Digital Commons Network^™

A Study Of Participants' Experience Of Yirra : An Adolescent Treatment Program, Bethany F. Byatt

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Yirra is a residential treatment program for young people who are experiencing problems associated with their substance use. The design of this program was influenced both by consultation with other youth services, and by current literature and theories regarding the most effective approaches to delivery of youth substance use services. Yirra has been in operation since February, 1992, and to date has not been formally evaluated. This research represents the first stage of evaluation of Yirra. The Phenomenological approach to enquiry was aimed at gaining some understanding of the experience of being at Yirra, from the perspective of the young …

A Study Of Recurrent Themes In The Art Of Alcohol And Drug Dependent Individuals In Art Therapy Groups At A Medical Detoxification Centre, Amanda Hasenkam

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This qualitative study uses an existing body of data derived from weekly art therapy groups conducted as part of a treatment programme at a medical detoxification facility. The design for this study relies on phenomenological and heuristic model of research. Previous art therapy researchers have suggested the recurrence of themes in the art work of particular client groups. This study examines themes previously observed in the art of substance abusers which are also present in the current data as well as additional themes that emerged in this study. These additional themes include the sun, the island paradise, the journey, cross …

English As An International Language: A Sociolinguistic Analysis Of The Japanese Experience, Marek M. Koscielecki

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study was designed to investigate the nature of English as an International Language (ElL) in Japan from both a diachronic and a synchronic point of view, drawing some comparison with countries in South East Asia and Africa. Using comparative material from socio-historical and sociolinguistic literature from other countries it was possible to examine the use and cultivation of English in Japan and compare it with that in other countries where English fulfils different roles. The material on Japan was supplemented by research based on data obtained from questionnaires both at the high school level and within business corporations. From …

A Qualitative Evaluation Of A Bereavement Service: An Analysis Of The Experiences Of Service Consumers And Providers, Ruth Marquis

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Human service evaluation has become an important consideration in service delivery due to an increased demand for accountability by funding bodies. Time constraints, financial constraints and political interests, however, influence the implementation and outcomes of evaluation projects. As a result, quantitative methods are most frequently used. Information obtained as the result of quantitative studies which are politically expedient may present a superficial view of a program and overlook the fundamental issues of program delivery which are important to participants. Identification of the valued aspects of program involvement and areas of unmet need from participants' perspectives may remain unknown as a …

The Effects Of Teaching A Specific Top-Level Structure On The Organization Of Written Texts, K Brown

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of teaching a specific top-level structure on students' recall and organization of expository text. The hypothesis to be investigated was that students explicitly taught the scientific report text structure schema would show improved recall and organization of written report text protocols. The report text structure utilized in this study was derived from Sloan and Latham's top-level structure of text organization devised from schema theory and semantic memory models.

An Attitudinal Study Of Computer-Based Learning For English Language Competence With Learning Disabled Secondary School Students, Dorothy Sinclair

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The issue of sub-standard English language competence in school leavers is one of prime concern to educators. Some Western Australian secondary school teachers endeavouring to improve English language competence in students with learning disabilities have implemented computer-based learning programmes. The purpose of this project was to establish, through the students' attitudes and the teachers' perceptions, whether or not computer-based learning for English language competence is perceived to be successful for those Western Australian secondary school students who have learning disabilities. The study will benefit Western Australian secondary English teachers who may be searching for alternative strategies for inclusion in future …

Bringing Children To Their Senses: A Study Of The Influence Of Sensory Experience On Year 4 Children's Writing, Zenda Johnson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Based on the theory of experiential learning for reading and writing, the purpose of this study was to observe and describe changes in the writing outcomes of Year Four children after the activation of the senses of smell, touch and taste. Children's attitudes towards writing, and gender differences in their writing were minor foci of the study. Middle primary children were selected because there is an absence of previous research which relates directly to sensory learning and middle primary children's writing. A descriptive case-study methodology was undertaken with a group of twenty nine Year Four children of which six target …

