http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/ The University of Queensland en Fez http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:185132 2009-10-21T00:00:00Z Mackenzie-Smith, John http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:204525 2010-04-28T00:00:00Z Moore, Margaret A http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:185343 2009-10-31T00:00:00Z Briggs, Maxwell James http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:185709 2009-11-12T00:00:00Z Harrison, John (John Murray) http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:189504 2009-12-09T00:00:00Z Hafner, Diane http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:185436 2009-11-05T00:00:00Z McMurchy, Anne http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:158313 The management of the financial assets of older people is of increasing concern to researchers, practitioners and policy-makers as older people seek to self provide for long periods of retirement, conserve assets for user charges and ensure choice in accommodation, health and lifestyle. This research is part of a broader research project funded by the Australian Research Council that explores and describes the prevalence and practices of non-professional asset management for and on behalf of older people. This thesis focuses upon abusive asset management practices in relation to a vulnerable group of older people with impaired capacity. Despite the vulnerability of this particular group of older people to financial abuse, research in the area is still under-developed. The exploratory and descriptive research design is based on an analysis of data from 234 cases heard by the Guardianship and Administration Tribunal in Queensland, Australia in 2002/3. Access to the Tribunal files enabled an exploration of a usually hidden form of elder abuse and afforded a rich source of data. The research questions explore the nature and extent of financial abuse processes; the concerns that bring financial abuse of older people with impaired capacity to the attention of the Tribunal; the characteristics of the older person that makes them vulnerable to financial abuse; the processes of asset management associated with such abuse and the characteristics and practices of the abuser. The analysis identifies two types of case – suspected financial abuse and non-financial abuse cases. Bi-variate and multi-variate analysis (logistic regression) seeks to determine statistically significant differences between the two types of case and the relationships between the ranges of variables identified from the elder abuse literature. The text in the Tribunal files is used to illustrate aspects of the quantitative data. Suspected financial abuse was identified in about 26% (n=60) of the Tribunal cases sampled. It was noted that financial abuse could occur inadvertently from lack of knowledge about proper asset management practices as well as intentionally. Abuse cases were commonly referred to the Tribunal after financial abuse had occurred and the abuse was noticed usually as a result of some unusual behaviour or conflict that made the application-maker pay closer attention to the older person. Financial abuse happened, irrespective of gender, age, type of impaired capacity, marital status and location (community/care facility) of the older person with impaired capacity. Having access to the older person’s assets, not access to the older person was of primary importance for financial abuse to occur. Close family, particularly adult children, were the predominant financial abusers. Formal arrangements to manage assets such as the Enduring Power of Attorney did not protect the older person from financial abuse and in fact, was the means used to perpetrate the financial abuse in some of the financial abuse cases. Care is taken to limit generalisations to the population of interest: older people with impaired capacity who come to the attention of the Tribunal. These findings challenge some current understandings in the literature about such abuse and highlight the limitations of existing policies, practices and theoretical approaches. Routine Activities theory is proposed as useful for theorising this type of elder abuse and for developing appropriate interventions. A multi-level framework of individual, structural, legal and social responses that cater for the prevention, detection and, if needed, the deterrence of financial abuse is suggested. Recommendations for such policy and practice interventions focus upon the three levels of preventing financial abuse, detecting it and responding to it. Different recommendations are suggested for the different types of financial abuse that emerged from the Tribunal data. Some strategies proposed include raising community awareness about good asset management practices and clarifying who owns the older person’s assets; encouraging family asset managers to use appropriate asset management practices by providing easily accessible education and training; the development of consistent and collaborative protocols and training for aged care workers in relation to preventing, detecting, monitoring and responding to suspected financial abuse; the proposal for the establishment of dedicated protective service workers; encouraging financial institutions to become engaged in monitoring for financial abuse and reviewing current policies in relation to the lack of safeguards surrounding the Enduring Power of Attorney. 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z McCawley, Anne-Louise http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:179630 2009-08-06T00:00:00Z Yang, Mu. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:184397 2009-10-01T00:00:00Z Meadmore, Daphne Anne http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:189263 2009-12-07T00:00:00Z Alexander, Donald E. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:158697 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z England, Marilyn Irene http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:186810 2009-11-17T00:00:00Z Swan, Geoffrey James. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:188751 2009-12-01T00:00:00Z Parker, David http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:215530 2010-09-03T15:54:53Z Scott, Joanne http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:189296 2009-12-07T00:00:00Z Kirkpatrick, Rod http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:8675 2006-02-10T00:00:00Z Long, Stephen http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:185400 2009-11-03T00:00:00Z Mallory, Greg http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:204511 2010-04-28T00:00:00Z Ailwood, Joanne E http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:190027 2009-12-15T09:07:04Z Richmond, William Henry http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:158500 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z Tooth, Ronald Clifford http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:184846 2009-10-13T00:00:00Z Lynch, Peter http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:157899 This dissertation aims to evaluate the philosophy of Jürgen Habermas with reference to the arguments it provides for a theory of radical social democratic politics. Habermas is a German philosopher and social theorist whose broad concern is the defence and elaboration of the 'project of modernity'. This means that he wishes to justify modern, developed societies as viable and worthwhile forms of civilization. He attempts to specify and redeem the claim that these societies represent, potentially, the most advanced and rational way of organizing human life. Habermas is committed, among the various political programs which raise this kind of claim and seek to realize it in practice, to a form of radical social democracy. This tradition of theory and practice pursues the task of human emancipation by means of fundamental reforms to the social, cultural, economic and political institutions of contemporary modern societies. Habermas' work can be understood as one of the most systematic contributions to this tradition. The central question guiding the dissertation concerns the theoretical and political adequacy of this contribution. The dissertation establishes two general criteria for evaluating Habermas' work. The first criterion requires identifying the normative foundations of social democratic politics. It is argued that a 'theory of the rational' is needed to satisfy this. Such a theory must demonstrate that the social structures and political institutions of the modern epoch represent an hitherto unprecedented opportunity for the expression of the human capacity for rationality. The exposition of normative grounds for social democratic politics determines the basis for social criticism and political struggle. A theory of the rational, in other words, informs us of why we are struggling. Nonetheless, such a theory, on its own, cannot provide guidance about how to struggle. The second criterion of evaluation relates to this question of 'how', of what theoretical direction can be given to political practice. The dissertation contends, in this regard, that a 'theory of the irrational' is necessary. It is argued that a theory of the irrational offers a framework for orienting social movements in struggles against those obstacles which stand in the way of a further expansion of rationality. Such a theory seeks to understand the irrationality of human life in an effort to recommend political strategies that can intervene prudently in the current state of affairs. It is maintained that a satisfactory construction of both theories is essential for an adequate comprehension of radical social democratic politics. The dissertation pursues this argument by clarifying the nature of three dimensions of 'critique' within Habermas' oeuvre. Conceptions of critique represent methodological frameworks for formulating theories of the rational and the irrational. Habermas deploys these methods of critique throughout his work. It is argued, however, that his application of critique focuses primarily on providing a theory of the rational. The central thesis is that while he offers the rudiments of a theory of the irrational, this theory is underdeveloped. Since this theory addresses the question of how social movements are to struggle, it is argued that Habermas' approach lacks a practical dimension. The dissertation concludes that his contribution in this regard needs to be elaborated more consistently and in more detail. The dissertation represents an internal analysis of Habermas' work. It seeks to ascertain whether his theory achieves the philosophical and political goals required by the tradition of thought to which it belongs. The dissertation contributes to the critical literature on Habermas' writings in three substantial ways. First, it establishes a framework for understanding how the separate elements of his theory fit together. The identification of general criteria with respect to which a theory of social democracy is to be evaluated means that the political purposes of these various elements can be understood more clearly. The tensions between them can also be illustrated. Second, with the help of this framework, the dissertation expands upon and sharpens longstanding criticisms of Habermas' thinking which have pointed to a missing practical dimension. Third, the dissertation identifies theoretical resources, elaborated by Habermas himself, which it is argued can be used to overcome these problems of impracticality. With this, the dissertation also contributes, in a more indirect way, to the current debate about the meaning of and possibilities for social democratic politics. 