Curtin University

About: Curtin University is a education organization based out in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Zircon. The organization has 14257 authors who have published 48997 publications receiving 1336531 citations. The organization is also known as: WAIT & Western Australian Institute of Technology.

Toward an agenda for advancing research on science learning in out-of-school settings

Abstract: The question, ‘‘What constitutes a reasonable, useful agenda for research into science learning in out-of-school, free-choice environments?’’ has surfaced with increasing frequency over the past 10 years or so. One event that helped move the agenda forward was the National Science Foundation–funded conference, ‘‘Public Institutions for Personal Learning: Understanding the Long-term Impact of Museums,’’ held in Annapolis in 1994. The proceedings of this conference, published by the American Association of Museums (Falk & Dierking, 1995), reflected a large step forward in setting out the research issues and questions involved. Although focused on museums (a generic term including all kinds of museums, botanical gardens, aquaria, zoos, and science and other interpretative centers), the issues discussed are applicable to a wide range of non-museum contexts. The Annapolis conference was conceived as a forum for frontline researchers in a variety of fields representing the physical, social, and personal dimensions of learning. The goal was to discuss how the thinking and modalities of their disciplines might shed insights into the nature of learning and be used to define and lay out a long-term research agenda in museums. At about the same time, a small group of science museum practitioners held several meetings under the auspices of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and the Institute of Museum Studies (IMS) to start thinking about a research agenda in their area of expertise. The results of the think tank meetings were published in six successive ASTC newsletters during 1996 (and are now available at http:/ /www.astc.org/resource/educator/educmain.htm#theories).

Potential Research Space in MIS: A Framework for Envisioning and Evaluating Research Replication, Extension, and Generation

Abstract: Replications are an important component of scientific method in that they convert tentative belief to accepted knowledge. Given the espoused importance of replications to the extraction of knowledge from research, there is surprisingly little evidence of its practice or discussion of its importance in the management information systems literature. In this article we develop a framework within which to systematize the conceptualization of replications; we review and illustrate how some key information systems research fits into the framework and examine the factors that influence the selection of a research strategy. Our framework includes a conceptualization of the relationship among replication, extension, and generation in IS research. The concept of "research space" is defined and a framework is developed that delineates eight possible research strategies. Finally, the benefits of our framework to salient stakeholders in the research process are outlined.

Application of the Rietveld Refinement Procedure in Assaying Powdered Mixtures

Abstract: Results are given of an assessment of a Rietveld-type X-ray powder diffraction pattern fitting structure refinement technique for assaying powdered mixtures as an alternative to conventional discrete peak empirical methods of the type described by Klug and Alexander (1974) and Chung (1974). The values obtained for a mixture of corundum and α-quartz, following calibration of the instrument with a profile of the former, indicate that this technique has excellent potential as an analytical tool.

Falls after stroke.

Abstract: Falls are common at all stages after stroke, occurring in the acute, rehabilitative, and chronic phases. Consequences of falls include death or serious injury, minor injuries, functional limitations, reduced mobility and activity, and fear of falling. These consequences can have implications for independence and quality of life after stroke. The high frequency of falls may be due to a combination of existing falls risk factors prior to the stroke as well as impairments from the stroke, such as decreased strength and balance, hemineglect, perceptual problems, and visual problems. This paper reviews the magnitude of the problem of falls in people with stroke, highlights risk factors, and summarizes the limited randomized controlled trial evidence on falls prevention in this population. There is a need for further high quality research investigating the effectiveness of interventions to reduce falls and injury in people with stroke from onset through to the chronic stage.