A computer-mediated framework to facilitate group consensus based on a shared understanding ConSULT
- Authors: Afshar, Faezeh
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: "Group decision-making usually involves a process of discussion and evaluation of alternatives. Important aspects of a group decision support system are: freedom to participate; the ability to explicitly present points of view; the ability to augment or oppose views by supporting evidence and reasoning; and the ability to use and consider other additional views .... The overall aim of this work is to develop an approach that can alleviate some of the problems associated with group commuication and consensus decision-making by effectively supporting group discussions towards consensus. Towards achieving this goal we have developed an approach called ConSULT (Consensus based on a Shared Understanding of a Leading Topic) as a computer-mediated framework to allow argumentation, collection and evaluation of discussion and group decision-making. This approach employs existing theories and techniques in computer-mediated communication, argumentation, Delphi and voting." -- Abstract.
- Description: Master of Information Technology
- Description: "Group decision-making usually involves a process of discussion and evaluation of alternatives. Important aspects of a group decision support system are: freedom to participate; the ability to explicitly present points of view; the ability to augment or oppose views by supporting evidence and reasoning; and the ability to use and consider other additional views .... The overall aim of this work is to develop an approach that can alleviate some of the problems associated with group commuication and consensus decision-making by effectively supporting group discussions towards consensus. Towards achieveing this goal we have developed an approach called ConSULT (Consensus based on a Shared Understanding of a Leading Topic) as a computer-mediated framework to allow argumentation, collection and evaluation of discussion and group decision-making. This approach employs existing theories and techniques in computer-mediated communication, argumentation, Delphi and voting." -- Abstract.
Susceptibility of rehabilitated mine batter surface to mass movement
- Authors: Allen, Tristan
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The goal of the research is to quantify coal properties that may affect the processes and controls governing rehabilitated brown coal mine surface mass movements. The research investigates weathering of coal and assesses the difference in strength characteristics between fresh and weathered coal. In addition to quantifying the mechanical properties of coal surfaces in a rehabilitated slope, permeability changes due to weathering of coal are also investigated. Changes in coal strength influence sliding resistance. Changes in coal permeability impact pore pressures above the coal surface, which may also affect sliding resistance on the coal – cover interface. To assess these issues, direct and residual shear tests were used to investigate the changes in shear strength due to weathering at low normal stresses applicable to shallow cover materials. Testing was undertaken with abrasive surfaces to simulate sliding on the contact coal surface beneath cover materials assuming that the cover material is stronger than the coal. The roughness of the abrasive surface proved to be unimportant for large strain shear strength. The shear strength for coal with different weathering and normal effective stresses was examined. Coal cohesion was found to be low, but some rebinding of coal would occur with time. A coal residual friction angle of 39.1 and 37.0 degrees was found for the unsaturated and saturated tested coal respectively. Permeability tests using oxygenated water were undertaken to investigate changes to brown coal permeability as a result of weathering. Even with low levels of oxidation achievable with the permeability test apparatus, coal permeability dropped over time. While the magnitude of the reduction was not large for low oxidation magnitudes, the impact on permeability was demonstrated. A weathering index was developed as part of the study to provide a quantitative basis for assessing the weathered state of coal samples. The index employed changes to Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra to define the state of weathering. To assess the rate and magnitude of weathering of coal through oxidation an autoclave was used to artificially weather brown coal. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography used to analyse the results. As for the permeability testing the autoclave experiments could not be run for sufficient time to progress to complete weathering by oxidation. Nevertheless the principles of the test and the equipment specifications were developed so that they could be used in future to complete the determination of weathering rates. The research has demonstrated the importance of understanding coal weathering at the upper boundary of a rehabilitated coal surface to the potential for cover mass movements due to sliding at the coal cover interface.
- Description: Masters by Research
Using digital image analysis for assessing the quality of wheat and barley
- Authors: Armstrong, Bruce
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis explores the issues involved in developing a relatively low-cost digital imaging analysis (DIA) system fot the quality assessment of wheat and barley using commonly available equipment. It also explores the capability of such a system to provide rapid and accurate assessments.
