Digital Commons Network^™

Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of An Interactive Multimedia Instructional Model : A Teaching And Learning Programming Approach, Kacha Chansilp

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study sought to explore the outcomes from the use of a dynamic interactive visualisation tool among novice programmers in an introductory computer programming course. The proposed model, Dynamic Interactive Visualisation Tool in Teaching C (DIVTIC), was designed to use multimedia and visual imagery to provide learners with a step-by-step representation of program execution in the C language as a means of enhancing their understanding of programming structures and concepts. DIVTIC was designed to support constructivist learning principles and combined collaborative and visualisation learning strategies with use of the Internet and the World Wide Web to support the learning of …

Measuring Academic Motivation To Achieve For High School Students Using A Rasch Measurement Model, Joseph Njeru Njiru

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Many models have been offered on students' motivation to achieve academically. However, most studies on motivation of students to achieve academically are called into question because they do not use an interval level scale, based on a good theoretical model, where attitude items are connected to behaviour items, even though motivation is defined as linked to behaviour. On the other hand, many researchers do not use qualitative methodologies as a preferred method to validate and triangulate data obtained from the questionnaire so as to add scope and breadth to the study. Most researchers have only used either qualitative or quantitative …

Strategies For Effective Virtual Education Delivery In Thailand, Nalinee Thongprasert

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

An increasing number of Thai universities arc using information and communication technologies to support virtual education delivery (VED). The main purpose of this study was to examine the strategies used by Thai universities to adopt the concept of ''virtual education delivery" as an education tool. The study attempted to determine the critical factors that influence success in implementing Thai VEDs, and identified the ways to facilitate such adoption. These factors were synthesised with Thai environmental and cultural factors to develop a strategic framework which can be used to assist universities in Thailand to achieve more effective implementation of VEDs. The …

A Study Of Destination Attractiveness Through Tourists' Perspectives : A Focus On Chiang Mai, Thailand, Chompunoot Morachat

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study seeks to gain insights into the overall attractiveness of a destination by applying the multi-attribute Fishbein model. This approach has been carried out twice before in the international context and this dissertation contributes further to the concepts of destination attractiveness especially through the application of multi-attribute models of measurement and analysis with the context of localisation. It also adds to the body of knowledge on the understanding of tourism product preference and perceptual attitudes held by tourists from specific geographical origins to the South-East Asian region, specifically within Thailand. The study investigated (i) tourists' perceived overall attractiveness of …

Individual Differences In Interpersonal Dependency In Older Adults: Development Of A Measure And Its Evaluation In Health Care Services, Deborah Gardner

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Increasing dependency in older age is conceptualised differently by various disciplines. Psychologists have contributed to the understanding of dependency in older age by describing and explaining the functionality of dependency across the life-span. Psychological research has also examined variables (such as the responses of carers to-the dependent behayiours of older people) that exacerbate dependent feelings and behaviours (Baltes, 1996), but it has not included an individual difference measure of interpersonal dependency. According to Rosowsky~ Dougherty, Johnson and Gurian (1997), an understanding of the ways that personality style affects older adults' engagement and reception of health services would assist providers in …

Attitude Of Students Towards Peers With Disabilities: The Effect Of Including Students From An Education Support Centre In An Inclusive Middle School Setting, Steven J. R. Mcgregor

Theses : Honours

This research examines the attitudes of middle school students towards their peers with disabilities. The opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in inclusive education in Western Australia has increased steadily in recent years. The impact of inclusion on stakeholders within the education arena is, therefore, an important area of research. As part of this increased demand for inclusive education a trial inclusion program was set-up at a middle school in regional Western Australian. The target group for this study was all Year 8 (N = 199) students at that school. The attitude of the Year 8 students towards students …

The Experiences Of International Students At An Australian University: An Exploratory Qualitative Study, Andrea Halse

Theses : Honours

The number of international students studying in Australia has steadily increased over the last ten years providing many benefits both to the country and Australian universities. However, little is known about the transition experiences of these students and there has been little acknowledgment of the issues facing students adjusting to a new environment and learning context. Typical issues that international students encounter include; language difficulties, homesickness, culture shock, lack of background knowledge and skills, housing difficulties, developing new social relationships and adapting to their new environment. Much of the research has been in the form of questionnaires and surveys focusing …

Feelings & The Therapeutic Encounter/Alliance, Emma Condon

'INSCAPE' - ARTCAP November 13-16, 2003

No abstract provided.

