http://hdl.handle.net/10292/3 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:07:29 GMT 2010-07-24T15:07:29Z http://hdl.handle.net/10292/905 Title: Psychoanalytic feminism: a systematic literature review of gender Authors: McIver, Victoria Abstract: Using a modified, systematic literature review I will examine issues of subjectivity, gender, and differnce in relation to psychoanalytic feminist theory. Psychoanalytic feminism evolved out of a reaction to classical psychoanalytic theory. In particular, the works of Chodorow (1978), Kristeva, (1977, 1989) and Benjamin (1988) were used. The literature revew will discuss the development of these theoretical perspectives and the understanding of subjectivity, gender and difference in psychoanalytic feminism and the implication this has for clinical practice. Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10292/905 2010-06-03T12:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10292/907 Title: Through the eyes of Tangaroa Authors: Reynolds, Loretta Abstract: The key concept for this multimedia project was to undertake a voyage in art form which set out to examine issues related to the representation and perception of the ancient Rarotongan god Tangaroa, from traditional context to contemporary reconstruction. The essential aim of this project was to define how far from traditional representations this translation could go without disconnecting it from the cultural identity of Rarotongan traditional art. This project also researched previous historical representations of Tangaroa with the intention of isolating key elements of the traditional artistic structure and revisits them from a contemporary perspective. Using historic references of original artefacts and traditional Cook Islands’ patterns I engaged contemporary practices and materials to produce a body of work which explored my personal perspective on how Tangaroa could be reconstructed in art form. To support my research and studio practice I researched the myth behind Tangaroa and questioned why he has been displaced from Rarotongan traditional theology and reintroduced today as a marketing brand and souvenir icon. The base research for this project considered issues of traditional theology, the impact of Christianity on the ancient gods and Tangaroa’s place in traditional and contemporary context. This project is comprised of 80% studio practice and supported by an exegesis with a value of 20%. Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10292/907 2010-06-03T12:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10292/889 Title: Manumalo:a study of factors which facilitate success for New Zealand - born Samoan students at university Authors: Penn, Rosemarie Abstract: This thesis is about factors which aid and hinder successful completions for New Zealand-born Samoans. The thesis explores the proposition that educational marginalisation of minority students will be perpetuated until AUT adopts policies and procedures which enable culturally responsive educational pedagogies and practices which honour indigenous minorities. The thesis asked New Zealand-born Samoan students, what is the nature of their aiga (family) and cultural support frameworks (structures), and, further, to what extent and how and why do these students engage with such networks (processes)? This study used a qualitative approach within which six New Zealand-born Samoan students were interviewed using a semi-structured approach to gathering data. The interview data were transcribed and a thematic analysis was manually completed both within and across the six cases. The turnaround time in gaining ethics approval impacted upon the capacity of the investigator to conduct this research in what she considered to be a culturally appropriate manner and the cautious vigilance of the final ethics committee approval was perceived as a barrier to making culturally appropriate contact. It was discovered that Samoan structures, especially family, are paramount in supporting educational success because of the Fa’a Samoa processes which they engender. A further discovery was that New Zealand-born Samoans retain cultural affiliations so their lifestyle shows deep regard for Fa’a Samoa identity. Through these affiliations, meaningful life metaphors become applied. It was concluded that transforming staff so that they understand Pasifika peoples is crucial to growing Pasifika educational success. Staff development must, therefore, be planned so that meaningful understandings of Pasifika concepts and frameworks become nurtured and that is a challenge which AUT must embrace and action. Sun, 16 May 2010 21:00:54 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10292/889 2010-05-16T21:00:54Z http://hdl.handle.net/10292/870 Title: Analysis of English subtitles produced for the Taiwanese movie Cape No.7 Authors: Lu, Ching-Ting Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to explore how the approaches identified for the translation of Taiwanese Mandarin dialogues into English subtitles is different from those described in research studies which examined the translation of English film dialogues into Mandarin subtitles using data gathered from a Taiwanese movie entitled Cape No. 7. Taiwanese Mandarin is significantly influenced by the Tai-yu dialect, and in order to carry