- Description: Master of Applied Science by research
Creative thinking and OHS committees in the NSW construction industry (1998/99) / Gerard F. Ayers
- Authors: Ayers, Gerard
- Date: 1999
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: School of Science & Engineering
- Description: Thesis (Master of Applied Science)
Chemical management in research laboratories : South-Eastern Australia, 1997
- Authors: Bailey, Trevor
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text: false
- Description: "Through a comprehensive literature review this project examines the necessary components of a laboratory chemical safety program, including requirements under the new hazardous substance regulations. It also examines, via a survey, the problems associated with the laboratory use of chemicals and with compliance with the new regulations. Finally the current situation in Australia and the approach research laboratories must take in the future to achieve compliance with the new regulatory package are reviewed."
- Description: Master of Applied Science
Multi-label classification on shorter featured dataset using optimization techniques
- Authors: Banerjee, Arunava
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text: false
- Description: Classification of objects based on inherent properties is a general problem area encountered in diverse fields of knowledge. In terms of text classification, the problem presented in this work is based on two particular criteria for documents as given below: • Informativeness of feature sets - A feature set would comprise of words in a document. Presence of words that can be used to characterize a document in a corpus (database) is the informativeness of a feature set. • Multilabelness - documents can have content dealing with diverse topics These criteria are not localized to documents only, but can be generalized to other areas as well with little adaptation. In this thesis, the classification problem that is being investigated involve datasets containing the prescence of smaller number of features associated with a larger number of classes. The acronym SFML (Shorter Featured & Multi-Labeled) has been used to denote these types of datasets. Further, SFML type datasets can be encountered in various walks of life, like Medicine, SMS Services, Text Classification to name a few. In this thesis, the performance of various existing classification algorithms were tested on SFML datasets and their results compared. Further, a new classification algorithm based on optimization is also proposed for these types of datasets. Applications to the Adverse Drug Reaction problem and phishing profiling problem have been considered here. Classification results show that the proposed algorithm performs better than existing classification algorithms as the number of features tend to decrease.
- Description: Master of Computing (By Research)
Effects of a 12 hour shift roster on physiological heat strain: a case study
- Authors: Batterson, Andrew
- Date: 1993
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The study investigated whether there was an increased physiological thermal stress on a group of smelter operators working a 12 hour shift roster.
The contribution of poker machines to reduced community wellbeing : A pre and post study
- Authors: Bell, Diana
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis reports on a study of the impacts of poker machines on community wellbeing, using a pre and post survey method. The study used a variety of indicators to test community wellbeing and gambling attitudes and behaviours before and after a hotel venue with 40 poker machines opened in a new suburb in the designated growth area of Melbourne’s northern fringe. There was a higher proportion of respondents who met the criteria for ‘problem gambling’ after the poker machines were installed, compared to before, particularly when considered as a proportion of people who gambled on poker machines (5.3% compared to 3.6%). A proportion of respondents reported reduced levels of personal happiness, contentment and wellbeing as a result of the introduction of poker machines (16.5%, 12.3% and 16.1% respectively) and 41.5% reported there had been a detrimental impact on the community, in terms of social character. Mean scores on sense of community indexes and social cohesion showed a small decline in the post sample on every measure. Overall, the community reported reduced wellbeing on all measures after the introduction of poker machines. The significance of this study is that measures of community wellbeing and attitudes towards poker machines were measured before their introduction so that this baseline data could be compared with reported wellbeing 18 months after their installation within the suburban area. The substantial proportion of respondents who reported detrimental impact on social character, along with many negatively expressed opinions of poker machines, and a higher rate of problem gambling provide support for the notion that the introduction of poker machines at least contributed to the reduction in community wellbeing. This research provides some suggestions for the use of indicators for measuring the impact of poker machines on community wellbeing.
- Description: Masters by Research
Sources of severe occupational injury in a major Australian water authority
- Authors: Bellchambers, Brenton
- Date: 1992
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: An analysis of occuptational accidents (n=587) was completed for the years 1989/90/91 for a major Australian water authority for injuries of five or more days lost time.
- Description: Masters of Applied Science, Occupational Health and Safety
Integrated project-based curriculum: A case study in a Victorian School.
