Digital Commons Network^™

Students As Digital Designers In Engineering, Matthew Daniel Christie, Belinda Von Mengersen, Martin Levins, Carol Puddicombe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This chapter examines the integration of digital technologies in Engineering education contexts from primary to secondary school classrooms. It outlines a progression of learning experiences integrating digital tools, such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, programming platforms, and data analysis applications, into Engineering education modules so that students can build their technological proficiency and creativity. The chapter emphasises using real-world scenarios, such as the design of a smart garden or bridge-building projects, to make engineering principles more tangible. It explores the role of signature pedagogies and the Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL) in structuring curriculum and instructional strategies to …

The Missing Link In Urban Tourism: Connecting Leisure, Accessibility And Resident Participation For Enhanced Value, Juliana Juliana, Amelda Pramezwary, Arifin Djakasaputra, Moh Muhlis Anwar, Ferry Jie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study aims to explore the interrelationships between urban leisure opportunities, accessibility of cultural resources, residents’ active engagement in urban tourism and their perceptions of tourism value. By examining these dynamics, the study seeks to provide insights into fostering sustainable urban tourism that benefits both residents and visitors. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured survey distributed to urban residents. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the relationships among variables, supported by reliability and validity tests. Bootstrapping techniques further assessed the robustness of the hypotheses. The results indicate significant positive relationships among the studied …

Implementing Gross National Happiness In Bhutan As A Development Model And Governance Tool – Perspectives Of Policy Influencers, Tashi Dorji, Angus Morrison-Saunders, David Blake

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Bhutan’s development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) prioritises the collective wellbeing of its people over economic growth through a multidimensional index that informs policy. While GNH has received global recognition, persistent challenges in conceptual clarity and practical implementation are argued and debated. This qualitative study examines the role and utility of GNH as a development model and its implementation as a multifaceted governance tool in Bhutan. The findings reveal that GNH is conceptualised in diverse ways, ranging from personal happiness to a more generic communal philosophy. While its strengths lie in its culturally grounded framework, key limitations include a …

Empowering Social Competence: A Scoping Review Of Digital Social Skills Training Interventions, Nasim Salehi, Mansoureh Nickbakht, Cindy Branch-Smith, Nazli Bashi, Elham Salehi, Sally Sargeant, Diarmuid Hurley, Farhad Fatehi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Effective social skills are essential for functional social support, help-seeking, and resource access. Digital social skills training (DSST) plays a key role in empowering individuals to develop social competence, improve access to various support and resources, and enhance locus of control through dynamic media. This scoping review aims to identify and explore existing DSST programs and their mechanisms for access to support and resources, as well as health outcomes among people with and without health conditions. A search across four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Embase) from 2000 to 2023 resulted in the inclusion of 59 papers. Thematic analysis categorized …

Diaspora Politics And A Rising China: Ambivalent Ties Amid Geopolitical Changes, Jiaqi M. Liu

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Over the past decade, the rise of China on the global stage has witnessed the emergence of members of the Chinese diaspora as new meso-level actors in mediating Sino-Western relations. As part of China’s burgeoning “public diplomacy” around the globe, Chinese migrants organize cultural events to establish grassroots and semi-official exchanges between China and the West. This chapter provides a state-of-the-art examination of so-called “diasporic public diplomacy” whereby the Chinese diaspora plays an increasingly important role in promoting China’s soft power abroad. Based on long-term fieldwork in a prominent emigrant community, I analyse how Chinese national policies envision two specific …

Exploring The Sociocultural Significance Of Funerals In Zongo Communities In Less-Developed Countries: A Case Of Effiakuma Zongo In The Western Region Of Ghana, Fusheini Halawayhi, Victor Fannam Nunfam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Social and cultural capital have been recognized as critical assets for improving nations under the Sustainable Development Goals. The sociocultural significance of funerals in Zongo communities in Ghana, however, has not received much research attention. The Kastenbaum’s concept of funerals and Szmigin and Louise’s relational framework on funeral experiences were used to explore the social-cultural significance of funeral in the Effiakuma Zongo community as is the case in Ghana. Based on interpretive phenomenology and descriptive case study, we purposively sampled and conducted focus group interviews with 15 participants including bereaved family members, gravediggers and Imams. Data was processed and analyzed …

Explosions Are Always Entertaining But…: Investigating The Impacts Of Science Shows On High School Students, Shanii Phillips, Miriam Sullivan, Ann Grand

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Science shows are often posited as a route to encourage young people to engage with science. Using a mixed methods approach, our research investigated the impact of attending a science show on high school students’ intentions to study science or pursue a career in science. We found that while a single visit to a science show has little impact on students’ aspirations, it can reinforce students’ confidence in their ability to succeed in science. In terms of design and performance, the best-received shows included ‘real-world’ content that students could identify as relevant to their lives.

