Rethinking english language support : reflections from chinese international students on communicating orally in english in the study abroad context
- Authors: Pruis, Karen
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Australian universities are currently emphasizing such graduate qualities as English language proficiency. However, this can be problematic for many international students who may still be struggling to communicate orally in English while participating in their chosen course of study. Indeed, the English language proficiency of international students has often received negative attention from the Australian media, employers, and academics. Several government reviews have recommended ongoing English language support for international students that extends beyond existing English language entry requirements, English Academic Preparation programs, and Post-entry Language Assessments. At the same time, there has been a critique of responses to these issues which focus on language proficiency—and simply place the onus on international students to increase their English language proficiency—without taking issues of intercultural communicative competence into account, along with calls for institutional frameworks to better support student experience. This thesis is one contribution to this debate, supported and informed by an exploration of lived experiences of Chinese students engaging with oral English language use and other supports. Not only are Chinese students the largest cohort of international students in Australia, but English education in China also does not appear to prepare them effectively to communicate orally in English. Very different sociocultural backgrounds can also make it difficult for this cohort to engage both academically and socially in Australian higher education. These issues comprise road blockers that can limit English language practice opportunities and negatively affect academic success. iii This thesis shines a light on this cohort’s oral English language experiences in the study abroad context via engagement of Max van Manen’s (1990, 2014) frameworks for phenomenologically oriented qualitative research. Drawing on the lived experiences of Chinese students and a critical review of the regulatory frameworks that inform sectoral and institutional English language proficiency models, this thesis argues for an English language proficiency support framework that integrates insights from intercultural communicative competence into oral English language proficiency as well as the development of curriculum, course delivery, and assessments.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Pruis, Karen
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Australian universities are currently emphasizing such graduate qualities as English language proficiency. However, this can be problematic for many international students who may still be struggling to communicate orally in English while participating in their chosen course of study. Indeed, the English language proficiency of international students has often received negative attention from the Australian media, employers, and academics. Several government reviews have recommended ongoing English language support for international students that extends beyond existing English language entry requirements, English Academic Preparation programs, and Post-entry Language Assessments. At the same time, there has been a critique of responses to these issues which focus on language proficiency—and simply place the onus on international students to increase their English language proficiency—without taking issues of intercultural communicative competence into account, along with calls for institutional frameworks to better support student experience. This thesis is one contribution to this debate, supported and informed by an exploration of lived experiences of Chinese students engaging with oral English language use and other supports. Not only are Chinese students the largest cohort of international students in Australia, but English education in China also does not appear to prepare them effectively to communicate orally in English. Very different sociocultural backgrounds can also make it difficult for this cohort to engage both academically and socially in Australian higher education. These issues comprise road blockers that can limit English language practice opportunities and negatively affect academic success. iii This thesis shines a light on this cohort’s oral English language experiences in the study abroad context via engagement of Max van Manen’s (1990, 2014) frameworks for phenomenologically oriented qualitative research. Drawing on the lived experiences of Chinese students and a critical review of the regulatory frameworks that inform sectoral and institutional English language proficiency models, this thesis argues for an English language proficiency support framework that integrates insights from intercultural communicative competence into oral English language proficiency as well as the development of curriculum, course delivery, and assessments.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Towards an understanding of the strategic influence of the occupational health and safety professional
- Authors: Pryor, Pam
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: As indicated by the emergence of occupational health and safety (OHS) professional bodies in the United States of America (1911), United Kingdom (1945) and Australia (1949), OHS advisors have had a role in industry for over 50 years. However, despite changes in legislation and in the major paradigm for OHS together with changes in the industrial and economic environment, it appears that the role of the OHS professional has changed little from the technically-oriented, people-focused, compliance approach of 50 years ago. It appears that senior managers may not seek the input of OHS professionals on strategic business matters that may impact on workplace health and safety, and the activities of OHS professionals do not position themselves to be influential with senior managers. This lack of strategic influence may be inhibiting improvement in OHS in Australian workplaces. This document outlines the rationale, research framework and research design for a study that applied grounded theory analysis methods to data collected through interviews of senior managers and OHS professionals, supported by observations, to develop a theory and model to explain the way OHS professionals interact with senior managers and how the manager processes and perceives OHS professional advice. The implications for OHS professional practice are presented in the form of a letter to a young colleague. The outcomes of this research should assist OHS professionals in developing the capability to enhance the acceptance of OHS professional advice at senior levels of management and so optimise safety and health in Australian workplaces.
- Description: Master of Applied Science (Research)
- Authors: Pryor, Pam
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: As indicated by the emergence of occupational health and safety (OHS) professional bodies in the United States of America (1911), United Kingdom (1945) and Australia (1949), OHS advisors have had a role in industry for over 50 years. However, despite changes in legislation and in the major paradigm for OHS together with changes in the industrial and economic environment, it appears that the role of the OHS professional has changed little from the technically-oriented, people-focused, compliance approach of 50 years ago. It appears that senior managers may not seek the input of OHS professionals on strategic business matters that may impact on workplace health and safety, and the activities of OHS professionals do not position themselves to be influential with senior managers. This lack of strategic influence may be inhibiting improvement in OHS in Australian workplaces. This document outlines the rationale, research framework and research design for a study that applied grounded theory analysis methods to data collected through interviews of senior managers and OHS professionals, supported by observations, to develop a theory and model to explain the way OHS professionals interact with senior managers and how the manager processes and perceives OHS professional advice. The implications for OHS professional practice are presented in the form of a letter to a young colleague. The outcomes of this research should assist OHS professionals in developing the capability to enhance the acceptance of OHS professional advice at senior levels of management and so optimise safety and health in Australian workplaces.
- Description: Master of Applied Science (Research)
An investigation into commercially feasible applications of ellagic acid and its derivatives
- Authors: Przewloka, Simon
- Date: 1999
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "Significant quantities of ellagic acid and its metal salts, in the form of waste byproducts, are readily available from both the pulping and tanning industries should a feasible commercial use for the acid (1) be found. The purpose of this work was to prepare key derivatives of ellagic acid and assess their feasibilty for use on a commercial scale. To accomplish this, it was first necessary to prepare ellagic acid in high yield."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Przewloka, Simon
- Date: 1999
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "Significant quantities of ellagic acid and its metal salts, in the form of waste byproducts, are readily available from both the pulping and tanning industries should a feasible commercial use for the acid (1) be found. The purpose of this work was to prepare key derivatives of ellagic acid and assess their feasibilty for use on a commercial scale. To accomplish this, it was first necessary to prepare ellagic acid in high yield."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
An Investigation into spring water
- Authors: Purtill, Marie
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This exegesis explores the sacred, holy and commercial aspects of spring water as revealed by an exploration of the relationships of Indigenous Australians and non–Indigenous European Australians to spring water. As a non–Indigenous Australian migrant, my knowledge of Indigenous Australian spiritual and cultural matters was limited, as was knowledge of Indigenous Australian history, both pre- and post-European settlement. As a migrant, I have many memories and experiences of spring water at European wells, springs and places of pilgrimage where healing, both physical and spiritual was sought. In childhood, I enjoyed reading the many myths and legends that surround the magical, mysterious and often invisible resource of spring water. Realising that my current knowledge of spring water relied more on folklore and anecdotal information than on fact, I decided that the topic of spring water offered worthwhile opportunities for research. [...] The availability of spring water is being challenged on more than one front. This research explores and investigates the abundance of (particularly) art references to spring water in Indigenous Australian culture and traditions, while noting the dearth of art references relating specifically to spring water in non-Indigenous Australian culture; although an abundance of art references to water in general is revealed. In the latter context, references to art depicting aspects of the hydrologic cycle have been substituted and explored.
