As the number of people using wireless networks is increasing, the need to reduce the vulnerability of wireless networks from node or link failures that cause loss of data is becoming a priority. Also the present techniques and topologies used for wireless networking are not sufficient to handle the traffic load even if we solve the issues of reliability and resilience. Packet loss or delay is increasingly likely due to the increase in the number of packets as technology is evolving and more video and voice packets along with the data packets are being transmitted. Only the efficient and intelligent use of the shared medium can solve the problem and help in avoiding the collision or delay among the packets using a newly proposed intelligent topology. Wireless technology offers the potential to replace wires from many applications, particularly for the rapid deployment of networks for permanent or temporary use. Fiber_ optic metropolitan area networks (WAN) provide security and resilience. A target of the research was to match this in the wireless environment. This research investigates the suitability if using wireless technology for the establishment of a MAN by adding features to enhance resilience. We proposed a mechanism that may be rapidly deployed and provide automatic configuration. Research work and simulation design has been used to develop a new wireless network topology for an efficient and intelligent packet transmission by identifying reliable routes. This novel idea will help give wireless as well as mobile technology a clear edge over wired technology, not only in the case of mobility but also in the case of security of data and other services. A decision based routing tree mechanism has been developed, that can establish routes in an ad-hoc network which may than be configured into a logical dual ring. At the same time the proposed system proposes to embed the quality of service mechanisms, resilience, and reliability features from RPR. The simulations were created using Microsoft Visual Studio.Net for the Decision based routing algorithm. The results were compared with an existing LAR algorithm. We have obtained 95% confidence intervals on all the performance analysis results to indicate accuracy.

<p dir="ltr">Families experiencing homelessness and housing instability (FEH/HI) face myriad challenges, placing their children at risk for adverse outcomes. Research typically adopts a deficit-based approach to meet immediate needs, but this may limit understanding of the children’s experiences. Recognizing children’s strengths is important for improving their health, development, and support. Resilience and family resilience are concepts that draw on a strengths-based approach. However, there is a need for more research to identify the strengths, such as resilience, among families and their children who are not stably housed. The present research seeks to address the gaps in the literature by examining the resilience perceptions and experiences of adolescents in FEH/HI, as much of the existing research focuses on the adult perspectives, within a family resilience framework through multiple studies. Study 1 (Chapter 2) systematically reviewed existing research on resilience and family resilience within FEH/HI. An analysis of 27 studies identified resilience-related factors across individual, interpersonal, and community domains. Study 2 (Chapter 3) integrated a strengths- and deficit-based approach to explore the challenges and strengths of children in FEH/HI from the perspectives of parents/caregivers and service providers. Semi-structured interviews with 17 parents/caregivers and 15 service providers identified challenges and strengths at the individual, interpersonal, and system levels. Study 3 (Chapter 4) investigated how adolescents within FEH/HI experience and make meaning of family resilience in their day-to-day lives using photo-elicitation (PE) and Froma Walsh’s family resilience framework. Four adolescents participated and took photographs depicting family resilience within their families. Together, findings from these studies provide insights into the strengths and resilience within FEH/HI. Moreover, they emphasize the need for strengths-based approaches in research and practice to support the health, development, and wellbeing of children and adolescents in FEH/HI.</p>

The main aim of this study was to attempt to determine which factors that contribute to resilience are absent in adolescents who are considered to be ”at risk”. The research was undertaken with white adolescent learners between Grades 8 and 12, in a former Model-C secondary school. Several definitions of resilience, a historical view of resilience, the characteristics of a resilient adolescent, several definitions of adolescence, the stages and tasks of adolescence and who the adolescent is in psycho-educational terms, were explored. In this qualitative study, the Vulnerability Questionnaire and the Resilience Questionnaire were given to twelve educators who were requested to select the participants for the study. A qualitative assessment, using the Child and Youth Resilience Measure, was used to determine why certain adolescents are more resilient than others. Each participant also completed a collage which was analysed. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Specialisation in Guidance and Counselling)

The aim of the research study was to explore resilience in refugee children, using a Gestalt approach to play therapy. The hypothesis, was that a Gestalt approach to play therapy could promote resilience in Refugee children. A literature review was conducted. This revealed that unaccompanied refugee children were unique because they need to deal with trauma, loss and change while having to adjust to living in a new country and many have to learn to speak a new language. The research method was a multiple case study and an intervention research model was used to implement the research. Schoeman's Working Model was used as the Gestalt play therapy approach. Attributes of resilient children were used to measure the results. The researcher concluded that play therapy with a Gestalt approach may promote resilience in refugee children because it increases the numbers of protective factors in a child's life. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Text in English / This research investigated the ability of employees to survive experiences of major career changes and how they managed to build career resilience during the process. Adopting an action research approach, it continues to research the role the church can play in this process, suggesting ways in which the exponents of practical theology, and more specifically, pastoral ministries can extend their role into non- or de-institutionalised areas, becoming industrial or organisational pastoral professionals in their own right. The second research question investigated ways in which career resilience can improve agency in upholding values in the face of the employee exploitation onslaught? A narrative approach was used and discourses of ethics and power were discussed. It was indicated how these could be subjected to a process of deconstruction to create alternative and preferred career stories. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology - with specialisation in Pastoral Theraphy)