out the translation of Taiwanese Mandarin, it is important to deal with the functions of the dialect and related culture-specific items (CSIs). Therefore, the researcher of this thesis has investigated whether the translator of Cape No. 7 successfully applied a variety of translation strategies and prioritized the translation criteria well, to enable the target audience to receive the same message of the film as the source audience, especially when subtitling is constrained by time and space. There are two research areas which have been examined: slang and humour. The data analysis of slang scenes included Tai-yu slang and swearing, while humorous scenes were divided into three areas: puns, irony and metaphor. The research data have been analysed by means of analysis diagrams, which were trialled in a pilot study, described in Chapter Three. The pilot study lead to a new categorization based on previous researchers’ taxonomies (Aixelá, 1996; Davies, 2003; Tveit and Fong 2005, as cited in Yang, 2006), and this was applied to the analysis diagrams. According to the findings from the analysis chapters (Chapter Four & Five), the translator of Cape No. 7 preferred to use mostly the paraphrasing strategy in translating Tai-yu slang and humour, and the synonymy strategy in conveying swearing. In addition, the translator often strengthened swear words rather than toning them down in the English subtitles. However, when subtitling humorous scenes, the translator preferred to incorporate two strategies to deal with the cultural barriers when conveying the humorous effect. The compensation strategy was not used often in slang translation. In regard to the translation criteria, pragmatics and accuracy appeared to have been deemed more important by the translator than other criteria. Surprisingly functional equivalence did not seem to have been the translator’s first priority, as suggested by earlier research. Overall, this research study appeared to show that the translator of Cape No. 7 considered the paraphrase strategy to be the most efficient strategy for maintaining CSIs, and that pragmatics and accuracy were the translator’s most important criteria, which differs from the findings of previous research studies. Thu, 06 May 2010 03:41:04 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10292/870 2010-05-06T03:41:04Z http://hdl.handle.net/10292/886 Title: Hiding in a hollow tree Authors: Kenobi, Ben Tuhoe Abstract: Starting with a broad analysis of game story-telling methods, this project seeks to interrogate a player’s occupation and navigation of the possibility space of a game’s meta-narrative and isolate ‘story-telling’ techniques specific and inherent to the computer-game medium. This leads to a series of formalized design schema, on the meta-narrative – game-play relationship, to assist computer-game design practice. Thu, 13 May 2010 21:03:09 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10292/886 2010-05-13T21:03:09Z http://hdl.handle.net/10292/882 Title: Daily analysis of institutional and individual trading and stock returns: evidence from China Authors: Lai, Qiang Abstract: This dissertation examines the impact of institutional (and individual) trading on stock prices in China. Previous literature suggests three alternative hypotheses for this impact: price pressure, informed trading, and momentum trading, but has so far not been able to distinguish between them. Using a unique dataset that contains detailed daily institutional and individual ownership information for all Shanghai Stock Exchange stocks in China, I am able to examine the important relation between daily aggregate institutional (individual) trading and past, contemporaneous, and future stock returns at a daily level. I find strong evidence of price pressure, informed trading, and momentum trading of institutional investors. These findings have important implications for the efficiency of the financial market. Mon, 10 May 2010 22:53:01 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10292/882 2010-05-10T22:53:01Z http://hdl.handle.net/10292/901 Title: Development of a clinical Multiple-Lunge test to predict falls in older adults Authors: Wagenaar, Ruth Abstract: Background: The incidence of falls and severity of fall related injuries steadily increase with age. As well as physical injury, falls can lead to adverse psychological and social consequences, which can further reduce older adults’ quality of life. The most commonly reported cause of falls in older persons is tripping over an obstacle, which may reflect the difficulty many older adults have in making an appropriate stepping response. In order to reduce the number of falls experienced by older adults, individuals at high risk of falling need to be identified so that targeted interventions can be implemented. Aims: This series of studies aimed to develop a new Multiple-Lunge test to distinguish between Fallers and Non-fallers in independent older adults, aged 65 years and over. The studies sought to determine the test-retest reliability of the Multiple-Lunge test; as well its validity to predict faller status in a sample of community-dwelling older adults. Methods: One hundred and thirty community-dwelling older adults, aged 65 – 93 years (mean age 77 ± 7 years) with (n = 40) and without (n = 90) a history of falls