A research journey through metaphoric imagery

This paper presents the personal journey of a researcher through the use of metaphoric imagery. The researcher’s use of alternative means to tap hidden knowledge and meanings is demonstrated through examples of the artwork and ongoing analysis of the product created as a supplement to the traditional researcher’s journal. The focus of the doctoral dissertation is an investigation of the narrative lives of gifted adults across multicultural Australia. The artwork generated from the research process permitted the researcher to clarify many of the ideas and concepts that were initially unformed and unable to be accessed in conventional ways. It also enabled the researcher to include prior knowledge and viewpoints brought to the research, including Indigenous ancestry, essential to establish researcher’s bias, and within phenomenology. This type of creative process is recommended to those disenchanted with conventional methodology as an aid to stimulate deeper gestation of research process and findings

The life journey of gifted adults : a narrative exploration of developmental differences

The experiences of culturally diverse gifted learners have become a focus for research within the last decade, as have the experiences of gifted adults, yet few of these studies have been completed within Australia. The majority of research currently available in this field within Australia focuses on gifted children or adolescents. This doctoral research investigates the narrative lives of gifted adults across multicultural Australia. Interviews with Indigenous, Asian and European participants provided an array of cultural perspectives, and also represented a range of religious beliefs including Atheist, Buddhist, Christian, and Islamic viewpoints. Their culturally diverse life experiences, education, moral and spiritual development are shared through the presentation of their perspectives, insights and understandings of the phenomenon of giftedness. The study involved a bricolage of qualitative research methodology and data collection strategies, including phenomenology, ethnography, narrative and art inquiry, to inform the research. Therefore the narratives are collected from interview data, value activities and collage work. The research journey is complemented by metaphoric imagery and key themes are also represented visually. The author uses a bicompetent approach to research incorporating both traditional academic and indigenous styles of presentation. The combination of these methodologies and variety of data collection and analysis strategies used resulted in a many faceted, multi-voiced dissertation contributing to the literature on giftedness by exploring an under utilised source, the gifted adults of multicultural Australia, whilst honouring their narrative life stories

The universal appeal of Facebook© : providing access to tertiary students from Australian Aboriginal communities

The positive and negative aspects of using Facebook© as a crucial communication tool between Aboriginal academics and their Aboriginal students will be discussed within this chapter. Initially, the authors’ use of Facebook© was to provide support for our Australian Aboriginal students within their own communities. The original intention was to supplement existing electronic forums provided by the University to maintain contact with students between study blocks, encourage reluctant technology users to interact online, and build links to the students’ own communities and families. In 2009, the authors’ students were involved in a research project (Milton, Gruppetta, Vozzo & Mason, 2009) and their use of Facebook© to interact with students was recognised as innovative and the authors were encouraged to investigate the potential within another research project (Vozzo, et al., 2011). From a peripheral practice conducted by two Australian Aboriginal academics, the importance of utilizing Facebook© to build social capital and support an Indigenous Academic community has become crucial to the success and retention of our Aboriginal tertiary students. The authors’ most recent research project relies heavily on Facebook© as the main communication tool due to the vast distances between Aboriginal communities in Australia and the variety of technology provided by each state/territory

Breaking the ice : introducing trainee primary and secondary teachers to rural education settings

Teacher availability and stability has been a long-standing issue for isolated rural communities. While major rural centers in NSW appear to be well catered for, the lack of teachers for either permanent or casual positions and the limited length of time that teachers stay in isolated rural schools raises concerns for student outcomes that have ramifications for the futures of these students, their parents and stakeholders in their local communities. To address this issue the NSW government has provided funding for a program aptly called “Beyond the Line” (BTL) which hopes to encourage city-trained teachers to seek employment in rural schools. The program provides the opportunity for city preservice students to visit rural education settings and communities and experience education in the bush. To broaden this experience the University of Western Sydney introduced a teaching unit that embedded BTL so that students could explore theoretical issues of rural education before experiencing the reality. The first group of students has completed the program with very positive outcomes for the students, participating schools and rural communities

Inadvertent offence : when 'a little knowedge is a dangerous thing'

This chapter discusses the myriad ways the researcher/practitioner can inadvertently offend those with specific faith identities, which is based on experiences as both a researcher and practitioner working within the social sciences. When embarking on research involving faith communities there a few ethical guidelines one can access and only through sharing the experiences of others can such dilemmas be avoided and addressed. Many researchers and practitioners believe the issues arising from conflict within religious and spiritual beliefs are relatively easy to solve (Bouma, 2006). However, these assumptions can be misleading. Issues that are most likely to cause offence can be categorised as either a 'macro' issue or a 'micro' issue

Supports Used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women for Their Health, including Smoking Cessation, and a Baby’s Health: A Cross-Sectional Survey in New South Wales, Australia