This dissertation explores children’s (6-8 years old) perspectives and experiences of well-being in two different cultural contexts: in a Tibetan day-school (India) and in a German day-school (Germany). Ethnographic research was conducted with participants of a second-grade class (mixed gender) for six months at each site, 3-4 days a week in 2012. Participant observation was complemented by interviews with the children as well as with the staff of the school, documented by fieldnotes and sound recordings. Data was collected in line with postmodern grounded theory methodology and preliminary analysis accompanied the process of the fieldwork. The thesis explores the children’s views and social practices related to well-being which prove to be different in both cultures: the Tibetan children emphasized being skilful as a basic condition for well-being, while friendship with peers was most important at the German school. At both sites, the children would establish these conditions for well-being through competitions. Furthermore, the children’s different views and the social practices are considered against the backdrop of two ‘transcultural’ indicators of well-being: self-confidence and resilience. These indicators were not selected randomly but chosen inductively during fieldwork, as the difference in self-confidence and resilience between the children’s groups at each site was noticeable. The thesis demonstrates how these differences in self-confidence and resilience are likely to have been related to a) the children’s particular views and social practices linked to well-being b) the manner in which childhood is constructed within the children’s societies and c) particular basic beliefs and worldviews prevalent within the children’s societies. The results emphasize the usefulness of researching well-being cross-culturally and suggest that (socio-culturally specific) self- and worldviews significantly influence children’s well-being.

This research explored the application of a resilience assessment (RA) template in an Ontario community to facilitate sustainable community planning. Research and application of sustainable community planning that incorporates management of social and ecological resilience is relatively young territory that requires improved understanding and extension. The research goals were to critically examine the performance of the process used to perform the RA. This inquiry was considered a knowledge-generating evaluation that combined applied research and evaluation research to contribute to theoretical understanding and action. The RA template was field-tested using a single in-depth case study - the Town of Huntsville, Ontario. A mixture of qualitative methods was used to pilot and evaluate the RA, including: key informant interviews, online group discussions, focus groups, and secondary literature review. The process used to perform the RA was evaluated against four criteria that focused on the adequacy of data collection, participant diversity, participant empowerment, and utility for other communities. This research illuminated obstacles and shortcomings within the Resilience Alliance 2010 RA workbook and offered recommendations to improve the utility of the RA for communities and participants. The RA template tested in this thesis could be adapted for application in other communities, including small urban and rural communities and larger municipalities. The RA template would benefit from additional case study research.

This research explored the application of a resilience assessment (RA) template in an Ontario community to facilitate sustainable community planning. Research and application of sustainable community planning that incorporates management of social and ecological resilience is relatively young territory that requires improved understanding and extension. The research goals were to critically examine the performance of the process used to perform the RA. This inquiry was considered a knowledge-generating evaluation that combined applied research and evaluation research to contribute to theoretical understanding and action. The RA template was field-tested using a single in-depth case study - the Town of Huntsville, Ontario. A mixture of qualitative methods was used to pilot and evaluate the RA, including: key informant interviews, online group discussions, focus groups, and secondary literature review. The process used to perform the RA was evaluated against four criteria that focused on the adequacy of data collection, participant diversity, participant empowerment, and utility for other communities. This research illuminated obstacles and shortcomings within the Resilience Alliance 2010 RA workbook and offered recommendations to improve the utility of the RA for communities and participants. The RA template tested in this thesis could be adapted for application in other communities, including small urban and rural communities and larger municipalities. The RA template would benefit from additional case study research.

The main aim of this study was to attempt to determine which factors that contribute to resilience are absent in adolescents who are considered to be ”at risk”. The research was undertaken with white adolescent learners between Grades 8 and 12, in a former Model-C secondary school. Several definitions of resilience, a historical view of resilience, the characteristics of a resilient adolescent, several definitions of adolescence, the stages and tasks of adolescence and who the adolescent is in psycho-educational terms, were explored. In this qualitative study, the Vulnerability Questionnaire and the Resilience Questionnaire were given to twelve educators who were requested to select the participants for the study. A qualitative assessment, using the Child and Youth Resilience Measure, was used to determine why certain adolescents are more resilient than others. Each participant also completed a collage which was analysed. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Specialisation in Guidance and Counselling)

The aim of the research study was to explore resilience in refugee children, using a Gestalt approach to play therapy. The hypothesis, was that a Gestalt approach to play therapy could promote resilience in Refugee children. A literature review was conducted. This revealed that unaccompanied refugee children were unique because they need to deal with trauma, loss and change while having to adjust to living in a new country and many have to learn to speak a new language. The research method was a multiple case study and an intervention research model was used to implement the research. Schoeman's Working Model was used as the Gestalt play therapy approach. Attributes of resilient children were used to measure the results. The researcher concluded that play therapy with a Gestalt approach may promote resilience in refugee children because it increases the numbers of protective factors in a child's life. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)