- Description: Master of Arts
- Authors: Purtill, Marie
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This exegesis explores the sacred, holy and commercial aspects of spring water as revealed by an exploration of the relationships of Indigenous Australians and non–Indigenous European Australians to spring water. As a non–Indigenous Australian migrant, my knowledge of Indigenous Australian spiritual and cultural matters was limited, as was knowledge of Indigenous Australian history, both pre- and post-European settlement. As a migrant, I have many memories and experiences of spring water at European wells, springs and places of pilgrimage where healing, both physical and spiritual was sought. In childhood, I enjoyed reading the many myths and legends that surround the magical, mysterious and often invisible resource of spring water. Realising that my current knowledge of spring water relied more on folklore and anecdotal information than on fact, I decided that the topic of spring water offered worthwhile opportunities for research. [...] The availability of spring water is being challenged on more than one front. This research explores and investigates the abundance of (particularly) art references to spring water in Indigenous Australian culture and traditions, while noting the dearth of art references relating specifically to spring water in non-Indigenous Australian culture; although an abundance of art references to water in general is revealed. In the latter context, references to art depicting aspects of the hydrologic cycle have been substituted and explored.
- Description: Master of Arts
Capital budgeting practices and firm performance : A comparative study of Australia and Sri Lanka
- Puwanenthiren, Pratheepkanth
- Authors: Puwanenthiren, Pratheepkanth
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis disentangles two elements from the complex interdependent suite of key drivers of firm sophistication in capital-budgeting. Specifically, the relative sophistication of a firm (i.e. its nature) and the development level of the nation in which a firm is embedded (i.e. the nurture experienced by the firm). This research should enhance the development focus and process of nations (e.g., to what degree should national development be about raising the ability of individual firms or will raising national development act as a rising tide [that] raises all boats). The comparative data used in this study comes from 150 Australian (ASX200-index-listed) firms and 150 Sri Lankan (Colombo-stock-exchange-listed firms). The research questions are answered via a quantitative research design that uses primary and secondary data. The response rate to the questionnaire survey of firms was, 45 and 73 completed questionnaires from, respectively, Australia and Sri Lanka (an effective response rate of, respectively, 31.5 and 48.7 percent). Secondary data for 2003-12 are obtained from the ASX, CSE’s and SIRCA databases and are used to calculate return on assets, return on equity, Tobin Q, and earnings per share for the sampled firms. It was found that Australian firms tend to rely heavily on sophisticated capital-budgeting practices, but Sri Lankan relatively small firms prefer simple analysis methods and the larger firms tend to be as adept at sophisticated capital budgeting as their Australian counterparts. The choice of whether to use more sophisticated practices or simpler alternatives varies with a firm’s attributes as well as the level of economic and financial market development in its environment. Also, Australian firms tend to use capital-budget models with good-to-strong predictive power (except for ROE) and Sri Lankan firms tend to use capital-budget models with fair-to-poor predictive power. Further, the analysis of Australian firms tends to yield stronger and more statistically-significant results, than those generated by Sri Lankan firms.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Puwanenthiren, Pratheepkanth
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis disentangles two elements from the complex interdependent suite of key drivers of firm sophistication in capital-budgeting. Specifically, the relative sophistication of a firm (i.e. its nature) and the development level of the nation in which a firm is embedded (i.e. the nurture experienced by the firm). This research should enhance the development focus and process of nations (e.g., to what degree should national development be about raising the ability of individual firms or will raising national development act as a rising tide [that] raises all boats). The comparative data used in this study comes from 150 Australian (ASX200-index-listed) firms and 150 Sri Lankan (Colombo-stock-exchange-listed firms). The research questions are answered via a quantitative research design that uses primary and secondary data. The response rate to the questionnaire survey of firms was, 45 and 73 completed questionnaires from, respectively, Australia and Sri Lanka (an effective response rate of, respectively, 31.5 and 48.7 percent). Secondary data for 2003-12 are obtained from the ASX, CSE’s and SIRCA databases and are used to calculate return on assets, return on equity, Tobin Q, and earnings per share for the sampled firms. It was found that Australian firms tend to rely heavily on sophisticated capital-budgeting practices, but Sri Lankan relatively small firms prefer simple analysis methods and the larger firms tend to be as adept at sophisticated capital budgeting as their Australian counterparts. The choice of whether to use more sophisticated practices or simpler alternatives varies with a firm’s attributes as well as the level of economic and financial market development in its environment. Also, Australian firms tend to use capital-budget models with good-to-strong predictive power (except for ROE) and Sri Lankan firms tend to use capital-budget models with fair-to-poor predictive power. Further, the analysis of Australian firms tends to yield stronger and more statistically-significant results, than those generated by Sri Lankan firms.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Resolving the diversity paradox : an analysis of the diversity-conflict-performance paradigm in an Australian context
- Authors: Qin, John
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "Despite the intensive efforts to measure and predict the effects of group diversity on performance, research has produced extremely inconsistent and mixed results. This state of knowledge has presented a diversity paradox suggesting coexisting and conflicting effects of diversity. In order to explain the paradox and therefore improve our understanding of diversity, a three-way relationship (i.e. diversity-conflict-performance identified as a paradigm) has been suggested as a promising explanation. This thesis explores the effects of diversity via the paradigm, thereby offering a deeper insight into the diversity paradox." --Abstract.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Qin, John
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "Despite the intensive efforts to measure and predict the effects of group diversity on performance, research has produced extremely inconsistent and mixed results. This state of knowledge has presented a diversity paradox suggesting coexisting and conflicting effects of diversity. In order to explain the paradox and therefore improve our understanding of diversity, a three-way relationship (i.e. diversity-conflict-performance identified as a paradigm) has been suggested as a promising explanation. This thesis explores the effects of diversity via the paradigm, thereby offering a deeper insight into the diversity paradox." --Abstract.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Accurate and efficient clustering algorithms for very large data sets
- Authors: Quddus, Syed
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The ability to mine and extract useful information from large data sets is a common concern for organizations. Data over the internet is rapidly increasing and the importance of development of new approaches to collect, store and mine large amounts of data is significantly increasing. Clustering is one of the main tasks in data mining. Many clustering algorithms have been proposed but there are still clustering problems that have not been addressed in depth especially the clustering problems in large data sets. Clustering in large data sets is important in many applications and such applications include network intrusion detection systems, fraud detection in banking systems, air traffic control, web logs, sensor networks, social networks and bioinformatics. Data sets in these applications contain from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions of data points and they may contain hundreds or thousands of attributes. Recent developments in computer hardware allows to store in random access memory and repeatedly read data sets with hundreds of thousands and even millions of data points. This makes possible the use of existing clustering algorithms in such data sets. However, these algorithms require a prohibitively large CPU time and fail to produce an accurate solution. Therefore, it is important to develop clustering algorithms which are accurate and can provide real time clustering in such data sets. This is especially important in a big data era. The aim of this PhD study is to develop accurate and real time algorithms for clustering in very large data sets containing hundreds of thousands and millions of data points. Such algorithms are developed based on the combination of heuristic algorithms with the incremental approach. These algorithms also involve a special procedure to identify dense areas in a data set and compute a subset most informative representative data points in order to decrease the size of a data set. It is the aim of this PhD study to develop the center-based clustering algorithms. The success of these algorithms strongly depends on the choice of starting cluster centers. Different procedures are proposed to generate such centers. Special procedures are designed to identify the most promising starting cluster centers and to restrict their number. New clustering algorithms are evaluated using large data sets available in public domains. Their results will be compared with those obtained using several existing center-based clustering algorithms.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Quddus, Syed
