James Neill | University of Canberra (original) (raw)
Papers by James Neill
Background In Australia, the Federal government's agenda to increase clinical training places to ... more Background
In Australia, the Federal government's agenda to increase clinical training places to address the forecast shortfall of nurses is driving innovation in clinical education. A student leadership model of clinical education, named the Student Nurse Led Ward model, was designed for the aged care context to provide a high number of clinical placements for pre-service Bachelor of Nursing students in an under-utilized clinical education setting.
Objectives
The research aimed to determine the viability of the innovation by (1) developing a preliminary understanding of what students were learning and (2) exploring stakeholders’ perceptions about student learning.
Design
A mixed methods design included an ageing knowledge test and ageing attitudes survey, both administered before and after the placement, student narratives of a learning event written after the placement, as well as focus group and individual interviews with stakeholders.
Setting
Three residential aged care facilities partnering with one university in one Australian jurisdiction.
Participants
Included 35 of the 45 students who began placement in the aged care facilities during one semester, a convenience sample of 15 staff and each of the managers and educators from the three agencies.
Methods
Descriptive statistical analysis of student pre-post knowledge test and attitude survey, hermeneutic analysis of student narratives, and content analysis of individual and group interview data.
Results
There was an increase in student knowledge around sensory changes, delirium, and drug reactions in older people. There was a slight increase in students’ expression of ageist attitudes following the clinical experience. The clinical educator position was considered to be critical to the success of the model.
Conclusions
This Student Nurse Led Ward model is a viable model to increase clinical placements, with preliminary evidence in this study suggesting that students benefit through increased knowledge, understanding and capacity to work with older people.
Australian Journal of Psychology, 2005
The present study investigated the dishonest academic behaviours of Australian university student... more The present study investigated the dishonest academic behaviours of Australian university students (N = 954) and their relationships with demographic factors, academic policy advised to students, academic self-efficacy, and academic orientation. It was hypothesised that higher levels of dishonesty would be associated with low learning-orientation, high grade-orientation, low academic self-efficacy and nonreceipt of information about the rules of cheating and plagiarism. Descriptive analyses revealed high levels of three types of self-reported academic dishonesty: cheating, plagiarism and falsification. Regression analyses revealed demographic variables, academic orientation and academic self-efficacy to have differential predictive value for the three types of dishonesty, underlining the argument that it is misleading to measure academic dishonesty as a unidimensional construct. The results are discussed in terms of implications for strategic interventions and university policy formulation.
Australian Journal of Psychology, 2005
The present study investigated the dishonest academic behaviours of Australian university student... more The present study investigated the dishonest academic behaviours of Australian university students (N= 954) and their relationships with demographic factors, academic policy advised to students, academic self-efficacy, and academic orientation. It was hypothesised that higher levels of dishonesty would be associated with low learning-orientation, high grade-orientation, low academic self-efficacy and nonreceipt of information about the rules of cheating and plagiarism. Descriptive analyses revealed high levels of three types of self- ...
Participants One hundred and seventy-seven participants were selected from an already existing da... more Participants One hundred and seventy-seven participants were selected from an already existing database of 721 students from 17 schools who had attended a state-funded outdoor education program in 1998.
Abstract This study reports results from doctoral work on 'life effectiveness' outcomes for parti... more Abstract This study reports results from doctoral work on 'life effectiveness' outcomes for participants in Outward Bound and other outdoor education programs. Several possible factors (such as program length, age of participant, etc.) which could influence outdoor education effects are investigated. Results suggest that longer programs tend to have the greatest impacts. Adult-age participants also appear to have a greater 'readiness' for change. The most positive outcome was in the area of Time Management.
If you are a scientist you believe that it is good to find out how the world works, that it is go... more If you are a scientist you believe that it is good to find out how the world works, that it is good to find out what the realities are, that it is good to turn over to mankind at large the greatest possible power to control the world... It is not possible to be a scientist unless you believe that the knowledge of the world, and the power which this gives, is a thing which is of intrinsic value to humanity, and that you are using it to help in the spread of knowledge, and are willing to take the consequences.-J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967)
Abstract This study evaluated the effect of Outward Bound high school programs on normal adolesce... more Abstract This study evaluated the effect of Outward Bound high school programs on normal adolescents' self-concept, mental health, and coping. A quasi-experimental design was used, with a pre-program assessment one to two weeks prior to the intervention and a followup assessment eight to ten weeks after the intervention. Subjects were 14 and 15 year old students from five Australian high schools. The experimental group consisted of 251 (143 male and 108 female) subjects.
