Theses : Honours

Property bubble : test for suitability and reliability indicators : a comparative assessment of Western Australia and Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur

Romain A. Aureglia — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:09:40 PDT

Purpose: The main purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the speculative bubble literature and to provide a practical test upon Lind’s (2008) definition and set of indicators to identify a property bubble.

Methodology: The methodology for this thesis consists of a case study and a comparative analysis. The paper will connect Lind’s theoretical framework to a practical test to provide a concrete answer for the validity of his work.

Findings: Media and general perceptions have had a great influence over the housing market actors for both Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur and Western Australia regions. House prices increases are often attributed to speculative events without real evidences. Narrowing the definition, and the use of a valid set of conditions, revealed that the regions used in the case study do not provide sufficient evidence to categorise these markets as having a property bubble. The complexity of factors (e.g. macroeconomic, credit and labour market) has had a significant impact over house prices, and the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) has changed the outcomes of the study. In PACA, the GFC has suppressed speculative behaviour and potential new actors are now reluctant to enter the market. In WA, the GFC divided the market into resource industry actors and “others” (buyers with no commercial relation to the resource industry). The paper also confirms Lind’s framework is a suitable and reliable set of tools that helps to identify speculative episodes. It is important to add that any further research on this topic needs to implement a set of specific factors in conjunction with the proposed common base.

Research limitations: The timeframe for this thesis is 2000 to 2011. The central limitation of this research has been the availability of recent data. The Australian Bureau of Statistics will release the latest dataset from the 2011 census in June 2012. The French equivalent provides data up to late 2009. The absence of authorative comparative data was the main limitation encountered in this study.

Keywords: property bubble, rationality, case study, comparative analysis, house prices, Western Australia, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, real estate, housing market.

Capturing dance: the art of documentation (An exploration of distilling the body in motion)

Kasey J. Lack — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:45:17 PDT

This research paper is an exploration of documenting and capturing live dance performance in regards to three artistic mediums, Notation, Photography and Film. This piece of writing discusses practitioners who have contributed to the development of these processes such as: Ann Hutchinson Guest, Rudolf von Laban, Eadweard Muybridge, Lois Greenfield, Ted Shawn, Norman McLaren and Sue Healey. In conjunction with historical and current day research the secondary document provided alongside this thesis describes the practical investigation undertaken. The reflections included define first-hand discoveries of how these three mediums of documenting interconnect to describe a contemporary dance solo. Thoughts, findings and results from the studio are provided and discussed to gain further understanding. The aim of this research is to distil and capture the body in motion, to see if it’s possible to produce a document capable of communicating dance when a live body is absent.

Full-forward and, Macho homos : toward a masculist reframing of male homosexuality

Kristian Guagliardo — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 21:16:50 PDT

The following work explores the nexus of male homosexuality and traditional masculinity.

The creative work examines the ways in which both patriarchal and popular, purportedly feminist or queer theorist cultures arbitrarily assign allegedly immanent feminine qualities to homosexual males even when these characteristics are not congruent with the male subject. This facet of western, and specifically Australian, culture is explored through the prism of a hegemonically masculine ‘country boy’ who finds that despite his own comportment and identity, he becomes culturally and socially feminised by virtue of his homosexuality alone. He experiences isolation, angst, anger and cognitive dissonance as he grapples with unifying his sexuality and his masculine identity.

The accompanying essay analyses the cultural conflation of male homosexuality with effeminacy, examining the ways in which patriarchal and ostensibly feminist popular media discourses not only feminise the male homosexual but problematise, de-legitimise and render invisible the masculine homosexual or the “macho homo” identity. Given the existing evidence and research to indicate that many homosexual men identify as traditionally masculine, the case is made for reifying the “macho homo” via a proposed reframing of male homosexuality in a masculist framework.

Investigating the structure of acoustic and electronic noise : an analysis of 'Volumina' by Gyorgy Ligeti and 'Canaanda' by Merzbow

Sam Gillies — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 01:15:37 PDT

The term noise as it pertains to music is a subjective one and open to interpretation. What we find is that over 20th century discourse, the term noise has been used as a broad label to encapsulate all musical sound that functions in a way that opposes what would widely be considered 'musical'. While much of the literature covers the categorisation and political theory of noise in music, there is comparatively little literature that analyses musical construction of noise music beyond that of a purely aesthetic or political reaction.