This study explored Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s use of supports for their general health, for smoking cessation, and the health of babies or children, and analyzed the women’s predictors for seeking types of support. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women were recruited for a cross-sectional survey in two regions of NSW N = 132. The 19-item survey questioned the likelihood that the participant would use the various supports for their health, to quit smoking, and for a baby or child’s health. Logistic regression analyses were performed on N = 98 with complete data. Older participants were less likely to use Facebook or the internet for their health, or the health of a child, but were more likely to consult with health professionals. Women who had quit smoking were less likely to use an app for their health compared to smokers. Women who had a child living in their household were less likely to use the internet for a child’s health. This community-based study revealed age-related differences for access to health services and differences according to smoking status. Patterns of internet and app use warrant further consideration when planning strategies to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children’s health

Overcoming Challenges to Treating Tobacco use During Pregnancy - A Qualitative study of Australian General Practitioners Barriers

Abstract Background General practitioners can play an important role in addressing smoking among pregnant women but studies suggest they rarely do so. The aim of this study was to explore general practitioners perceptions about the management of smoking in pregnancy, and what would enable them to provide better care. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted (Feb-July 2017), with 19 Australian general practitioners recruited from a sample that participated in a national survey on managing smoking during pregnancy; and through a national conference. The interview guide was structured using the theoretical domains framework, exploring previously reported barriers and two specific components of smoking cessation care - nicotine replacement therapy prescription and Quitline referral. Results Participants reported high confidence and knowledge to provide pregnant patients adequate support for quitting. Nonetheless, participants reported lacking communication skills, focusing on providing information on smoking harm, accepting cutting down cigarettes as adequate, while following the ‘Stages of Change’ model and only providing treatment options to motivated patients. Lack of time, nicotine replacement therapy cost and safety concerns, and being unfamiliar with the Quitline (particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant smokers) were perceived as challenges. Participants reported needing better communication skills, clear detailed nicotine replacement therapy guidelines for special populations, and visual resources they could use to discuss treatment options with patients. Conclusions Difficulty communicating with pregnant patients about smoking, using the ‘Stages of Change’ model to guide support provision and concerns regarding nicotine replacement therapy safety are barriers to providing cessation support to pregnant patients for general practitioners. Training on specific effective behaviour change techniques, clear guidance for nicotine replacement therapy use, and practical visual patient education tools may facilitate smoking cessation care provision to pregnant women

Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation during pregnancy

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is recommended in current Australian clinical guidelines for pregnant women who are unable to quit smoking unassisted. Clinicians report low levels of prescribing NRT during pregnancy, due to safety concerns and low levels of confidence in their ability to prescribe NRT. Animal models show that nicotine is harmful to the fetus, especially for brain and lung development, but human studies have not found any harmful effects on fetal and pregnancy outcomes. Studies of efficacy and effectiveness in the real world suggest that NRT use during pregnancy increases smoking cessation rates. These rates may be hampered by the fact that studies so far have used an NRT dose that does not adequately account for the higher nicotine metabolism during pregnancy and, therefore, does not adequately treat withdrawal symptoms. Further research is needed to assess the safety and efficacy of higher dosages of NRT in pregnancy, specifically of combination treatment using dual forms of NRT. As NRT is safer than smoking, clinicians need to offer this option to all pregnant women who smoke. A practical guide for initiating and tailoring the dose of NRT in pregnancy is suggested

Supports Used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women for Their Health, including Smoking Cessation, and a Baby's Health: A Cross-Sectional Survey in New South Wales, Australia

Supports Used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women for Their Health, including Smoking Cessation, and a Baby's Health: A Cross-Sectional Survey in New South Wales, Australi

Chronological narratives from smoking initiation through to pregnancy of Indigenous Australian women: a qualitative study

Objective: One in two Indigenous Australian pregnant women smoke, yet little is known about their trajectory of smoking. This study aimed to explore Aboriginal women's narratives from starting smoking through to pregnancy. Methods: A female Aboriginal Researcher conducted individual face-to-face interviews with 20 Aboriginal women from New South Wales, Australia. Recruitment, through Aboriginal services and community networks, continued until saturation was reached. Audio-recorded transcripts were independently open coded by two researchers, inductively analysed and reported using a three-dimensional structure of looking backwards, forwards, inwards, outwards and a sense of place, to elucidate the chronology of events, life stages, characters, environments, and turning points of the stories. Results: A chronology emerged from smoking initiation in childhood, coming of age, becoming pregnant, through to attempts at quitting, and relapse post-partum. Several new themes emerged: the role mothers play in women's smoking and quitting; the contribution of nausea to spontaneous quitting; depression as a barrier to quitting; and the hopes of women for their own and their children's future. The epiphany of pregnancy was a key turning point for many - including the interplay of successive pregnancies; and the intensity of expressed regret. Conclusions: Aboriginal women report multiple influences in the progression of early smoking to pregnancy and beyond. Potential opportunities to intervene include: a) childhood, coming of age, pregnancy, post-natal, in-between births; b) key influencers; c) environments, and d) targeting concurrent substance use. Morning sickness appears to be a natural deterrent to continued smoking. Depression, and its relationship to smoking and quitting in Australian Indigenous pregnant women, requires further research