Growing New Eyes : A Personal Inscape Of Grief Viewed Through Autobiographical Performance, Emma Bacon

'INSCAPE' - ARTCAP November 13-16, 2003

No abstract provided.

Inscape, Marilyn Davis-Moore

'INSCAPE' - ARTCAP November 13-16, 2003

No abstract provided.

Seeing Beyond The Habitus - On Action, Art And Healing, Tarquam Mckenna

'INSCAPE' - ARTCAP November 13-16, 2003

This paper is written as a conversation had at the ARTCAP Symposium in Perth 2003. It was a conversation that alluded to the imaginal realm and action art therapy as a way into understanding. It is offered as a spoken comment to bring voice to the reader. The format of the paper is such that the reader is encouraged to see it as a series of statements that are a conversation between a group of people. The paper begs questions which are still unanswered.

Walking,Writing, Improvising - Conscious-Unconscious, Kellerberring-Busselton, Mark Minchinton

'INSCAPE' - ARTCAP November 13-16, 2003

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Psychological Sense Of Community In Western Australian School Children Aged 7-8 Years, Debra K. Roberts

Theses : Honours

The current exploratory study examined Psychological Sense of Community (PSOC) in 16 Western Australian school children, between the ages of seven and eight from two schools in the Perth metropolitan region. The aim was to identify whether young children understand the concept of PSOC, within their school environment. A qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews was employed. Questions were generated based on the Neighbourhood Youth Inventory (NYI) and the Sense of Community Index (SCI), as a measure of children's PSOC in their school environment. A thematic content analysis was performed using a question ordered matrix, to compile common themes and meanings …

Is The 'Hierarchy Of Effects' View Of Advertising Evident Amongst Perth Advertising Agencies?, Carolyn Boulden

Theses : Honours

Hierarchy of effects models have underpinned the advertising industry for over 100 years. These models are based on an underlying pattern of cognition => affect=> behaviour, in other words: think=> feel=> do, and suggest that consumers process advertising in a linear fashion, in stages. Recently, however, hierarchy of effects models have begun to be questioned by some authors who claim that there is no actual evidence that advertising is processed by consumers according to a hierarchy of effects. If this is the case, the advertising industry will need to seriously rethink the basis upon which many, if not all, campaigns …

Art Irritates Life-- And Vice Versa : An Exploration Of The Nature Of Dance And Its Effect On The Psychological Well-Being Of Ballet And Contemporary Dancers, Veronica Shum

Theses : Honours

Research into the psychology of theatrical dancers has indicated that as a group, dancers may be a high-risk population for psychological disorders. The majority of this research however, has only sampled ballet dancers. In consideration of the fact that contemporary dance is philosophically and aesthetically different from ballet, it is proposed that the experience of contemporary dancers may be different from that of ballet dancers and thus their psychological experience and potential problems may also be different. It is suggested, therefore, that results from studies on ballet dancers may not generalize to contemporary dancers. In support of this proposition, the …

The Psychological Impact Of Companion Animals For Older Adults Who Reside Alone, Tess Reed

Theses : Honours

Companion animals have been identified as improving the physical and emotional health of some older adults (Collis & McNicholas, 1998). This qualitative study explored the psychological impact of owning a cat or a dog for persons aged 65 or older who resided alone. Nine participants, two male and seven female, were recruited through local media advertisements in the Guildford area to participate in a semi-structured interview about their relationship with their pet. Following transcription the semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis (Aronson, 1994). Four major themes emerged with participants reporting their pets provided satisfaction that impacted on several areas …

The Direction Of Memory For Music For Popular And Novel Songs, Susan Rose Sibma

Theses : Honours

Previous research on memory for music has typically measured participants' reaction times (RTs) and accuracy in tests of recall and recognition of songs presented to them. The current study was interested in what occurs during the time that elapses between stimulus onset and the generation of a response. It has been suggested that people sing or hum to themselves as they search for an answer (Rubin, 1977), but a question that has been overlooked to date is in what direction this occurs. As music unfolds in time, it was proposed that in memory for music, 'forward is best'. In the …

