Contributing to the broader debate on the nature and identity of the European Union (EU), this thesis is a study of the EU from the outside looking in: an examination of how this novel process of integration among the nations of Europe is viewed by its partners around the world, in particular in New Zealand through its television news media. While there are many studies which examine how the EU is understood and represented within its borders, there is an absence of parallel studies which consider the image of the EU from an external perspective. Recognising that the television news media plays a particularly important role in influencing the knowledge and perceptions of people on foreign matters, the thesis presents an analysis of the entire EU television news coverage in New Zealand's two prime-time television news bulletins throughout 2004. The primary research question that the thesis investigates is, how is the EU framed in the television news media of New Zealand, an external 'Other' of the EU? The study was multi-methodological in nature and analysed each of the relevant news items using content analysis, as well as undertaking deeper analysis of the metaphorical categorisations and the visual images of the EU, to detect the entire range of EU representations and the overall image of the EU these created for New Zealand television news audiences. These findings were then compared against corresponding research from Australia, South Korea and Thailand, as well as to the perceptions of New Zealand's leading newsmakers, in order to account for the most important trends in EU image formation in New Zealand. In particular it was found that the EU was often entirely absent from the New Zealand television news space, and when it was visible, was often presented in a way which ignored the extensive domestic relevance of the Union for New Zealand and its immediate region.

This cross cultural study compares the fairness perceptions of New Zealand and Malaysian individual taxpayers of their respective income tax systems, and investigates the consequences of those perceptions, together with other important variables, on their compliance behaviour. A theoretical framework was developed based on Equity Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The study’s hypotheses were tested using the responses to questionnaire surveys (which included two scenarios) and in-depth telephone interviews, which were conducted sequentially in both countries. Partial Least Squares and thematic analysis were used to analyse the surveys and interviews data, respectively. The results suggest that Malaysian taxpayers have significantly better perceptions of fairness of their income tax systems than their New Zealand counterparts, yet New Zealand taxpayers are more compliant. The most consistently important factor in explaining taxpayers’ compliance behaviour across the two countries is their attitude towards compliance, followed by subjective norms. Fairness perceptions, which are highly influenced by their tax knowledge and perceived complexity of the tax system, are also influential, particularly in the understating other incomes scenario. This cross-cultural study demonstrates that regardless of the differences between the two countries under study (in relation to economies, cultures and ethnicities), taxpayers generally respond in quite similar ways when it comes to meeting their tax obligations.

Influenza type A is associated with most severe complications to humans and is historically recognized to cause pandemics. If a new subtype replicates well in humans it might upsurge in a new pandemic strain, one such example is the Influenza A (A/H1N1). The A/H1N1 pandemic in 2009/2010 was not as severe in Sweden as expected. Criticism has targeted the fact that authorities having misjudged the need for vaccination, concerns have been raised regarding the effect of the campaign on people’s willingness to be vaccinated in the future. This study aims to investigate if there are significant differences in attitudes towards the vaccination of A/H1N1 among different population groups in Stockholm, Sweden. The main groups explored are risk groups and non- risk groups, defined by objective definitions. A quantitative method was approached using questionnaires. The result indicates that people in a risk group and vaccinated had more favorable attitudes towards the vaccine compared to other groups. They also expressed less troubled concerns regarding vaccine safety and were more likely to immunize referring to inadequate health. It is evident that people at risk also define themselves as more vulnerable, in which vaccination is more acceptable. The expressed attitudes are in such dependent on risk-perceptions and vaccine status.

Adolescents are usually considered to be in good health, but their wellbeing tend to decrease from primary school to high school. When youth participate in at least 60 min of physical activity every day several health benefits accrue: healthy bones and muscles, improved muscular strength and endurance, reduced risk of developing chronic disease risk factors, improved self-esteem, as well as reduced stress and anxiety. Most youth, however, are not engaging in the recommended level of physical activity. Several studies report that adolescents’ general perception of health includes immediate issues like body awareness and not other health risks like osteoporosis, cholesterol and high blood pressure. The aim of this study was to firstly establish from the literature the main perceptions of physical activity for adolescents, and secondly to establish from the literature the main perceptions of physical activity in health enhancement for adolescents. The systematic review was, where possible, undertaken in line with the recommendations of the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The researchers independently reviewed the title and abstract of each reference to assess its eligibility. The full article was obtained for all potentially eligible references. After a review of the full article, 29 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for article 1 (chapter 2) and 17 articles for article 2 (chapter 3). From the results of the study it seemed that the main perceptions of physical activity for adolescents are influenced by cultural and social factors as well as parents’ beliefs. Perceptions youth have about physical activity will influence their participation in physical activity. Lastly, the results of this study demonstrate that there is a low level of knowledge and awareness regarding physical activity and health. The need to increase physical activity is a public health priority and therefore it is necessary to understand the factors that may influence their participation in order to promote physical activity among youth more effectively. / Thesis (MSc (Biokinetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This study explores the perceptions of the causes of poverty of South Africa’s post apartheid generation at the North-West University’s Vaal Triangle Campus. The study uses a sample of 203 respondents aged 20 years or younger, from the campus two faculties (Economic Sciences and Information Technology, and Humanities). The main objective of the study is determining whether the post-apartheid generation perceives poverty as the result of fatalistic, individualistic or structural factors, as indicated by the Feagin scale. The secondary objective of the study was to determine whether demographic variables such as age, gender, home area and the faculty of study, along with socio-economic variables such as the employment status of the respondents’ parents, monthly expenses and the respondents’ lived poverty index influence perceptions of the causes of poverty. / MCom (Economics), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

