Investigating youth perceptions of youth participation in development: a focus on community engagement as a platform for youth/student participation at Rhodes University
- Authors: Dano, Nqaba
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1444 , vital:20058
- Description: The main objective of the study is to investigate youth perceptions of youth participation in development with a focus on the Rhodes Community Engagement programme as a platform for youth participation. The study was inspired by trying to locate the position that youth put themselves in when they regard their own participation in development. It was further motivated by trying to gain perspectives from the youth themselves because most discourses on youth rarely feature their own voices. The study utilized a qualitative methodology with an interpretive paradigm, which used semi-structured in-depth interviews as a method of data collection. The theoretical framework used was the notion of participatory development. The literature consulted was broken up into participation in development which looked at the history of participation and the need for participation, the importance of participation and the limits of participation and the type of participation. It looked at youth participation, the definition of youth as a group in society and the discourses that surround how youth are defined; lastly it looked at community engage in higher education, the role students place in community engagement and the nature of Rhodes Community engagement. The data was discussed and analysed following the above mentioned themes which were participation in development, youth participation and community engagement. From the data collected it was made evident that if youth are given more spaces and chances to actively participate they could challenge prominent discourses that treat them as irresponsible minors and exclude them from decision-making processes that directly affect them and the society within which they live.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Dano, Nqaba
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1444 , vital:20058
- Description: The main objective of the study is to investigate youth perceptions of youth participation in development with a focus on the Rhodes Community Engagement programme as a platform for youth participation. The study was inspired by trying to locate the position that youth put themselves in when they regard their own participation in development. It was further motivated by trying to gain perspectives from the youth themselves because most discourses on youth rarely feature their own voices. The study utilized a qualitative methodology with an interpretive paradigm, which used semi-structured in-depth interviews as a method of data collection. The theoretical framework used was the notion of participatory development. The literature consulted was broken up into participation in development which looked at the history of participation and the need for participation, the importance of participation and the limits of participation and the type of participation. It looked at youth participation, the definition of youth as a group in society and the discourses that surround how youth are defined; lastly it looked at community engage in higher education, the role students place in community engagement and the nature of Rhodes Community engagement. The data was discussed and analysed following the above mentioned themes which were participation in development, youth participation and community engagement. From the data collected it was made evident that if youth are given more spaces and chances to actively participate they could challenge prominent discourses that treat them as irresponsible minors and exclude them from decision-making processes that directly affect them and the society within which they live.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Investigation of α-aryl substituted 3-indolylethanones as potential antiplasmodial agents
- Authors: Svogie, Archibald Lesley
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/55487 , vital:26704
- Description: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), deaths attributed to Plasmodium falciparum exceeded 584 000 in 2013, with 198 million new cases of malaria being reported. One contributing factor to these alarming figures is the emergence of drug resistance against available antimalarial agents. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop new therapeutic antimalarial drugs with novel mechanisms of action in order to curb the increasing spread of malaria. The indole scaffold is often associated with biologically active compounds, recently exemplified by the antimalarial agent NITD609, which is currently in phase 1 clinical trials. Based on the biological evaluation of a small series of indolyl-3-amides and esters which showed moderate antimalarial activity, coupled to significant toxicity, we were prompted to investigate the synthesis of a series of indolyl-3-ethanone-α-amines (3.37 and 3.41), ethers (3.39 and 3.44) and thioethers (3.42, 3.43, 3.40, 3.45 – 3.73), where the carbonyl moiety and respective heteroatom were separated by a methine spacer. We further investigated these compounds for in vitro biological activity against P. falciparum and a human HeLa cell line. Our study explored the synthetic pathway of a three-step procedure toward our target compounds, with the initial Friedel-Crafts acetylation of indole, followed by α-bromination of the respective 3-acetylindoles. Finally, the halogen of the α-bromo ketone was substituted with an appropriate nucleophile, to yield our desired compounds. Various reagents were explored to optimise the nucleophilic displacement step, including potassium carbonate and various silver containing compounds. While many of the silver salts were found to assist in nucleophilic substitution, none were superior to the addition of potassium carbonate. The majority of compounds, chiefly the thioethers, displayed promising antimalarial activity, against the chloroquine sensitive 3D7 P. falciparum strain, with two thioethers in particular (3.54 and 3.65) inhibiting P. falciparum in the low nanomolar range. Additionally, active compounds were generally found to be non-toxic against HeLa cells, indicating that indolyl-3-thioethers are selective for the malaria parasite. These findings allowed us to begin hypothesising a structure activity relationship of this class, as well as elucidating the possible pharmacophore. In a speculative attempt to uncover the possible mechanism of action of these active compounds, in silico docking studies were conducted against Staphylococcus aureus HPPK (PDB ID: 4CRJ), which is an enzyme that immediately precedes DHPS in the microbial folate biosynthesis. Inhibition of folate biosynthesis is a validated selective antimalarial pathway and HPPK also exists in P. falciparum. Results from these docking studies suggested that our inhibitors bound well in the HPPK ATP pocket and were supportive of our hypothesized structure activity relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Svogie, Archibald Lesley
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/55487 , vital:26704
- Description: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), deaths attributed to Plasmodium falciparum exceeded 584 000 in 2013, with 198 million new cases of malaria being reported. One contributing factor to these alarming figures is the emergence of drug resistance against available antimalarial agents. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop new therapeutic antimalarial drugs with novel mechanisms of action in order to curb the increasing spread of malaria. The indole scaffold is often associated with biologically active compounds, recently exemplified by the antimalarial agent NITD609, which is currently in phase 1 clinical trials. Based on the biological evaluation of a small series of indolyl-3-amides and esters which showed moderate antimalarial activity, coupled to significant toxicity, we were prompted to investigate the synthesis of a series of indolyl-3-ethanone-α-amines (3.37 and 3.41), ethers (3.39 and 3.44) and thioethers (3.42, 3.43, 3.40, 3.45 – 3.73), where the carbonyl moiety and respective heteroatom were separated by a methine spacer. We further investigated these compounds for in vitro biological activity against P. falciparum and a human HeLa cell line. Our study explored the synthetic pathway of a three-step procedure toward our target compounds, with the initial Friedel-Crafts acetylation of indole, followed by α-bromination of the respective 3-acetylindoles. Finally, the halogen of the α-bromo ketone was substituted with an appropriate nucleophile, to yield our desired compounds. Various reagents were explored to optimise the nucleophilic displacement step, including potassium carbonate and various silver containing compounds. While many of the silver salts were found to assist in nucleophilic substitution, none were superior to the addition of potassium carbonate. The majority of compounds, chiefly the thioethers, displayed promising antimalarial activity, against the chloroquine sensitive 3D7 P. falciparum strain, with two thioethers in particular (3.54 and 3.65) inhibiting P. falciparum in the low nanomolar range. Additionally, active compounds were generally found to be non-toxic against HeLa cells, indicating that indolyl-3-thioethers are selective for the malaria parasite. These findings allowed us to begin hypothesising a structure activity relationship of this class, as well as elucidating the possible pharmacophore. In a speculative attempt to uncover the possible mechanism of action of these active compounds, in silico docking studies were conducted against Staphylococcus aureus HPPK (PDB ID: 4CRJ), which is an enzyme that immediately precedes DHPS in the microbial folate biosynthesis. Inhibition of folate biosynthesis is a validated selective antimalarial pathway and HPPK also exists in P. falciparum. Results from these docking studies suggested that our inhibitors bound well in the HPPK ATP pocket and were supportive of our hypothesized structure activity relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Isithako sohlahlubo-bunzululwazi-sakhono kwiimbalo zikaSaule: iinoveli ezintathu = decontsructive stylistic critique of Saule' s writings: the case of three novels
- Jaxa, Nontembiso Patricia, Kwatsha, Linda Loretta
- Authors: Jaxa, Nontembiso Patricia , Kwatsha, Linda Loretta
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Xhosa literature -- Criticism, Textual , Literature -- Black authors -- History and criticism , South African literature -- History and criticism , Saule, N -- Criticism and interpretation , Saule, N -- Literary style
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7762 , vital:23830