Syntactic Awareness And Reading Development: A Training Study With Young Children, Barbara E. Milner

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A number of previous research studies have examined the relationship between syntactic awareness and reading, but few training studies have been reported. In the present study, a 1 a-week training study employing an experimental design, was conducted with 34 Year 1 and 38 Year 2 children to determine whether training in syntactic awareness increased levels of syntactic awareness and reading performance. Prior to the commencement of training, all children were pretested in syntactic awareness as measured by an oral correction task, and in reading. On the basis of these tests, matched pairs of subjects were assigned to experimental and control …

A Comparison Of Two Bathing Methods : Effects On The Haemodynamic And Subjective Responses Of Low Risk Patients Within 48 Hours Post Myocardial Infarction, Heather M. Kidd

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this within subject experimental study was to determine what effect showering by nurses, as compared to bed bathing patients, has on the haemodynamic and subjective responses of low risk patients within 48 hours of having a myocardial infarction. The sample consisted of 50 patients, 8 female and 42 male, with a mean age of 61 years (SD = 10). Twenty-five were randomly assigned to a bed bath, then a shower over 2 consecutive days and the other 25 to the reverse order. The haemodynamic responses consisted of heart rate, rate pressure product (RPP), blood pressure, cardiac rhythm, …

Scientific Text Structure Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Of Tertiary Students From Different Language Backgrounds, Catherine Mcloughlin

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Research in both first and second language reading has shown that awareness of text structure, or rhetorical organisation is related to superior recall of main ideas from expository prose passages. The present study investigates awareness of scientific text structure among tertiary students from different language backgrounds. In this investigation, four reading passages containing two rhetorical text structures found in scientific discourse, comparison/contrast and problem/solution are employed. Meyer’s (1975) hierarchical content structure analysis was used to analyse the texts into top, high, mid and low level ideas corresponding to main and supporting ideas. The research questions were centred around three major …

The Retirement Experiences Of Former Elite Female Netball Players, J. L. Redmond

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Research to date on retirement from sport has been dominated by the study of United States, male, collegiate sports. Studies within Australia, which has a substantially different community based sport system, are just commencing. This study provided an insight into retirement from sport as it was experienced by former Western Australian elite female netball players. Using a qualitative interpretive approach a three stage interview process was employed to capture the individual experiences of each of the 15 participants. The interviewees were also asked to recommend interventions or strategies that netball associations could employ to assist players in their transition out …

The Nature And Extent Of Pastoral Care In Five Western Australian Government Secondary Schools, W. L. Macdonald

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The research is centred upon the nature and extent of pastoral care provision in five Western Australian Government secondary schools. The project took the form of five case-studies, set in schools which each had well established pastoral strategies in place. The schools plans and policies were influenced by contexts of State and Federal education programmes, by the community setting of each school, by community concerns, and by other priorities within the school itself. In the study, information was collected through interviews and written responses from school staff, through documentary evidence of plans and policies for pastoral care, and through the …

An Historical And Psychological Context For The Phenomenon Of Art Therapy, Robert Cook

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research develops an historical and psychological context for the phenomenon of Art Therapy. It addresses the larger context within which Art Therapy developed, which has not usually been considered by researchers in the Art Therapy field. Using a Jungian framework, this psychohistorical thesis analyses cultural trends, in the fields of painting, mental health, religion, world events, science and philosophy, for revelation of psychological content pertinent to the conditions generally favourable for the emergence of the Art Therapy field. A complex understanding of the world leading up to Art Therapy's emergence is, therefore, presented. What was found in this study …

Gals, Guys And Gender Construction: What's In It For Art Therapy, E. A. Jeppe

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The aim of this thesis is to orient the reader towards an art therapy which is conscious of external dynamics of power in western society. In order to do it is necessary to look at art therapy in the light of feminism and recent post-modern theories, which include critical theory and deconstruction. Critical theory is a social theory integrating the works of Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud, which when merged with a feminist praxis (the active relationship between theory and practice) provides a method of critical analysis to investigate traditional therapeutic theories which gave rise to art therapy. The established …