Attributions Of Responsibility For Accidents Involving Personal Injury: Application Of Hart's (1968) 'Senses Of Responsibility' Model, Henry F. Kwiatowski

Theses : Honours

The aim of this study was to use Hart's (1968) 'Senses of Responsibility' model as a theoretical framework to examine the effects of three non dispositional characteristics of an accident involving personal injury. An experimental approach based on a 2 Agent type (corporation v individual) x 2 Outcome severity (mild, severe) x 2 Victim type (primary, secondary) between subjects factorial design was adopted. The study interviewed 160 participants randomly selected at five public recreational centres. 'Three 2 x 2 x 2 ANOVA's, were conducted on the three attribution ratings to determine the influence of the three independent variables. The study …

What Is Treatment? : Understandings And Responses Of Workers To Child Sex Offenders, Casey Eyden

Theses : Honours

With the field of sex offender treatment is in its infancy, there is a tack of clarity concerning nearly all aspects of offending behaviour, from theoretical frameworks that explain why the offending occurs, to the effectiveness of different treatment techniques. This study sought to gain insight into workers' understandings of the phenomenon of child sexual offending, and how these understandings informed their responses to child sex offender treatment. Locating the 'sense making' of workers within the context of a four dimensional systematic integration model; personal, professional, organisational and social influences and impacts were also explored. Currently practicing with child sex …

Effect Of The Specificity Of Training Delivery On Skill Acquisition And Transfer, Suzanne Mary Matthews

Theses : Honours

Past research (e.g., Brewer, 1998) has shown that when people learn to solve simple formulae where elements are repeated over and over again, the greater the degree of repetition, the less transferable the skill. The current study tested one explanation for this observation; that training conditions involving little stimulus variation encourage the development of specific skills with low transferability. These habit-encouraging conditions were compared with a habit-breaking manipulation that involved presentation of unfamiliar stimuli throughout training. Participants were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups, the habit-encouraging and habit-breaking groups. The groups had 22 and 20 participants respectively. Participants were …

The Lived Experience Of Men With A Postnatally Depressed Partner, Colela M. Browning

Theses : Honours

The aim of this study was to examine the experiences and perceptions of men living with a partner who has postnatal depression (PND). Family systems theory was used to provide a framework within which to evaluate men's relationships with immediate and extended family members. A semi-structured interview was used to understand the experiences and perceptions of seven men with partners who had PND. Schweitzer's (1997) phenomenological approach was used to explicate meaning and extract themes from the interview transcripts. Six major themes were identified from the data. These included changes in the division of labour, issues of self, altered family …

'Being A Teacher' : Developing Teacher Identity And Enhancing Practice Through Metacognitive And Reflective Learning Processes., Anne Graham, Renata Phelps

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The discourse of reflection is now firmly embedded in a range of teacher education programs in Australia and overseas. Reflective frameworks have been used by teacher educators to offset the perennial emphasis on technically prescriptive interpretations of ‘being a teacher’. Whilst these undoubtedly contribute to the personal ‘meaning making’ of neophyte teachers, particularly in relation to practical classroom experiences, there remains significant scope to integrate a more concerted reflective approach throughout other elements of the teacher education endeavour. When the language of reflection is applied only in a cursory or superficial way in the teacher education context the opportunity to …

The Intergenerational Transmission Of Violence? : The Self-Report Of Physical Abuse In Childhood Among Violent And Non-Violent Offenders, John Dockerill

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study examined the parental disciplinary history of male offenders to explore the relationship between report of childhood physical abuse and subsequent violent offending, based on the concept of intergenerational transmission of violence. The study also examined the relationship between reports of childhood physical abuse and juvenile delinquency together with an examination of the links between physical abuse and anger. Finally, this study explored the relationship between witnessing aggression to other family members and the motivation for subsequent violent offending (hostile motivated versus instrumentally motivated). Social learning theory provided the theoretical basis for this research. The underlying premise is that …