- Description: Kule ngxoxo kuqwalaselwa ukugqwesa kwesiThako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono kuhlalutyo loncwadi. Olu phando lugxile ekuduliseni ukuba akukho luzalwano luthe ngqo, kwaye lusisigxina phakathi kwegama nentsingiselo, ngenxa yobumbaxa beentsingiselo zegama. Esi siThako siludondolo ekusinyelelwa ngalo kolu phando, ukuqaqambisa ukuba iitekisi azinantsingiselo izinzileyo. Ke ngoko ibe ayinabunyani mpela ingcamango yokuba igama linokunanyatheliswa intsingiselo ethile, ze loo ntsingiselo ibange ubuntsusa. Ingxoxo yophando, iphendula imibuzo ebuza ubuni besiThako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono, nokuchana kwaso ekuhlalutyeni iitekisi zoncwadi. Imibuzo ikwabuza izizathu zokungazinzi kwentsingiselo yetekisi, nokungabi nakwalatheka ncam kwentsingiselo ajolise kuyo umbhali, ngotolo lwakhe oluluchongo-sigama. Le mibuzo iyaphenduleka kubuthumbu bengxoxo. Ingxoxo idandalazisa ukunzotshoba kwesi siThako kuhlahlubo, kuqanyelwa ngeengcingane zaso eziphambili. Ukuphendulwa kwemibuzo yophando, kufezekisa iinjongo zophando. Iinoveli ezichongelwe uphando, ziinoveli ezintathu zikaSaule, ezizezi: Ukhozi Olumaphiko, Umlimandlela kunye no-Vuleka Mhlaba, azikhethelwanga kuthelekiswa koko kukudandalazisa elubala ukunyanisa kwesiThako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono, malunga nomba weentsingiselo. Ngazo, kudula ubunyani bophindaphindeko lwegama elinye kwimixholo ngemixholo, lizale iintsingiselo ezahlukileyo. Kanti, kukwadandalaza ukuba intsingiselo yegama ayixhomekekanga kumxholo, iyakwazi ukutyekeza ngaphaya kwawo, liveze nezinye iintsingiselo. Olu phando lungaluncedo kakhulu kubafundi nootitshala kuba kanye luphethe umba wokuhlalutywa kweetekisi, ngendlela ekhuthazwa yiNkcazelo yePolisi yeKharityhulam nokuHlola (2011). Ebethelela ukuba kufundo loncwadi kufuneka abafundi bayiqhaqhe ukuyihlalutya itekisi ukuze kuvele indlela eyakhiwe neyakheke ngayo, oko ke kukuHlahluba. Kanti ke nakubahlohli lungaluncedo kuba lutyhila okuninzi ngesiThako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono. Ekuxoxeni, isiThako sobuNzululwazi Mlando-mbali, kurhatyulwe kuso, ukuxhasa imiba ethile kuphando. Ingxoxo Yahlulwe yazizahluko ngolu hlobo: Isahluko sokuqala, sidandalazisa ingxubakaxaka ethunuke yandulula uphando olu. Kwabekwa iinjongo, iziphumo-njongo zophando nemibuzo ekuza kucangcathwa kuyo kuphando. Kwaphengululwa iincwadi zeengcali kwisi-Thako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono, kwarhewulwa nesiThako sobuNzululwazi beeNkumbulo noMlando-mbali. Isahluko sesibini, luphendululo lweencwadi olunzulileyo nolunabileyo, kupendlwa izimvo ezimalunga nobuni besiThako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono. Kubekelelwa, kucutyungulwa iingcingane zaso, ezibe ludondolo lophando. Isahluko sesithathu, yingxoxo. Kuphicothwa iinoveli ezichongelwe uphando, zihlahlutywa, kusetyenziswa iingcamango neengcingane zesiThako Sohla-hlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono. Ikakhulu kuqwalaselwa indlela izibini ezichasana ngokulinganayo ezivela ngayo. Kuduliswa ukuminxiselwa kwezo zikwinqanaba elingezantsi. Isahluko sesine, ingxoxo iyaqhuba, kuqwalselwa ukusetyenziswa kwamaze-nge nemiqondiso, neentsingiselo ezivelayo, nokwahluka kwazo, okukhokelela ukuba utekisi ibe nobuvumephika. Isahluko sesihlanu, uphando luqhubeka kudandalaziswa ukusetyenziswa kwezandi, isigama sokuchaza nezafobe, nemifanekiso-ngqondweni eyakhiwa zezi zixhobo zoncwadi, ze kuphendlwe iintsingiselo nefuthe lazo kwitekisi. Isahluko sesithandathu sigxile ekusetyenzisweni kwembali kuncwadi, ngendlela evuselela iinkumbulo. Kuso nakuba kuhlahlutywa kodwa kunce-diswa ngokurhabula kwisiThako sobuNzululwazi beeNkumbulo noMlando-mbali.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Jaxa, Nontembiso Patricia , Kwatsha, Linda Loretta
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Xhosa literature -- Criticism, Textual , Literature -- Black authors -- History and criticism , South African literature -- History and criticism , Saule, N -- Criticism and interpretation , Saule, N -- Literary style
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7762 , vital:23830
- Description: Kule ngxoxo kuqwalaselwa ukugqwesa kwesiThako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono kuhlalutyo loncwadi. Olu phando lugxile ekuduliseni ukuba akukho luzalwano luthe ngqo, kwaye lusisigxina phakathi kwegama nentsingiselo, ngenxa yobumbaxa beentsingiselo zegama. Esi siThako siludondolo ekusinyelelwa ngalo kolu phando, ukuqaqambisa ukuba iitekisi azinantsingiselo izinzileyo. Ke ngoko ibe ayinabunyani mpela ingcamango yokuba igama linokunanyatheliswa intsingiselo ethile, ze loo ntsingiselo ibange ubuntsusa. Ingxoxo yophando, iphendula imibuzo ebuza ubuni besiThako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono, nokuchana kwaso ekuhlalutyeni iitekisi zoncwadi. Imibuzo ikwabuza izizathu zokungazinzi kwentsingiselo yetekisi, nokungabi nakwalatheka ncam kwentsingiselo ajolise kuyo umbhali, ngotolo lwakhe oluluchongo-sigama. Le mibuzo iyaphenduleka kubuthumbu bengxoxo. Ingxoxo idandalazisa ukunzotshoba kwesi siThako kuhlahlubo, kuqanyelwa ngeengcingane zaso eziphambili. Ukuphendulwa kwemibuzo yophando, kufezekisa iinjongo zophando. Iinoveli ezichongelwe uphando, ziinoveli ezintathu zikaSaule, ezizezi: Ukhozi Olumaphiko, Umlimandlela kunye no-Vuleka Mhlaba, azikhethelwanga kuthelekiswa koko kukudandalazisa elubala ukunyanisa kwesiThako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono, malunga nomba weentsingiselo. Ngazo, kudula ubunyani bophindaphindeko lwegama elinye kwimixholo ngemixholo, lizale iintsingiselo ezahlukileyo. Kanti, kukwadandalaza ukuba intsingiselo yegama ayixhomekekanga kumxholo, iyakwazi ukutyekeza ngaphaya kwawo, liveze nezinye iintsingiselo. Olu phando lungaluncedo kakhulu kubafundi nootitshala kuba kanye luphethe umba wokuhlalutywa kweetekisi, ngendlela ekhuthazwa yiNkcazelo yePolisi yeKharityhulam nokuHlola (2011). Ebethelela ukuba kufundo loncwadi kufuneka abafundi bayiqhaqhe ukuyihlalutya itekisi ukuze kuvele indlela eyakhiwe neyakheke ngayo, oko ke kukuHlahluba. Kanti ke nakubahlohli lungaluncedo kuba lutyhila okuninzi ngesiThako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono. Ekuxoxeni, isiThako sobuNzululwazi Mlando-mbali, kurhatyulwe kuso, ukuxhasa imiba ethile kuphando. Ingxoxo Yahlulwe yazizahluko ngolu hlobo: Isahluko sokuqala, sidandalazisa ingxubakaxaka ethunuke yandulula uphando olu. Kwabekwa iinjongo, iziphumo-njongo zophando nemibuzo ekuza kucangcathwa kuyo kuphando. Kwaphengululwa iincwadi zeengcali kwisi-Thako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono, kwarhewulwa nesiThako sobuNzululwazi beeNkumbulo noMlando-mbali. Isahluko sesibini, luphendululo lweencwadi olunzulileyo nolunabileyo, kupendlwa izimvo ezimalunga nobuni besiThako Sohlahlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono. Kubekelelwa, kucutyungulwa iingcingane zaso, ezibe ludondolo lophando. Isahluko sesithathu, yingxoxo. Kuphicothwa iinoveli ezichongelwe uphando, zihlahlutywa, kusetyenziswa iingcamango neengcingane zesiThako Sohla-hlubo-buNzululwazi-sakhono. Ikakhulu kuqwalaselwa indlela izibini ezichasana ngokulinganayo ezivela ngayo. Kuduliswa ukuminxiselwa kwezo zikwinqanaba elingezantsi. Isahluko sesine, ingxoxo iyaqhuba, kuqwalselwa ukusetyenziswa kwamaze-nge nemiqondiso, neentsingiselo ezivelayo, nokwahluka kwazo, okukhokelela ukuba utekisi ibe nobuvumephika. Isahluko sesihlanu, uphando luqhubeka kudandalaziswa ukusetyenziswa kwezandi, isigama sokuchaza nezafobe, nemifanekiso-ngqondweni eyakhiwa zezi zixhobo zoncwadi, ze kuphendlwe iintsingiselo nefuthe lazo kwitekisi. Isahluko sesithandathu sigxile ekusetyenzisweni kwembali kuncwadi, ngendlela evuselela iinkumbulo. Kuso nakuba kuhlahlutywa kodwa kunce-diswa ngokurhabula kwisiThako sobuNzululwazi beeNkumbulo noMlando-mbali.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Islamic compliant short term insurance: an exploratory study to develop an Islamic compliant insurance model within a South African context
- Authors: Jeeva, Shakir
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193633 , vital:45375
- Description: In a world where there is ever increasing risks to be mitigated, either by choice or due to the law of the country, an insurance instrument is the most popular risk mitigation tool. However, from an Islamic perspective, Muslims have certain parameters to adhere to due to the laws and boundaries as set out in the Quraan, as well as the teachings of the final prophet, Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him). This has relevance in this context as, according to Islam, the conventional insurance models are in contravention of certain Islamic laws as they contain elements which are not acceptable in the Muslim faith. Therefore, the Islamic insurance models, or Takaful models, have removed the impermissible elements of usury, speculation, and uncertainty, which are all contained in the current conventional insurance models. By removing these impermissible elements from the insurance model, the Takaful model is acceptable for Muslims to use as a risk mitigation tool. The primary aim of the study sought to propose a short term Islamic compliant insurance model within a South African framework. The secondary aims were to ascertain the Islamic requirements for an Islamic insurance model, how these requirements fit into an insurance model, to then compare and contrast the differences between conventional insurance and Islamic insurance and, lastly, to explore awareness and attitudes towards Islamic insurance. Therefore, from the above, a proposed short term Islamic insurance model was developed within a South African context which conforms to the laws and boundaries of Islam, making this insurance model permissible to use as a Takaful tool. Additionally, semi structured interviews were conducted with certain research participants, using purposive sampling, to examine the attitudes and knowledge of the Muslim community towards the Takaful model within a South African context. It was concluded that while the majority of the research participants understand the Takaful model and the significance of this, they have chosen to use the conventional insurance offerings due to the fact that they were unaware of other Takaful alternatives, or due to the fact that the Takaful alternative was out-priced when compared to the conventional insurance offerings. It was therefore concluded that while there is a need for Takaful offerings within South Africa, this must be done in conjunction with additional marketing, education and competitive pricing for potential clients to consider this as an insurance option. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2016
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Jeeva, Shakir
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193633 , vital:45375