This thesis seeks to explore the world of noise music with reference to musical relationships. Here two noise works are examined, one acoustic - Ligeti's Volumina (1962) - and one electronic - Merzbow's Canaanda (2011) - and an attempt to chart how these works function musically with respect to recognizable musical structures and relationships.

The 2011 Libyan revolution and Gene Sharp's strategy of nonviolent action : what factors precluded nonviolent action in the 2011 Libyan uprising, and how do these reflect on Gene Sharp's theory?

Siobhan Lynch — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:25:23 PDT

This thesis explores impediments to regime change using the strategy of nonviolent action, through an integrated examination of consensual power theory as articulated by Gene Sharp and Antonio Gramsci, and by incorporating James Scott’s theory that observable consent in the public discourse can belie a private realm of resistance to a system of domination. Using the context of the 2011 Libyan uprising, this thesis analyses the reality of consensual power in Libya to explain what factors precluded nonviolent action succeeding in the 2011 revolution.

Critically evaluating the theories, this study examines a wide range of information about the historical, political, economic and social power structures of Libya and the significance of these factors in the 2011 Libyan revolution. By clearly elucidating the internal dynamics of the Libyan system, this thesis argues that domination and not consent served as the primary source of political power for Qadhafi’s revolutionary regime and thus Sharp’s strategy of withdrawing consent does not fit the reality of Libya. Additionally, consent must be understood as a vastly more complex phenomenon if nonviolent strategy is to be successful in the future.

Utilizing classical saxophone articulation techniques in jazz performance

Jeremy Trezona — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:11:25 PDT

No abstract available.

Retrospective time perception of a long task: using music to distinguish between attention-based and memory-based models

James Brooks — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 23:50:38 PST

There are two main models of time perception, attention-based models, and memorybased models. The aim of this study was to determine which model best explained retrospective time perception of a long and monotonous task. The monotonous task was a Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) that lasted 1390s. The monotony of the task was altered by the addition of musical stimuli. Participants were randomly assigned to either a silent condition, or one of three music conditions that differed in song familiarity and performing instrument. Participants were 48 adults, primarily recruited from Edith Cowan University. The perceived duration of the task, the number of errors on the SART, and the number of songs remembered was measured. Difference in perceived duration between the conditions provided limited support for both attentionbased and memory-based models. However, from the non-significant results of the number of errors on the SART, and the number of songs remembered, neither model was able to explain how participants perceived the duration of the task. The presence of a ceiling effect on perceived duration may have limited the size of some of the effects. Overall, the results suggest that the relevance of attentional processes and memory may not be as significant as what is proposed by the current models in explaining retrospective time perception of long tasks, and this should be explored in future research.

Play participation measure for children aged eight to eleven years: a systematic review ; and, Contextual factors influence childhood participation: the need for a paediatric activity card sort, Australia

Jessica Brew — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 23:04:08 PST

Play Participation Measures for Children Aged Eight to Eleven Years: A Systematic Review

Background For occupational therapists, the primary aim of therapy is to enhance a child's participation in meaningful occupations, The primary occupation for children is play. Participation in play facilitates social, cognitive emotional and physical development. The growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of play has seen an emergence of measures designed to assess a child's play. Past and current measures vary in the aspects of play measured. The purpose of this systematic review was to appraise play participation measures appropriate for children between the ages of five and eleven that exist within the literature, and to identify the similarities and differences inherent in their structures and psychometric properties.

Methods Electronic searches of four databases and manual searches of reference lists located studies detailing the development and psychometric properties of play measures: Assessments that exclusively measured play participation and conjunctively measured environmental factors were included. Data extraction was undertaken by two independent reviewers.

Results Electronic searches yielded 536 papers. Results of the systematic review identified ten generic measures of play participation suitable for children between the ages of five and eleven. All measures varied in their focus and purpose, targeted population, measurement context, applicability to ICF-CY play domains, and reliability and validity properties.

Conclusions and Significance of the Study Occupational therapists require clinical reasoning skills to systematically appraise available measures of play participation. Evaluation will ensure selected measures meet the assessment needs and needs of the child, facilitating accurate assessment and the subsequent result of client centred therapy and effective service provision.

Contextual Factors Influence Childhood Paliicipation: The need for a Paediatric Activity Card Sort - Australia

Background The Paediatric Activity Card Sort (P ACS) is a measure of childhood participation and was developed and validated with children living in North America. Contextual differences present limitations in the sensitivity of activity items when applied to Australian children. The purpose of this study was to identify activities common to the participation profiles of children residing in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia for potential inclusion in the activity items ofthe PACS-Australia.

