Does research into sensitive areas do harm? Experiences of research participation after a child's diagnosis with Ewing's sarcoma

Objective: To investigate family members' experiences of involvement in a previous study (conducted August 1995 to June 1997) following their child's diagnosis with Ewing's sarcoma. Design: Retrospective survey, conducted between 1 November and 30 November 1997, using a postal questionnaire. Participants: Eighty-one of 97 families who had previously completed an in-depth interview as part of a national case-control study of Ewing's sarcoma. Main outcome measures: Participants' views on how participation in the previous study had affected them and what motivated them to participate. Results: Most study participants indicated that taking part in the previous study had been a positive experience. Most (n = 79 [97.5%]) believed their involvement would benefit others and were glad to have participated, despite expecting and finding some parts of the interview to be painful. Parents whose child was still alive at the time of the interview recalled participation as more painful than those whose child had died before the interview. Parents who had completed the interview less than a year before our study recalled it as being more painful than those who had completed it more than a year before. Conclusions: That people suffering bereavement are generally eager to participate in research and may indeed find it a positive experience is useful information for members of ethics review boards and other gatekeepers, who frequently need to determine whether studies into sensitive areas should be approved. Such information may also help members of the community to make an informed decision regarding participation in such research.

A comparative analysis of the behaviour of domestic and international young tourists

This paper provides a comparative analysis of the behaviour of young, single, British international and domestic tourists during their holidays. The research was located in Torquay, on the Southwest coast of England, and Cala Millor, on the Northeast of Mallorca. These locations represent two of the most popular destinations for young British tourists on domestic and international vacations, respectively. The findings of this research suggest that young, single, British tourists on domestic vacations behave in a different manner compared to those holidaying at the international level. Indeed, compared to domestic tourists, young people on international vacations tended to behave in a more passive and hedonistic manner. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The tourism-leisure behavioural continuum

Tourism and leisure have historically been studied in isolation, but recent researchers attempt to understand the relationship between them. However, there have been few comparisons of how people behave in their environments. This paper provides a conceptual model of the relationship based oil a critical review of the current literature oil pleasure-oriented environments. The model indicates that despite potential differences in observable behavior, there is a commonality between the underlying influences that define how people behave during their leisure and tourism experiences. Therefore, the paper concludes that these should not be regarded as separate phenomenon. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All Lights reserved.

Identification of research to improve the efficiency of breeding strategies for white clover in Australia - a review

A major challenge faced by today's white clover breeder is how to manage resources within a breeding program. It is essential to utilise these resources with sufficient flexibility to build on past progress from conventional breeding strategies, but also take advantage of emerging opportunities from molecular breeding tools such as molecular markers and transformation. It is timely to review white clover breeding strategies. This background can then be used as a foundation for considering how to continue conventional plant improvement activities and complement them with molecular breeding opportunities. In this review, conventional white clover breeding strategies relevant to the Australian dryland target population environments are considered. Attention is given to: (i) availability of genetic variation, (ii) characterisation of germplasm collections, (iii) quantitative models for estimation of heritability, (iv) the role of multi-environment trials to accommodate genotype-by-environment interactions, (v) interdisciplinary research to understand adaptation to dryland environments, (vi) breeding and selection strategies, and (vii) cultivar structure. Current achievements in biotechnology with specific reference to white clover breeding in Australia are considered, and computer modelling of breeding programs is discussed as a useful integrative tool for the joint evaluation of conventional and molecular breeding strategies and optimisation of resource use in breeding programs. Four areas are identified as future research priorities: (i) capturing the potential genetic diversity among introduced accessions and ecotypes that are adapted to key constraints such as summer moisture stress and the use of molecular markers to assess the genetic diversity, (ii) understanding the underlying physiological/morphological root and shoot mechanisms involved in water use efficiency of white clover, with the objective of identifying appropriate selection criteria, (iii) estimation of quantitative genetic parameters of important morphological/physiological attributes to enable prediction of response to selection in target environments, and (iv) modelling white clover breeding strategies to evaluate the opportunities for integration of molecular breeding strategies with conventional breeding programs.

Strange bedfellows: Green Hill Fort, archaeology and tourism

Green Hill Fort, Thursday Islalld was constructed between 1891-1893 to defend the Australian colonies against a feared Russian invasion. It retained an operational role until the 1920.'1 and played a minor role in World /t'ar 2. From 1954 to 1993 the site, but not the facilities, was used as a weather station. More recently it has been home ofthe Ton-es Strait Historical Society and Museum Association museum. It is a major attraction during the tourist season and an important local icon. For archaeologists it has sign~ficance as a relatively intact nineteenth-century military installation. Two 'Centenary of Federation' grants have proVided the impetus to undertake conservation and presentation works involving various task -spec~fic, archaeological activities. At the management level archaeologists play the lead role in the project. The project has demonstrated the value oJarchaeology and tourism joining forces. The danger ofa 'theme park 'presentation has been avoided. Technical accuracy and careful site planning has ensured a high degree ofaccuracy is retained. Provided these qualities can be assured then, it is argued, there is an opportunity for archaeology to be a majOl; long-term beneficiary. But to achieve that, the discipline must move from being entrenched in its academic mould and become Jar more receptive to the broader needs ofthe twentyfirst century.