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2004

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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 …

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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 Effect Of Cross-Linked Learning On Visual Arts Education, Cassandra Zervos Jan 2004

The Effect Of Cross-Linked Learning On Visual Arts Education, Cassandra Zervos

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study examined how computer technology had an effect on a Year 9 visual arts education class with regard to the Western Australian four Arts Learning Outcomes (WA 4ALO). The research was administered concurrently with a learning approach called Cross-Linked Leaming (CLL) (Zervos, 1997), which consisted of three components: (1) the subject (e.g., visual arts education in relation to the WA 4ALO); (2) the learner (i.e., a target group and how they learn); and (3) the tool (e.g., computer technology). This study addressed the problem of how to promote learning in visual arts education, especially with visual arts theory. Historically, …

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Balkan As A Metaphor In The Film Composition Of Goran Bregovic, Nela Trifkovic Jan 2004

Balkan As A Metaphor In The Film Composition Of Goran Bregovic, Nela Trifkovic

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The focus of this paper is the film composition of composer Goran Bregovic (born 1950) and the country of his birth Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia has undergone many major political changes over the past century and its ethno-political history over the past fifteen years could be considered as one of the most turbulent of our time. The aim of this thesis is to uncover the conceptual principles behind Bregovic’s unique approach to soundtrack music in order to create appropriate musical analogies in film composition. Bregovic’s musical career in the iconic Yugoslav rock band Bijelo dugme (White Button), his interest in the traditional …

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Early Education : Experiences And Perceptions Of Minority Group Parents And Young Children, Judith Candy Jan 2004

Early Education : Experiences And Perceptions Of Minority Group Parents And Young Children, Judith Candy

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In Australia there has been little research into the experiences and perceptions of education of parents from different minority groups whose young children attend school in this country. This study investigated the experiences that overseas born parents from non-English speaking backgrounds have of their own and their children's education in countries outside Australia, experiences of their children's early education in Australia, as well as those of their young children between 6 and 9 years of age attending school in this country. Despite marked differences in educational policies and practices operating in the participants' countries of origin, almost all parents in …

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Autonomy In Foreign Language Learning: An Exploratory Analysis Of Japanese Learners, Miyuki U. Surma Jan 2004

Autonomy In Foreign Language Learning: An Exploratory Analysis Of Japanese Learners, Miyuki U. Surma

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Learner autonomy has received increased attention: in the recent language teaching and learning literature. Although Holec (1981) proposed a somewhat categorical definition of learner autonomy, this concept can be viewed in various ways depending on factors such as context and culture. One may posit, for example, that learner autonomy is based on Western values and as such, is not as easily accessible in the Asian context. With such variables in mind, the purpose of this study is to gain a greater understanding of Japanese students' beliefs regarding foreign language learning in a particular context. This is undertaken by utilising multi-modal …

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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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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 …

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Aquatic Programmes And Swimming Activities In Health And Physical Education : A Case For Differentiation, P. R. Whipp Jan 2004

Aquatic Programmes And Swimming Activities In Health And Physical Education : A Case For Differentiation, P. R. Whipp

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research study provides a 'snap-shot' of the current status of teaching aquatic programmes in Western Australian secondary schools. This study also encapsulates the thoughts and feelings of the teachers and the students engaged in these programmes, scrutinises the outcomes of existing programmes and advances practical recommendations to address the problems identified. The study was conducted within a contemporary context where little innovation in aquatic education has accompanied the Australian and state-wide curriculum development based on outcomes-focused education. The research was underpinned by a conceptual framework which conforms to the principles of constructivist learning (Kirk & Macdonald, 1998; Wittrock, 1978; …

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Cultural Hybridity And Visual Practice: Towards A Transformative-Repair Multicultural Pedagogy For Visual Arts Education, Kim Le Jan 2004

Cultural Hybridity And Visual Practice: Towards A Transformative-Repair Multicultural Pedagogy For Visual Arts Education, Kim Le