Improving Mental Health Referral Systems In Rural Australia: Co-Design Study With Health Professionals And Consumers, Kate Bartel, Asini Malinka Siriwardene, Paul Worley, Kim Pearce, Niranjan Bidargaddi, Bronwin Patrickson, Simon Moody, Sharon Wingard, Martin Jones, Brian Mckenny, Darryl Cameron, Sharon Lawn, Amy E. Mendham

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: In rural Australia, geographical isolation, limited resources, and complex health care navigation create significant barriers to mental health care access. Mental health care professionals and organizations often work in segregation, exacerbating existing barriers. Digital technology provides an opportunity to improve communication between providers and streamline workflows while supporting a diverse range of consumers. Objective: This co-design study aimed to identify rural community needs and explore digital solutions to enhance mental health service delivery pathways. Methods: Using a design-thinking methodology, we conducted focus groups and workshops with 17 participants (7 consumers and caregivers and 10 health care professionals) from a …

Laissez-Faire Leadership, Red Tape And The Meaningful Work Paradox, Abid Hussain, Esme Franken

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While meaningful work is widely recognised as a driver of job satisfaction, the role of leadership style and bureaucratic constraints in shaping this relationship remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by investigating how laissez-faire leadership and red tape moderate the meaningful work–job satisfaction relationship among Australian public sector employees (N = 277). The findings reveal that laissez-faire leadership strengthens this relationship, suggesting that the autonomy it provides enhances the benefits of meaningful work, contrary to its traditionally negative portrayal. In contrast, red tape significantly weakens the relationship, highlighting the adverse effects of bureaucratic inefficiencies. These results confirm that meaningful …

Motivation Matters: The Positive Influence Of Parental Involvement On Children’S Writing Outcome, Bronte Kelso-Marsh, Anabela Abreu Malpique, Helen Davis, Debora Similieana Valcan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Theoretical models and empirical evidence suggest parental involvement in general education is beneficial for children’s educational outcomes and that motivational factors may contribute to explaining parental involvement in children’s education. Few studies, however, have examined the role of parental involvement in children’s writing outcomes and, to our knowledge, none has investigated the motivations of Parents/Carers to support their children’s writing development in the first place. In this study, we aimed to address this gap by measuring Parents'/Carers' autonomous and controlled motivations for supporting their children’s writing at home and their engagement in writing activities with their children, and then assessing …

Of Scents And Cytokines: How Olfactory And Food Aversions Relate To Nausea And Immunomodulation In Early Pregnancy, Dayoon Kwon, Daniel M.T. Fessler, Delaney A. Knorr, Kyle S. Wiley, Julie Sartori, David A. Coall, Molly M. Fox

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: During pregnancy, the maternal body undergoes extensive physiological adaptations to support embryonic growth, including whole-body remodeling, that may induce odor and food aversions, as well as nausea and vomiting. The biological mechanisms behind odor and food aversions, as well as nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, remain largely unexplored. Our study investigated associations between these changes and cytokine profiles during pregnancy. Methodology: A cohort of pregnant Latina women in Southern California (n = 58) completed a structured questionnaire on pregnancy "morning sickness"-related symptoms and aversions. Maternal plasma cytokine levels were measured between 5 and 17 weeks' gestation. Results: About …

Open Educational Resources In Epidemiology: A Case Study Of Student Perceptions, Kiam Padamsey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Textbooks are fundamental in epidemiological education, but their rising costs and static nature present challenges in an ever-evolving academic landscape. Open Educational Resources (OER) offer a potential solution by providing free, adaptable, and high-quality alternative learning materials. This study examined student perceptions of an OER textbook compared to a traditional epidemiology textbook across undergraduate and postgraduate epidemiology units at Edith Cowan University, Western Australia. A total of n = 164 students responded to a survey assessing textbook quality, alignment with course objectives, clarity, and perceived impact on learning. Results indicated students perceived no significant differences between the traditional and OER …