The Changing Role And Portrayal Of 'The Individual' In Historical Context In Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice And Emma, George Eliot's Middlemarch And Daniel Deronda, And Thomas Hardy's The Mayor Of Casterbridge And Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Juliana Payne

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In an analysis of six novels published in the nineteenth century, the thesis examines the changing role and portrayal of the 'individual' in Victorian fiction. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813) and Emma (1816), George Eliot's Middlemarch (1872) and Daniel Deronda (1876), and Thomas Hardy's Mayor of Casterbridge (1886) and Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891) are analysed in depth. The discussion focuses on how the social and historical context shapes the development of theme, character and plot in the novels, especially focusing on literary conceptions of character as an individualistic being within the wider framework of society. The emphasis is …

Factors Affecting The Learning Of English As A Second Language Macroskills Among Tongan Secondary Students, Mele F. Latu

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study aimed at determining factors which might have impact on the learning of English as a second language macroskills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) by Tongan secondary learners. The study was correlational in design and it worked from a synthetic perspective in that it looked at the way in which many aspects of language are interrelated to make the whole language system. The study looked at learning English language macroskills from a multiple interdisciplinary perspective taking into consideration linguistic, psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic factors and classroom and bilingual education perspectives. The framework for language use required the learner to know the …

Computer Education: New Perspectives, Martyn Wild (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

Computer technologies were introduced into educational contexts over two decades ago and while there is some argument about the extent to which computers have realised their potential, they have undoubtedly had a significant impact on education. A look into any school will reveal computers being used widely by clerical staff, teachers and children.

It is clear that computers are here to stay, but it is less clear as to how effectively they are being used in the learning process. Teachers not only need to use computers but they need to use them well, and in order to do this they …

Quality In Teaching And Learning: Making It Happen: The Proceedings Of The Teaching & Learning Forum, Laurie Summers (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

These papers represent the proceedings of the third Teaching and Learning Forum to be conducted in Perth, the first two by Curtin University and this one by Edith Cowan University....

The Forum was organised around three major themes - or at least it was in the beginning! Papers that were presented, and the discussion that was generated, led us to concede that there was really a great deal of interaction between the themes, which were:

• ways of defining quality

• working towards quality

• evaluating quality

Accordingly, we have not attempted to designate papers as being solely or even …

Work And Family: Bibliography: 1969 - 1994, Catherine Smith (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

1994 was designated by the United Nations as International Year of the Family, with the theme for the year as Family: resources and responsibilities in a changing world. The Year of the Family was intended to stimulate international national and local actions to strengthen families as 'the smallest democracy at the heart of society'...

...Edith Cowan University recognised the International Year of the Family by undertaking a range of activities designed to promote discussion and debate. The range of activities recognised the University's role as an educator, employer and community member. This Bibliography represents just one of the activities undertaken …

Women In Leadership Project 1994: Public Lecture Series, Pauline Carroll (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

Feminist Excavations: A Collection Of Essays On Women, The Family And Ideology, Dani Stehlik

Research outputs pre 2011

Applied Women's Studies at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia is now entering its seventh year. The program has consisted of an undergraduate minor within the Bachelor of Social Science degree as well as a Graduate Diploma.1994 is an exciting milestone for the program as its moves into a Bachelor degree with Applied Women's Studies as a major. The Graduate Diploma program will also continue. The aim of the program is to:

develop the theory and knowledge necessary to understand the issues and concerns of women and their roles in society. By taking an applied focus, it develops the …

Indian Television: The State, Privatisation And The Struggle For Media Autonomy, Geoffrey W. Reeves

Research outputs pre 2011

India represents an example of immense complexity and diversity in cultural production and communications. Broadcasting, film, newspaper, magazine, and musical production have been characterised by regional and linguistic diversity, with non-Hindi and non-English media in the private sphere especially showing signs of remarkable growth over the last decade or more (Jeffrey 1993). While the basic role of the state and state regulatory framework was established under British colonial rule, it has undergone substantial modification in the post-colonial period. In concert with many countries in the 'third world', private rather than state cultural and media production has become increasingly dominant to …