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z Leet, Martin Ronald http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:198887 2010-03-11T00:00:00Z Eckermann, Anne-Katrin http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:189981 2009-12-14T00:00:00Z Jolly, Lesley http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:158044 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z Burgess, Jean http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:189499 2009-12-09T00:00:00Z Collings, Paul http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:188158 2009-11-27T00:00:00Z Johnson, Murray http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:189502 2009-12-09T00:00:00Z McKenna, Bernard Joseph http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:263564 Positive and negative surges are generally observed in open channels. Positive surges that occur due to tidal origins are referred to as tidal bores. A positive surge occurs when a sudden change in flow leads to an increase of the water depth, while a negative surge occurs due to a sudden decrease in water depth. Positive and negative surges are commonly induced by control structures, such as the opening and closing of a gate. In this study, the free-surface properties and velocity characteristics of negative and positive surges were investigated physically under controlled conditions, as well as analytically and numerically. Unsteady open channel flow data were collected during the upstream propagation of negative and positive surges. Both, physical and numerical modelling, were performed. Some detailed measurements of free-surface fluctuations were recorded using non-intrusive techniques, including acoustic displacement meters and video recordings. Velocity measurements were sampled with high temporal and spatial resolution using an ADV (200 Hz) at four vertical elevations and two longitudinal locations. The velocity and water depth results were ensemble-averaged for both negative and positive surges. The results showed that the water curvature of the negative surge was steeper near the gate at x=10.5 m compared to further upstream at x=6 m. Both the instantaneous and ensemble-average data showed that in the negative surge the inflection point of the water surface and the longitudinal velocity Vx occurred simultaneously. Also, an increase in Vx was observed at all elevations during the surge passage. For the positive surge the propagation of the bore and the velocity characteristics supported earlier findings by Koch and Chanson (2009) and Docherty and Chanson (2010). The surge was a major discontinuity in terms of the free-surface elevations, and a deceleration of the longitudinal velocities Vx was observed during the surge passage. A number of analytical and numerical models were tested, including the analytical and numerical solutions of the Saint-Venant equations and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package. Overall, all models provided reasonable results for the negative surge. None of the models were able to provide a good agreement with the measured data for the positive surge. The study showed that theoretical models may be applied successfully to unsteady flow situations with simple channel geometry. Also, it was found that the selection of the appropriate mesh size for CFD simulations is essential in highly unsteady turbulent flows, such as a positive surge, where the surge front is a sharp discontinuity in terms of water elevation, velocity and pressure. It was concluded that the highly unsteady open channel flows remain a challenge for professional engineers and researchers. 2011-12-16T00:00:00Z Martina Reichstetter http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:209764 2010-07-27T00:00:00Z Mehnert, Andrew James Heinrich http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:184595 2009-10-07T00:00:00Z Muller, Vivienne http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:193252 2010-01-20T00:00:00Z Robertson, Josephine http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:279369 2012-08-28T00:00:00Z Moses, Geraldine Michelle http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:187777 2009-11-24T00:00:00Z Sheehan, Norman http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:184278 2009-09-28T00:00:00Z Blackmur, Douglas. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:189313 2009-12-07T00:00:00Z McDonald, Catherine http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:190067 2009-12-15T00:00:00Z Prangnell, Jonathan Mark http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:225741 At the end of the eighteenth century, iron entered building at a large enough scale for it to be considered the first new material since pre-history. By the 1850s, a comprehensive set of ideas for the use of metals in construction had been developed, invented, debated and tested for all parts of habitable structures. This study proposes that iron came to building along two interconnected but distinct paths. One way was through processes of imitation and substitution dependant on lessons from other technologies alongside gradual evolution and refinement – approaches familiar to designers. The other route involved unprecedented innovations arising from original new ideas – the path of inventors. Investigating these overlapping routes that inaugurated a new era of building using iron, is a central theme in reviewing the developments, inventions and discoveries that were translated into optimistic proposals and practical solutions. The work calls upon original manuscripts and drawings from this early period as well as published material from disparate sources before specialist periodicals covering issues related to building emerged. A systematic analysis of British patents records up until the mid 1850s and accounts of new developments in the contemporary press, form a major and original part of the investigation. Analysis of surviving structures and reports of accidents and failures in structures using new techniques of fabrication and building will help contextualize the paths that lead to the implementation of new ideas. Acceptance of iron as a legitimate material for building went through phases of early unqualified optimism to guarded scepticism as a result of unanticipated disasters. In the main, builders, unfettered by aesthetic inhibitions, were opportunistic and pragmatic. They learnt to absorb the new material where it clearly offered advantages. Architects, particularly in Britain, went in the opposite direction, becoming progressively more coy at embracing the possibilities offered by iron. The research looks at how, despite the existence of a comprehensive vocabulary of iron construction that had been developed, tried and tested by the mid 1850s, architects, in Britain at least, were reluctant to embrace visible iron, while being open to its use performing essential duties behind finishes, hidden from view. These conservative attitudes in the country that initiated many early ideas for the use of iron in building will be contrasted with divergent attitudes in different contexts in Europe, the USA and further afield. 2010-12-21T00:00:00Z Pedro Guedes http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:188180 2009-11-27T00:00:00Z Roulston, Kathryn http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:170415 Despite a National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development and the embodiment of this in numerous national and state statues, environmental degradation continues to occur on rural land. This raises the question of how the primary land managers in Queensland perceive sustainable development. Australia’s early reliance on agricultural production and international markets contributed substantially to the extensive environmental degradation that has occurred. Consequently economic and environmental issues have dominated the research on sustainable development, with the social dimension relatively neglected. In addition, despite the large quantity of work that has been conducted with farmers and graziers, little is known about how either of these types of land managers interpret sustainable development. The aim of this thesis was to develop an in-depth understanding of graziers’ perceptions of sustainable development to make a contribution to this area. An exploratory interpretative approach was taken to conduct this investigation because previous research had been limited. In-depth unstructured interviews were conducted with 57 Queensland graziers in the tropical savannas in a case study with two locations – the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Central West. This approach was supported by participant observation and a brief questionnaire to provide background information. The fieldwork was conducted over a period of five months which allowed analysis to be conducted as the study progressed. Most of the graziers were interviewed on their properties with the goal of adding richness to the data and assisting with interpretation. Several bodies of literature have been used to interpret the results of this study. Areas of the sustainable development literature relevant to this thesis are reviewed to provide a context for the thesis. The literature on structural change in Australian agriculture provides a background to the broad influences on the agricultural sector and farmers. Also reviewed are the approaches taken to change the land management practices of farmers. The enduring value of farming and the changing values of rural land use are explored through a review of agrarianism, the goals and values of farmers and the post-productivist transition. The results for both study locations showed that these graziers preference the economic dimension of sustainable development over the environmental and social dimensions. The rationale for this preference is that maintaining economic viability will allow them to achieve their social goal – to continue their preferred way of life. A strong focus therefore, is on economic viability as a means to a social end. The objective is to overcome the constraints of being market and season dependent and the costs of operating in rural and remote locations through a whole-of-enterprise business management approach. The need for graziers to continue increasing their productivity to remain economically viable and to continue being competitive in international markets, challenges their ability to balance the economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. For some the environmental dimension of sustainable development may be compromised to accommodate their economic priorities and social goals. A perceived future threat, more so for Gulf graziers, arises from the belief