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The ability to mine and extract useful information from large data sets is a common concern for organizations. Data over the internet is rapidly increasing and the importance of development of new approaches to collect, store and mine large amounts of data is significantly increasing. Clustering is one of the main tasks in data mining. Many clustering algorithms have been proposed but there are still clustering problems that have not been addressed in depth especially the clustering problems in large data sets. Clustering in large data sets is important in many applications and such applications include network intrusion detection systems, fraud detection in banking systems, air traffic control, web logs, sensor networks, social networks and bioinformatics. Data sets in these applications contain from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions of data points and they may contain hundreds or thousands of attributes. Recent developments in computer hardware allows to store in random access memory and repeatedly read data sets with hundreds of thousands and even millions of data points. This makes possible the use of existing clustering algorithms in such data sets. However, these algorithms require a prohibitively large CPU time and fail to produce an accurate solution. Therefore, it is important to develop clustering algorithms which are accurate and can provide real time clustering in such data sets. This is especially important in a big data era. The aim of this PhD study is to develop accurate and real time algorithms for clustering in very large data sets containing hundreds of thousands and millions of data points. Such algorithms are developed based on the combination of heuristic algorithms with the incremental approach. These algorithms also involve a special procedure to identify dense areas in a data set and compute a subset most informative representative data points in order to decrease the size of a data set. It is the aim of this PhD study to develop the center-based clustering algorithms. The success of these algorithms strongly depends on the choice of starting cluster centers. Different procedures are proposed to generate such centers. Special procedures are designed to identify the most promising starting cluster centers and to restrict their number. New clustering algorithms are evaluated using large data sets available in public domains. Their results will be compared with those obtained using several existing center-based clustering algorithms.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The design and monitoring of periodised modular training programmes in swimming
- Authors: Quinlan, Paul
- Date: 2000
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text: false
- Description: "This study sets out to investigate the current scientific basis of training in swimming, from the novice to elite levels and provide formats to monitor training in line with current science and technology, and to provide the practitioner on the pool deck with a tool that will assist him or her in the planning process, through the use of a computer software package".
- Description: Master of Applied Science
Attitudes and beliefs of rural health and welfare professionals about sexual assault / Margaret J. Radcliffe
- Authors: Radcliffe, Margaret
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "The study aims to document the attitudes and beliefs of a group of rural health and welfare professionals in the Central Highlands region of Victoria, to identify if theoretical frameworks of participants for the explanation of sexual assault reflect community attitudes based on traditional mythologies and misconceptions. The study also aims to highlight where specific training about sexual assault is required, based on needs of participants, and to recommend components for a future training program."
- Description: Master of Arts
- Authors: Radcliffe, Margaret
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "The study aims to document the attitudes and beliefs of a group of rural health and welfare professionals in the Central Highlands region of Victoria, to identify if theoretical frameworks of participants for the explanation of sexual assault reflect community attitudes based on traditional mythologies and misconceptions. The study also aims to highlight where specific training about sexual assault is required, based on needs of participants, and to recommend components for a future training program."
- Description: Master of Arts
Enhancing Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community understanding and utilisation of mental health services in Victoria
- Authors: Radhamony, Reshmy
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The increase in cultural diversity (CD) in Victoria, Australia, demands healthcare professionals to acquire cultural competence. Literature reveals that people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities can be disadvantaged in terms of mental health service access and utilisation and the appropriateness of the health care they receive following access. Cultural competence has been advocated as a necessary step to alleviate health disparities and reduce bias and prejudices associated with culturally diverse people. Cultural competence has been endorsed in the government and professional bodies’ policies and guidelines for a long time. Whether this has prepared the mental health nursing workforce with sufficient knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to be culturally competent, is still questionable. Evidence shows that significant barriers such as language and communication, cultural differences, and a lack of cultural sensitivity by mental health nurses (MHN) limit the quality of care provided to people from various non-dominant cultures. The primary aim of this study was to examine whether an educational intervention can improve mental health nurses' knowledge, behaviour, and attitude. Hence this multiple-method study focused on the educational needs of a cross-section of MHNs in Victoria, utilising online surveys and semi-structured interviews. This project undertook a gap analysis through telephone interviews with the CALD community members in Victoria regarding their mental health service needs and experiences. Then developed, implemented, and evaluated an online education package – “Acknowledging Diversity”, regarding cultural awareness and responsiveness for mental health nurses working with people from CALD communities. A CIPP (Context, Input, Process and Product) model evaluation of the education package confirmed its effectiveness. Andersen's Behavioural Model of Health service use (ABMHSU) was the underlying theoretical framework for this study. The study's findings were further analysed using the contextual variables of Andersen’s model. The study outcome for mental health nurses was improved knowledge, attitude, and competence about the needs of people from CALD backgrounds, even though the findings were not statistically significant. However, it has been conceded that cultural competence cannot be achieved in a single education session. Therefore, attaining cultural proficiency is a continuous process that requires motivation and persistence from MHNs and ongoing cultural encounters with the CALD population. Examining how educational interventions improved MHNs’ cultural competency to facilitate CALD community understanding and utilisation of mental health services also identified the gaps in knowledge to report future research areas.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Radhamony, Reshmy
