Research submitted by CPAS graduate students

Since 1994, CPAS graduate students have been submitting theses, dissertations, sub-theses and reports. These works may be consulted in the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at ANU. CPAS research students have a very diverse range of backgrounds and research interests. Their works have been grouped in these broad topics: Medical and Gene Technology Interactive Multimedia Science Circus and Other Exhibitions Science and Industry Environment Aboriginal Science Science and Art Communication and Education

1. Medical and Gene Technology

Bale, C. (2008). An Investigation of the Issues Involved in Designing a Treatment Information Website for Cancer Patients. (MSc subthesis)

Casagranda, F. (2001). GM Food: Public Attitudes, Concerns and Influences. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Catizone, I. (2005). Public Opinion on Labelling of Genetically Modified Foods. (MSc subthesis)

Chen, H.-C. (1997). Issues of Organ Donation: An Interactive Multimedia Program. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Cohen, N. J. (2002). 'Killer bugs' - Balancing Health and Hype in the Media: A discourse analysis and comparison of Australian press reports on meningococcal disease and pneumococcal disease. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Edwards, J. (1998). Gene Technology in Action. The effect of a gene technology workshop on the attitudes of senior high school science students towards gene technology. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Frazer, C. (2003). Bridging the gap between the science of childhood immunisation and parents. Vol. l & 2. (PhD thesis) view abstract

Goldin, G. (2000). Easy to Swallow? The commercial presentation of phytoestrogen research. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Jones, C. L. (2007). An evaluation of the regulation of pre implementation genetic diagnosis in Australia. (Hons thesis)

Lamberts, R. G. (2005). The Mental Illness Information Survey: Exploring the mental illness communication environment in the lay community. Vol. l & 2. (PhD thesis) view abstract

McLean, M. J. (2007). What do people think about GM Pasture Grasses? (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Roberts, N. J. (1999). Know Your Genes: A study of programs that provide information about genes and inherited conditions. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Young, J. M. (1995). Genetic manipulation of Food – Assessment of Public Perceptions Through Taste Testing. (Grad. Dip. report) view abstract

2. Interactive Multimedia

Aitkin, A. L. (2005). Playing at Reality. (PhD thesis) view abstract

Bennett, S. J. (1995). The Use of Interactive Multimedia in the Communication of Science. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Catchpole, H. (2002). GeoQuest: An Interactive Multimedia Program for Introductory Earth Science Education. (MSc thesis) view abstract

Errington, S. L. (1997). Interactive Multimedia in Australian University Teaching: A New Toy or a Useful Tool? (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Regano, L. (2001). Understanding the Weather: An Interactive Multimedia Program. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

3. Science Circus and Other Exhibitions

Atkinson, C. (2005). ‘Facts or Fun’: Defining the target of botanic garden education. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Barbagallo, F. J. (1997). On the Road with the Shell Questacon Science Circus: An investigation of its contribution to the public understanding of science. (MPhil thesis)

Burns, T. W. (2003). Science Shows: evaluating and maximising their effectiveness for science communication. (PhD thesis) view abstract

Burtnyk, K. (1999). On-site Insights: Reflections of Astronomy Exhibitions at Observatory Visitor Centres. (MPhil thesis)

De Mello, E. (1997). The Australian Science Festival - Balloons and Lollipops or a Showcase of Australian Science? (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Finch, C. (2001). The Canowindra Age of Fishes Project: Birth of a Museum. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Nelson, S. C. (2002). Food and Thought. What Are Visitors Learning During Animal Feeding Time at the Zoo? (MSc subthesis) view abstract

4. Science and Industry

Bitmead, J. (1997). Communications in Industry/University Interactions: Some Tips (of Icebergs). (MPhil thesis)

Hum, J. (2000). Science/lndustry Communication in Australian Commonwealth Fisheries 1998-1999. Vols I & ll Thesis Questions and Fieldwork. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Lee, J. (1998). Farming with El Nino and Info Glut: How do Farmers Acquire Scientific Information? (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Lindsay, E. (2000). Science communication in the wet tropics. (MSc subthesis)

Lowe, M. (2000). The Use of Science Jargon in Advertisements for Anti-Wrinkle Skin Creams. (MSc subthesis)

Robinson, K. (2000). Science communication workshops as a tool to culture change. (MSc subthesis)

Shen, Z. (2006). The Use of Science Jargon in Advertisements for Anti-Wrinkle Skin Creams. (MSc subthesis)