that they and their interests are marginalised through consultation processes. This contributes to their belief that the government prioritises Aboriginal land rights and environmental protection interests over their production interests. They believe that if this continues their future is at risk through further decreases to the security of their tenure. The results of this study suggest that a more innovative and integrated approach will be required to meet the challenges of sustainable development in these areas, in early twenty-first century Australia. The holistic approach from a social science perspective has provided an understanding of what graziers value and why. These insights contribute to knowledge of how to progress sustainable development. They could be tested with other types of land managers and as a foundation on which to build a more comprehensive understanding of sustainable development. 2009-03-18T00:00:00Z Jennifer Moffatt http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:196157 2010-02-22T00:00:00Z McLay, Yvonne Margaret http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:187765 2009-11-24T00:00:00Z Wear, Rae http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:188754 2009-12-01T00:00:00Z Walker, Janette A. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:190073 2009-12-15T00:00:00Z Cohen, Kay http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:186241 2009-11-16T00:00:00Z Costar, Brian http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:196351 2010-02-23T00:00:00Z Morgan, David E. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:192103 2010-01-11T00:00:00Z Memmott, Paul http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:184925 2009-10-15T00:00:00Z McManus, Brendan http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:178520 Abstract The role of collaborative classroom practices, and of technology, in students’ learning of mathematics, is now receiving increased attention in curriculum and policy documents in Australia and internationally. The implementation of pedagogical reforms associated with these areas, however, has been limited due to a range of theoretical and practical concerns. An issue which has emerged from separate interests in technology and collaborative practice is the role of digital tools in enhancing meaningful learning in both individual and collaborative group settings. While the corpus of research literature in the area of technology mediated learning in mathematics is now significant, much of the focus of studies in this area has been concerned with the effect of technology on individual learning outcomes within specific topic domains. Research is needed into the role of digital tools within collaborative classroom environments. This study investigated the various roles of technology in mediating students’ learning, from both individual and collective perspectives, within an authentic, senior secondary classroom setting and sought to identify patterns of student behaviour within this environment. The theoretical framework for the study drew on two bodies of educational research. Firstly, social theories of learning, including Vygotskian socio-cultural ideas, the field of learning discourses, and distributed cognition, were considered. Secondly, research literature associated with approaches to learning mathematics with the assistance of digital technologies, including ideas related to tool co-construction and instrumental genesis, are examined. Because the focus of this study is on authentic systems of activity rather than individual student outcomes, a naturalistic approach to data collection and analysis was employed. Research was conducted in two senior secondary classrooms over a two and a half year period (1997 – 1999). This involved a pilot study (1997 – 1998) and overlapping main study (1998 – 1999) which were conducted with two different cohorts of students. The investigation was carried out by a teacher-researcher with the support of a research assistant. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using: student surveys; individual and whole class student interviews; stimulated recall procedures; videotaping of episodes of students working as individuals, in small groups and in whole class settings; and longitudinal participant observation. Data analysis techniques were chosen to match the form and nature of available data and were sensitive to the generation and confirmation of categories of emergent student behaviour. This process was iterative and included an additional phase devoted to category refinement and eventually to theory development. Patterns of behaviour for students working with digital technologies were identified and the metaphors of Master, Servant, Partner and Extension-of-self were chosen to describe the categories that emerged. These categories were further developed into a framework which describes students’ interaction with technology while learning mathematics in individual, small group and whole class settings. The theoretical and practical implications of this study include: the identification of the role of digital technologies in mediating the social practices within authentic mathematics classrooms; the potential of technology to empower students as individuals and as collectives of co-dependent learners; and the potential shift in power structures between teachers and students within mainstream classroom when students are so empowered. 2009-06-12T00:00:00Z Vincent Geiger http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:158762 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z Simmons, Anthony