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The increase in cultural diversity (CD) in Victoria, Australia, demands healthcare professionals to acquire cultural competence. Literature reveals that people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities can be disadvantaged in terms of mental health service access and utilisation and the appropriateness of the health care they receive following access. Cultural competence has been advocated as a necessary step to alleviate health disparities and reduce bias and prejudices associated with culturally diverse people. Cultural competence has been endorsed in the government and professional bodies’ policies and guidelines for a long time. Whether this has prepared the mental health nursing workforce with sufficient knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to be culturally competent, is still questionable. Evidence shows that significant barriers such as language and communication, cultural differences, and a lack of cultural sensitivity by mental health nurses (MHN) limit the quality of care provided to people from various non-dominant cultures. The primary aim of this study was to examine whether an educational intervention can improve mental health nurses' knowledge, behaviour, and attitude. Hence this multiple-method study focused on the educational needs of a cross-section of MHNs in Victoria, utilising online surveys and semi-structured interviews. This project undertook a gap analysis through telephone interviews with the CALD community members in Victoria regarding their mental health service needs and experiences. Then developed, implemented, and evaluated an online education package – “Acknowledging Diversity”, regarding cultural awareness and responsiveness for mental health nurses working with people from CALD communities. A CIPP (Context, Input, Process and Product) model evaluation of the education package confirmed its effectiveness. Andersen's Behavioural Model of Health service use (ABMHSU) was the underlying theoretical framework for this study. The study's findings were further analysed using the contextual variables of Andersen’s model. The study outcome for mental health nurses was improved knowledge, attitude, and competence about the needs of people from CALD backgrounds, even though the findings were not statistically significant. However, it has been conceded that cultural competence cannot be achieved in a single education session. Therefore, attaining cultural proficiency is a continuous process that requires motivation and persistence from MHNs and ongoing cultural encounters with the CALD population. Examining how educational interventions improved MHNs’ cultural competency to facilitate CALD community understanding and utilisation of mental health services also identified the gaps in knowledge to report future research areas.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
A comparative analysis of domestic violence against women in Australia and Bangladesh : government policies, legislation and organisational responses
- Authors: Rahman, Nasrin
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This is a comparative study of Domestic Violence (DV) between Australia (Victoria) and Bangladesh. It examined the interrelationship between factors which contribute to DV, government policies and legislation developed to deal with DV, and organisational responders (police and DV Crisis Support Services) implementing strategies and remedies in the policies and legislation. A comparative country case study strategy was adopted utilising triangulation of methods of data collection including an analysis of the countries’ respective policies and legislation and conducting in-depth interviews with key responder personnel. The conceptual framework identified policies and legislation as Steering Media, which influenced a society’s beliefs embedded in the Lifeworld, and which guided the actions of responders to DV in the two different countries’ Systems. Differences and similarities were found between the two countries. The main common factor was the identification of gender inequality as an underlying factor causing DV. Some social and cultural factors exist in both countries such as poverty. Some factors were specific to Australia, such as the consumption of alcohol; and in Bangladesh, such as dowry and dependency on men. Of significance is that gender equality is enshrined in the Bangladeshi Constitution, while Australia relies on legislation that could potentially be changed to disadvantage women. Differences revealed include identification of victims and perpetrators, with Bangladesh specifically naming women and children as victims but never the perpetrator and Australia (Victoria) naming any family member as victim or perpetrator. Also, responders deal with DV victims and perpetrators differently according to the policies and legislation of both countries. This research has implications for both theory and practice in both countries. The findings have potential to contribute to changes in policy and legislation related to DV as well as in the practice level by responders across both countries, learning from each other in the process.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Rahman, Nasrin
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This is a comparative study of Domestic Violence (DV) between Australia (Victoria) and Bangladesh. It examined the interrelationship between factors which contribute to DV, government policies and legislation developed to deal with DV, and organisational responders (police and DV Crisis Support Services) implementing strategies and remedies in the policies and legislation. A comparative country case study strategy was adopted utilising triangulation of methods of data collection including an analysis of the countries’ respective policies and legislation and conducting in-depth interviews with key responder personnel. The conceptual framework identified policies and legislation as Steering Media, which influenced a society’s beliefs embedded in the Lifeworld, and which guided the actions of responders to DV in the two different countries’ Systems. Differences and similarities were found between the two countries. The main common factor was the identification of gender inequality as an underlying factor causing DV. Some social and cultural factors exist in both countries such as poverty. Some factors were specific to Australia, such as the consumption of alcohol; and in Bangladesh, such as dowry and dependency on men. Of significance is that gender equality is enshrined in the Bangladeshi Constitution, while Australia relies on legislation that could potentially be changed to disadvantage women. Differences revealed include identification of victims and perpetrators, with Bangladesh specifically naming women and children as victims but never the perpetrator and Australia (Victoria) naming any family member as victim or perpetrator. Also, responders deal with DV victims and perpetrators differently according to the policies and legislation of both countries. This research has implications for both theory and practice in both countries. The findings have potential to contribute to changes in policy and legislation related to DV as well as in the practice level by responders across both countries, learning from each other in the process.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The development of the Malaysian vocational education and training system
- Ramanathan Chettiar, Palaniappan
- Authors: Ramanathan Chettiar, Palaniappan
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The vocational education and training (VET) sector in Malaysia has experienced significant change over the last 10 years. This thesis aimed to identify the challenges facing VET development in Malaysia and consider the lessons that can be learnt from Australian and Singaporean VET experiences. This research explored the challenges using a mixed methods approach (qualitative and quantitative) to answer the research question from a multiple stakeholder perspective. The 42 respondents included policymakers, chief executive officers (CEOs) from industry, CEOs from registered training organisations (RTOs), VET instructors and trainees. There were 34 respondents from Malaysia involved in the interviews. Two policymakers and two CEOs of RTOs from Singapore and Australia were also involved in the interviews. An online survey was answered by 209 Malaysian respondents. Significantly, the literature review, including literature from Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, focused on the development of VET policy and the ideas associated with vocational education theory, human capital theory, systems theory and threshold theory, program theory, employability theory, collective skills formation, stakeholder engagement and the capability approach. The literature review provided an overview of the motivations behind government initiates to expand skills development initiatives using different models, the shifting of responsibility for employability to the employee and promoting inclusivity within the nation. While VET objectives were overt, the need for socially inclusive results were not. There is a need to consider economic, social and education contexts when developing VET systems, given the diversity of Malaysian society. The argument is made within the thesis that the development of VET policy has been largely led by government and legislation, rather than industry. The thesis suggests that challenges inherent in the development of a VET system arise from the gaps between VET policy and practice, rhetoric and implementation. While the presence of policy mechanisms for system efficiency was acknowledged by stakeholders, VET policy was characterised by respondents as incremental rather than long term. Most stakeholders acknowledged the importance of lifelong learning and for the need for Malaysia to become a learning nation. The lack of a single agency to monitor skills development was considered an obstacle for effective skills development within the country. Accordingly, this thesis proposes a set of recommendations to address these challenges and provides directions for future research.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Ramanathan Chettiar, Palaniappan