Worner, J. (1996). Wheat Farmers' Perspectives of Information Needs in a Changing Socio-economic Context. (Honors thesis) view abstract

5. Environment

Belcher, T. A. (2000). Organic waste recycling by ACT households: a survey of communication and community education needs. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Hayes, A. (2007). Scientists and Public Debates. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Low, D. (2003). Environmental Communication: Dissent, Conflict, Enquiry. (PhD Thesis) view abstract

Major, J. (1998). Environmental Community Groups and the Concept of Public Participation in Ocean and Coastal Management. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Millard, J. E. (1995). Pesticides: A Residual Problem? A Study of Community Perceptions of Food Safety. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Pasotti, J. (2005). Glacier exploration – one and a half centuries of glaciology. (MSc subthesis)

Regan, L. (2001). The Bookmark biosphere: sustainability and the communication imperative. (MSc subthesis)

Searle, S. (2000). Why Study Forestry? (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Smith, A. (1997). Public Awareness and Understanding of Forestry: A Communication Process in Transition. (Honors thesis) view abstract

6. Aboriginal Science

Abbott, S. (2006). Communicating Bioprospecting Information to Indigenous Communities: Insights from the Experts. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Bush, M. (2000). "Shifting from one to the other brings on pneumonia." a Goonya first reader about the notable David Unaipon. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

7. Science and Art

Compagnoni, M. (2002). Shifting the Boundaries Between Science and Art. A case study of an exhibition of science and art. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

8. Communication and Education

Abrahams, S. (2007). The response of staff to the design of the CSIRO's Discovery Building. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Agnew, A. (2006). How effective is the use of a web-based interface in increasing students' scientific literacy? (Master of Contemporary Science subthesis)

Carr, R. (2007). Why do you do what you do? (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Carter, A. (2004). Evaluation of the Photonics outreach progam. (Hons thesis)

Ellison, M. J. (2003). The Communication of Chemistry: How Effective is Current Practice. (PhD thesis) view abstract

Fountain, L. (2007). School outreach for universities. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Hammond, T. J. (2008). Survey of Science Communication in Developing Pacific Island Nations. (MSc subthesis) view abstract view full version

Hathayatham, A. (2005). The Public Awareness of Science in Thailand: A Case Study on Biotechnology. (PhD thesis) view abstract

Hislop, M. (2007). Evaluating the Learning Outcomes of the Science Centre Education Programs at the CSIRO Dicovery Centre. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Keller, C (2005). Using participatory action research to develop science communication material for a community group. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Kreuiter, A. (1994). An Analysis of the Science Communication of Cooperative Research Centres. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Lunter, S. M. (2003). The Uptake of Science into Policy-Making: A case study of salt risk mapping and its influence on the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Milawati, C. (2005). The Impact of the Shell Questacon Science Circus on Teachers’ Class Room Practice. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Moore, K. L. (1997). Designing information for People to Use - Designers Need to be Problem Solvers. (MPhil thesis)

Meyer, A. (2005). The Fairy Tales of Science. (PhD Thesis) view abstract

Newton, G. M. (2004). Communicating Science Through Children’s Literature. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Ratcliff, F. (2007). Science meets Parliament: A study on the effectiveness of the program. (MSc subthesis)

Rayner, C. E. (2002). A History of Satellite-Based Remote Sensing in Australia 1971-1989. (MPhil thesis) view abstract

Sunyojo, N. N. (2002). Computer Awareness in Indonesian Secondary Schools: A First Step. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Veitch, J. (2002). Reported Attitudes to the Use of Animals in Science: Artefacts of Surveys? (MSc subthesis) view abstract

West, M. (2004). Evaluating the Pilot Pacific Science Exchange. (MSc subthesis)

Woods, V. (2002). The Effect of Formal Elements on Students' Affective Learning in an Informal Setting. (MSc subthesis) view abstract

Definitions:

• A THESIS is a proposition laid down, stated especially or put forward to be proved.  Typically for the PhD and Masters by Research degrees.
• A DISSERTATION is a written discourse at length on a subject, an extended scholarly essay.
• A SUB-THESIS is an extended scholarly essay that may contain original research but should certainly comprise a proposition supported by relevant literature, summarised and synthesised in an original way.  Typically for the degree of Master by Coursework and Research. (Adapted from CPAS’ leaflet Notes for Examiners of Sub-theses for the Masters Degree in Science Communication.)
• An HONOURS THESIS or a REPORT is essentially a sub-thesis of limited scope containing original work carried out in about 6-7 months of a 10-month Honours or Graduate Diploma course.

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