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research project examines how transitional multiculturalism, cultural hybridity and transformative-repair are practiced by a professional artist-researcher and novice artists. Transitional multiculturalism and cultural hybridity are examined through a series of artworks by a Vietnamese-born artist-researcher. This series of artwork, which reflects 35 years of creating art in both Vietnamese and Australia, demonstrate a personal engagement with issues of cultural diversity, upbringing, and related aesthetic studies. The intention of this exhibition is to chart the characteristics of the artist's expression, which is culturally hybridised. This part of the study aims to identify those artistic conventions associated with specific visual traditions …

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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 …

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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 …

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Target Selection For Antisense Oligonucleotide Induced Exon Skipping In The Dystrophin Gene, Stephen J. Errington Jan 2004

Target Selection For Antisense Oligonucleotide Induced Exon Skipping In The Dystrophin Gene, Stephen J. Errington

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), and the milder allelic Becker muscular dystrophy (EMD), are X-linked recessive muscle wasting disorders characterised by mutations in the dystrophin gene. DMD occurs at a frequency of approximately 1 in 3500 male newborns and life expectancy is typically less than 30 years. Due to progressive muscle wasting, affected boys are restricted to a wheelchair by the age of 12 years. The most common cause of death is pneumonia, compounded by cardiac involvement. Mutations that disrupt the dystrophin reading frame, or prevent the synthesis of either terminus, preclude the synthesis of a fully functional dystrophin. The subsequent …

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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 …

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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 …

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Women's Perceptions Of Safety : Cctv In An Inner City Setting, Kate Hancock Jan 2004

Women's Perceptions Of Safety : Cctv In An Inner City Setting, Kate Hancock

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

To date, most research on closed circuit television (CCTV) has come out of the United Kingdom (UK) where the growth of CCTV has reached immense proportions with wide support and funding from the Home Office. There are 33 systems operating in Australia, with the focus of this research on the first system installed in Perth, Western Australia in 1991. There is a dearth of information on CCTV in Australia, and little research looking at the link between CCTV, women’s safety and fear of crime. The literature on fear of crime shows that women are more fearful than men even though …

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Environmental Correlates And Associations Of Tuart (Eucalyptus Gomphocephala) Decline, Todd A. Edwards Jan 2004

Environmental Correlates And Associations Of Tuart (Eucalyptus Gomphocephala) Decline, Todd A. Edwards

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC.) is an ecologically and culturally important tree species that grows across a narrow 400 km long coastal belt, from the Sabrina River south of Perth, to Jurien Bay in the north. Unfortunately, Tuart is also a species under considerable threat due to clearing, lack of recruitment and canopy decline. Canopy decline is of particular concern, being increasingly reported throughout the Tuart distribution. Despite this, previous studies of Tuart have generally been limited to localised canopy decline events. This two-phased study firstly involved an assessment of Tuart canopy condition at 46 sites across the species distribution. At …

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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 …

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Learning To Belong: A Study Of The Lived Experience Of Homeless Students In Western Australia, Simone Glasson-Walls Jan 2004

Learning To Belong: A Study Of The Lived Experience Of Homeless Students In Western Australia, Simone Glasson-Walls

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This is a phenomenological study of the lived experiences of homeless young people in Western Australia. Its focus is the reasons why homeless young people leave education, although many of them make a serious effort to complete post-compulsory schooling. The study was qualitative, and was designed as an in-depth analysis of the experiences of five young people aged between 15 and 17, all attending the same school. Data collection consisted of two in-depth interviews with each participant, and a focus group discussion with all five. Although the study’s focus as the issue of homelessness and schooling, it quickly expanded when …

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Photonic Rf Signal Processors, Rong Zheng Jan 2004

Photonic Rf Signal Processors, Rong Zheng

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the emerging possibilities of processing radiofrequency (RF) or microwave signals in optical domain, which will be a key technology to implement next-generation mobile communication systems and future optical networks. Research activities include design and modelling of novel photonic architectures for processing and filtering of RF, microwave and millimeter wave signals of the above mentioned applications. Investigations especially focus on two basic functions and critical requirements in advanced RF systems, namely: • Interference mitigation and high Q tunable filters. • Arbitrary filter transfer function generation. The thesis begins with a review on several …