Abstract This article summarizes evidence from meta-analyses of outdoor education, psychotherapy,... more Abstract This article summarizes evidence from meta-analyses of outdoor education, psychotherapy, and education which can be used to help determine the relative efficacy of adventure therapy programs. The major outdoor education meta-analysis by Hattie, Marsh, Neill, and Richards (1997) cites an effect size of. 34 for immediate program effectiveness.
The purpose of this essay is to explain and explore the Outward Bound motto 'to serve, to strive,... more The purpose of this essay is to explain and explore the Outward Bound motto 'to serve, to strive, and not to yield'. In doing so, I discuss Kurt Hahn, Alfred Lord Tennyson and his poem Ulysses, the events of Ulysses' life, and also deal with criticisms of the mythical quest and the Outward Bound motto. My hope is that this essay is a challenging read which enriches people's understanding of the philosophy embodied in the motto and expressed through Outward Bound programs.
Abstract The impacts of outdoor education programs on participants remains a topic of much intere... more Abstract The impacts of outdoor education programs on participants remains a topic of much interest to practitioners and researchers. Hundreds of empirical pre-post studies have been conducted in an attempt to better understand the impacts. Typically, psychosocial constructs such as self-concept are measured before and after outdoor education programs.
Abstract The purpose of this meta-analysis is to examine the effects of adventure programs on a d... more Abstract The purpose of this meta-analysis is to examine the effects of adventure programs on a diverse array of outcomes such as self concept, locus of control, and leadership. The meta-analysis was based on 1,728 effect sizes drawn from 151 unique samples from 96 studies, and the average effect size at the end of the programs was. 34.
Abstract This paper describes and critiques the development of outdoor education (OE) programs in... more Abstract This paper describes and critiques the development of outdoor education (OE) programs in Australia. It is argued that attention should be paid to a country's history, geography and culture when investigating the application of outdoor education programs. Australia has a highly urbanized Western culture which has been heavily influenced by nineteenth century British colonialism and twentieth century American culture.
Abstract Outdoor programs often intentionally provide a different culture and the challenge of wo... more Abstract Outdoor programs often intentionally provide a different culture and the challenge of working out how to adapt. Failure to adapt, however, can cause symptoms of culture shock, including homesickness, negative personal behavior, and interpersonal conflict. This article links cross-cultural and outdoor programming literature and provides case examples in order to illustrate the importance of facilitating outdoor participants' cultural adaptation.
Abstract Axiomatic issues in adventure education should be examined in more depth, particular dur... more Abstract Axiomatic issues in adventure education should be examined in more depth, particular during significant stages of a field's evolution. The question of the role, importance, methods, and so on in facilitating adventure education groups has been attracting considerable attention since the 1960's. However, there also seems to be significant reluctance to examining facilitation methods by people who consider doing so a threat to a more essential quality of adventure-based experiences, based in the experience.
Abstract There is very little evidence about the effects of Western outdoor education programs on... more Abstract There is very little evidence about the effects of Western outdoor education programs on non-Western participants. This study involved an experimental group of low-achieving Japanese students who participated in an Australian outdoor education program (N= 32) and a control group of similar students who remained at school in Japan (N= 40).
Abstract Although outdoor education has become firmly established in many school curriculums, it ... more Abstract Although outdoor education has become firmly established in many school curriculums, it remains unclear what this has achieved. This paper reviews the current state of research on a wide range of school outdoor education programs. The surprising lack of good quality studies prompted this paper to emphasize a rationale for research and evaluation and to provide strategies for implementing more systematic study of outdoor education programs.
Mental health is an important outcome for outdoor education and personal development programs.
Abstract As the literature about outdoor education grows, it is important that emerging trends ar... more Abstract As the literature about outdoor education grows, it is important that emerging trends are reviewed and the implications for practice discussed. Gender is arguably the most ubiquitous individual difference, and is attracting considerable interest in the outdoor education field. In spite of this trend, critical reviews of the anecdotal and research literature are lacking.