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The vocational education and training (VET) sector in Malaysia has experienced significant change over the last 10 years. This thesis aimed to identify the challenges facing VET development in Malaysia and consider the lessons that can be learnt from Australian and Singaporean VET experiences. This research explored the challenges using a mixed methods approach (qualitative and quantitative) to answer the research question from a multiple stakeholder perspective. The 42 respondents included policymakers, chief executive officers (CEOs) from industry, CEOs from registered training organisations (RTOs), VET instructors and trainees. There were 34 respondents from Malaysia involved in the interviews. Two policymakers and two CEOs of RTOs from Singapore and Australia were also involved in the interviews. An online survey was answered by 209 Malaysian respondents. Significantly, the literature review, including literature from Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, focused on the development of VET policy and the ideas associated with vocational education theory, human capital theory, systems theory and threshold theory, program theory, employability theory, collective skills formation, stakeholder engagement and the capability approach. The literature review provided an overview of the motivations behind government initiates to expand skills development initiatives using different models, the shifting of responsibility for employability to the employee and promoting inclusivity within the nation. While VET objectives were overt, the need for socially inclusive results were not. There is a need to consider economic, social and education contexts when developing VET systems, given the diversity of Malaysian society. The argument is made within the thesis that the development of VET policy has been largely led by government and legislation, rather than industry. The thesis suggests that challenges inherent in the development of a VET system arise from the gaps between VET policy and practice, rhetoric and implementation. While the presence of policy mechanisms for system efficiency was acknowledged by stakeholders, VET policy was characterised by respondents as incremental rather than long term. Most stakeholders acknowledged the importance of lifelong learning and for the need for Malaysia to become a learning nation. The lack of a single agency to monitor skills development was considered an obstacle for effective skills development within the country. Accordingly, this thesis proposes a set of recommendations to address these challenges and provides directions for future research.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Engagement with voluntary family services : views of parents and practitioners
- Authors: Randall, Mary
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This research aimed to understand engagement with voluntary family services, which has implications for service policy and practice. In regions of high social disadvantage, such as the Inner Gippsland region in the state of Victoria (Australia), engagement with voluntary family services is vital to reduce harm for children. However, barriers to engagement need to be understood from the perspectives of parents and practitioners. While the literature is replete with studies and records on engagement of parents and practitioners with statutory child protective services, there are few studies on engagement for families serviced by voluntary family services, which accept a range of referral sources. To address this gap, this study conducted ten qualitative semi-structured interviews with parents referred to Inner Gippsland family services and seven interviews with practitioners. These were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Interview data were supported by quantitative data drawn from voluntary family service system records on service use across the region for 2016–17 and 2017–18. Mixed methods were employed. This study found that these regional and rural practitioners and parents conceived of engagement as open communication, trust, rapport and understanding. Practitioners also discussed engagement occurring at different levels and involving parents’ willingness to change. However, these aspects were not referred to by parents. Practitioners explained that parents may show full or meaningful engagement and set goals to work towards, or they may engage at a superficial level where they consult but do not value change. This indicates that the notion of ‘engagement’ held by parents is dissonant with that of service providers who focus on the documentation of goals and achievements. Factors influencing engagement included parent perceptions, practitioner disposition, power relations, system design and implementation. Parents expected practitioners to clearly explain services that are tailored to meet needs. Some parents were reluctant to engage fully and trust practitioners due to potential harm and the possibility of removal of their children from their care. Parents wanted support without judgement and for practitioners to provide friendly advice and not be authoritarian. Practitioners balanced assessments of child wellbeing with responding to family needs and emphasised empowering clients and relating to them humanely. Many parents did not feel family services were voluntary as they are connected to and mandated to report serious concerns to Child Protection.1 Most parents were reluctant to ask for help and were negatively disposed towards government Child Protection. Parents who self-referred to family services expressed the most willingness to use a service, while those referred by police did not tend to use a service past initial phone calls. Practitioner-documented service hours in the home, an objective indicator of engagement, were highest for families where an early learning or early childhood intervention agency had referred. These findings were consistent with the interview data showing parental reluctance to engage where there was fear of Child Protection intervention. The practices of prioritising cases of complexity or crisis clashed with policy ideals of prevention and early intervention. More complex issues for families in the region increased the likelihood of service availability and use, yet many families did not complete activities negotiated in service plans or engage to make a plan with practitioners. This study demonstrated that for supportive relationships that promote child and family wellbeing to occur in a regional and rural area, family services need to be trusted. Only then, according to parents, will engagement eventuate.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Randall, Mary
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This research aimed to understand engagement with voluntary family services, which has implications for service policy and practice. In regions of high social disadvantage, such as the Inner Gippsland region in the state of Victoria (Australia), engagement with voluntary family services is vital to reduce harm for children. However, barriers to engagement need to be understood from the perspectives of parents and practitioners. While the literature is replete with studies and records on engagement of parents and practitioners with statutory child protective services, there are few studies on engagement for families serviced by voluntary family services, which accept a range of referral sources. To address this gap, this study conducted ten qualitative semi-structured interviews with parents referred to Inner Gippsland family services and seven interviews with practitioners. These were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Interview data were supported by quantitative data drawn from voluntary family service system records on service use across the region for 2016–17 and 2017–18. Mixed methods were employed. This study found that these regional and rural practitioners and parents conceived of engagement as open communication, trust, rapport and understanding. Practitioners also discussed engagement occurring at different levels and involving parents’ willingness to change. However, these aspects were not referred to by parents. Practitioners explained that parents may show full or meaningful engagement and set goals to work towards, or they may engage at a superficial level where they consult but do not value change. This indicates that the notion of ‘engagement’ held by parents is dissonant with that of service providers who focus on the documentation of goals and achievements. Factors influencing engagement included parent perceptions, practitioner disposition, power relations, system design and implementation. Parents expected practitioners to clearly explain services that are tailored to meet needs. Some parents were reluctant to engage fully and trust practitioners due to potential harm and the possibility of removal of their children from their care. Parents wanted support without judgement and for practitioners to provide friendly advice and not be authoritarian. Practitioners balanced assessments of child wellbeing with responding to family needs and emphasised empowering clients and relating to them humanely. Many parents did not feel family services were voluntary as they are connected to and mandated to report serious concerns to Child Protection.1 Most parents were reluctant to ask for help and were negatively disposed towards government Child Protection. Parents who self-referred to family services expressed the most willingness to use a service, while those referred by police did not tend to use a service past initial phone calls. Practitioner-documented service hours in the home, an objective indicator of engagement, were highest for families where an early learning or early childhood intervention agency had referred. These findings were consistent with the interview data showing parental reluctance to engage where there was fear of Child Protection intervention. The practices of prioritising cases of complexity or crisis clashed with policy ideals of prevention and early intervention. More complex issues for families in the region increased the likelihood of service availability and use, yet many families did not complete activities negotiated in service plans or engage to make a plan with practitioners. This study demonstrated that for supportive relationships that promote child and family wellbeing to occur in a regional and rural area, family services need to be trusted. Only then, according to parents, will engagement eventuate.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Lime stabilisation of an Australian silty clay and its application in construction of excavation retaining walls by cutter soil mixing