- Description: In a world where there is ever increasing risks to be mitigated, either by choice or due to the law of the country, an insurance instrument is the most popular risk mitigation tool. However, from an Islamic perspective, Muslims have certain parameters to adhere to due to the laws and boundaries as set out in the Quraan, as well as the teachings of the final prophet, Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him). This has relevance in this context as, according to Islam, the conventional insurance models are in contravention of certain Islamic laws as they contain elements which are not acceptable in the Muslim faith. Therefore, the Islamic insurance models, or Takaful models, have removed the impermissible elements of usury, speculation, and uncertainty, which are all contained in the current conventional insurance models. By removing these impermissible elements from the insurance model, the Takaful model is acceptable for Muslims to use as a risk mitigation tool. The primary aim of the study sought to propose a short term Islamic compliant insurance model within a South African framework. The secondary aims were to ascertain the Islamic requirements for an Islamic insurance model, how these requirements fit into an insurance model, to then compare and contrast the differences between conventional insurance and Islamic insurance and, lastly, to explore awareness and attitudes towards Islamic insurance. Therefore, from the above, a proposed short term Islamic insurance model was developed within a South African context which conforms to the laws and boundaries of Islam, making this insurance model permissible to use as a Takaful tool. Additionally, semi structured interviews were conducted with certain research participants, using purposive sampling, to examine the attitudes and knowledge of the Muslim community towards the Takaful model within a South African context. It was concluded that while the majority of the research participants understand the Takaful model and the significance of this, they have chosen to use the conventional insurance offerings due to the fact that they were unaware of other Takaful alternatives, or due to the fact that the Takaful alternative was out-priced when compared to the conventional insurance offerings. It was therefore concluded that while there is a need for Takaful offerings within South Africa, this must be done in conjunction with additional marketing, education and competitive pricing for potential clients to consider this as an insurance option. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2016
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Isolation, characterization and biomimetic oxidation of selected marine natural products and their analogues
- Authors: Mutsvairo, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64685 , vital:28592
- Description: Marine brown algae produce a variety of terpenes with a wide range of biological activities. However, very few phytochemical studies of brown algae have been conducted in South Africa. Therefore, in our continued search for biologically active natural products, we examined the South African brown alga Brassicophycus brassicaeformis. The dichloromethane-methanol extract of B.brassicaeformis was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography followed by normal phase HPLC to give pure four pure compounds which were identified by spectroscopic methods as; fucosterol, fucoxanthin and two monogalactosyldiacylglycerol lipids. Many potential drug molecules such as natural products have failed to reach the market due to poor pharmacokinetic and metabolic profiles despite having potent biological activity. Therefore the importance of early drug metabolism studies in the drug development process is clear. A biomimetic oxidation model was used for in vitro drug metabolism studies to predict any possible metabolites that could be produced by these natural products. Two biomimetic oxidation models catalyzed by two water soluble metalloporphyrins as biomimics of cytochrome P450, in the presence of two terminal oxidants either hydrogen peroxide or iodobenzene diacetete were successfully developed. The models were applied to a range of natural products. The oxidation of the quinone natural products, sargahydroquinoic acid, and lapachol was most easily achieved by metalloporphyrins employed in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mutsvairo, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64685 , vital:28592
- Description: Marine brown algae produce a variety of terpenes with a wide range of biological activities. However, very few phytochemical studies of brown algae have been conducted in South Africa. Therefore, in our continued search for biologically active natural products, we examined the South African brown alga Brassicophycus brassicaeformis. The dichloromethane-methanol extract of B.brassicaeformis was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography followed by normal phase HPLC to give pure four pure compounds which were identified by spectroscopic methods as; fucosterol, fucoxanthin and two monogalactosyldiacylglycerol lipids. Many potential drug molecules such as natural products have failed to reach the market due to poor pharmacokinetic and metabolic profiles despite having potent biological activity. Therefore the importance of early drug metabolism studies in the drug development process is clear. A biomimetic oxidation model was used for in vitro drug metabolism studies to predict any possible metabolites that could be produced by these natural products. Two biomimetic oxidation models catalyzed by two water soluble metalloporphyrins as biomimics of cytochrome P450, in the presence of two terminal oxidants either hydrogen peroxide or iodobenzene diacetete were successfully developed. The models were applied to a range of natural products. The oxidation of the quinone natural products, sargahydroquinoic acid, and lapachol was most easily achieved by metalloporphyrins employed in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Istraight Lendaba
- Authors: Motsei, Mmatshilo T N
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:6015 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021235
- Description: My collection of stories describes the lives of ordinary black people living in post‐apartheid South Africa, especially those living in the margins, and the compromises that poverty forces them to make. In such a world, virtue and vice are flip sides of the same coin. My stories search for hope in an environment which Ayi Kwei Armah describes as “so completely seized with danger and so many different kinds of loss.” My writing is inspired by Mozambican writer Luis Bernardo Honwana, South African writer Joel Matlou whose demotic stories gave voice to everyday life in the townships, and Cameroonian writer Werewere Liking’s as well as Brenda Fassie’s powerful representation of the subversive nature of African women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Motsei, Mmatshilo T N
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:6015 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021235
- Description: My collection of stories describes the lives of ordinary black people living in post‐apartheid South Africa, especially those living in the margins, and the compromises that poverty forces them to make. In such a world, virtue and vice are flip sides of the same coin. My stories search for hope in an environment which Ayi Kwei Armah describes as “so completely seized with danger and so many different kinds of loss.” My writing is inspired by Mozambican writer Luis Bernardo Honwana, South African writer Joel Matlou whose demotic stories gave voice to everyday life in the townships, and Cameroonian writer Werewere Liking’s as well as Brenda Fassie’s powerful representation of the subversive nature of African women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Job Engagement and Coping Strategies as Moderators of the Relationship between Occupational Stress and Burnout among Police Officers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Dywili, Mtutuzeli
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Police -- Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern cape Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Work -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7697 , vital:30707
- Description: Police work in South Africa is demanding and stressful. Literature reveals that occupational stress when fully manifest amount to emotional burnout. It was therefore the aim of this study to examine job engagement and coping strategies as moderators of the relationship between occupational stress and burnout among police officers. Using a sample of 377 police officers from the Eastern Cape, South Africa, data was collected using various scales namely; the Effort – Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire (occupational stress), the Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey MBI-GS (emotional burnout), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (job engagement), and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced questionnaire (coping strategies). Correlation tests and regression analysis were ministered on the data to test the research hypotheses. The major finding of the study indicated that job engagement and coping strategies collectively significantly moderate the relationship between occupational stress and emotional burnout. However, job engagement on its own was reported to be an insignificant moderator of the relationship between occupational stress and emotional burnout.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Dywili, Mtutuzeli
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Police -- Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern cape Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Work -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7697 , vital:30707
- Description: Police work in South Africa is demanding and stressful. Literature reveals that occupational stress when fully manifest amount to emotional burnout. It was therefore the aim of this study to examine job engagement and coping strategies as moderators of the relationship between occupational stress and burnout among police officers. Using a sample of 377 police officers from the Eastern Cape, South Africa, data was collected using various scales namely; the Effort – Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire (occupational stress), the Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey MBI-GS (emotional burnout), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (job engagement), and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced questionnaire (coping strategies). Correlation tests and regression analysis were ministered on the data to test the research hypotheses. The major finding of the study indicated that job engagement and coping strategies collectively significantly moderate the relationship between occupational stress and emotional burnout. However, job engagement on its own was reported to be an insignificant moderator of the relationship between occupational stress and emotional burnout.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Karoo dolerite intrusions: shaping the landscapes of the Great Karoo
- Authors: Marsh, Julian S
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145111 , vital:38409 , ISBN 9781775845386 , https://books.google.co.za/books?id=YQ5bDwAAQBAJanddq=Karoo+dolerite+intrusions+JULIAN+MARSHandsource=gbs_navlinks_s
- Description: Karoo dolerite intrusions: shaping the landscapes of the Great Karoo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Marsh, Julian S
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145111 , vital:38409 , ISBN 9781775845386 , https://books.google.co.za/books?id=YQ5bDwAAQBAJanddq=Karoo+dolerite+intrusions+JULIAN+MARSHandsource=gbs_navlinks_s
- Description: Karoo dolerite intrusions: shaping the landscapes of the Great Karoo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Keeping it in the family: coevolution of latrunculid sponges and their dominant bacterial symbionts
- Matcher, Gwynneth F, Waterworth, Samantha C, Walmsley, Tara A, Matsatsa, Tendayi, Parker-Nance, Shirley, Davies-Coleman, Michael T, Dorrington, Rosemary A
- Authors: Matcher, Gwynneth F , Waterworth, Samantha C , Walmsley, Tara A , Matsatsa, Tendayi , Parker-Nance, Shirley , Davies-Coleman, Michael T , Dorrington, Rosemary A
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65603 , vital:28818 , https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.417
