was characterised by the collective sharing of information and ideas. Although there is a lack of established sociological literature in this field, established literature on ownership, global capital, political economy and social exclusion have been identified and drawn upon to fill this …

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The Sources And Nature Of Social Representations In A Multicultural Peer Group : Implications For Friendship And Inter-Group Relationships, Christina Callow Jan 2004

The Sources And Nature Of Social Representations In A Multicultural Peer Group : Implications For Friendship And Inter-Group Relationships, Christina Callow

Theses : Honours

The historical, political and social nature of Australian society provides a backdrop for the ways in which exclusion and inclusion are perpetuated. It is from within this context adolescent identity development and relationship formation occurs. While there is a wealth of literature focussing on inter-group relationships and adolescent development, very little research has focussed on the implications of the wider context on everyday social knowledge, or social representations, held by adolescents in a multicultural peer group. Using social representation theory, this study investigated the social representations adolescents held in relation to ethnic, cultural and national identity. It also investigated the …

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Men's Strengths In The Transition To Fatherhood, Dawson C. Cooke Jan 2004

Men's Strengths In The Transition To Fatherhood, Dawson C. Cooke

Theses : Honours

This paper considers the ways men succeed or grow stronger (strengths perspectives) in the transition to fatherhood. Becoming a father is a normative life event for a man that presents a unique opportunity for developmental growth. This aspect of fatherhood has rarely been addressed in psychological literature despite the growing interest in fatherhood and strengths perspectives. An overview is given of fathering literature with attention to the transition to fatherhood, positive outcomes and strengths, and recent Australian studies. Models and classifications of strengths are introduced, including findings from the positive psychology movement (C. Peterson & M. E. P. Seligman, 2004) …

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