Background In Australia, the Federal government's agenda to increase clinical training places to ... more Background
In Australia, the Federal government's agenda to increase clinical training places to address the forecast shortfall of nurses is driving innovation in clinical education. A student leadership model of clinical education, named the Student Nurse Led Ward model, was designed for the aged care context to provide a high number of clinical placements for pre-service Bachelor of Nursing students in an under-utilized clinical education setting.
Objectives
The research aimed to determine the viability of the innovation by (1) developing a preliminary understanding of what students were learning and (2) exploring stakeholders’ perceptions about student learning.
Design
A mixed methods design included an ageing knowledge test and ageing attitudes survey, both administered before and after the placement, student narratives of a learning event written after the placement, as well as focus group and individual interviews with stakeholders.
Setting
Three residential aged care facilities partnering with one university in one Australian jurisdiction.
Participants
Included 35 of the 45 students who began placement in the aged care facilities during one semester, a convenience sample of 15 staff and each of the managers and educators from the three agencies.
Methods
Descriptive statistical analysis of student pre-post knowledge test and attitude survey, hermeneutic analysis of student narratives, and content analysis of individual and group interview data.
Results
There was an increase in student knowledge around sensory changes, delirium, and drug reactions in older people. There was a slight increase in students’ expression of ageist attitudes following the clinical experience. The clinical educator position was considered to be critical to the success of the model.
Conclusions
This Student Nurse Led Ward model is a viable model to increase clinical placements, with preliminary evidence in this study suggesting that students benefit through increased knowledge, understanding and capacity to work with older people.
Australian Journal of Psychology, 2005
The present study investigated the dishonest academic behaviours of Australian university student... more The present study investigated the dishonest academic behaviours of Australian university students (N = 954) and their relationships with demographic factors, academic policy advised to students, academic self-efficacy, and academic orientation. It was hypothesised that higher levels of dishonesty would be associated with low learning-orientation, high grade-orientation, low academic self-efficacy and nonreceipt of information about the rules of cheating and plagiarism. Descriptive analyses revealed high levels of three types of self-reported academic dishonesty: cheating, plagiarism and falsification. Regression analyses revealed demographic variables, academic orientation and academic self-efficacy to have differential predictive value for the three types of dishonesty, underlining the argument that it is misleading to measure academic dishonesty as a unidimensional construct. The results are discussed in terms of implications for strategic interventions and university policy formulation.
Australian Journal of Psychology, 2005
The present study investigated the dishonest academic behaviours of Australian university student... more The present study investigated the dishonest academic behaviours of Australian university students (N= 954) and their relationships with demographic factors, academic policy advised to students, academic self-efficacy, and academic orientation. It was hypothesised that higher levels of dishonesty would be associated with low learning-orientation, high grade-orientation, low academic self-efficacy and nonreceipt of information about the rules of cheating and plagiarism. Descriptive analyses revealed high levels of three types of self- ...
Participants One hundred and seventy-seven participants were selected from an already existing da... more Participants One hundred and seventy-seven participants were selected from an already existing database of 721 students from 17 schools who had attended a state-funded outdoor education program in 1998.
Abstract This study reports results from doctoral work on 'life effectiveness' outcomes for parti... more Abstract This study reports results from doctoral work on 'life effectiveness' outcomes for participants in Outward Bound and other outdoor education programs. Several possible factors (such as program length, age of participant, etc.) which could influence outdoor education effects are investigated. Results suggest that longer programs tend to have the greatest impacts. Adult-age participants also appear to have a greater 'readiness' for change. The most positive outcome was in the area of Time Management.
If you are a scientist you believe that it is good to find out how the world works, that it is go... more If you are a scientist you believe that it is good to find out how the world works, that it is good to find out what the realities are, that it is good to turn over to mankind at large the greatest possible power to control the world... It is not possible to be a scientist unless you believe that the knowledge of the world, and the power which this gives, is a thing which is of intrinsic value to humanity, and that you are using it to help in the spread of knowledge, and are willing to take the consequences.-J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967)
Abstract This study evaluated the effect of Outward Bound high school programs on normal adolesce... more Abstract This study evaluated the effect of Outward Bound high school programs on normal adolescents' self-concept, mental health, and coping. A quasi-experimental design was used, with a pre-program assessment one to two weeks prior to the intervention and a followup assessment eight to ten weeks after the intervention. Subjects were 14 and 15 year old students from five Australian high schools. The experimental group consisted of 251 (143 male and 108 female) subjects.