- Authors: Ranjbar Pouya, Kaveh
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Coode Island Silt (CIS) is one of the predominant geological units in Melbourne, Australia. Having high compressibility and low shear strength, CIS is considered a problematic soft soil that challenges the construction of infrastructure in the region. To tackle such challenges, one practical approach is the application of ground improvement techniques such as in situ soil mixing. This PhD study focuses on the application of Cutter Soil Mixing (CSM) for the construction of excavation retaining walls in CIS. Although cement is widely used in most CSM projects, this study investigates the suitability of different lime types available in the Australian market as a potential alternative to cement for the stabilisation of CIS. To investigate the effect of lime stabilisation, a comprehensive geotechnical characterisation of untreated and lime treated CIS is performed. Four different lime types are used: agricultural lime, quicklime, hydrated lime and slag lime. Based on the results obtained from strength tests, slag lime was found to be the most effective among the four types that were tested. The optimum slag lime to CIS ratio is then found for the construction of retaining walls in CIS. Having the geotechnical characterisation of untreated and treated CIS from the laboratory experiments, a series of two-dimensional and three-dimensional finite element method (FEM) analyses were conducted to investigate the applicability and reliability of the selected mixing ratio for the construction of CSM excavation retaining walls in CIS. A nonlinear constitutive soil model was employed, calibrated and verified to be used in FEM analyses to investigate both the stability factor of safety and excavation-induced deformations. The results obtained for both undrained and fully coupled flow deformation analyses prove that CSM panels can be constructed by mixing slag lime and CIS to act as retaining walls to allow for deep excavation in CIS.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Ranjbar Pouya, Kaveh
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Coode Island Silt (CIS) is one of the predominant geological units in Melbourne, Australia. Having high compressibility and low shear strength, CIS is considered a problematic soft soil that challenges the construction of infrastructure in the region. To tackle such challenges, one practical approach is the application of ground improvement techniques such as in situ soil mixing. This PhD study focuses on the application of Cutter Soil Mixing (CSM) for the construction of excavation retaining walls in CIS. Although cement is widely used in most CSM projects, this study investigates the suitability of different lime types available in the Australian market as a potential alternative to cement for the stabilisation of CIS. To investigate the effect of lime stabilisation, a comprehensive geotechnical characterisation of untreated and lime treated CIS is performed. Four different lime types are used: agricultural lime, quicklime, hydrated lime and slag lime. Based on the results obtained from strength tests, slag lime was found to be the most effective among the four types that were tested. The optimum slag lime to CIS ratio is then found for the construction of retaining walls in CIS. Having the geotechnical characterisation of untreated and treated CIS from the laboratory experiments, a series of two-dimensional and three-dimensional finite element method (FEM) analyses were conducted to investigate the applicability and reliability of the selected mixing ratio for the construction of CSM excavation retaining walls in CIS. A nonlinear constitutive soil model was employed, calibrated and verified to be used in FEM analyses to investigate both the stability factor of safety and excavation-induced deformations. The results obtained for both undrained and fully coupled flow deformation analyses prove that CSM panels can be constructed by mixing slag lime and CIS to act as retaining walls to allow for deep excavation in CIS.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
False data injection attack detection in smart grid
- Authors: Rashed, Muhammad
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Smart grid is a distributed and autonomous energy delivery infrastructure that constantly monitors the operational state of its overall network using smart techniques and state estimation. State estimation is a powerful technique that is used to determine the overall operational state of the system based on a limited set of measurements collected through metering systems. Cyber-attacks pose serious risks to a smart grid state estimation that can cause disruptions and power outages resulting in huge economical losses and are therefore a big concern to a reliable national grid operation. False data injection attacks (FDIAs), engineered on the basis of the knowledge of the network configuration, are difficult to detect using the traditional data detection mechanisms. These detection schemes have been found vulnerable and failed to detect these FDIAs. FDIAs specifically target the state data and can manipulate the state measurements in such a way that these false measurements appear real to the main control systems. This research work explores the possibility of FDIA detection using state estimation in a distributed and partitioned smart grid. In order to detect FDIAs we use measurements for residual-based testing which creates an objective function; and the probability of erroneous data is determined from this residual test. In this test, a preset threshold is determined based on the prior history of the state data. FDIA cases are simulated within a smart grid considering that the Chi-square detection state estimator fails in identifying such attacks. We compute the objective function using the standard weighted least problem and then test the objective function against the value in the Chi-square table. The gain matrix and the Jacobian matrix are computed. The state variables are computed in the form of a voltage magnitude. The state variables are computed after the inception of an attack to assess these state magnitude results. Different sizes of partitioning are used to improve the overall sensitivity of the Chi-square results. Our additional estimator is based on a Kalman estimation that consists of the state prediction and state correction steps. In the first step, it obtains the state and matrix covariance prediction, and in the second step, it calculates the Kalman gain and the state and matrix covariance update steps. The set of points is created for the state vector x at a time instant t. The initial vector and covariance matrix are based on a priori knowledge of the historical estimates. A set of sigma points is estimated by the state update function. Sigma points refer to the minimal set of sampling points that are selected and transformed using nonlinear function, and the new mean and the covariance are formed out of these transformed points. The idea behind this is that it is easier to compute a Gaussian distribution than an arbitrary nonlinear function. The filter gain, the mean and the covariance are used to estimate the next state. Our simulation results show that the combination of Kalman estimation and distributed state estimation improves the overall stability index and vulnerability assessment score of the smart grid. We built a stability index table for a smart grid based on the state estimates value after the inception of an FDIA. The vulnerability assessment score of the smart grid is based on common vulnerability scoring system (CVSS) and state estimates under the influence of an FDIA. The simulations are conducted in the MATPOWER program and different electrical bus systems such as IEEE 14, 30, 39, 118 and 300 are tested. All the contributions have been published in reputable journals and conferences.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Rashed, Muhammad
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Smart grid is a distributed and autonomous energy delivery infrastructure that constantly monitors the operational state of its overall network using smart techniques and state estimation. State estimation is a powerful technique that is used to determine the overall operational state of the system based on a limited set of measurements collected through metering systems. Cyber-attacks pose serious risks to a smart grid state estimation that can cause disruptions and power outages resulting in huge economical losses and are therefore a big concern to a reliable national grid operation. False data injection attacks (FDIAs), engineered on the basis of the knowledge of the network configuration, are difficult to detect using the traditional data detection mechanisms. These detection schemes have been found vulnerable and failed to detect these FDIAs. FDIAs specifically target the state data and can manipulate the state measurements in such a way that these false measurements appear real to the main control systems. This research work explores the possibility of FDIA detection using state estimation in a distributed and partitioned smart grid. In order to detect FDIAs we use measurements for residual-based testing which creates an objective function; and the probability of erroneous data is determined from this residual test. In this test, a preset threshold is determined based on the prior history of the state data. FDIA cases are simulated within a smart grid considering that the Chi-square detection state estimator fails in identifying such