title: Development and Validation of the Early Parenting Support Network Questionnaire:   Adding more dimensions to social support research

authors: Howell, Jennifer Elizabeth

subjects: early parenting

abstract: Instruments measuring social support in parenting often only measure the source or type of support offered, or the perceived helpfulness of that support.  They often do not indicate who is providing what type of support, or they include items that are not explicitly applicable to early parenting.  Many existing measures also are not sensitive to modern parenting, potentially excluding important aspects such as the support of a stepparent or non-resident biological parent.  The Early Parenting Support Network Questionnaire (EPSNQ) was developed then tested using a group of 341 primary caregivers of children under 2 who participated in the Growing Together:  Early Parenting Experiences Study.  The instrument provides information regarding support source types, with items relating to instrumental, emotional, and informational support. The potential support sources include Partner, Other Parent (a non-resident biological parent), Family, Friends, Childcare Professional, and Other.  There is also a single item on a 5-point Likert scale related to Perceived Lack of Support.  Statistical analysis was undertaken to assess construct and convergent validity using the existing Family Support Scale (FSS) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21).  Validity and reliability were found to be adequate.  Test-retest of a group of 36 participants indicated adequate reliability. The EPSNQ has utility as a validated and reliable measure of social support in early parenting with potential applications for both research and clinical purposes.

text: Development and Validation of the Early Parenting Support Network Questionnaire:   Adding more dimensions to social support research Instruments measuring social support in parenting often only measure the source or type of support offered, or the perceived helpfulness of that support.  They often do not indicate who is providing what type of support, or they include items that are not explicitly applicable to early parenting.  Many existing measures also are not sensitive to modern parenting, potentially excluding important aspects such as the support of a stepparent or non-resident biological parent.  The Early Parenting Support Network Questionnaire (EPSNQ) was developed then tested using a group of 341 primary caregivers of children under 2 who participated in the Growing Together:  Early Parenting Experiences Study.  The instrument provides information regarding support source types, with items relating to instrumental, emotional, and informational support. The potential support sources include Partner, Other Parent (a non-resident biological parent), Family, Friends, Childcare Professional, and Other.  There is also a single item on a 5-point Likert scale related to Perceived Lack of Support.  Statistical analysis was undertaken to assess construct and convergent validity using the existing Family Support Scale (FSS) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21).  Validity and reliability were found to be adequate.  Test-retest of a group of 36 participants indicated adequate reliability. The EPSNQ has utility as a validated and reliable measure of social support in early parenting with potential applications for both research and clinical purposes.

year: 2023

title: Solvency, company directors’ duties and the problem of process and enforcement - A comparative study

authors: Mansor, Hariati

subjects: separate legal entity

abstract: This study examines the legal provisions in relation to creditors’ protection, particularly when the company is insolvent and seeks to compare different statutory approaches with the view of determining the best reforms for Malaysia. Three jurisdictions have been chosen; the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia as the basis of comparison due to similar legal history as these countries have often been referred by the Malaysian Courts to assist in the interpretation of the law. To determine the question of creditors’ protection, the thesis will address several main issues. Firstly, the thesis examines the relationship between separate legal entity and limited liability. To do so it questions the circumstances when directors will be personally liable for the debt of the company and the extent to which they are liable. The issue will be explored in the light of the shareholder primacy theory which forms the basis of company law. Directors’ duties therefore are developed with the view of protecting shareholders; and the failure to do so will cause directors to be personally liable. The thesis also considers the arguments for stakeholders’ theory which mandates directors to take account of other stakeholders’ interests in addition to shareholders’ when making decisions. Secondly, it also investigates on how the piercing of the corporate veil and imposing liability on directors will provide protection to creditors especially when the company is insolvent. In order to do so, it scrutinizes the legislative initiatives on the issue as well as the judicial response to the statute. The thesis traces the reforms of the historical doctrine of capital maintenance and the use of solvency test as a replacement to protect creditors. It also provides comprehensive analyses of the law on the issue of remedies in order to ascertain whether the current legal provisions are adequately to protect creditors.

text: Solvency, company directors’ duties and the problem of process and enforcement - A comparative study This study examines the legal provisions in relation to creditors’ protection, particularly when the company is insolvent and seeks to compare different statutory approaches with the view of determining the best reforms for Malaysia. Three jurisdictions have been chosen; the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia as the basis of comparison due to similar legal history as these countries have often been referred by the Malaysian Courts to assist in the interpretation of the law. To determine the question of creditors’ protection, the thesis will address several main issues. Firstly, the thesis examines the relationship between separate legal entity and limited liability. To do so it questions the circumstances when directors will be personally liable for the debt of the company and the extent to which they are liable. The issue will be explored in the light of the shareholder primacy theory which forms the basis of company law. Directors’ duties therefore are developed with the view of protecting shareholders; and the failure to do so will cause directors to be personally liable. The thesis also considers the arguments for stakeholders’ theory which mandates directors to take account of other stakeholders’ interests in addition to shareholders’ when making decisions. Secondly, it also investigates on how the piercing of the corporate veil and imposing liability on directors will provide protection to creditors especially when the company is insolvent. In order to do so, it scrutinizes the legislative initiatives on the issue as well as the judicial response to the statute. The thesis traces the reforms of the historical doctrine of capital maintenance and the use of solvency test as a replacement to protect creditors. It also provides comprehensive analyses of the law on the issue of remedies in order to ascertain whether the current legal provisions are adequately to protect creditors.

year: 2011

title: "He Matapihi ki te Mana Raraunga” - Conceptualising Big Data through a Māori lens

authors: Hudson, Maui

abstract: Advances in computer technology and analytical processes create an environment where data becomes the raw material mined to create valuable information and insights. The idea of Big Data emerges from the collation of increasing vast amounts of data enabled by the shift towards an increasingly open data environment. How this changing context alters the relationship between Iwi/Māori collectives and their mātauranga, cultural information and data has yet to be fully explored. However, the concept of Māori Data Sovereignty, which anticipates Māori governance over Māori data, has a natural appeal. This chapter outlines some of the Māori concepts and presents a framework which may be used to inform how data and data use may be conceptualised through a Māori cultural lens.

text: "He Matapihi ki te Mana Raraunga” - Conceptualising Big Data through a Māori lens Advances in computer technology and analytical processes create an environment where data becomes the raw material mined to create valuable information and insights. The idea of Big Data emerges from the collation of increasing vast amounts of data enabled by the shift towards an increasingly open data environment. How this changing context alters the relationship between Iwi/Māori collectives and their mātauranga, cultural information and data has yet to be fully explored. However, the concept of Māori Data Sovereignty, which anticipates Māori governance over Māori data, has a natural appeal. This chapter outlines some of the Māori concepts and presents a framework which may be used to inform how data and data use may be conceptualised through a Māori cultural lens.

year: 2017