Methods The study comprised a cross sectional survey. Activities for potential inclusion in the PACS Australia were sourced from administration of the PACS and a semi-structured interview with typically developing children aged 8-11 years residing in metropolitan Petth, Western Australia.

Results Forty one children (22 girls and 19 boys) with an age range of8-11.9 years completed the survey. Mean participation scores for the domains of personal care, school/productivity, hobbies/social activities and sports were 10.39, 12.29,28.17 and 4.59, respectively. Group differences were found in relation to gender for personal care (girls mean rank=24.27, boys mean rank=17.21 ,p=0.036) and sports participation (girls mean rank=14.2, boys mean rank=28.87,p=0.000). Seventy four 'activities not included in the PACS were also listed.

Conclusions and Significance of the Study Activity items were not found to be comprehensive with a number of common Australian childhood activities absent. Further, several PACS activities were not found to be common among Australian children. The P ACS is a valuable tool however, when applied to Australian children, is limited by a lack of comprehensive, contextually relevant activity items, highlighting the need for a P ACS-Australia.

Capturing the Cape : a photographic case study of the Cape Range bioregion of northwest Australia ; Straight lines : a photographic case study of the Cape Range bioregion of northwest Australia

David J. Bradley — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:01:41 PST

In Australia, as with much of the world, landscape photography has played a significant role in raising awareness of human impact on the environment. For the most part, this awareness raises questions of conservation and preserving the natural world. Landscape photography commonly depicts environmental issues in one of two ways: the damaging effects of humanity’s mastery over the environment; or the sublime wonder of nature. In effect, the messages sent by landscape photography are singular, describing either nature, or culture. However, with an intention to develop a more sustainable viewpoint concerning humanity’s relationships with the environment, landscape photography could be used to provide a more complete depiction of bioregions, focussing on all the major landscapes of a particular region. Essentially this position is a call for focus on the nature and the culture within bioregions, the developed and undeveloped, the pristine and the ruined.

This project conducts a photographic case study of the bioregion of the Northwest Cape of Western Australia, specifically the Cape Range sub-bioregion. The results portray comprehensive photographic exploration of the major landscapes of Cape Range subregion: from the national park and marine park tourist destinations; through the built landscapes of the town of Exmouth; to the military industrial wasteland of the Harold E. Holt communications base. It is the aim of this study to provide a more complete photographic picture of how local inhabitants interact with their bioregion. Simply, this project captures the influence people have on the Cape, and the influence landscape has on the local contemporary culture.

Somewhat damaged and interrogating the incubus : sleep paralysis explored in the young adult novel, 'Somewhat Damaged'

Lauren Payne — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:38:24 PST

This thesis, comprising an excerpt from my young adult paranormal novel ‘Somewhat Damaged’ and an essay, examines the mythic potential of sleep paralysis, a paralytic transitory state between sleep and consciousness during which frightening hallucinations are projected onto the waking environment. While the neurophysiology is generally agreed upon, further investigation is warranted on the anomalous phenomena that manifests during sleep paralysis hallucinations. Within the theoretical framework of psychoanalysis, particularly Carl Jung’s collective unconscious theory (1959), I will imaginatively explore the recurring figure of the ‘incubus’ of sleep paralysis that has provoked ubiquitous fear and ambiguity. The essay will describe the ways that conventions of young adult and horror fiction have shaped the development and execution of ‘Somewhat Damaged’. The novel adopts a feminist approach, examining the concept of the ‘figurative orphan’ resulting from parental absenteeism and emotional distance, and conveying male and female attitudes towards female promiscuity. In addition, the essay will communicate my research in the area of sleep paralysis, its correlation with childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and its psychoanalytical potentials in ‘Somewhat Damaged’.