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An Examination Of The Capabilities Required By University Tutors In Online Learning Environments And The Factors Affecting The Relative Importance Of These Capabilities, Douglas Reid Jan 2004

An Examination Of The Capabilities Required By University Tutors In Online Learning Environments And The Factors Affecting The Relative Importance Of These Capabilities, Douglas Reid

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Internet is influencing some would say revolutionizing most aspects of our society, including distance education (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek,2003). There has been a worldwide movement to implement online education technologies in Universities. In Australia, use of these technologies has coincided with the development of pedagogics to improve the merging of distance education and asynchronous, anywhere / anytime learning (Cashion & Palmieri, 2002; Harper, Hedberg, Bennett, & Lockyer, 2000). However, using technology to teach at a distance requires different capabilities than traditional face-to-face teaching. In the revolutionary situation which distance education finds itself, online tutors find themselves acting as …

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Self-Reported Business Leadership Competencies Of Middle-Level Managers, Philip Teo Jan 2004

Self-Reported Business Leadership Competencies Of Middle-Level Managers, Philip Teo

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study aims to investigate self-reported managerial leadership competencies of middle-level managers in business organisations in Australia, and stems from the Karpin Report (1995) on perceived weaknesses in Leader hip and Management skills in Australia. The report leads to a need to investigate the perceptions of the current middle level business managers in regard to leadership competency and to develop a scale to measure leadership competency. A model of leadership competency, based on a literature review, was developed for this study and involves four aspects: Leading, Managing, Communicating and Best Practice. Data were collected in two parts-a questionnaire and interviews. …

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The Association Of Working Memory And Anxiety With Skill Acquisition And Transfer In Young And Older Adults, Isabelle Valk Jan 2004

The Association Of Working Memory And Anxiety With Skill Acquisition And Transfer In Young And Older Adults, Isabelle Valk

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Two studies, involving a total of 184 adults between 17 and 89 years of age, were conducted to determine whether age differences in skill acquisition and transfer could be related to age differences in working memory functioning and anxiety. In both experiments, working memory functioning was measured using the Digit Span task (Wechsler, 1997) und the Reading Span tusk (Daneman & Carpenter, 1980), while anxiety levels were measured using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, Gorsuch, Lushene, Vagg, & Jacobs, 1983). Participants were required to perform a mental arithmetic task in Experiment I, and a visual numerosity task in Experiment …

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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 …

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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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The Impact Of Corporatisation And Management Reform On The Role And Working Life Of Managers In An Australian Electricity Utility: A Triangulated Study, 1994-2002, Desmond E. Lehmann Jan 2004

The Impact Of Corporatisation And Management Reform On The Role And Working Life Of Managers In An Australian Electricity Utility: A Triangulated Study, 1994-2002, Desmond E. Lehmann

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

For decades electricity has been a critical source of energy for all major industries, nationally and internationally. In 2002 the Australian electricity supply industry had assets in excess of $86 billion and accounted for more than 1.4 percent of gross domestic product. It is a major employer with more than 33,000 people serving more than 8 million customers. This study explores the impact of corporatisation and management reform on the role and working life of managers within the broader context of this industry. It is an industry identified by academics, commentators and the business media over the past two decades …

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Father Role Identity : An Exploration Of The Construct And Its Measurement, Michelle J. Gobetz Jan 2004

Father Role Identity : An Exploration Of The Construct And Its Measurement, Michelle J. Gobetz

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

There is relatively little research in respect of father’s and their post-divorce contact with their children. Preliminary research suggests father’s identification with the parent role may play an influential role in this contact. Though the Self Perceptions of the Parental Role Questionnaire (SPPE) has been utilised to measure father’s identification with the parent role, the psychometric properties of this instrument have yet to be systemically investigated. The lack of psychometric information about the SPPR seriously limits this instruments utility. The aim of the current study was twofold. Firstly, to determine the psychometric properties of a formal measure of parent role …

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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 …

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