attacks. We compute the objective function using the standard weighted least problem and then test the objective function against the value in the Chi-square table. The gain matrix and the Jacobian matrix are computed. The state variables are computed in the form of a voltage magnitude. The state variables are computed after the inception of an attack to assess these state magnitude results. Different sizes of partitioning are used to improve the overall sensitivity of the Chi-square results. Our additional estimator is based on a Kalman estimation that consists of the state prediction and state correction steps. In the first step, it obtains the state and matrix covariance prediction, and in the second step, it calculates the Kalman gain and the state and matrix covariance update steps. The set of points is created for the state vector x at a time instant t. The initial vector and covariance matrix are based on a priori knowledge of the historical estimates. A set of sigma points is estimated by the state update function. Sigma points refer to the minimal set of sampling points that are selected and transformed using nonlinear function, and the new mean and the covariance are formed out of these transformed points. The idea behind this is that it is easier to compute a Gaussian distribution than an arbitrary nonlinear function. The filter gain, the mean and the covariance are used to estimate the next state. Our simulation results show that the combination of Kalman estimation and distributed state estimation improves the overall stability index and vulnerability assessment score of the smart grid. We built a stability index table for a smart grid based on the state estimates value after the inception of an FDIA. The vulnerability assessment score of the smart grid is based on common vulnerability scoring system (CVSS) and state estimates under the influence of an FDIA. The simulations are conducted in the MATPOWER program and different electrical bus systems such as IEEE 14, 30, 39, 118 and 300 are tested. All the contributions have been published in reputable journals and conferences.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Training and testing of 1v1 agility in Australian football
- Authors: Rayner, Russell
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Little is known of how agility events occur in the sport of Australian football (AF). As a result, appropriate training and testing methods are unknown. This thesis investigated 1v1 agility in AF to evaluate alternative methods for training and testing agility. The thesis was undertaken in three studies. Study one investigated if training and testing practices used in elite AF align with the demands of competition. A notational analysis revealed substantial variation in movement patterns used by, and the cognitive demands of, athletes in agility events. A survey of high-performance managers in the AFL revealed that a mixture of open and closed training methods are used in elite AF, and that subjective agility assessment is preferred to formal testing. Study two assessed the reliability and ecological validity of a field-based test of attacking and defending agility for AF. The text exhibited excellent inter-rater and intra-rater reliability, as well as moderate test-retest reliability. Characteristics of the test were compared to the notational analysis to assess the ecological validity of the test. While the test did not fully replicate the agility demands of AF, the test improved ecological validity when compared to previous tests described in the literature. Study three evaluated the effectiveness of a four-week 1v1 training intervention for improving attacking and defending agility in Australian footballers. In addition, the study assessed the crossover of attacking training to defending agility and defending training to attacking agility. Improvements in attacking agility were found which were greater for attacking-trained athletes. However, no improvements in defending agility were realised. This thesis indicates that 1v1 training and testing is suitable for assessing and developing agility in Australian footballers. However, 1v1 training may be more suitable for improving attacking agility. Further, agility is context-specific, and testing and training should consider the role of the athlete.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Rayner, Russell
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Little is known of how agility events occur in the sport of Australian football (AF). As a result, appropriate training and testing methods are unknown. This thesis investigated 1v1 agility in AF to evaluate alternative methods for training and testing agility. The thesis was undertaken in three studies. Study one investigated if training and testing practices used in elite AF align with the demands of competition. A notational analysis revealed substantial variation in movement patterns used by, and the cognitive demands of, athletes in agility events. A survey of high-performance managers in the AFL revealed that a mixture of open and closed training methods are used in elite AF, and that subjective agility assessment is preferred to formal testing. Study two assessed the reliability and ecological validity of a field-based test of attacking and defending agility for AF. The text exhibited excellent inter-rater and intra-rater reliability, as well as moderate test-retest reliability. Characteristics of the test were compared to the notational analysis to assess the ecological validity of the test. While the test did not fully replicate the agility demands of AF, the test improved ecological validity when compared to previous tests described in the literature. Study three evaluated the effectiveness of a four-week 1v1 training intervention for improving attacking and defending agility in Australian footballers. In addition, the study assessed the crossover of attacking training to defending agility and defending training to attacking agility. Improvements in attacking agility were found which were greater for attacking-trained athletes. However, no improvements in defending agility were realised. This thesis indicates that 1v1 training and testing is suitable for assessing and developing agility in Australian footballers. However, 1v1 training may be more suitable for improving attacking agility. Further, agility is context-specific, and testing and training should consider the role of the athlete.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
A hand made wood object : Studio investigation into transformed nature
- Authors: Rein, Jeannette
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This research explores the importance of retaining traditional hand skills in terms of their relevance to contemporary and future art practice. I examine the hand made and the process of transforming timber into a wooden sculptural form. I investigate how the artist thinks with the material, and how this process gives the artist the ‘sight’ to identify new and original possibilities. Furthermore, I explore how the transformative approach perpetuates new knowledge, and how skills are modified and adapted to suit the changes. I describe this as a dialogic process. The research examines the correlation between the transformative process and the hand made object, the imprint of the maker and how their memories of the processes used, remain embedded in the object. In addition, this research investigates the transformation processes used in creating an object, to provide individualisation within our highly mechanised world, while providing a bridge connecting the past and the future. Through the examination of traditional hand skills, I demonstrate how such skills provide an anchor, a standard of quality and artisanship that connects artists from traditional wood practice, through contemporary praxis, to hand made digital art. My research focuses on the transformation process and traditional hand skills, the vital role they play in the creation of digital hand made objects; as digital processes utilize new materials, processes and machinery that interfaces with traditional analogue tools.
- Description: Masters by Research
- Authors: Rein, Jeannette
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This research explores the importance of retaining traditional hand skills in terms of their relevance to contemporary and future art practice. I examine the hand made and the process of transforming timber into a wooden sculptural form. I investigate how the artist thinks with the material, and how this process gives the artist the ‘sight’ to identify new and original possibilities. Furthermore, I explore how the transformative approach perpetuates new knowledge, and how skills are modified and adapted to suit the changes. I describe this as a dialogic process. The research examines the correlation between the transformative process and the hand made object, the imprint of the maker and how their memories of the processes used, remain embedded in the object. In addition, this research investigates the transformation processes used in creating an object, to provide individualisation within our highly mechanised world, while providing a bridge connecting the past and the future. Through the examination of traditional hand skills, I demonstrate how such skills provide an anchor, a standard of quality and artisanship that connects artists from traditional wood practice, through contemporary praxis, to hand made digital art. My research focuses on the transformation process and traditional hand skills, the vital role they play in the creation of digital hand made objects; as digital processes utilize new materials, processes and machinery that interfaces with traditional analogue tools.