- Description: publisher version , The Latrunculiidae are a family of cold water sponges known for their production of bioactive pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids. Previously it was shown that the bacterial community associated with a Tsitsikamma sponge species comprises unusual bacterial taxa and is dominated by a novel Betaproteobacterium. Here, we have characterized the bacterial communities associated with six latrunculid species representing three genera (Tsitsikamma, Cyclacanthia, and Latrunculia) as well as a Mycale species, collected from Algoa Bay on the South African southeast coast. The bacterial communities of all seven sponge species were dominated by a single Betaproteobacterium operational taxonomic unit (OTU0.03), while a second OTU0.03 was dominant in the Mycale sp. The Betaproteobacteria OTUs from the different latrunculid sponges are closely related and their phylogenetic relationship follows that of their hosts. We propose that the latrunculid Betaproteobacteria OTUs are members of a specialized group of sponge symbionts that may have coevolved with their hosts. A single dominant Spirochaetae OTU0.03 was present in the Tsitsikamma and Cyclacanthia sponge species, but absent from the Latrunculia and Mycale sponges. This study sheds new light on the interactions between latrunculid sponges and their bacterial communities and may point to the potential involvement of dominant symbionts in the biosynthesis of the bioactive secondary metabolites. , This research was supported by a SARChI grant from the South African National Research Foundation (NRF, GUN: 87583) and the Rhodes University Sandisa Imbewu Programme. S. C. W. was supported by an NRF Innovation PhD Scholarship and a Rhodes University Henderson PhD Scholarship. T. A. W. was supported by PhD Fellowships from the NRF and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Matcher, Gwynneth F , Waterworth, Samantha C , Walmsley, Tara A , Matsatsa, Tendayi , Parker-Nance, Shirley , Davies-Coleman, Michael T , Dorrington, Rosemary A
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65603 , vital:28818 , https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.417
- Description: publisher version , The Latrunculiidae are a family of cold water sponges known for their production of bioactive pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids. Previously it was shown that the bacterial community associated with a Tsitsikamma sponge species comprises unusual bacterial taxa and is dominated by a novel Betaproteobacterium. Here, we have characterized the bacterial communities associated with six latrunculid species representing three genera (Tsitsikamma, Cyclacanthia, and Latrunculia) as well as a Mycale species, collected from Algoa Bay on the South African southeast coast. The bacterial communities of all seven sponge species were dominated by a single Betaproteobacterium operational taxonomic unit (OTU0.03), while a second OTU0.03 was dominant in the Mycale sp. The Betaproteobacteria OTUs from the different latrunculid sponges are closely related and their phylogenetic relationship follows that of their hosts. We propose that the latrunculid Betaproteobacteria OTUs are members of a specialized group of sponge symbionts that may have coevolved with their hosts. A single dominant Spirochaetae OTU0.03 was present in the Tsitsikamma and Cyclacanthia sponge species, but absent from the Latrunculia and Mycale sponges. This study sheds new light on the interactions between latrunculid sponges and their bacterial communities and may point to the potential involvement of dominant symbionts in the biosynthesis of the bioactive secondary metabolites. , This research was supported by a SARChI grant from the South African National Research Foundation (NRF, GUN: 87583) and the Rhodes University Sandisa Imbewu Programme. S. C. W. was supported by an NRF Innovation PhD Scholarship and a Rhodes University Henderson PhD Scholarship. T. A. W. was supported by PhD Fellowships from the NRF and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Knowledge and knowers in teaching and learning: an enhanced approach to curriculum alignment
- Authors: Clarence, Sherran
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59823 , vital:27655 , http://www.legitimationcodetheory.com/pdf/2016Clarence-c.pdf
- Description: John Biggs’ well-known curriculum design approach, constructive alignment, is widely used in higher education in the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. Developed with one dominant account of learning through curriculum, this approach has a gap in terms of accounting for other kinds of knowledge building, and associated knower development. This paper proposes a complementary approach that accounts for different kinds of knowledge and knower building. Using Legitimation Code Theory’s concept of Specialisation, the paper argues that accounting for what makes a discipline ‘special’ in terms of its basis for legitimate achievement can enable curriculum writers to align curricula more effectively with that basis in different disciplines. Using a case study approach, this paper shows how this tool can provide lecturers and academic development practitioners with a useful mode of analysing curriculum alignment to more ably account for differential development of disciplinary knowledges and knowers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Clarence, Sherran
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59823 , vital:27655 , http://www.legitimationcodetheory.com/pdf/2016Clarence-c.pdf
- Description: John Biggs’ well-known curriculum design approach, constructive alignment, is widely used in higher education in the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. Developed with one dominant account of learning through curriculum, this approach has a gap in terms of accounting for other kinds of knowledge building, and associated knower development. This paper proposes a complementary approach that accounts for different kinds of knowledge and knower building. Using Legitimation Code Theory’s concept of Specialisation, the paper argues that accounting for what makes a discipline ‘special’ in terms of its basis for legitimate achievement can enable curriculum writers to align curricula more effectively with that basis in different disciplines. Using a case study approach, this paper shows how this tool can provide lecturers and academic development practitioners with a useful mode of analysing curriculum alignment to more ably account for differential development of disciplinary knowledges and knowers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Knowledge structures and their relevance for teaching and learning in Introductory Financial Accounting
- Authors: Myers, Peta L
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:21107 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6413 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10291954.2015.1099215
- Description: The structure of knowledge within a discipline has implications for the teaching and learning within the discipline. This research examines how the hierarchical knowledge structure of Accounting impacts on the teaching and learning which takes place in a first semester Introductory Financial Accounting course. Students used on-line questionnaires and interviews to explain how they engaged with the discipline and difficulties which they experienced during the semester. Bernstein's pedagogic Device and Maton's Legitimation Code Theory were used to analyse the structure of knowledge within the discipline and as theoretical lenses through which to view these students' perceptions. The research provides a theoretical explanation for the impact that a hierarchical knowledge structure has on teaching and learning within the discipline; how students need to develop a 'trained gaze' and thereby gain mastery over the 'procedures of investigation' to be able to produce the 'legitimate text' required for success in the course. The research also explains why some students experience a 'code clash' and the implications this has for their success in the discipline. Other pedagogical difficulties which were experienced by these students, as a result of the hierarchical knowledge structure within the discipline, are also discussed. In addition to providing a better understanding of the phenomena that drive or hinder student learning, which could contribute towards improving pedagogy and hence student learning, theorising these concepts provides a common language to enable more informed debate on these issues.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Myers, Peta L
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:21107 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6413 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10291954.2015.1099215
- Description: The structure of knowledge within a discipline has implications for the teaching and learning within the discipline. This research examines how the hierarchical knowledge structure of Accounting impacts on the teaching and learning which takes place in a first semester Introductory Financial Accounting course. Students used on-line questionnaires and interviews to explain how they engaged with the discipline and difficulties which they experienced during the semester. Bernstein's pedagogic Device and Maton's Legitimation Code Theory were used to analyse the structure of knowledge within the discipline and as theoretical lenses through which to view these students' perceptions. The research provides a theoretical explanation for the impact that a hierarchical knowledge structure has on teaching and learning within the discipline; how students need to develop a 'trained gaze' and thereby gain mastery over the 'procedures of investigation' to be able to produce the 'legitimate text' required for success in the course. The research also explains why some students experience a 'code clash' and the implications this has for their success in the discipline. Other pedagogical difficulties which were experienced by these students, as a result of the hierarchical knowledge structure within the discipline, are also discussed. In addition to providing a better understanding of the phenomena that drive or hinder student learning, which could contribute towards improving pedagogy and hence student learning, theorising these concepts provides a common language to enable more informed debate on these issues.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of dieticians in relation to tuberculosis at the workplace
- Authors: Oxland, Ingrid Oxley
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Etiology Disease management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12972 , vital:27140