An Ethnographic Investigation Of The Relevance Of Shop Floor Culture To Effective Safety Communication In An Australian Minerals Refinery, David R. Leith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Many organisations which aim to achieve excellent workplace safety choose 'culture change' as the means to achieve this. They make use of employee communication media to help re-form the values, beliefs, norms and behaviours which are generally thought to comprise culture. However, culture is a complex and profound phenomenon. Successful communication between two culturally separate groups requires each to achieve an understanding of the other, no less so in workplaces than in societies composed of different cultures.Yet even employers who believe in communicating fully with their workforces find it difficult to convey viewpoints other than their own. Their communication tends …

Covert Violence In Nursing, Susette Bakker

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

There is no official avenue in nursing for the reporting of incidences of covert violence to staff and so they remain unrecorded and often stressful. This study sought to collect data from currently employed nurses concerning covert violence in their workplace, and to collate the information to obtain a valid assessment of this hidden problem. A qualitative methodology was used to report on the experiences of nurses in relation to covert violence directed at them by their peers, other health professionals, patients and patients' families. The participants were all registered nurses employed by a suburban health service. Each was given …

The Service Delivery Process : An Examination Of How Consumers Evaluate Technology-Assisted Service Encounters In The Retail Banking Industry, Catherine W. Munene

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study examined consumers' perceptions post-adoption of technology and how these perceptions affect their levels of dis/satisfaction and their continued use of technology·assisted service encounters. To this end, this study investigated the criteria that consumers in Western Australia's retail banking industry are likely to use when evaluating banking transactions involving EFTPOS, ATM, telephone, and Online banking modes. II examined whether these criteria changed with the mode of electronic banking in use and whether the significance of the criteria changed with

consumers' demographic characteristics. In addition, this study explored whether consumers who use these modes of electronic banking experience the paradoxes …

A Deception Based Framework For The Application Of Deceptive Countermeasures In 802.11b Wireless Networks, Suen Yek

Theses : Honours

The advance of 802.11 b wireless networking has been beset by inherent and in-built security problems. Network security tools that are freely available may intercept network transmissions readily and stealthily, making organisations highly vulnerable to attack. Therefore, it is incumbent upon defending organisations to take initiative and implement proactive defences against common network attacks. Deception is an essential element of effective security that has been widely used in networks to understand attack methods and intrusions. However, little thought has been given to the type and the effectiveness of the deception. Deceptions deployed in nature, the military and in cyberspace were …

Gender Differences In Stress And Coping Of Parents With Adolescent Daughters Undergoing Treatment For Anorexia Nervosa, Steven Collishaw

Theses : Honours

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex condition characterised by an uncertain etiology, protracted course and an inordinately high prevalence among adolescent females. Treatment of AN requires a multifarious approach, however, among adolescents family therapy is considered a necessary component to ensure positive outcome. Interestingly, while the efficacy of these systemic interventions is reliant on parents' ability to cope with treatment demands and stress, adaptive patterns among parents remain relatively under researched. The aim of this inquiry was to address this paucity of studies focused on mothers and fathers by providing a preliminary investigation of differences in their stress and coping …

Storying The Body : Women's Narratives Through The Lens Of Breast Cancer, Janet A. Griffin

Theses : Honours

What can women's narratives contribute to our understanding of breast cancer and to feminist theories of the body? This thesis explores the meanings women construct to make sense of embodied experiences of breast cancer, and the profound experience of breast loss. Rich contextual data was elicited from in depth, guided conversations with five premenopausal women who have undergone mastectomy. Adopting feminist methodology, biographic-narrative was used to place the body at the heart of inquiry. This thesis explores the personal and theoretical meanings of mastectomy, embedded in the larger story of how these five women experience their breasts, throughout their lives. …

Phonological And Syntactic Processing, And The Role Of Working Memory In Reading Comprehension Among High School Students, John V. Holsgrove

Theses : Honours

The performance of 60 year8 students was examined on tasks measuring phonological processing, syntactic processing, and reading comprehension. The students were also administered several measures of working memory relating to the phonological loop and the central executive. A series of hierarchical regression analyses indicated that phonological processing and syntactic processing were both predictors of reading comprehension, and that the presence or absence of the latter distinguished good and poor comprehenders respectively. The phonological loop was found to play a small but significant role in the processes involved in reading comprehension, but not the central executive. Gender differences suggested that boys …