were administered the Multiple-Lunge test. For the purpose of this study, a Faller was classified as an older adult with a history of one fall, or a Multiple-faller if there was a history of two or more falls in the previous 12 months. The Multiple-Lunge test required the individual to lunge forward to a step length determined as 60% of their leg length, and return to start position, for a total of five repetitions. Two trials were performed after a familiarisation trial. The number of correct steps and the total time for the five steps were recorded for each trial. The highest number of correct steps and the lowest total time of the two trials were used for data analysis. Test-retest reliability of the Multiple-Lunge test was established across two testing occasions from a sub-sample of the validity study (n = 14, mean age 79 ± 6 years). A cross-sectional design was used to establish the sensitivity and specificity of the Multiple-Lunge test to predict faller status based on retrospective self-reported fall history. Initial analysis using the number of correct steps and total time, was followed by a linear regression analysis to determine the validity of the test to predict falls. Results: The Multiple-Lunge test was found to be reliable across trials (ICC = 0.79 for number of correct steps; ICC = 0.86 for total time). The change in the mean for steps was small and similar across four trials (-0.43 steps, -0.36 steps, -0.50 steps). The change in the mean for time showed a gradual decrease in time scores across trials (-0.69 seconds, -0.73 seconds, -0.93 seconds). Sensitivity and specificity values were calculated as 73% and 63% for predicting Multiple-fallers using the measure of all five steps done correctly. Linear regression analysis did not indicate that the Multiple-Lunge test could be used to predict faller status for either of the step predictor variables (0/5 steps or 5/5 steps). However, a very high sensitivity value (98%) was observed for the variable of both steps and time in predicting Fallers. Also a very high specificity value (99%) was recorded for the variable of time to predict Multiple-fallers. Conclusions: The Multiple-Lunge test is an easily administered test for independent older adults. Due to the challenging nature of the test it may be well suited to detect subtle differences in abilities of higher functioning older adults. The test mimics the movements needed in response to a trip, the most common cause of falls in older adults. This test is a reliable and reasonably valid measure of falls risk. A practitioner can be confident in 7 out of 10 cases that an older adult who cannot complete all five steps of the Multiple-Lunge test is at high risk of falls. The results of this thesis suggest that there is potential for the Multiple-Lunge test to be used in clinical practice and fall prevention research. However, additional research on how to further increase its validity and/or to determine the most appropriate populations with which to administer this test appears warranted. Mon, 31 May 2010 01:36:07 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10292/901 2010-05-31T01:36:07Z http://hdl.handle.net/10292/862 Title: Manumalo: a study of factors which facilitate success for New Zealand-born Samoan students at university Authors: Penn, Rosemarie Abstract: This thesis is about factors which aid and hinder successful completions for New Zealand-born Samoans. The thesis explores the proposition that educational marginalisation of minority students will be perpetuated until AUT adopts policies and procedures which enable culturally responsive educational pedagogies and practices which honour indigenous minorities. The thesis asked New Zealand-born Samoan students, what is the nature of their aiga (family) and cultural support frameworks (structures), and, further, to what extent and how and why do these students engage with such networks (processes)? This study used a qualitative approach within which six New Zealand-born Samoan students were interviewed using a semi-structured approach to gathering data. The interview data were transcribed and a thematic analysis was manually completed both within and across the six cases. The turnaround time in gaining ethics approval impacted upon the capacity of the investigator to conduct this research in what she considered to be a culturally appropriate manner and the cautious vigilance of the final ethics committee approval was perceived as a barrier to making culturally appropriate contact. It was discovered that Samoan structures, especially family, are paramount in supporting educational success because of the Fa’a Samoa processes which they engender. A further discovery was that New Zealand-born Samoans retain cultural affiliations so their lifestyle shows deep regard for Fa’a Samoa identity. Through these affiliations, meaningful life metaphors become applied. It was concluded that transforming staff so that they understand Pasifika peoples is crucial to growing Pasifika educational success. Staff development must, therefore, be planned so that meaningful understandings of Pasifika concepts and frameworks become nurtured and that is a challenge which AUT must embrace and action. Sun, 25 Apr 2010 20:53:51 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10292/862 2010-04-25T20:53:51Z