Encouraging A Paradigm Shift In Services For People With Disabilities, Errol Cocks

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

School Non-Attendance: A Literature Review, Irene Ioannakis

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

Raising School-Age Children With Attention Deficit Disorder (Adhd): Effects On Mothers, Pearl Proud

Theses : Honours

The study used mothers of children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) Type I and Type II or a combination of both to investigate whether support group membership was beneficial to the mothers in terms of stress, self -efficacy and perceived social support. A accidental and purposive sample of 143 subject with an age range of 21 to 50 participated in the study. The participants completed a questionnaire which comprised a stress measure, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Parental Support Scale (PSS) which has the Satisfaction with Perceived Social Support and the Network Size …

An Economic Valuation Of The Jandakot Wetlands, Paul Gerrans

Research outputs pre 2011

Economists implore the efficient allocation of resources. Paradoxically, where the issue of efficiency has become critically important in recent times, namely the allocation of the environment and its resources and amenity, the techniques of economists have been found wanting and less than fully developed. This paper seeks to address this apparent paradox and deficiency.

This paper provides an economic valuation of the Jandakot wetlands, located to the south of Perth. A referendum style contingent valuation method survey is used to estimate economic value attributable to the preservation of wetlands dependant on the groundwater resource. Event history analysis is explored and …

An Analysis Of Service Quality In Ansett Australia W.A. Division, Jodie R. Buckley

Theses : Honours

There is a lack of significant in-depth research, analysing service quality in the travel and tourism industry. This research attempts to contribute to the literature by analysing service quality using Ansett Australia (W.A. Division) as a case study. The approach uses the revised 1990 SERVQUAL instrument, originally developed by Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry (1986) and the conceptual model of service quality. The SERVQUAL instrument and conceptual framework form the basis of the theoretical framework and analysis. Three perspectives are considered in the analysis of service quality in Ansett Australia (W.A. Division), namely, front-line employees, management and frequent flyers. Through the …

The Effect Of Facilitating Increased Involvement In Nursing Home Caregiving On Former Caregivers' Satisfaction With The Care Arrangement, Christine Toye

Theses : Honours

This study examined the effect of a programme that facilitated fanner caregivers' increased involvement with nursing home care giving on their satisfaction with the care provided for their relatives. It was guided by Ray's Adaptation Model of Nursing (Ray, 1984, 1989). The hypotheses stated that the programme would help former caregivers to adapt to the institutionalisation of their loved ones, as manifested by their increased satisfaction with aspects of the care arrangement (overall care, nursing care, relationships, and the environment). The convenience sample consisted of 31 former care givers of long term residents admitted to a metropolitan nursing home 1 …

Questioning Strategies: Their Use By Clinical Teachers, Sue Sellappah

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study examined clinical teachers' use of questioning and the variations in their use of questioning as a teaching strategy. By using questioning and other appropriate teaching strategies, clinical teachers can facilitate the development of critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving in students. Effective use of questioning strategies involves asking low level and high level questions to facilitate recall of classroom knowledge and promote application of the knowledge to solve patient problems in varying clinical situations. Using a comparative descriptive design, this study used a convenience sample of 26 clinical teachers from one University School of Nursing to examine …

Determining The Validity And Reliability Of An Instrument Designed To Measure Metacognitive Behaviours, Anne L. Martin

Theses : Honours

This project was designed to study the role of metacognition in mathematical problem solving. More specifically, it was designed to determine the validity and reliability of an instrument proposed to identify metacognitive behaviours in Year 7 children solving problems. The instrument was used to analyse audio tapes of pairs of students working on a non-routine problem (i.e., a problem that cannot be solved solely by the direct application of the basic operations). Analysis of the audio tapes involved categorizing metacognitive decisions as: orientation, organization, execution, and verification behaviours. A "cognitive-metacognitive" framework (Garofalo & Lester, 1985) was used as a basis …