Adolescents are usually considered to be in good health, but their wellbeing tend to decrease from primary school to high school. When youth participate in at least 60 min of physical activity every day several health benefits accrue: healthy bones and muscles, improved muscular strength and endurance, reduced risk of developing chronic disease risk factors, improved self-esteem, as well as reduced stress and anxiety. Most youth, however, are not engaging in the recommended level of physical activity. Several studies report that adolescents’ general perception of health includes immediate issues like body awareness and not other health risks like osteoporosis, cholesterol and high blood pressure. The aim of this study was to firstly establish from the literature the main perceptions of physical activity for adolescents, and secondly to establish from the literature the main perceptions of physical activity in health enhancement for adolescents. The systematic review was, where possible, undertaken in line with the recommendations of the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The researchers independently reviewed the title and abstract of each reference to assess its eligibility. The full article was obtained for all potentially eligible references. After a review of the full article, 29 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for article 1 (chapter 2) and 17 articles for article 2 (chapter 3). From the results of the study it seemed that the main perceptions of physical activity for adolescents are influenced by cultural and social factors as well as parents’ beliefs. Perceptions youth have about physical activity will influence their participation in physical activity. Lastly, the results of this study demonstrate that there is a low level of knowledge and awareness regarding physical activity and health. The need to increase physical activity is a public health priority and therefore it is necessary to understand the factors that may influence their participation in order to promote physical activity among youth more effectively. / Thesis (MSc (Biokinetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

People hold images of themselves, of their ideal partner, and of the ideal relationship (Simpson, Fletcher, & Campbell, 2001). The present study examined Perceived Meta-Ideals (PMI): people’s conceptions of who they think their partners want them to be, whereas Perceived Meta-Ideal Similarity (PMIS) is how close individuals feel they are to their PMI. 143 dyads in a romantic relationship were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: primed similar/dissimilar to the PMI, and no prime control. Individuals higher in self-esteem (HSEs) reported higher PMIS than individuals lower in self-esteem (LSEs). Higher PMIS lead to an overestimation of the amount of positive qualities that the partner is looking for. HSEs were more satisfied in their relationship and reported a greater self-other overlap, and higher PMIS predicted relationship satisfaction. Finally, self-other overlap mediated the relationship between PMIS and the desire to become the PMI.

The purpose of this study was to identify Canadian critical care nurses’ attitudes about the importance of families in nursing care in adult intensive care units (ICUs), explore their perceptions of family-centered care (FCC), and examine policies and practices in place that promote FCC in adult ICUs. A web-based survey was used with a sample of members (N = 207) of the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses. Using the Families Importance in Nursing Care: Nurses’ Attitudes (FINC-NA) instrument, it was found that age and years of ICU experience were positively related to more positive attitudes (n = 193), while direct care providers had lower scores than nurses in other roles. Nurses identified benefits for patients, families, and staff associated with FCC, but also outlined challenges in implementing FCC, including comfort of nurses and a lack of support from team members. Nurses’ responses to questions about FCC policies and practices illustrated concerns with the implementation of FCC in the units the nurses worked in. The results of this study have implications for practice, education, and research.

Inquiry into fairness of a test has been recognized as an important research activity to direct efforts to reduce bias and discrimination against certain groups of test takers, create equal opportunities for test takers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and promote social justice. Given the importance of fairness in testing, my research examined the fairness of one large-scale high-stakes test in China—the Graduate School Entrance English Exam (GSEEE). To guide this doctoral research, I first drew on four sources of conceptual and empirical work to identify key issues encompassing test fairness. Informed by Willingham’s conceptual framework, I investigated the fairness of the GSEEE in two studies. In Study 1, I examined whether the GSEEE test items functioned differentially and brought potential bias towards test taker groups based on gender and academic background. In Study 2, I investigated perceptions of the fairness of the GSEEE as expressed by program administrators, teachers, and test takers. In conclusion, this research offers empirical information with regard to the fairness of the GSEEE from psychometric and stakeholder perspectives. The research also provides evidence that the conceptualization of test fairness is mediated by contextualized beliefs and traditions. Whether a test is perceived as fair or not is derived from considerations in both the testing process and the broad socio-cultural context. / Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2014-06-10 10:33:32.484

“People resemble their times more than they resemble their parents.” How true is this arab proverb! Behind this proverb is hidden a universal concept: the concept of generation. This concept based on age implies some characteristics specific to each group.Those characteristics have long been subject to studies aiming at providing a better understanding of the intergenerational relations. Yet, few studies focus on the perceptions of the generations as a relational factor. In this thesis research, we want to focus on those perceptions and misperceptions that one generation can have of the others. Are there many differences between generations? Do they perceive the others the way they are? We will attempt to answer to those questions. We also want to give in this research an overview of the stakes represented by the combination between intergenerational relationships and the knowledge transfer in organizations. Indeed, we realize that within a decade, the mass departure of Baby boomers from the workplace will have significant consequences on the knowledge management field. Yet, what we see today is that only few companies worry about this huge human capital loss. It is time for leaders to react now if they do not want to lose their competitive advantage: knowledge transfer is a continuous process. And we hope that this work will provide some insights on the questions of intergenerational knowledge transfer to our readers.