Catalogue

The Guide to Publishing Open Textbooks is written for Monash University Library staff who wish to project manage the publication of an open textbook. The Guide will also be helpful to Monash staff wishing to author an open textbook.

Content includes:

• Project planning
• Copyright and privacy
• Creating your book
• Reviewing and editing your book
• Publishing and maintaining your book.

This book was written for a Monash University audience, but we hope that others will find it a helpful resource to refer to in their own contexts.

This resource is primarily based on teaching material developed by the author over several years for courses (including CIVL4201/6201 Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, and CIVL4571/6571 Geotechnical Engineering Project) offered by the University of Newcastle, Australia. It builds upon fundamentals of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering introduced elsewhere, and it assumes that the reader has some familiarity with basic soil mechanics concepts. The resource is focused on application of fundamental soil mechanics concepts to practical Geotechnical Engineering tasks, such as: interpretation of geotechnical investigation results, design of shallow foundations under serviceability and ultimate limit state conditions, and analysis and design of deep foundations. In addition to the above, the resource includes a brief introduction to Geoenvironmental Engineering, concentrating on the problem of soil and groundwater contamination, the description of relevant remediation techniques and the demonstration of simple methods for the design of remediation facilities.

The analytical and empirical state-of-practice and state-of-the-art methodologies covered in this resource conform (or have been adapted by the author) to the pertinent Australian Standards, which are extensively referenced in the text, whereas normative design concepts such as the Load and Resistance Factor Design are demonstrated, via their application in numerous worked examples.

In parallel, the use of numerical methods in Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering is introduced, by means of several example problems treated with the industry-standard finite element code PLAXIS. Emphasis is not put on linear and non-linear finite element theory or advanced numerical modelling techniques and soil constitutive models, but rather on the use of numerical methods to tackle fundamental Geotechnical (and Geoenvironmental) Engineering problems, and on key modeling issues encountered in everyday practice. The concept of using simpler, analytical methods to validate numerical analysis results and guide the development of more complex, real-world models is underlined.

Over twenty-five years, senior Yolŋu knowledge authorities, elders, and researchers have been sharing traditional concepts in their collaborative work of teaching, research, and monitoring and evaluation in various Indigenous-led initiatives at Charles Darwin University – including through the Yolŋu Studies program and more recently the First Nations Sovereignty and Diplomacy Centre. Now for the first time a selection of the most important of these philosophical statements has been collected into a single volume and made available to students of Indigenous languages and cultures through Australia and New Zealand and the world. The volume will also be of particular interest to Government and Non Government organisations and policy developers.

Diagnosis: a Medical Education Game is an immersive serious game, where players navigate the hospital gathering crucial clinical information to successfully diagnose and hand over a patient. Diagnosis eases the transition from campus-based to placement-based learning, introducing productive failure opportunities in a low-stakes setting. Diagnosis also highlights the importance of managing resources and prioritising differentials, offering opportunities to reflect on multiple elements of the clinical reasoning process, supporting the development of adaptive expertise.

As you progress, you will interview and examine your patient, order tests and imaging scans. Use your judgement wisely, or you will run out of money before reaching a diagnosis. If you miss something, your patient’s condition may deteriorate, so be as thorough as you can! Collaborate with teammates, and challenge your knowledge on your way to solving medical mysteries. But beware of the ‘Spooky Consultant’ lurking around the corners, adding an extra layer of suspense and thrill. Bring out your inner doctor, hone your diagnostic skills, and experience the pulse-pounding excitement of healthcare education like never before!

Updated in 2025, this edition of the guide is designed to support students undertaking Australian legal studies and contribute to the development of research skills in Australian law schools.

An exciting feature of this edition includes a brand new chapter on Legal Research using Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI).

For Educators FeedbackData Dashboard

It is unlikely a connected person can conduct many activities in their day without technology accumulating and storing data created by their activities and online interactions with other people. Technology is a driving feature of many individuals’ lives, but few users understand what is happening behind its functional level. Large amounts of personal data are being generated from the multitude of technological devices we interact with each day that are stored by manufacturers and service providers and used for profiling and sale. Once this data is generated and stored, evidence of activity remains on the devices and/or corporate servers where it can be used to build a profile on an individual including their personality which becomes more accurate as more data is accumulated.

Where people forget what they have done, technology never does.

Tens of thousands of iconic fossils are housed in the collections of the Geology Museum at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – University of Otago, in Ōtepoti Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand. Used for teaching and research for over a century, here we offer a close look at some of the most special fossil treasures in the collections.

This comprehensive textbook captures best international practice for health information management (HIM) and is focused on the practical needs of current and aspiring health information managers. The text includes evolving and innovative approaches for health information and data management from across the world. The text provides a comprehensive overview of HIM principles, including data governance, electronic health and medical records (EHRs/EMRs), privacy and security regulations, and health informatics. It explores the role of HIM professionals in improving healthcare delivery, enhancing patient outcomes, and supporting clinical decision-making. Through case studies and practical examples, readers will gain insights into the challenges and advancements in HIM, preparing them for a dynamic and evolving healthcare environment.

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms legal practice, the profession faces opportunities and challenges in adopting these technologies. GenAI for Legal Practice provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to integrating generative AI tools into Australian legal practice, offering both theoretical foundations and practical applications. The book introduces an AI Fluency Framework specifically designed for legal practitioners, encompassing five core competencies. From foundational concepts of AI and large language models to advanced prompt engineering techniques, the book systematically guides readers through the landscape of available AI platforms, practical implementation strategies, and critical ethical considerations. Through practical examples, readers will learn methodologies for constructing prompts that elicit reliable outputs while also understanding the limitations and risks associated with AI in legal practice. This essential resource equips legal professionals, law students, and legal educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively, efficiently, ethically, and safely with AI tools while maintaining the highest professional standards.

This book is designed to prepare postgraduate students for advanced research at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. It advises and guides students on the research skills needed to carry out independent academic research projects for the first time. Students will be guided through key stages of research: Formulating a research question, scoping search, comprehensive searching of the literature, evaluating information sources, and reference management. Practical and informative in style, the book does not cover writing and research methods. The book focuses on the skills a University Library teaches and supports. While written for Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington students, using our own examples, links and references, the core text is generic in nature, to allow for other New Zealand Universities to adapt the book for their own situations and cohorts.