- Description: Masters by Research
A study of recovery and separation of heavy metal ions from waste solutions using precipitate flotation
- Authors: Ren, Xiang (Sean)
- Date: 1999
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: An important industrial problem is the production of wastewater containing a large amount of heavy metal ions. The study described in this thesis is trying to use precipitate flotation technology to explore techniques for not only removing heavy metal ions from the solution, but also selectively separating them to recycle of the recoyered metal value from industry wastewater. Zinc and copper hydroxide precipitation and flotation behaviour have been studied. lt shows that it is almost impossible to separate copper and zinc ion using hydroxide precipitate flotation when the solution contains Fe3+ or Al3+ ions. The influence of additional ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+, and other electrolytes on the flotation and separation have been studied. DLVO theory has been used to explain the mechanisms occurring in the process. A new process, named "self-carrier" precipitate flotation us~g anionic surfactants, has been developed to improve the flotation recovery and reduce the consumption of collector. The mechanism of the process is discussed in detail with reference to data collected from Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Zeta Potential Measurement. The xanthates are the most commonly used class of sulphide mineral collectors. This study investigated the copper sulphide precipitate reactions and the aggregation behaviour, the influence of oxidation, additional ions etc., and successfully used xanthate to float the sulphide precipitates. The mechanisms occurring in this process have been discussed. The investigation of the sulphide precipitate flotation behavior using a cationic collector has also been carried out to discover the possibility of copper and zinc separation. An important application of this study is the flotation and separation of copper and zinc ions from industry wastewater. The tailing wastewater from a mineral processing plant, Woodlawn Mines (N.S.W., Australia), which contains high concentrations of harmful heavy metal ions was used to test the flotation and separation of the heavy metal ions. Both xanthate and cationic collectors have been investigated for the flotation separation. Effective separation has been achieved .
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Ren, Xiang (Sean)
- Date: 1999
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: An important industrial problem is the production of wastewater containing a large amount of heavy metal ions. The study described in this thesis is trying to use precipitate flotation technology to explore techniques for not only removing heavy metal ions from the solution, but also selectively separating them to recycle of the recoyered metal value from industry wastewater. Zinc and copper hydroxide precipitation and flotation behaviour have been studied. lt shows that it is almost impossible to separate copper and zinc ion using hydroxide precipitate flotation when the solution contains Fe3+ or Al3+ ions. The influence of additional ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+, and other electrolytes on the flotation and separation have been studied. DLVO theory has been used to explain the mechanisms occurring in the process. A new process, named "self-carrier" precipitate flotation us~g anionic surfactants, has been developed to improve the flotation recovery and reduce the consumption of collector. The mechanism of the process is discussed in detail with reference to data collected from Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Zeta Potential Measurement. The xanthates are the most commonly used class of sulphide mineral collectors. This study investigated the copper sulphide precipitate reactions and the aggregation behaviour, the influence of oxidation, additional ions etc., and successfully used xanthate to float the sulphide precipitates. The mechanisms occurring in this process have been discussed. The investigation of the sulphide precipitate flotation behavior using a cationic collector has also been carried out to discover the possibility of copper and zinc separation. An important application of this study is the flotation and separation of copper and zinc ions from industry wastewater. The tailing wastewater from a mineral processing plant, Woodlawn Mines (N.S.W., Australia), which contains high concentrations of harmful heavy metal ions was used to test the flotation and separation of the heavy metal ions. Both xanthate and cationic collectors have been investigated for the flotation separation. Effective separation has been achieved .
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
A locale of the cosmos : an epic of the Wimmera : exegesis and text
- Authors: Rieth, Homer Manfred
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This project has, for its central component, an epic poem, 'A locale of the cosmos'. The accompanying exegesis examines epic as an ancient, but continually evolving form. It argues that, as a contemporary example of the genre and, as a sustained poetic rumination on landscape and memory, 'A locale of the cosmos' represents a significant development within the modern tradition of autobiographical epic. In broader terms, 'A locale of the cosmos' privileges the landscape and history of a region of Australia, the Wimmera region of north-western Victoria and, in doing so, explores the cumulative effects of the physical environment as a site for sustained poetic treatment. The poem is, therefore, an epic of both historical narrative and philosophical reflection, giving meaning to and interpreting ideas of space, place and locale. "Furthermore, it explores, in particular, the psychological and spiritual effects of vast horizontal distances, created by a landscape in which endless plains and immense horizons form an analogue of the wider cosmos. The poem's themes, therefore, bear not only on the prominences of the visible locale, but also explore the salients of an interior world, a landscape of the mind to which the poetry gives shape and meaning."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Rieth, Homer Manfred
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This project has, for its central component, an epic poem, 'A locale of the cosmos'. The accompanying exegesis examines epic as an ancient, but continually evolving form. It argues that, as a contemporary example of the genre and, as a sustained poetic rumination on landscape and memory, 'A locale of the cosmos' represents a significant development within the modern tradition of autobiographical epic. In broader terms, 'A locale of the cosmos' privileges the landscape and history of a region of Australia, the Wimmera region of north-western Victoria and, in doing so, explores the cumulative effects of the physical environment as a site for sustained poetic treatment. The poem is, therefore, an epic of both historical narrative and philosophical reflection, giving meaning to and interpreting ideas of space, place and locale. "Furthermore, it explores, in particular, the psychological and spiritual effects of vast horizontal distances, created by a landscape in which endless plains and immense horizons form an analogue of the wider cosmos. The poem's themes, therefore, bear not only on the prominences of the visible locale, but also explore the salients of an interior world, a landscape of the mind to which the poetry gives shape and meaning."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Get the picture without a sermon : Enhancing a congreation's work and worship through (re)visioning the church - art relationship
- Authors: Rigby, John
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: The church, throughout its history and motivated by the teachings of the Bible, has sought to assist people in finding meaning and direction in life. To this end it has used visual art to help people understand its message and increase people’s openness to the Bible’s redemptive story. After the Reformation, the emergent Protestant church had a more tenuous relationship with visual art, giving priority to oral forms of communication. Many small protestant congregations in current multi-faith Australia have little relationship with visual art and struggle to convey their message to the Australian society. A renewal of the church’s relationship with visual art is needed. This thesis including the exhibition employs a theology of creativity, hermeneutical skills and artistic reflection to illustrate how a (re)visioning of the church-art relationship can help the church in its work and worship.
- Description: Master of Arts (Visual Arts) by Research
- Authors: Rigby, John
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: The church, throughout its history and motivated by the teachings of the Bible, has sought to assist people in finding meaning and direction in life. To this end it has used visual art to help people understand its message and increase people’s openness to the Bible’s redemptive story. After the Reformation, the emergent Protestant church had a more tenuous relationship with visual art, giving priority to oral forms of communication. Many small protestant congregations in current multi-faith Australia have little relationship with visual art and struggle to convey their message to the Australian society. A renewal of the church’s relationship with visual art is needed. This thesis including the exhibition employs a theology of creativity, hermeneutical skills and artistic reflection to illustrate how a (re)visioning of the church-art relationship can help the church in its work and worship.
- Description: Master of Arts (Visual Arts) by Research