Lola Ridge : poet and renegade modernist

Anna Hueppauff — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:25:00 PST

This thesis examines the poetry of Lola Ridge as a form of alternative Modernism. Poet, editor, anarchist, Lola Ridge is largely an unknown identity in Modernist discourses. Primarily recognised as a social justice poet, her work has been viewed through a traditional Modernist lens and excluded to the periphery as ‘sentimental’. This thesis argues that Ridge personally and professionally exceeds these categories. She modelled a practice of engagement in her personal life by actively participating in rallies and protests against injustice, and living in poverty in solidarity with the poor, giving her work an authenticity worth investigating. Her poetry provides a literary montage of underclass life in an industrial capitalist society and operates as a social critique of ideals in practice, measuring progress through the effect of social and public policy on the body. I contend that her work represents an alternative Modernism which would include an exposition of power relations at work in society and on the body. Chapter One contextualises Ridge’s life and work within the domain of High Modernism and the divide between American and European versions, establishing the grounds for her marginalisation. Chapter Two contextualises both the sentimental and Georgian poetics, laying the foundation for analysing Ridge’s poetry. Chapter Three demonstrates through close reading of selected poems how Ridge’s aesthetic fuses the sentimental concern for the body with a style that resonates with Georgian trench practice to implicate the bystander - and thus the reader - as complicit in the suffering of the others. I argue that these practices establish Ridge as a renegade Modernist, strategically integrating a range of forms to engage the reader in an ethical conversation, to confront their own complicity, an ethical practice she sought to model throughout her life.

Identification requirements and policy in alternative remittance : a measure of legislative adherence

Timothy J. Smith — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 23:08:39 PST

Money laundering is a persistent threat to the economic viability of every nation. However the intent behind this behaviour does not always converge with the criminality of the act. A study of 395 international university students in Australia demonstrated a prominent cultural and regional norm in South Asia to use untraceable ‘informal’ remittance systems. Under Australian legislation, the use of a non-compliant alternative or informal value transfer system (IVTS) is an act that predicates the laundering of money regardless of intent. Yet in line with a clear cultural proclivity and trust in money transfer businesses, it is evident that many ordinary people still use these systems everyday alongside criminals and terrorists.The data in this study highlights a trend of willingness in remittance staff to accept student identification as valid identification for an international money transfer. The international anti-money laundering regime is a broad-scope, top-down system, which recommends a standard format of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regulation for all at-risk sectors of a national economy. However, the abuse of globally recognised monetary transfer systems is symptomatic of the flaws in this broad approach. Australia’s Financial Intelligence Unit AUSTRAC has recognised the need for less restrictive regulation of alternative remittance business. Despite this fact, the regulation of the Australian alternative remittance sector has failed to account for the environmental, cultural, and informal heritage impact factors in this process, which has reduced the efficacy of Australia’s AML/CTF programme. A second data set suggests that regulatory inadequacies extend beyond the border, to alternative and informal systems which regularly send untraceable money to and from Australia uninhibited. The findings of this research conclude that there are eight barriers which inhibit AML/CTF compliance in alternative remittance businesses. These barriers range from cultural, environmental, and trust based networks, to commercial and regulatory opportunism.

Australian National School Chaplaincy Program : a critical discourse analysis of online newspaper portrayals

Ashley Donkin — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:20:53 PST

The media’s representation of the Australian National School Chaplaincy Program has not currently been addressed by social theorists. This thesis analyses online newspaper portrayals of the National School Chaplaincy Program, examining a total of eleven major state newspapers. Norman Fairclough’s theory of Critical Discourse Analysis, and particularly his theory on the three main types of assumptions (Existential, Propositional and Value), is employed to examine how language is used to construct ideologies and discourses about the Chaplaincy Program. Four key issues are examined, which include: the role of chaplains, the use of government funding for the Program, as well as church and state boundaries. The fourth issue analysed is the 2011 High Court Challenge. The challenge began when Queensland father Ron Williams contested that the Chaplaincy Program was unconstitutional because it breached Section 116 of the Australian Constitution, which claims that the ‘Commonwealth is not to legislate in respect of religion’. The news articles have been analysed during 2006 when the Program was first announced, 2007 during the commencement of the Program, and 2011 when the High Court Challenge began. The results from the analysis reveal mixed responses, with news articles in 2006 and 2007 portraying a more positive representation of the Chaplaincy Program. On the other hand, in 2011 the Program was portrayed more negatively due to considerable support for the High Court Challenge. The compiled findings demonstrate that online newspaper portrayals of the Chaplaincy Program are predominantly biased based upon the assumptions made by journalists, and the people they choose to represent in their news articles. This research provides new insight into how spirituality is represented within Australian media, particularly analysing and reflecting on the way in which newspaper discourse represents religious chaplains within state education.

