Avondale Research Publications

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://research.avondale.edu.au/handle/123456789/446

Browse

Search Results

  • Item
    1 Samuel, 2 Samuel
    (Pacific Press, 2023) Turner, Laurence; Magyarosi, Barna; Frey, Mathilde; Gelbrich, Daniel
    A comprehensive commentary based on the Hebrew text written from a narrative-critical perspective.
  • Item
    The Experiences of Archie Royce, YMCA Representative in the AIF 1916-18
    (Evangelical History Association, 2024-12-01) Reynaud, Daniel
    The YMCA was one of the most effective support organisations for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during World War One, its evangelical orientation motivating it to heights of influence on hundreds of thousands of soldiers. This paper explores the experiences of Archie Royce, YMCA Representative in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) from late 1916 to the end of the war. Royce served on a troopship, then at AIF bases around Weymouth in England, finally completing a short period of service in the front lines late in the war. It examines his diary and letters, which detail his work in social welfare and religious activities on behalf of the soldiers and his relationships to the various military and civilian personnel connected to his work. His papers also capture his relationship with his wife and children in Australia, his son serving in the AIF, and the friendships he cultivated, in particular with several women who provided him with considerable emotional support. The discussion offers an evaluation of his contribution, using it as an example of the influence that the evangelically-minded YMCA had on servicemen in World War One.
  • Item
    Sources of Self-efficacy Beliefs in Learning Accounting: Does Gender Matter?
    (Emerald, 2025) Beatson, Nicola; Sithole, Seedwell; deLange, Paul; OConnell, Brendan; Smith, Jeffrey
    This paper aims to examine the self-efficacy beliefs of first-year accounting students and investigate the sources of self-efficacy beliefs for both female and male students. The goal is to provide insights to help lecturers support the academic success of accounting students. The study involves analysing data from 184 accounting students who reported on four sources of self-efficacy beliefs: enactive mastery experience, verbal persuasion, vicarious experience, and physiological and affective states. The study reveals that male students are primarily influenced by prior experience and physiological and affective states, while female students are mostly influenced by prior experience and verbal persuasion. Educators can use these findings to design more effective interventions and support systems that enhance students' self-efficacy and, consequently, their academic performance and overall learning outcomes. This paper contributes to the development of theory in the underexplored area of self-efficacy beliefs among accounting students. It provides insights on the differences in sources of self-efficacy beliefs between genders and provides valuable evidence for educators to support student success in learning accounting.
  • Item
    External Peer-Review Models in Australian Accounting Schools: Current Status and Perceived Effectiveness
    (University of Wollongong, Australia, 2024) Ashraf, Syed Fahad; Wilmshurst, Trevor David; Sithole, Seedwell; Horner, Claire
    This study examines the current landscape of External Peer-Review Models (EPRMs) in Australian Accounting Schools, providing insights on their prevalence and perceived efficacy. Adopting a theoretical framework rooted in legitimacy theory, the research investigates whether accounting schools align their practices with societal norms, particularly in response to changing regulatory environments. Utilising a qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with 16 participants from both AACSB-accredited and non-accredited institutions in Victoria and New South Wales. Findings reveal diverse responses to EPRMs, with key findings emphasizing the importance of closing the loop in the Assurance of Learning cycle, calibration of learning standards, anonymity, credibility, prolonged engagement of external peers, and strategic partnerships with benchmarking institutions. Theoretical implications emphasize the role of EPRMs in assuring learning standards and maintaining legitimacy. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in understanding the current state and perceived effectiveness of EPRMs in Australian Accounting Education
  • Item
    New Ways of Measuring Energy Poverty: Moving Beyond Temperature Sensor Data to Assess and Measure Cold Housing
    (Elsevier, 2025-03-01) Barlow, Cynthia Faye; Daniel, Lyrian; Baker, Emma
    Many people live in cold homes that are hazardous to health. In the absence of high-quality observed data, researchers have measured cold housing and assessed its prevalence using secondary proxy indicators. Proxy measures previously used in literature include self-assessed warmth of the home, perceived energy affordability, financial inability to heat the home in winter, and local climate zone. Using matched in-home temperature sensor data from 502 Australian homes, we assess the validity of these proxy measures by estimating the degree of association with measured indoor temperature. We also examine twelve correlated socio-demographic characteristics to explore promising alternative proxy measures. Self-assessed perception of home warmth was shown to be the best existing proxy indicator of cold indoor air temperature (OR 2.5, CI 1.4 to 4.3), with climate zone (OR 2.4, CI 1.6 to 3.8) also shown to be a strong measure. Perceived energy affordability (OR 1.1, CI 0.7 to 1.9) and financial inability to adequately heat the home (OR 1.0, CI 0.6 to 1.6), were shown to be unsuitable proxy measures. Of the correlated socio-demographic characteristics, heating appliance type (electric heater OR 3.0, CI 1.4 to 6.2), household structure (living alone OR 2.5 CI 1.2 to 5.5), built date (built <1990 OR 2.11, CI 1.38 to 3.23) and flooring type (timber floor OR 1.99, CI 1.23 to 3.22) were strong indicators of cold indoor temperatures, and would make sound proxy measures. Our assessment of the reliability of existing and potential proxy measures of cold home temperature suggests a need to carefully select proxies, based on their known or established validity.