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is acknowledged as an epidemic in South Africa. Health care professionals (HCPs), including dieticians, are at an increased risk for TB-infection compared to the general population. Implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) TB infection control measures can protect HCPs from contracting TB; however, many studies have shown poor adherence to guidelines by HCPs. The aim of the study was to determine dieticians’ knowledge, attitudes and experiences in relation to TB at the workplace. A descriptive quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed. Convenience sampling was applied. The online survey was conducted between August 2014 and March 2015. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical principles were adhered to. The sample consisted of 102 registered dieticians in South Africa. Good knowledge was displayed as two-thirds of dieticians correctly identified the National TB Management Guidelines and the main signs and symptoms of TB. However, a critical knowledge gap regarding TB transmission was identified, as only 42% of dieticians knew that TB could spread by talking. Favourable attitudes towards TB and infection control measures were present, except towards inadequate staffing levels and being worried about TB. The respondents reported that the fear of contracting TB affected patient interaction. Poor adherence to infection control measures was found. Only 45% of dieticians reported having a written TB infection control plan at their workplace, and only 23% were trained on TB infection control measures. Coughing patients were not always triaged and education material was not always available for TB patients. The availability of N-95 respirators was reported by 76% of dieticians. Training on TB infection control measures could influence dieticians’ adherence to infection control measures, ultimately protecting them from contracting TB at the workplace.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Oxland, Ingrid Oxley
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Etiology Disease management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12972 , vital:27140
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is acknowledged as an epidemic in South Africa. Health care professionals (HCPs), including dieticians, are at an increased risk for TB-infection compared to the general population. Implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) TB infection control measures can protect HCPs from contracting TB; however, many studies have shown poor adherence to guidelines by HCPs. The aim of the study was to determine dieticians’ knowledge, attitudes and experiences in relation to TB at the workplace. A descriptive quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed. Convenience sampling was applied. The online survey was conducted between August 2014 and March 2015. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical principles were adhered to. The sample consisted of 102 registered dieticians in South Africa. Good knowledge was displayed as two-thirds of dieticians correctly identified the National TB Management Guidelines and the main signs and symptoms of TB. However, a critical knowledge gap regarding TB transmission was identified, as only 42% of dieticians knew that TB could spread by talking. Favourable attitudes towards TB and infection control measures were present, except towards inadequate staffing levels and being worried about TB. The respondents reported that the fear of contracting TB affected patient interaction. Poor adherence to infection control measures was found. Only 45% of dieticians reported having a written TB infection control plan at their workplace, and only 23% were trained on TB infection control measures. Coughing patients were not always triaged and education material was not always available for TB patients. The availability of N-95 respirators was reported by 76% of dieticians. Training on TB infection control measures could influence dieticians’ adherence to infection control measures, ultimately protecting them from contracting TB at the workplace.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Knowledge, perceptions and willingness to control designated invasive tree species in urban household gardens in South Africa
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Shackleton, Ross T
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Shackleton, Ross T
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180445 , vital:43389 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-016-1104-7"
- Description: Many biological invasions result in negative impacts on the environment and human livelihoods, but simultaneously some also provide benefits that are valued differently by various stakeholders. To inform policy and management of invasive species it is important to assess landowners’ and broader society’s knowledge and perceptions of invasive species, something which is lacking in many contexts, especially in urban settings. In this study we interviewed 153 householders living in a medium-sized South African town who had declared invasive alien trees in their gardens. Less than half of the respondents could identify the invasive tree on their property and only one-third knew that it was an invasive alien species. There was a positive association between income and education levels with exposure to media about invasive alien species and respondents’ ability to identify the species and name any other invasive alien tree species. Knowledge levels were unequal across species. Amongst those who knew the tree was an invasive alien species, reasons why they retained it in their gardens included that it would be costly or too much effort to remove, they liked the tree, that it was not causing any harm and that the property was rented and so its removal was not their responsibility. However, the majority of people (83 %) were willing to have it removed from their garden if done for free by appropriate agencies, which is promising for compliance with new regulations on invasive species implemented at the end of 2014 in South Africa. The results also highlight the need for targeted and appropriate education and awareness programs amongst urban householders on invasive alien species, relevant legislation and their obligations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Shackleton, Ross T
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180445 , vital:43389 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-016-1104-7"
- Description: Many biological invasions result in negative impacts on the environment and human livelihoods, but simultaneously some also provide benefits that are valued differently by various stakeholders. To inform policy and management of invasive species it is important to assess landowners’ and broader society’s knowledge and perceptions of invasive species, something which is lacking in many contexts, especially in urban settings. In this study we interviewed 153 householders living in a medium-sized South African town who had declared invasive alien trees in their gardens. Less than half of the respondents could identify the invasive tree on their property and only one-third knew that it was an invasive alien species. There was a positive association between income and education levels with exposure to media about invasive alien species and respondents’ ability to identify the species and name any other invasive alien tree species. Knowledge levels were unequal across species. Amongst those who knew the tree was an invasive alien species, reasons why they retained it in their gardens included that it would be costly or too much effort to remove, they liked the tree, that it was not causing any harm and that the property was rented and so its removal was not their responsibility. However, the majority of people (83 %) were willing to have it removed from their garden if done for free by appropriate agencies, which is promising for compliance with new regulations on invasive species implemented at the end of 2014 in South Africa. The results also highlight the need for targeted and appropriate education and awareness programs amongst urban householders on invasive alien species, relevant legislation and their obligations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Knowledge-building: educational studies in Legitimation Code Theory
- Authors: Clarence, Sherran
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: book review , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61300 , vital:28013 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2016.1231751
- Description: A challenge facing higher education researchers, especially those new to the craft of research, is that of moving between theory and data effectively in order to mediate research findings clearly to readers. For postgraduate students and academics publishing their research, working with data and designing effective and fit-for-purpose methodologies can be a challenge. Moreover, this is not necessarily an easy area for supervisors and research mentors to assist with. In addition to researchers, practitioners working in academic development also need ways of using research – either empirical or conceptual – to augment their work with lecturers to improve teaching and learning. There are many handbooks that detail the differences between qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research. There are many theoretical texts to choose from. But there are few texts that offer researchers and those mentoring researchers insight into how methodology and theory connect in research studies, as well as practical tools to navigate the chaos of research, bringing theory and data into conversation in relevant and problem-oriented ways that can influence practice effectively. Karl Maton, in his introduction to this edited collection, argues that in spite of many claims within educational and social research for the need to connect research with theory more effectively, ‘the two frequently remain divorced or, at best, not on speaking terms’ (p. 1). The central premise of the book flows from this: we need to move beyond calls for more theory-informed research into education and society towards generating ways of demonstrating enactments of research that bring theory and research together meaningfully. The need for the research we publish to make clear its theoretical and methodological underpinning and enactments is crucial for effecting sustainable and meaningful change in practice within the field. This text, located within the growing field of Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) research, within the broader field of sociology of education, takes a generous step in that direction. Building on Maton’s 2014 text, Knowledge and knowers. Towards a realist sociology of education, this text delves into how LCT concepts – particularly in the dimensions of Specialisation and Semantics – can be enacted within educational research and practice.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Clarence, Sherran
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: book review , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61300 , vital:28013 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2016.1231751