- Authors: Bendall, Derek
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: Leaders of research in the field of effective education have recognised that in the late twentieth century traditional styles of teaching were no longer sustaining student interest, nor helping students achieve their fullest potential. Sir Ken Robinson, a leading commentator, has spoken about the problems with the current Western educational system that was designed during the Industrial Revolution to accommodate the needs of that time. Education reform has been broadly researched and discussed and a wide range of strategies and theories have been developed, including integrated Project-Based Curriculum. This study investigates the development of an integrated Project-Based Curriculum program, what this type of program involves, the implementation of the program and an analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected throughout the program highlighting its potential benefits. Making use of a mixed method approach, this project examined the outcomes of an integrated Project-Based Curriculum program case study consisting of six teachers and fifty Year 7 students. The context of the study involves a private Christian school located in a suburban outer fringe area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The study investigated the overarching question of whether integrated Project-Based Curriculum programs are constructive and beneficial to today’s schools. The research showed three key findings: that integrated Project-Based Curriculum programs are set up to allow students to make choices in their own education, which creates an appreciation of each discipline and a connection to the ‘real world’; that integrated Project- Based Curriculum involves a great deal of group work which develops a number of ‘lifelong’ 21st century work related skills, including collaboration, communication and creative and critical thinking; and most significantly, that integrated Project-Based Curriculum programs engage students to self-learn and come to class with a greater prior knowledge, enabling teachers to teach a more in-depth content that creates a deeper learning.
- Description: Masters in Education
Where the sun has fallen to earth : A studio investigation of the nature of place, and the place of nature in visual art practice
- Authors: Bennett, Julie
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: My work involves the insertion of a structure into a landscape - a particular landscape, one I have contemplated for many years. In my landscape, 'my place', time is seen through the change of farming and weather seasons. We think we know and understand the landscape that immediately surrounds us, the place in which we live, but in the event of even a small change within that familiar place, our understanding and perceptions are called into question and our sense of time and space are rearranged.
- Description: Master of Arts (Visual Arts)
The psychological and physical health benefits associated with the human-pet bond
- Authors: Best, Christina Rose
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: A sample of adults was surveyed to investigate the physical and psychological health benefits of pets.
- Description: Master of Applied Science (Psychology)
The effects of a problem-solving program on adolescent's problem-solving skills
- Authors: Blick, Neil
- Date: 2000
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of a group training program, based on cognitive behavioural theory and techniques, on the problem-solving skills of adolescents. Evidence of a link between suicidal ideation (engaging in suicidal thinking) and reported deficits in social problem-solving or coping competence levels in adolescents is an area of investigation that offers some hope for suicide primary prevention programs. The study tried to determine if teaching social problem solving skills in a school would better equip adolescents with coping with problematic situations. The work of Hawton (1997) Hawton and Kirk (1989), Lerner and Clum (1990) and McLeavey, Daly, Ludgate and Murray (1994) formed the basis of the training program design. The emphasis was on general problem-solving skills rather on a participant’s specific current problems. Included was training in listening skills, assistance in developing problem-solving skills rather on a participant’s specific current problems. Included was training in listening skills, assistance in developing appropriate problem-solving behaviours and role simulation through the use of structured video case scenarios. Seventy four male and female year 10 secondary school students were subjects in the study. They were randomly divided into two, approximately equal, groups. Thirty six subjects established the control group and the remaining thirty eight constituted the experimental group. The findings indicated that students exposed to the problem solving training program did not have significantly higher problem-solving ability, as measured by the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) than those who were not exposed to the training. However, females in the experimental group were significantly more likely to make conscious decisions about when they would approach or avoid a problem when compared to control group females. It is suggested that the adaptation of training, designed for suicidal clients, needs to be explored further for application to Year 10 students in the general population. More research is needed into ways to provide school based preventative training programs that will assist in the development of coping skills.