Psychotropic Medications Versus Non-Pharmacologic Approaches For Managing Behavioural And Psychological Symptoms In Australian Aged Care Residents With Dementia: General Practitioners’ And Physicians’ Perspectives, Hunduma D. Ayeno, Mustafa Atee, Gizat M. Kassie, Vijayaprakash Suppiah, Imaina Widagdo, Tuan A. Nguyen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Psychotropic medications are often inappropriately prescribed for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), posing significant risks such as falls, stroke and death. Although non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) are the first-line treatment for BPSD, their use in practice remains limited. Objectives: This study explored general practitioners’ (GPs’) and physicians’ perspectives on using psychotropic medications compared to NPIs for managing BPSD in Australian residential aged care homes (RACHs). Design: Semi-structured online in-depth interviews were conducted with GPs and physicians managing BPSD in Australian RACHs. Methods: The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using inductive thematic analysis, with transcripts coded using NVivo …

Qualitative Evaluation Of A Physical Activity Motivation Intervention At A Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facility, Sascha Thal, Nikos Ntoumanis, Stephen Bright, Eleanor Quested, Dominika Kwasnicka, Min Maung, Bronwyn Myers

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Research on physical activity (PA) interventions for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) has yielded mixed findings regarding impact on substance use, mental health, and physical health. Low motivation, a common barrier in this population, can limit intervention effectiveness. This study evaluated the perceived effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a motivational group intervention designed to enhance PA motivation among residents of a SUD treatment facility in Western Australia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 intervention participants and five treatment facility stakeholders (n = 15). Data were analysed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis. Results: This generated five key themes: …

Regional Tourism Destination Brand Identity Formation Via Social Media: A Mixed Methods Study, Stephanie Meek, Violetta Wilk

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examines the influence of social media on regional destination brand identity, addressing post-COVID-19 challenges for regional destinations through the Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational (ACT-R) theory framework. We conducted two studies: a qualitative analysis of 2325 social media user-generated content posts using Leximancer, and a quantitative survey of 1239 potential tourists using structural equation modelling (SEM) with AMOS. The qualitative study identified distinctive brand associations for the regional tourism destination, which informed Study 2. The quantitative study demonstrated that electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on social media has a positive influence on perceptions of regional tourism destination brand identity, …

Risky Topics In Health Education: Enacted Content When Students With Migration Backgrounds Meet Swedish Health Education, Mikael Quennerstedt, Annica Caldeborg, Dean Barker, Valeria Varea

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

School health educational content often entails different subject areas and a variety of topics that students are supposed to learn, and when taught in diverse classrooms, potentially positions students as at-risk. Using vignettes in interviews with migrant students in Sweden, the study focuses on views of the content of health education in relation to different ways that health as risk is enacted. Four aspects of risk were identified: (i) risk as content in health education and risky, including topics such as nutrition, stress, smoking, and pollution; (ii) risk as content in health education but not so risky, including topics such …

The Acute Effects Of Caffeine, Creatine, And Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse Combined With Conditioning Activity On Subsequent Sports Performance: A Systematic Review And Bayesian Meta-Analysis, Yanfeng Li, Bopeng Qiu, Hongyan Kuai, Kongyun Huang, Hengxian Liu, Mingyang Zhang, Mingyue Yin, Yilin Zhang, Hengzhi Deng, Yuming Zhong, Hao Kong, Jun Chen, Kai Xu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) refers to the acute improvement in sports performance following a conditioning activity (CA), commonly used in warm-up protocols and complex training. While CA alone has demonstrated performance benefits, the effects of combining CA-induced PAPE with supplements (e.g., caffeine, creatine, or carbohydrate mouth rinse) remain unclear. Objectives: This study was to (i) assess the effects of PAPE combined with supplements on sports performance and fatigue resistance compared to PAPE + placebo, warm-up + supplements, or warm-up alone, and (ii) synthesize direct and indirect evidence on performance outcomes using network meta-analysis. Methods: Searches were conducted across three …

A Holistic Ecosystem Model To Diversify The Physician Workforce And Enhance Health, Erik J Porfeli, Sunny Nakae, Leila Amiri, Leila E Harrison, Will Ross

2020-Current year OA Pubs

IMPORTANCE: The U.S. medical education system attracts and trains the next generation of physicians to advance the health care needs of a growing and increasingly diverse nation. This system can be credited for supplying a physician workforce achieving remarkable growth and innovation, yielding one of the world's most technologically advanced health care systems on the planet. This system, unfortunately, also contributes to educational, workforce, and health disparities.