Improving memory using N-back training

Paul Beavon — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:38:30 PST

Investigations into n-back training and near transfer to short-term memory (STM) and working memory (WM) have realised inconsistent results. A significant transfer to STM was reported using dual n-back training (Jaeggi, Buschkuehl, Jonides, & Perrig, 2008). However, the majority of studies have found no significant transfer to WM as operationalised by complex span tasks using either single or dual n-back training. The current study examined the single n-back task and near transfer to STM and WM as operationalised by the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities (Mather & Woodcock-Johnson, 2001). Forty-seven participants were divided into experimental treatment (n = 26) and active control (n = 21) groups; and engaged in 20 daily, 20-minute training sessions over a 30-day period using either a single n-back task, or a combination of two general knowledge tasks respectively. STM and WM psychometric tests were administered before and after the 30-day training process. No significant difference was found between pre- and post-training STM or WM scores, indicating both constructs were unlikely near transfer mechanisms for single nback training. There was concern that the non-significant WM finding may have been confounded as there is evidence to suggest that the single n-back task and one of the active control group tasks both relied on recognition for resolution. The small effect size associated with single n-back transfer to STM implied that this outcome was independent of the active control group. Furthermore, the non-significant result for STM suggests that single and dual n-back tasks differ in their transfer properties.

Aphasia incidence and intervention in the acute hospital setting

Dominique Lidia Ferreira — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:58:06 PST

Background: Current research highlights the significance of providing early and intensive aphasia therapy to maximise neural plasticity and enhance communication gains. Acute speech pathology service delivery in Australia does not consistently meet best practice standards recommended by the National Stroke Foundation. Aims: This study aimed to: i) investigate the incidence of post-stroke aphasia in the acute setting; ii) determine the referral rate to speech pathology for patients with aphasia; iii) investigate the amount of language therapy provided to people with aphasia and iv) explore the relative proportion of aphasia service delivery within the overall caseload management of speech pathologists. Method & Procedure: People admitted to an acute-care Australian hospital with confirmed stroke were screened for aphasia using the Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test (FAST) (Enderby et al., 1987) and a clinical diagnosis. Speech pathology management was recorded for all occasions of service, together with the time spent in assessment, treatment and overall management for all people with a confirmed stroke for the duration of their inpatient stay. Results: Thirty-one people were admitted with a confirmed stroke, 23 were screened for aphasia and nine patients were diagnosed with aphasia. Of the nine people with aphasia, eight of these were deemed to be candidates for therapy and received aphasia assessment and four went on to receive aphasia therapy. Seven participants without aphasia were referred to speech pathology and received a dysphagia assessment. Four of these people subsequently received dysphagia treatment. Across all the time managing people with stroke, equal proportions of speech pathology time was spent in aphasia and dysphagia management. Conclusion: Speech pathology management in the acute hospital setting is not yet being delivered according to best clinical practice standards. Although speech pathologists are spending an equal amount of time providing dysphagia and aphasia services, a greater amount of time is spent providing dysphagia treatment. Further research is needed to examine why the prescribed intensity of aphasia therapy is not being delivered in the early phase of recovery.

Knowledge of the UV index within Western Australia

David Mercovich — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:33:10 PST

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world and despite the dedicated efforts of preventative campaigns since 1981; this number has increased over the past ten years (Carter & Donovan, 2007). With most skin cancer being attributed to Ultra violet radiation there is a pressing need for proper education, health promotion and preventative means. Previous Western Australian skin UV Index research has yielded findings of moderate awareness. However, there is the association between skin cancer prevalence and the UV Index but a lack of knowledge and application of the UV Index as a means of preventative measures against sun exposure. The Index itself has been broadcasted in Australia across a variety of mediums since 1996. This research project investigated UV Index base knowledge and salience compared to other weather reports and subsequently, how the UV Index can be used as an educational tool to identify risks to prolonged sun exposure. This research project used a mixed methods approach applying both the use of focus groups, and questionnaires within the focus groups, to give a broad pallet of data to collate results and expand discussion from. Research methods utilised, included both unprompted memory recall and prompted recognition. Twenty-six participants made up the sample, separated into four focus groups based on gender and socio-economic status. The results indicated that participants had a low awareness of the UV index compared to other weather measures. Various misconceptions about the UV Index were made including links to ‘burn-time’, fire warnings and a lack of knowledge of its direct application. However as a positive contribution of the study initial lack of awareness and applicable knowledge, the focus groups allowed participants to improve base understanding. Pre and post knowledge survey results showed an average increase from a score of 30% to 68%. These figures highlighted self-improvement in participant’s application of fundamental UV Index concepts. This was also supported by positive feedback about the use of the bell-curve as a tool to display the UV Index. Overall, the findings suggest that with the correct tool, message and application, the UV Index can still be an effective medium. However, its use must be part of a larger effort to improve knowledge and application of preventative behaviours in combating the effects of harmful UV radiation.