- Description: A challenge facing higher education researchers, especially those new to the craft of research, is that of moving between theory and data effectively in order to mediate research findings clearly to readers. For postgraduate students and academics publishing their research, working with data and designing effective and fit-for-purpose methodologies can be a challenge. Moreover, this is not necessarily an easy area for supervisors and research mentors to assist with. In addition to researchers, practitioners working in academic development also need ways of using research – either empirical or conceptual – to augment their work with lecturers to improve teaching and learning. There are many handbooks that detail the differences between qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research. There are many theoretical texts to choose from. But there are few texts that offer researchers and those mentoring researchers insight into how methodology and theory connect in research studies, as well as practical tools to navigate the chaos of research, bringing theory and data into conversation in relevant and problem-oriented ways that can influence practice effectively. Karl Maton, in his introduction to this edited collection, argues that in spite of many claims within educational and social research for the need to connect research with theory more effectively, ‘the two frequently remain divorced or, at best, not on speaking terms’ (p. 1). The central premise of the book flows from this: we need to move beyond calls for more theory-informed research into education and society towards generating ways of demonstrating enactments of research that bring theory and research together meaningfully. The need for the research we publish to make clear its theoretical and methodological underpinning and enactments is crucial for effecting sustainable and meaningful change in practice within the field. This text, located within the growing field of Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) research, within the broader field of sociology of education, takes a generous step in that direction. Building on Maton’s 2014 text, Knowledge and knowers. Towards a realist sociology of education, this text delves into how LCT concepts – particularly in the dimensions of Specialisation and Semantics – can be enacted within educational research and practice.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
Land acquisition for and local livelihood implications of biofuel development in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Thondhlana, Gladman
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Biomass energy -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe Biomass energy -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe Biomass energy -- Environmental aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/49940 , vital:25944
- Description: In recent years, proponents of 'green and clean fuel' have argued that the costs of overreliance on fossil fuels could be reduced through transition to biofuels such as bio-ethanol. Global biofuel discourses suggest that any transition to biofuel invariably results in significant benefits, including energy independence, job creation, development of agro-industrial centres at local level and high revenue generations for the state with minimum negative impacts on the environment. With many risks and costs associated with traditional 'dirty' fuels, it is likely that many countries, particularly African countries, will move towards the 'green and clean fuel' alternative. However, until recently research has arguably paid limited attention to the local livelihood impacts related to land acquisition for biofuel development or the policy frameworks required to maximise biofuel benefits. With regards to biofuel benefits, some recent studies suggest that the much bandied potential for greater tax revenue, lowered fuel costs and wealth distribution from biofuel production have all been perverted with relatively little payoff in wage labour opportunities in return (e.g. Richardson, 2010; Wilkinson and Herrera, 2010). Based on work done in Chisumbanje communal lands of Zimbabwe (Thondhlana, 2015), this policy brief highlights the local livelihood impacts of biofuel development and discusses policy implications of the findings. By highlighting the justifications of biofuel development at any cost by the state, the study sheds some light on the conflicts between state interests and local livelihood needs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Thondhlana, Gladman
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Biomass energy -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe Biomass energy -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe Biomass energy -- Environmental aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/49940 , vital:25944
- Description: In recent years, proponents of 'green and clean fuel' have argued that the costs of overreliance on fossil fuels could be reduced through transition to biofuels such as bio-ethanol. Global biofuel discourses suggest that any transition to biofuel invariably results in significant benefits, including energy independence, job creation, development of agro-industrial centres at local level and high revenue generations for the state with minimum negative impacts on the environment. With many risks and costs associated with traditional 'dirty' fuels, it is likely that many countries, particularly African countries, will move towards the 'green and clean fuel' alternative. However, until recently research has arguably paid limited attention to the local livelihood impacts related to land acquisition for biofuel development or the policy frameworks required to maximise biofuel benefits. With regards to biofuel benefits, some recent studies suggest that the much bandied potential for greater tax revenue, lowered fuel costs and wealth distribution from biofuel production have all been perverted with relatively little payoff in wage labour opportunities in return (e.g. Richardson, 2010; Wilkinson and Herrera, 2010). Based on work done in Chisumbanje communal lands of Zimbabwe (Thondhlana, 2015), this policy brief highlights the local livelihood impacts of biofuel development and discusses policy implications of the findings. By highlighting the justifications of biofuel development at any cost by the state, the study sheds some light on the conflicts between state interests and local livelihood needs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Land-use effects on mammal communities in the Fish-Kowie corridor, Eastern Cape, South Africa, with particular reference to carnivores
- Authors: Kok, Armand du Preez
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/561 , vital:19970
- Description: Human population growth is causing an increase in habitat transformation on a global scale, and this transformation is driven by changes in land-use practices. One consequence of habitat transformation is the negative effect it can have on mammal communities, especially carnivores. Carnivores are important components of ecosystems as they play an essential structuring role, but also often come into conflict with people. I studied the impact of land-use on mammalian diversity, the attitudes of landowners/managers towards carnivores, the distribution of carnivores, and the interactions among carnivore species in the Fish-Kowie corridor (FKC), an area of conservation concern, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Livestock and game farming are the two dominant land-use types in the FKC. Carnivore distribution data were collected between 2012 and 2014 using a robust camera trap survey that consisted of 432 camera stations (216 on livestock and 216 on game farms). In addition, the attitudes of 55 landowners/managers were assessed using semi- structured questionnaire interviews that were conducted in person. My results revealed that mammal diversity was similar on the two land-use types. However, individual species differed in their distribution on the two land-use types. In general, both livestock and game farmers had negative attitudes towards carnivores in the FKC, due to their depredation of valuable livestock and game species. Black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas), caracals (Caracal caracal), leopards (Panthera pardus), and brown hyaenas (Parahyaena brunnea) were considered the most problematic carnivores, but sensitivity to land-use varied among these four species. Black- backed jackals had the highest occupancy rates of all four predators and were 3.8 times more likely to occupy sites on game farms compared to livestock farms. By contrast, leopards and brown hyaenas were only detected on game farms, and caracals did not appear to be sensitive to the effects of land-use. In general, the interactions among carnivores were weak and were likely driven by carnivore diversity, resource partitioning, and anthropogenic pressures. While there were many subtle differences in the distribution of mammal species and human attitudes towards wildlife on livestock and game farms in the FKC, there were also many similarities. My study has produced results that can be used by the FKC community to better understand how mammals and humans interact across the landscape, information that will ultimately contribute to future conservation planning in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kok, Armand du Preez
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/561 , vital:19970
- Description: Human population growth is causing an increase in habitat transformation on a global scale, and this transformation is driven by changes in land-use practices. One consequence of habitat transformation is the negative effect it can have on mammal communities, especially carnivores. Carnivores are important components of ecosystems as they play an essential structuring role, but also often come into conflict with people. I studied the impact of land-use on mammalian diversity, the attitudes of landowners/managers towards carnivores, the distribution of carnivores, and the interactions among carnivore species in the Fish-Kowie corridor (FKC), an area of conservation concern, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Livestock and game farming are the two dominant land-use types in the FKC. Carnivore distribution data were collected between 2012 and 2014 using a robust camera trap survey that consisted of 432 camera stations (216 on livestock and 216 on game farms). In addition, the attitudes of 55 landowners/managers were assessed using semi- structured questionnaire interviews that were conducted in person. My results revealed that mammal diversity was similar on the two land-use types. However, individual species differed in their distribution on the two land-use types. In general, both livestock and game farmers had negative attitudes towards carnivores in the FKC, due to their depredation of valuable livestock and game species. Black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas), caracals (Caracal caracal), leopards (Panthera pardus), and brown hyaenas (Parahyaena brunnea) were considered the most problematic carnivores, but sensitivity to land-use varied among these four species. Black- backed jackals had the highest occupancy rates of all four predators and were 3.8 times more likely to occupy sites on game farms compared to livestock farms. By contrast, leopards and brown hyaenas were only detected on game farms, and caracals did not appear to be sensitive to the effects of land-use. In general, the interactions among carnivores were weak and were likely driven by carnivore diversity, resource partitioning, and anthropogenic pressures. While there were many subtle differences in the distribution of mammal species and human attitudes towards wildlife on livestock and game farms in the FKC, there were also many similarities. My study has produced results that can be used by the FKC community to better understand how mammals and humans interact across the landscape, information that will ultimately contribute to future conservation planning in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Landscapes of division: social movements and the politics of urban and rural space in the Grahamstown region of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: O’Halloran, Paddy
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3950 , vital:20572