OBSERVATIONS: The successes and challenges of the medical education and health care system align with broader economic, health, and educational patterns in the United States. An ecological model can be employed to unite …

Navigating Ethical Complexities In Health Education: Exploring Challenges In Teaching Food And Health, E. Oljans, M. Quennerstedt, D. Barker, A. Caldeborg, V. Varea

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Teaching food and health may be challenging, especially in classrooms where young people from different cultures, ethnicities, and religions meet. This article explores teachers’ navigation of ethical complexities when teaching food and health in classrooms with immigrant students. Five didactical strategies were identified: (1) The educare strategy, (2) The tiptoeing strategy, (3) The collegial support strategy, (4) The intercultural strategy, and (5) The pluralistic strategy. These didactical strategies are embedded in various educational settings. Our results demonstrate that a further focus on ethical and intercultural competence should be carefully supported and implemented in teacher education and continual professional development programmes …

Baseline Clinical Characterization Of Participants In The Accelerating Medicines Partnership Schizophrenia Program, Jean Addington, Daniel Mamah, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: This paper focuses on the baseline clinical characterization of the participants in the Accelerating Medicines Partnership Schizophrenia (AMP SCZ) program. The AMP SCZ program is designed to investigate a wide array of clinical variables and biomarkers in a total of 2040 clinical high-risk (CHR) participants and 652 community control (CC) participants.

METHODS: The dataset analyzed includes 1642 individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis and 519 CCs. Key measures include the Positive Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria for the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States Harmonized with the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes, which determined CHR criteria and the severity …

Sample Ascertainment And Recruitment Sources In The Accelerating Medicines Partnership Schizophrenia Program, Jean Addington, Daniel Mamah, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: This paper presents the recruitment sources of clinical high-risk (CHR) and community controls (CC) from the Accelerating Medicines Partnership Schizophrenia (AMP SCZ) program, which aims to study various clinical variables and biomarkers in 2040 CHR and 652 CC participants.

METHODS: A total of 1640 CHR and 514 CC had recruitment source data. The Positive Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria for the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States Harmonized with the SIPS was utilized to assess CHR criteria and severity of attenuated psychotic symptoms (APSs), and the Global Functioning: Social Scale was used for social functioning. Participants were recruited through various …

Sociodemographic Factors Predict Outcomes And Reveal Spatial Tumor Patterns In Glioblastoma, Patrick H Luckett, Michael Olufawo, Noah Naddaff-Slocum, Ki Yun Park, Bidhan Lamichhane, Donna Dierker, Gabriel Trevino Verastegui, John J Lee, Peter Yang, Albert Kim, Omar H Butt, Milan G Chheda, Abraham Z Snyder, Joshua S Shimony, Eric C Leuthardt

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest malignant glioma of the central nervous system. Postsurgical functional impairment correlates with survival and is estimated using metrics such as extent and location of resection. This study uses machine learning to evaluate the predictive ability of baseline sociodemographic and lifestyle factors for forecasting postoperative functional outcomes in GBM patients.

METHODS: Glioblastoma patients (

RESULTS: Utilizing decision trees with age, SVI/SES, sex, tobacco use, alcohol use, obesity, and race as predictors, we achieved 88% accuracy in classifying median KPS and 85% accuracy in classifying KPS slope. Socioeconomic factors were the strongest predictors. Age, sex, and …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Students’ Ict Skills For Online Assessments (Naplan): Influences And Impact, Cindy Carboni, Susan Main

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This convergent mixed-methods study investigated Australian teachers’ perspectives on the computing competencies required for online National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). A total of 107 teachers completed surveys examining how socio-educational backgrounds and classroom practices shape students’ readiness for high-stakes online assessments. Quantitative analysis revealed significant associations between socio-educational advantage and students’ proficiency in seven essential NAPLAN ICT online skills, including typing, navigation, and on-screen manipulation. Qualitative findings highlighted teachers’ concerns about limited exposure to computing tools and insufficient practice time, which many believed hindered student performance in online assessments. Teachers also noted that inequities in skill development …

The Teacher Wellbeing Turn: Neuropolitics, Education And The Psy-Complex, Andrew W. Wilkins, Antonio Olmedo, Brad Gobby, Saul Karnovsky

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Across the globe, governments are responding to a ‘teaching crisis’ marked by high attrition rates and labour shortages. This crisis can be attributed to macro changes in the economy (intensified by the shift towards high inflation, low growth economies post-COVID) and micro changes to the organisation and funding of schools with teachers experiencing stagnating wages and unmanageable workloads in punishing accountability environments. In this paper we examine how government and other authorities in England seek to manage the teaching crisis through diagnostic tools and skills training designed to measure and improving teacher wellbeing. This includes inciting new teacher subjectivities, namely …