  • Item
    Infection Prevention and Control Professionals: Stress, Resilience and Personality Traits and Views about their Workforce and Profession
    (Elsevier, 2025) Mitchell, Brett; Russo, Philip
    Background The COVID-19 pandemic placed considerable strain on the infection control professional workforce, who were at the forefront of pandemic response in their organisations and beyond. In order to support infection control professionals and inform future initiatives, it is important to further understand the infection control workforce. The objective of this study was to determine stress and resilience levels, personality traits and workforce intentions of infection control professionals in Australia and New Zealand. Methods We undertook an anonymous, cross-sectional online survey of infection control professionals in Australia and New Zealand. Validated tools, the brief resilience tool, workforce stressor tool and the Big Five personality test, were used to evaluate levels of stress, resilience and personality traits. Results Three hundred and fifty-six infection control professionals started the survey, with representation from all Australian jurisdictions and New Zealand. The mean stress score was 4.28 (SD 3.39) and 3.34 (SD 0.65) for resilience. Younger participants and those with less experience in infection control had higher levels of stress and lower levels of resilience. Individual personality traits vary by age, level of education and credentialing status. Approximately one-fifth of participants indicated that they planned to leave the IC workforce in the next three years. Conclusions Our study was the largest published study involving infection control professionals in Australia and New Zealand. Findings highlight the need for mentoring, peer support and wellbeing initiatives to support the profession. Understanding personality traits may also be beneficial for further enhancing communication and interpersonal relationships.
  • Item
    Sister-matic Cannibalism in the Dying Breed
    (Routledge, 2024-04-09) Fitzsimmons, Phil
  • Item
    Interconnectivity Amongst and Between Disciples
    (Springer, 2024) Walter, O.; Fitzsimmons, P.; Jonathan, K.; Routrey, S.
  • Item
    What if God is Absent? The Challenge of Incorporating Esther into a Biblical Theology
    (Newbold Academic Press, 2024) Turner, Laurence
    This study suggests that consideration be given to the theological potential of the book of Esther in the minority approach to the text, which explores the obvious: that God, religious practice, and theology as conventionally conceived, are absent. This is what makes the book unique in Scripture. By too easily ‘discovering’ within Esther theological themes and affirmations commonplace in the OT, we minimise the significance of the book’s distinctive contribution: God is absent. ‘All attempts on the part of critics to circumvent the areligiosity of the book of Esther shortchange the most remarkable characteristic of the book’ (André LaCocque, Esther Regina, p. 62). Rather, we should ask the question as framed by Samuel Wells, ‘What does the church know that it would otherwise not know’ (‘Esther’, in Esther and Daniel, p. 10), if God had been explicitly present in Esther? How might the answer to this question enrich our biblical-theological reflections? My purpose in this brief account is not to provide definitive answers to these questions but rather to indicate fruitful possibilities for reading Esther theologically.
  • Item
    'God Wrought Marvelously for His Penitent People’: Ellen White and the Apocryphal Esther
    (European Adventist Society of Theology and Religious Studies, 2023-06-01) Turner, Laurence
    Recent research has established Ellen White’s familiarity with the Apocrypha. This article focuses on her interaction with Esther, a book which exists in three versions. Two of these were available to White: the Hebrew version considered canonical by Jews and Protestants, and the apocryphal Septuagint Greek version containing various Additions which is canonical for Roman Catholics and some other Christian traditions. The Hebrew version never mentions God or human piety, while the Additions to the Greek version abound with such details. This article investigates whether White’s comments on Esther correlate best with the canonical or apocryphal versions and assesses the degree to which she might have been influenced by the Apocrypha. It concludes that her frequent assertions of divine activity and human piety in Esther align better with the apocryphal rather than the canonical versions of the book. However, these similarities are not due to direct influence of the Apocrypha on White. Indeed, there is ample evidence to the contrary. Rather, White shares a common theological goal with the creators of the apocryphal Additions. Both wish to affirm divine providential involvement in human life and the importance of human faithfulness. To achieve this, each transforms the canonical version from its “Godless” form into a conventional biblical narrative of God saving his faithful people. However, while the apocryphal Additions achieve this transformation by recognising the absence of God and human piety, and counter that by adding to the text, White achieves a similar end by ignoring the absence of God and human piety and interpreting the text as if they were present.