The marketing relevance of Australian cosmetic brand ambassadors

Jessica Boswarva — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:54:44 PST

Brand ambassadors are often employed to perform important marketing roles such as influencing product adoption and creating brand awareness (Livesley, 2009; O’Leary, 2010; Voight, 2007; Wragg, 2004). Brand ambassadors provide personalised customer service, including educational, experiential and relational roles and as a result propagate trust, minimize perceived risk and create familiarity and involvement (Belch & Belch, 2007; Chiou & Droge, 2006; Elliot & Percy, 2007). Whilst studies highlight benefits to businesses in general, there is limited research to the role of brand ambassadors within the Australian cosmetic industry. Cosmetic brand ambassadors are a traditional feature of the cosmetic industry and are employed as beauty advisors, demonstrators, and sales representatives in Australian specialty stores and department stores. Brand ambassadors are more prevalent amongst upmarket, premium priced cosmetic brands where the communication of product qualities and product value is more complex and where the consumer is more involved with their purchase decision. In consideration of the trend from in-store shopping to online shopping within Australia, the relevance of brand ambassadors is now being questioned (Zehner, Bradley & Sanders, 2011). Today, customers are often interacting with the brand in an online forum rather than receiving face-to-face interaction with cosmetic brand ambassadors (Indvik, 2011). The changes to cosmetic retailing and the behaviour of consumers of cosmetic products provided the motivation for this qualitative study. This qualitative study explored the consumption patterns of cosmetic consumers and in particular the relevance of the marketing roles performed by cosmetic brand ambassadors. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with female cosmetic consumer’s aged between 18 and 30 between September and October in 2012 in Perth, Australia. The results suggested that for some consumers, the online environment has satisfactorily provided services previously undertaken by the cosmetic brand ambassador. The study also suggested that some consumers perceived the online shopping experience to be less variable, and less risky than interactions with cosmetic brand ambassadors. The recommendations are that a strategic review of the role of cosmetic brand ambassadors is needed to ensure that the traditional cosmetic brand ambassador is a feature of the industry in the future.

Biochemical Markers as Evidence of the Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Physiological Processes in Huntington’s Disease Patients

Zarghona Ahmadzai Khan — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 20:24:06 PST

Abstract not available.

African refugee mothers’ experiences of their children’s school readiness, and the role of supported playgroup

Rebecca New — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 19:53:56 PST

An emerging pressure for refugee parents in Australia relates to children’s ‘school readiness’. Existing research on mainstream, ethnic and migrant parents has highlighted that preparing children for school can be stressful; however, current literature has not considered this phenomenon for refugees in Australia. Social support is important for parents as they navigate school-related problems, and supported playgroups can potentially play an important role here for refugees. However, existing research has not yet examined the ways such programs can support these individuals in dealing with school readiness issues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences of African refugee mothers in relation to their children’s school readiness and transitions to school, and the ways one supported playgroup assisted them in this context. A focus group and interviews were conducted on a sample of eight refugee mothers from a supported playgroup. Two playgroup staff and one kindergarten teacher were also included for validation purposes. Using an interpretive phenomenology approach, five main themes were identified: meaning of school readiness; preparing for school; mothers’ experiences of children’s transitions to school; perceived supports; and playgroup support. It was found that women’s experiences were fraught with underlying tensions and conflicts influenced by social and cultural factors, and assistance provided through the supported playgroup was highly important to the women in this context. It was argued that further research is required to support government policy in this area.

Visual memory improvement in recognition

Allison Prandl — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 18:21:48 PST

Fluid intelligence and working memory has been improved by training on a visual working memory n-back task (Jaeggi, Buschkuehl, Jonides & Perrig, 2008). The present study investigated whether n-back training can improve visual memory using a test of visual recognition. A sample of 47 participants were trained for 20 days on either the single n-back task (n = 26) or a general knowledge and vocabulary task (n = 21). The results showed that training using the single n-back task did not significantly increase scores on a test of visual recognition when compared with general knowledge and vocabulary training. However, when initial scores were compared with final scores at completion of the training period, participants who had a high gain in scores on the vocabulary training task improved their visual recognition scores significantly more than those participants who had a low gain in scores on the vocabulary training task. This pattern was not repeated for those participants who were trained in the n-back task. During debrief, participants in the high gain vocabulary training group described shape recognition strategies which they used to improve their performance. It was concluded that the vocabulary task was more successful at training visual recognition than the n-back task which suggested the vocabulary task had a confounding effect on the results of this experiment.