- Description: Master of Health Science (Health Promotion)
The use and management of hazardous substances in South Australian workplaces : a survey of health and safety respresentatives
- Authors: Bluff, Elizabeth
- Date: 1994
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "There is a dearth of information about the current use and management of hazardous substances in workplaces. This project aimed to contribute knowledge in this area by drawing on the practical experience of worker-elected health and safety representatives. This was undertaken by surveying a random sample of 7178 representatives registered with former South Australian Occupational and Safety Commission's Health and Safety Representatives Database. The survey results indicated widespread use of hazard substances although there were differences between industries and work force sectors in the range of chemical types used, the nature and degree of contact that workers have with them. Use of some chemical types was also widespread in a number of industries. Container labelling and access to material safety data sheets were found to be established in many workplaces and some form of assessment to decide how to protect workers was also often undertaken. Baseline information was obtained against which the impact of proposed regulatory reforms to control workplace hazardous substances (consistent with Workplace Australia's National Model Regulations for the Contol of Workplace Hazardous Substances) can be evaluated. This information can also be used in the planning and targeting of educative and other preventive strategies to minimise risks to health and safety arising from work with hazardous substances." Taken form Abstract
The effectiveness of team-based approaches to improving health and safety : case studies from Australian industry in the 1990's
- Authors: Borys, David
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "Using case studies from Australian industry, the aim of this research project is to study team members' and their customers perceptions of the effectiveness of team approaches to inmproving health and safety, and to identify the organisational and team factors that may enhance effectiveness."
- Description: Master of Applied Science
Implementation of an effective medical surveillance programme at an industrial worksite
- Authors: Brabham, Neale
- Date: 1995
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text: false
- Description: Masters of Applied Science
The effect of a resistance training program on the grab, track and swing starts in swimming
- Authors: Breed, Ray
- Date: 2000
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The study aims to establish the effectiveness of the grab, swing and rear-weighted track starts in swimming.
- Description: Master of Applied Science
"That fella paints like me" : exploring the relationship between Abstract art and Aboriginal art in Australia
- Authors: Brooks, Terri
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "This research project explores the possibility of a relationship between Abstract art and Aboriginal art in Australia from the mid twentieth century to present. [...] The investigation commences with background information on the history and origins of Abstraction, including the influence of 'primitive art' upon leading practitioners in this field during the movement's formation, before moving to Australia and focussing on two Australian painters. [...] The text also reflects on the rise of the perception of Aboriginal art from being seen as cultural curios in the mid 20th century to its current status as an internationally recognised art movement."--p. 2.
- Description: Master of Arts (Visual Arts)
Using behavior-based safety concepts to enhance safety management systems and support application of the hierachy of controls
- Authors: Browne, Tracey M.
- Date: 2000
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "The aim of this masters thesis and the associated research is to investigate the ability of behavior-based safety to enhance safety management systems and support the application of the hierarchy of controls."
- Description: Master of Applied Science
Pandemic Influenza at Oodnadatta, 1919 : Aspects of treatment and care in a multiracial community
- Authors: Bullen, Heatheranne
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: On 24 January 1919, a thirty-two-year-old nurse from Sydney, Jean Williamson, disembarked at the railway station at Oodnadatta in the far north of South Australia to commence her new role as sister in charge of the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) hostel. On 18 April that year, Williamson greeted thirty-four-year-old minister from Melbourne, Coledge Harland, who had arrived by train to take up a three-year post as padre for the AIM’s central Australian parish. Just over a month later, an influenza pandemic that had already killed untold numbers of people worldwide reached the isolated township. Drawing on primary documents, including an extensive collection of previously unseen photographs, letter and diaries from Harland and Williamson, this thesis examines the management and care of pandemic influenza at Oodnadatta from May to late July 1919. Intercultural aspects of the management and care of European, Afghan, Chinese and Aboriginal patients are examined in the context of the health and lifestyle of local residents, nursing practices, medicines, foods, accommodation and the contribution of individuals, groups and their roles. This intimate microhistory sheds light on a relatively unknown, yet important group of people in Australia’s frontier history: the missioners and others who cared for seriously ill Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients at Oodnadatta, provided culturally sensitive care that afforded respect, dignity and compassion to all. At the time, the gravity of the world wide situation and the sheer need to provide care saw individual efforts go unnoticed; however, in hindsight, it is possible to see and appreciate the significance of what they achieved under the most difficult of circumstances.
- Description: Masters by Research