- Description: This thesis investigates the politics of two grassroots social movements, the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM), based in Grahamstown, and the Rural People’s Movement (RPM), based in the rural areas near Peddie, forty miles east. Observing that urban and rural are political designations, the primary question of this thesis is: Do the politics of these social movements challenge the conception of urban and rural as discrete political spaces? To some extent, it responds to and complicates Mamdani’s theory of a bifurcated state in post-apartheid South Africa in which urban zones are the site of civil society and rural zones the site of traditional authorities, and only the former a democratised space (1996). Three themes—race, space, and citizenship—are employed and interrogated in the process of answering the principal question. Broadly historical in nature, and understanding the present political context to be a product of historical processes, the thesis begins with an historical study of the Grahamstown region from the time of the town’s founding in 1812 until the end of apartheid in 1994, keeping the three key themes in focus. Then the politics of UPM and RPM are explored through a series of interviews aimed at understanding the context and experience of movement members and seeking their insight into the question of urban and rural space. Their responses are presented as a dialogue employing a theoretical strategy from Aguilar (2014) that distinguishes between and provides a framework to measure the ‘practical scope’ and the ‘interior horizon’ of movements. The thesis concludes with a discussion of important themes arising in the interviews: citizenship, NGOs, and political parties, and, of course, space. The backdrop to this concluding discussion is the xenophobic violence which occurred in Grahamstown in October 2015, helping situate the research and themes within the broader context of South African politics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: O’Halloran, Paddy
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3950 , vital:20572
- Description: This thesis investigates the politics of two grassroots social movements, the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM), based in Grahamstown, and the Rural People’s Movement (RPM), based in the rural areas near Peddie, forty miles east. Observing that urban and rural are political designations, the primary question of this thesis is: Do the politics of these social movements challenge the conception of urban and rural as discrete political spaces? To some extent, it responds to and complicates Mamdani’s theory of a bifurcated state in post-apartheid South Africa in which urban zones are the site of civil society and rural zones the site of traditional authorities, and only the former a democratised space (1996). Three themes—race, space, and citizenship—are employed and interrogated in the process of answering the principal question. Broadly historical in nature, and understanding the present political context to be a product of historical processes, the thesis begins with an historical study of the Grahamstown region from the time of the town’s founding in 1812 until the end of apartheid in 1994, keeping the three key themes in focus. Then the politics of UPM and RPM are explored through a series of interviews aimed at understanding the context and experience of movement members and seeking their insight into the question of urban and rural space. Their responses are presented as a dialogue employing a theoretical strategy from Aguilar (2014) that distinguishes between and provides a framework to measure the ‘practical scope’ and the ‘interior horizon’ of movements. The thesis concludes with a discussion of important themes arising in the interviews: citizenship, NGOs, and political parties, and, of course, space. The backdrop to this concluding discussion is the xenophobic violence which occurred in Grahamstown in October 2015, helping situate the research and themes within the broader context of South African politics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Latrunculid sponges, their microbial communities and secondary metabolites: connecting conserved bacterial symbionts to pyrroloiminoquinone production
- Dorrington, Rosemary A, Hilliar, Storm Hannah, Kalinski, Jarmo-Charles J, Krause, Rui W M, McPhail, Kerry L, Parker-Nance, Shirley, Wlalmsley, Tara A, Waterworth, Samantha C
- Authors: Dorrington, Rosemary A , Hilliar, Storm Hannah , Kalinski, Jarmo-Charles J , Krause, Rui W M , McPhail, Kerry L , Parker-Nance, Shirley , Wlalmsley, Tara A , Waterworth, Samantha C
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65915 , vital:28858 , https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1596655
- Description: publisher version , The Latrunculiidae are cold water sponges known for their production of bioactive pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids (e.g. makaluvamines, discorhabdins and tsitsikammamines). Since pyrroloiminoquinones have also been isolated from sponges belonging to other families, ascidians and microorganisms, the biosynthetic origin of these alkaloids in latrunculid sponges is likely microbial. This study focuses on the secondary metabolites produced by closely-related Tsitsikamma species and Cyclacanthia bellae, all latrunculid sponges endemic to Algoa Bay on the South African southeast coast. The sponges produced suites of related pyrroloiminoquinones, including tsitsikammine A and B, and discohabdin C and V, the combination and relative abundance of which is species-specific. Characterisation of the diversity of sponge-associated bacterial communities revealed the unprecedented conservation of two dominant bacterial species. The first, a Betaproteobacterium, is also found in other latrunculids and related sponge families, representing a novel clade of sponge endosymbionts that have co-evolved with their hosts. The second conserved bacterial symbiont is a spirochaete found only in Cyclacanthia and Tsitsikamma species that is likely to have been recruited from free-living spirochaetes in the environment. This study sheds new light on the interactions between latrunculid sponges, their dominant bacterial symbionts, and the potential involvement of these bacteria in pyrroloiminoquinone biosynthesis.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Dorrington, Rosemary A , Hilliar, Storm Hannah , Kalinski, Jarmo-Charles J , Krause, Rui W M , McPhail, Kerry L , Parker-Nance, Shirley , Wlalmsley, Tara A , Waterworth, Samantha C
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65915 , vital:28858 , https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1596655
- Description: publisher version , The Latrunculiidae are cold water sponges known for their production of bioactive pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids (e.g. makaluvamines, discorhabdins and tsitsikammamines). Since pyrroloiminoquinones have also been isolated from sponges belonging to other families, ascidians and microorganisms, the biosynthetic origin of these alkaloids in latrunculid sponges is likely microbial. This study focuses on the secondary metabolites produced by closely-related Tsitsikamma species and Cyclacanthia bellae, all latrunculid sponges endemic to Algoa Bay on the South African southeast coast. The sponges produced suites of related pyrroloiminoquinones, including tsitsikammine A and B, and discohabdin C and V, the combination and relative abundance of which is species-specific. Characterisation of the diversity of sponge-associated bacterial communities revealed the unprecedented conservation of two dominant bacterial species. The first, a Betaproteobacterium, is also found in other latrunculids and related sponge families, representing a novel clade of sponge endosymbionts that have co-evolved with their hosts. The second conserved bacterial symbiont is a spirochaete found only in Cyclacanthia and Tsitsikamma species that is likely to have been recruited from free-living spirochaetes in the environment. This study sheds new light on the interactions between latrunculid sponges, their dominant bacterial symbionts, and the potential involvement of these bacteria in pyrroloiminoquinone biosynthesis.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
LCT and systemic functional linguistics: Enacting complimentary theories for explanatory power
- Maton, Karl, Martin, James R, Matruglio, Erika S
- Authors: Maton, Karl , Martin, James R , Matruglio, Erika S
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66491 , vital:28955
- Description: publisher version , Interdisciplinarity is the future. Such is the thrust of pronouncements repeatedly heard across the social sciences and humanities. Interdisciplinarity is often equated with intellectually and socially progressive stances and greater responsiveness to business and workplace needs. Yet such axiological and economic benefits are more often assumed or proclaimed than evidenced or demonstrated (Moore 2011). Moreover，what is declared to be 'interdisciplinary' often comprises the appropriation by literary or philosophical discourses of ideas from other fields rather than genuinely interdisciplinary dialogue. Nonetheless，to highlight the vacuity of much written in its name is not to dismiss the potential of interdisciplinarity itself. There are serious ontological and epistemological arguments for bringing disciplines together in substantive research (Bhaskar and Danermark 2006). Simply put，the social world comprises more than the phenomena addressed by any one discipline. Education，for example，involves at least knowledges， knowers， knowing， and the known, implicating insights from, among others，sociology，linguistics，psychology，and philosophy (Maton 2014b: 212-13). This is not to suggest a single study must encompass the disciplinary map in order to recreate reality in its entirety, Rather，it highlights that drawing on more than one disciplinary approach may offer greater explanatory power when exploring a specific problem-situation.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Maton, Karl , Martin, James R , Matruglio, Erika S
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66491 , vital:28955
- Description: publisher version , Interdisciplinarity is the future. Such is the thrust of pronouncements repeatedly heard across the social sciences and humanities. Interdisciplinarity is often equated with intellectually and socially progressive stances and greater responsiveness to business and workplace needs. Yet such axiological and economic benefits are more often assumed or proclaimed than evidenced or demonstrated (Moore 2011). Moreover，what is declared to be 'interdisciplinary' often comprises the appropriation by literary or philosophical discourses of ideas from other fields rather than genuinely interdisciplinary dialogue. Nonetheless，to highlight the vacuity of much written in its name is not to dismiss the potential of interdisciplinarity itself. There are serious ontological and epistemological arguments for bringing disciplines together in substantive research (Bhaskar and Danermark 2006). Simply put，the social world comprises more than the phenomena addressed by any one discipline. Education，for example，involves at least knowledges， knowers， knowing， and the known, implicating insights from, among others，sociology，linguistics，psychology，and philosophy (Maton 2014b: 212-13). This is not to suggest a single study must encompass the disciplinary map in order to recreate reality in its entirety, Rather，it highlights that drawing on more than one disciplinary approach may offer greater explanatory power when exploring a specific problem-situation.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