Preliminary Investigation Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea And Alzheimer's Disease In Down Syndrome, Dasoo M Yoon, David T Plante, Victoria Fleming, Benjamin Handen, Patrick Lao, Jamie Peven, Bradley Christian, Ozioma Okonkwo, Charles Laymon, Beau Ances, Christy Hom, Brian Helsel, Sigan L Hartley

2020-Current year OA Pubs

This study provided a preliminary examination of indices of obstructive sleep apsnea (OSA) and sleep disruptions in adults with Down syndrome (DS), and their associations with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and symptomatology. A total of 93 adults with DS (aged 25-61 years) from the Alzheimer Biomarker Consortium-DS completed cognitive assessments, MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) scans (assessing amyloid-beta [Aβ] and tau), and a one-night home sleep study using the WatchPAT-300 device. Study partners also reported on depressive symptoms and diagnoses. Correlational analyses examined relationships between sleep variables, PET biomarkers, and AD symptomatology (cognitive functioning and depressive mood), controlling for …

The Paradoxical Effect Of Job Autonomy On Communication Overload: A Pathway To Innovative Work Behaviour, Oualid Abidi, Rupali Bhagat, Hamsa Sarhan, Mirna Safi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This research aims to propose autonomy as a job characteristic that alleviates communication overload, thereby fostering the innovative work behaviours exhibited by knowledge workers. Design/methodology/approach – An empirical survey was administered to 277 knowledge workers from diverse sectors in Kuwait. To analyse the interrelations among the three constructs of the research model, i.e. job autonomy, innovative work behaviours and communication overload, the structural equation modelling method was applied, and mediation analysis was conducted using a bootstrapping method to examine the indirect effect of communication overload. Findings – The findings indicate that the level of job autonomy has a significant …

Professional Experience In Initial Teacher Education: Integrating Standards, Supervisors And Mentor Teachers, Madlen Griffiths, Mandie Shean

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Professional experience is the training ground for preservice teachers, where they apply what they have learned at university, in the reality of the classroom setting. Our article investigates the contribution of university supervisors to preservice teacher learning, from the perspective of both groups. This qualitative study gathered data from interviews with 28 preservice teachers and supervisors. Findings highlighted the complexity of the task assigned to supervisors, and the distinctive role that they play in the preservice teachers’ learning. This study offers a model of supervision drawn from the voices of these two key stakeholders that is underpinned by theory and …

What Makes An Airbnb Experience Memorable? A Text Analysis Using Leximancer, Eunjung Kim, Songshan Huang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study explores the factors that contribute to memorable experiences in the context of Airbnb. An open-ended question, ‘Please describe your most memorable experience with Airbnb’, was asked in the survey, and a total of 824 valid responses were obtained. The qualitative analysis of the data was conducted using Leximancer. The findings highlight the significance of the ‘Stay’, ‘Home’, ‘Family’, ‘Host’, ‘Beach’, and ‘Use’ themes, each playing a vital role in creating memorable experiences. In particular, the present study extends these findings by offering a more nuanced understanding of these dimensions, with specific themes emerging in relation to different demographic …

Can The Ability To Infer Relevance Account For Dimensional Psychoticism? An Exploration Of A Representative Community Sample, Adam Schwarz, Frank D. Baughman, Evan Dauer, Ruby Koyllor Alarcon Gleeson, Jennifer Haywood, Bo Huei Huang, Karen H. Heslop, Barbara A. Mullan, Susan L. Rossell, Nicolas H. Hart, Darren Haywood

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Psychoticism is a common feature of psychological disorders. Deficits in perceptual inference have been associated with the development of psychotic symptoms. Traditional testing of perceptual inference has had low ecological validity, limiting the ability to infer functional relationships. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between the capacity to infer relevance in dynamic environments and dimensional psychoticism, as well as to investigate the association between inferring relevance and dimensional psychoticism. Method: Four hundred participants, representative of the general population of the USA, completed an online questionnaire consisting of the Brief Symptom Inventory, as well as demographic …

Surviving And Thriving In Educational Leadership: Challenges And Coping Strategies Of High School Principals In Nepal, Shankar Dhakal

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

School leadership in Nepal is shaped by sociocultural, institutional, and resource-related challenges. This study fills a gap in the literature by examining leadership dynamics within this unique and diverse educational context. Guided by resilient leadership theory as a referent, this qualitative case study, grounded in a constructivist paradigm, involved semi-structured interviews with public high school principals to investigate their workplace challenges and coping strategies. The findings reveal challenges including sociocultural and gender biases, teachers’ resistance to modern pedagogical practices, and resource limitations. They navigate these challenges through strategies of humility, intrinsic motivation, and collaborative partnerships. The findings highlight the need …