Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Sydney, 2009. / A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney, College of Arts, Social Justice and Social Change Research Centre, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Includes bibliographies.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether adolescents make use of an ethical decision–making framework when they make choices in relation to sexual activities and the elements that make up this ethical decision–making framework. The adolescent stage of development is characterized by physical and cognitive changes, of which the development of sexual characteristics and morality are only parts. Both these developments are discussed at length within the context of adolescent sexual activity, and cognitive and moral development. Different influences on the morality of adolescents were identified, of which the faith community of adolescents were one. These elements also influence the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents on sexual activity. The influence of the religious community on the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents was also investigated on the basis of the faith community's message about sexual activities and the perceptual influence of the religious community on the morality of adolescents. The sexual activity of adolescents, adolescents? perceptions about these sexual activities as well as the messages and sources of information that are available to adolescents with regard to sex was identified by making use of Participant Observation Research. A small group of participants and observers used the PIRASH program to identify the above–mentioned information. The participants also identified the obstacles that adolescents must overcome to establish a healthy sexual life, and what their definition of a healthy sexual life is. Participants in this study agreed that their faith community did not provide enough information to adolescents about sex and sexual activities. Participants indicated this lack of information as their reason for using other sources of information about sexual activities. These messages conveyed by other sources, including those of the media, friends and parents vary from those the faith community has about sex. Adolescents have easier access to these other sources; therefore there is a difference between the faith community's view on sexual activity and that of the adolescents who form part of the faith community. It is concluded that it is necessary, almost urgently, for faith communities to establish the actual view of adolescents who form part of the community, on sexual activity, and to have a stronger influence on the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents. The ethical decision–making framework of adolescents can only be influenced if the faith communities speak more comfortably and more extensively with their adolescents about sex and sexual activities. Postmodern adolescents have access to a variety of sources with a variety of messages about sex and the importance of moral messages from the faith community cannot be underestimated. A secondary outcome of this study was to explore the possibility of Participant Observation Research as research methodology within Theological Ethics. / Thesis (M.A. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether adolescents make use of an ethical decision–making framework when they make choices in relation to sexual activities and the elements that make up this ethical decision–making framework. The adolescent stage of development is characterized by physical and cognitive changes, of which the development of sexual characteristics and morality are only parts. Both these developments are discussed at length within the context of adolescent sexual activity, and cognitive and moral development. Different influences on the morality of adolescents were identified, of which the faith community of adolescents were one. These elements also influence the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents on sexual activity. The influence of the religious community on the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents was also investigated on the basis of the faith community's message about sexual activities and the perceptual influence of the religious community on the morality of adolescents. The sexual activity of adolescents, adolescents? perceptions about these sexual activities as well as the messages and sources of information that are available to adolescents with regard to sex was identified by making use of Participant Observation Research. A small group of participants and observers used the PIRASH program to identify the above–mentioned information. The participants also identified the obstacles that adolescents must overcome to establish a healthy sexual life, and what their definition of a healthy sexual life is. Participants in this study agreed that their faith community did not provide enough information to adolescents about sex and sexual activities. Participants indicated this lack of information as their reason for using other sources of information about sexual activities. These messages conveyed by other sources, including those of the media, friends and parents vary from those the faith community has about sex. Adolescents have easier access to these other sources; therefore there is a difference between the faith community's view on sexual activity and that of the adolescents who form part of the faith community. It is concluded that it is necessary, almost urgently, for faith communities to establish the actual view of adolescents who form part of the community, on sexual activity, and to have a stronger influence on the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents. The ethical decision–making framework of adolescents can only be influenced if the faith communities speak more comfortably and more extensively with their adolescents about sex and sexual activities. Postmodern adolescents have access to a variety of sources with a variety of messages about sex and the importance of moral messages from the faith community cannot be underestimated. A secondary outcome of this study was to explore the possibility of Participant Observation Research as research methodology within Theological Ethics. / Thesis (M.A. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

<p>Describe and explore how French companies having a Website/homepage use Web tools and their Website/homepage.</p><p>The authors have gathered primary data through a quantitative research method. The research method chosen is the checklist observational method. The checklist used for this paper is composed of 29 items that have been observed on a sample of 20 French companies.</p>

Describe and explore how French companies having a Website/homepage use Web tools and their Website/homepage. The authors have gathered primary data through a quantitative research method. The research method chosen is the checklist observational method. The checklist used for this paper is composed of 29 items that have been observed on a sample of 20 French companies.

Aim: This study explores what type of information patients and nurses share with, or provide to, each other, and whether or not the information received was relevant and sufficient for their needs. Background: Information exchange, as part of shared decision-making, is advocated in policy and practice throughout the healthcare sector. Much of the literature on information exchange relates to one-to-one consultations with consultants or GPs. To date, no studies have explored information exchange between patients and nurses in ward settings. Nursing literature on patients’ information needs focuses on one-way information provision from nurses to patients, rather than on two-way information exchange between patients and nurses. Methods: Interactions between patients and nurses were observed and audio-recorded using a remotely controlled audio-recording system. Semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews were then conducted to clarify and add to the observation data. A multiple case study design was used for this study: each case comprised one patient, the nurses caring for that patient, and the interactions between them. A pilot study was undertaken to inform the methods for recruitment and data collection for the main study. Results: The pilot study comprised five cases (patients n=5, nurses n=3). Changes to the recruitment strategy for the main study included surgical patients being invited to participate in the same way as medical patients. There were no difficulties with the data collection methods. The main study comprised nineteen cases (patients n=19, nurses n=22). Information exchange seemed unfamiliar to ward-based nurses. The findings show that information exchange may not be a one-off event but a complex series of interactions. Patients did not distinguish between clinical and non-clinical information in the same way as nurses. Primary reasons for patients’ hospital admission were not discussed and nurses did not share information about nursing interventions. The relevance for patients and nurses differed; patients generally wanted information for reducing anxiety and socialization; nurses wanted information for assessment and care planning. In terms of sufficiency, observation sessions highlighted that insufficient information was provided, often due to lost opportunities and paternalistic practice. However, the majority of patients and nurses perceived that they had exchanged sufficient information. Conclusion: This multiple case study provides insights into the type, relevance and sufficiency of information for patients and nurses in ward settings. In ward settings, information exchange as conceptualised by Charles et al. (1997 and 1999) may be difficult to achieve due to the complexity of patient/nurse interactions. Therefore, there are implications for policy makers as policies are not context specific. However, information exchange may be helpful for reducing patients’ anxieties. The concepts of shared decision-making and information exchange are not part of ward-based cultures and philosophies, which suggests implications for patient and nurse education. Research on information exchange between patients and nurses in other ward contexts may contribute to further understanding of information exchange in ward settings.