Transdisciplinary Literature Research Articles

The Use of Factorial Surveys in Leisure Research

Since the foundational work of Rossi and Nock (1982), researchers have utilized factorial surveys to evaluate judgment and decision-making in a variety of subfields within sociology, psychology, law, and medicine. Despite the value of this approach to test hypotheses through quasi-experimental design using survey formats, its well-established presence in transdisciplinary literature, and its effective use across many contexts, factorial surveys remain relatively under utilized by leisure researchers. However, factorial surveys provide a useful way to evaluate a variety of judgment and decision-making-related leisure research problems. This paper introduces associated uses, concepts and techniques, strengths and limitations of the design, and considers its application in leisure research.

Urban research and child-friendly cities: a new Australian outline

Recent public debates about Australia's children and young people have begun to acknowledge the direct impact of urban development on their health and well-being. This paper reviews a broad range of trans-disciplinary literature addressing child-friendliness in contemporary Australian cities, drawing particular attention to the fact that even some of the most recognised texts on children and young people in Australia still make few references in their analysis to the issue of place and neighbourhood. More specifically, the paper points to two particular research challenges confronting the ongoing study of young people's well-being in urban areas, including (a) the need for a more thorough analysis, both conceptual and applied, about how children and young people's well-being is affected by different urban forms and by the social and ecological variations that occur throughout cities; and (b) the focus on younger children needs to be complemented by a focus on adolescents and young adults who in turn need to be actively involved in confronting these challenges.

The Importance of Trust in Outdoor Education: Exploring the Relationship Between Trust in Outdoor Leaders and Developmental Outcomes

Recent studies have acknowledged the influence of the leader in the outdoor education process and have illuminated the need for strong interpersonal relationships between participants and leaders. Developing interpersonal trust is one among many ways that leaders can promote such positive interpersonal relationships between themselves and participants. Transdisciplinary literature suggests that trust in a leader can predict outcomes that are important to outdoor education. This study found a positive relationship between trust in outdoor leaders and the course outcomes of leadership development and outdoor skills development among students of National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) courses. Implications for program implementation and theory development are discussed.

O cotidiano nos múltiplos espaços contemporâneos

Uma das características mais marcantes do período moderno foi a da concepção de um tempo longo, no qual eram possíveis a conquista do espaço e o planejamento do futuro. Já na contemporaneidade, a diacronia moderna dá lugar a um eterno presente. Neste presente, espaços sincrônicos se multiplicam. As novas tecnologias da informação e telecomunicação, principalmente a Internet e a telefonia celular, introduzem alterações nos espaços físicos e geram espaços alternativos a estes. Neste artigo é realizada uma revisão, forçosamente incompleta, da extensa literatura transdisciplinar sobre esses novos espaços contemporâneos e seus efeitos sobre os homens, mulheres e crianças que neles vivem.

Cultural relativism: occupation and independence reconsidered.

In this article, findings from a qualitative study of a cohort of occupational therapy students in Auckland, New Zealand are presented. The study focussed on the experiences of students as they learned to work with people from different social and cultural backgrounds over a 3-year period. As well as identifying curriculum and teaching/learning processes that enhance intercultural competence development, the data that emerged from the study also highlight important issues about how occupation and independence are conceptualised across cultures. A review of the trans-disciplinary and occupational therapy literature dealing with theoretical, conceptual and educational issues relating to cross-cultural practice is followed by a presentation of narrative extracts that address the key concepts of occupation and independence. These are then discussed with reference to relevant occupational therapy literature. In conclusion, implications for future research and practice are explored focussing on a need for occupation and independence to be reconsidered as culturally relative constructions.