Abstract This article summarizes evidence from meta-analyses of outdoor education, psychotherapy,... more Abstract This article summarizes evidence from meta-analyses of outdoor education, psychotherapy, and education which can be used to help determine the relative efficacy of adventure therapy programs. The major outdoor education meta-analysis by Hattie, Marsh, Neill, and Richards (1997) cites an effect size of. 34 for immediate program effectiveness.
The purpose of this essay is to explain and explore the Outward Bound motto 'to serve, to strive,... more The purpose of this essay is to explain and explore the Outward Bound motto 'to serve, to strive, and not to yield'. In doing so, I discuss Kurt Hahn, Alfred Lord Tennyson and his poem Ulysses, the events of Ulysses' life, and also deal with criticisms of the mythical quest and the Outward Bound motto. My hope is that this essay is a challenging read which enriches people's understanding of the philosophy embodied in the motto and expressed through Outward Bound programs.
Abstract The impacts of outdoor education programs on participants remains a topic of much intere... more Abstract The impacts of outdoor education programs on participants remains a topic of much interest to practitioners and researchers. Hundreds of empirical pre-post studies have been conducted in an attempt to better understand the impacts. Typically, psychosocial constructs such as self-concept are measured before and after outdoor education programs.
Abstract The purpose of this meta-analysis is to examine the effects of adventure programs on a d... more Abstract The purpose of this meta-analysis is to examine the effects of adventure programs on a diverse array of outcomes such as self concept, locus of control, and leadership. The meta-analysis was based on 1,728 effect sizes drawn from 151 unique samples from 96 studies, and the average effect size at the end of the programs was. 34.
Abstract This paper describes and critiques the development of outdoor education (OE) programs in... more Abstract This paper describes and critiques the development of outdoor education (OE) programs in Australia. It is argued that attention should be paid to a country's history, geography and culture when investigating the application of outdoor education programs. Australia has a highly urbanized Western culture which has been heavily influenced by nineteenth century British colonialism and twentieth century American culture.
Abstract Outdoor programs often intentionally provide a different culture and the challenge of wo... more Abstract Outdoor programs often intentionally provide a different culture and the challenge of working out how to adapt. Failure to adapt, however, can cause symptoms of culture shock, including homesickness, negative personal behavior, and interpersonal conflict. This article links cross-cultural and outdoor programming literature and provides case examples in order to illustrate the importance of facilitating outdoor participants' cultural adaptation.
Abstract Axiomatic issues in adventure education should be examined in more depth, particular dur... more Abstract Axiomatic issues in adventure education should be examined in more depth, particular during significant stages of a field's evolution. The question of the role, importance, methods, and so on in facilitating adventure education groups has been attracting considerable attention since the 1960's. However, there also seems to be significant reluctance to examining facilitation methods by people who consider doing so a threat to a more essential quality of adventure-based experiences, based in the experience.
Abstract There is very little evidence about the effects of Western outdoor education programs on... more Abstract There is very little evidence about the effects of Western outdoor education programs on non-Western participants. This study involved an experimental group of low-achieving Japanese students who participated in an Australian outdoor education program (N= 32) and a control group of similar students who remained at school in Japan (N= 40).
Abstract Although outdoor education has become firmly established in many school curriculums, it ... more Abstract Although outdoor education has become firmly established in many school curriculums, it remains unclear what this has achieved. This paper reviews the current state of research on a wide range of school outdoor education programs. The surprising lack of good quality studies prompted this paper to emphasize a rationale for research and evaluation and to provide strategies for implementing more systematic study of outdoor education programs.
Mental health is an important outcome for outdoor education and personal development programs.
Abstract As the literature about outdoor education grows, it is important that emerging trends ar... more Abstract As the literature about outdoor education grows, it is important that emerging trends are reviewed and the implications for practice discussed. Gender is arguably the most ubiquitous individual difference, and is attracting considerable interest in the outdoor education field. In spite of this trend, critical reviews of the anecdotal and research literature are lacking.