LCT in mixed-methods research: evolving an instrument for quantitative data
- Maton, Karl, Howard, Sarah Katherine
- Authors: Maton, Karl , Howard, Sarah Katherine
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66479 , vital:28954
- Description: publisher version , A mantra of social science declares a fundamental divide between the quantitative and the qualitative that involves more than methods. According to this depiction, the two methodologies are intrinsically associated with a range of ontological, epistemological, political and moral stances. Each of these constellations of stances is strongly integrated, such that choice of method is held to involve a series of associated choices. Each constellation is also strongly opposed to the other, along axes labelled positivism/constructivism, scientism/humanism, conservative/critical, old/new, among others. These ‘binary constellations’ (Maton 2014b: 148-70) offer a forced choice between two tightly-knit sets of practices that are portrayed as jointly exhaustive and mutually exclusive. So widespread is this methodological binarism that many scholars ‘are left with the impression that they have to pledge allegiance to one research school of thought or the other’ (Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004: 14). A competing mantra disclaims this divide. Distinctions underpinning the picture of binary constellations have been regularly dissolved. Arguments that one deals with numbers, the other with words, one studies behaviour, the other reveals meanings, one is hypothetico-deductive, the other inductive, one enables generalization, the other explores singular depth, among others, have been repeatedly undermined (e.g. Hammersley 1992). Indeed, the death of the divide is frequently declared. Calls for ‘transcending’ (Salomon 1991) or ‘getting over’ (Howe 1992) the quantitative-qualitative debate and arguments for mixed-methods research (Brannen 2005; Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004) are recurrent. These calls highlight how the methodologies offer complementary insights for research and demonstrate that eschewing either methodology on principle is unnecessarily renouncing potential explanatory power. However, the call to mixed-methods research remains more breached than honoured. Methodological monotheism remains dominant – studies of education and society typically adopt either quantitative or qualitative methods. As we shall discuss, the former is typically associated with the influence of psychology and the latter is often claimed as emblematic of sociology. Studies utilizing the sociological frameworks on which Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) builds have echoed this pattern by overwhelmingly adopting qualitative methods. Accordingly, Part I of this volume begins by exploring how LCT concepts can be enacted in qualitative research (Chapter 2). However, LCT is not limited to one methodology and a growing body of mixed-methods research is engaging with both qualitative and quantitative data. In this chapter we illustrate how this research works and the gains it offers. For resolutely qualitative researchers, the prospect of reading anything quantitative, even in mixed-methods research, may be unenticing. However, it would be a mistake to pass over this chapter, for several reasons. First, we offer insights into research practice that might surprise such scholars. As Bourdieu argued, ‘methodological indictments are too often no more than a disguised way of making a virtue out of necessity, of feigning to dismiss, to ignore in an active way, what one is ignorant of in fact’ (Bourdieu and Wacquant 1992: 226). Our aim is to contribute towards removing this reason for one-sidedness. We show, for example, how quantitative methods confound their common portrayal as neat, straightforward and procedural; they are complex and involved and require craft work and judgement. Our focus is, therefore, more practical than metaphysical. We shall not enter seemingly endless debates over whether the ‘quantitative-qualitative divide’ refers to paradigms, epistemologies or methods and whether these are complementary or incommensurable. Rather, we discuss the development of an instrument for enacting LCT concepts in quantitative methods and ground this account in real examples of mixed-methods research. Specifically, we trace the evolution of an instrument for embedding specialization codes within questionnaires through its creation for research into school music and then its development within studies of educational technology. Given that mathematics can be off-putting to the noviciate, we minimize discussion of statistics and explain measures in lay terms. Second, this is much more than a story of quantitative methods. The evolution of the instrument both shaped qualitative methods and was shaped by the data they generated, offering insights into how qualitative research can more fully engage with LCT. Its development also involved intimate dialogue with theory that shed fresh light on LCT itself, making explicit the ‘gaze’ embodied by the framework (Chapter 1, this volume). We shall highlight wider lessons learned about the craft of enacting LCT in research, lessons of direct relevance for studies using any methods. Third, we shall illustrate the explanatory power offered by using quantitative and qualitative methods together, such as providing a robust basis for detailed findings, identifying wider-scale trends typically inaccessible to qualitative methods that provide a context for their data, and facilitating knowledge-building through greater replicability across contexts and over time. For example, the technology studies built directly on the music studies to cumulatively develop the instrument and generated probably the largest data set in code sociology: 97,386 responses (83,937 student and 13,449 staff surveys) on the organizing principles of academic subjects, alongside 20 in-depth qualitative case studies of secondary schools. This offers a foundation of substantial breadth and depth for making claims about knowledge practices across the disciplinary map and a firm basis on which future research into disciplinary differences can build. Moreover, the quantitative instrument itself can be adopted or adapted in new studies, further enabling cumulative knowledge-building. Given these substantive, methodological and theoretical gains, it is perhaps surprising there exists any temptation to skip past discussion of mixed-methods research. This reflects the methodological character of the fields in which LCT emerged. We thus begin by briefly illustrating how the sociological frameworks on which the theory builds have become distanced from quantitative methods.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Maton, Karl , Howard, Sarah Katherine
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66479 , vital:28954
- Description: publisher version , A mantra of social science declares a fundamental divide between the quantitative and the qualitative that involves more than methods. According to this depiction, the two methodologies are intrinsically associated with a range of ontological, epistemological, political and moral stances. Each of these constellations of stances is strongly integrated, such that choice of method is held to involve a series of associated choices. Each constellation is also strongly opposed to the other, along axes labelled positivism/constructivism, scientism/humanism, conservative/critical, old/new, among others. These ‘binary constellations’ (Maton 2014b: 148-70) offer a forced choice between two tightly-knit sets of practices that are portrayed as jointly exhaustive and mutually exclusive. So widespread is this methodological binarism that many scholars ‘are left with the impression that they have to pledge allegiance to one research school of thought or the other’ (Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004: 14). A competing mantra disclaims this divide. Distinctions underpinning the picture of binary constellations have been regularly dissolved. Arguments that one deals with numbers, the other with words, one studies behaviour, the other reveals meanings, one is hypothetico-deductive, the other inductive, one enables generalization, the other explores singular depth, among others, have been repeatedly undermined (e.g. Hammersley 1992). Indeed, the death of the divide is frequently declared. Calls for ‘transcending’ (Salomon 1991) or ‘getting over’ (Howe 1992) the quantitative-qualitative debate and arguments for mixed-methods research (Brannen 2005; Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004) are recurrent. These calls highlight how the methodologies offer complementary insights for research and demonstrate that eschewing either methodology on principle is unnecessarily renouncing potential explanatory power. However, the call to mixed-methods research remains more breached than honoured. Methodological monotheism remains dominant – studies of education and society typically adopt either quantitative or qualitative methods. As we shall discuss, the former is typically associated with the influence of psychology and the latter is often claimed as emblematic of sociology. Studies utilizing the sociological frameworks on which Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) builds have echoed this pattern by overwhelmingly adopting qualitative methods. Accordingly, Part I of this volume begins by exploring how LCT concepts can be enacted in qualitative research (Chapter 2). However, LCT is not limited to one methodology and a growing body of mixed-methods research is engaging with both qualitative and quantitative data. In this chapter we illustrate how this research works and the gains it offers. For resolutely qualitative researchers, the prospect of reading anything quantitative, even in mixed-methods research, may be unenticing. However, it would be a mistake to pass over this chapter, for several reasons. First, we offer insights into research practice that might surprise such scholars. As Bourdieu argued, ‘methodological indictments are too often no more than a disguised way of making a virtue out of necessity, of feigning to dismiss, to ignore in an active way, what one is ignorant of in fact’ (Bourdieu and Wacquant 1992: 226). Our aim is to contribute towards removing this reason for one-sidedness. We show, for example, how quantitative methods confound their common portrayal as neat, straightforward and procedural; they are complex and involved and require craft work and judgement. Our focus is, therefore, more practical than metaphysical. We shall not enter seemingly endless debates over whether the ‘quantitative-qualitative divide’ refers to paradigms, epistemologies or methods and whether these are complementary or incommensurable. Rather, we discuss the development of an instrument for enacting LCT concepts in quantitative methods and ground this account in real examples of mixed-methods research. Specifically, we trace the evolution of an instrument for embedding specialization codes within questionnaires through its creation for research into school music and then its development within studies of educational technology. Given that mathematics can be off-putting to the noviciate, we minimize discussion of statistics and explain measures in lay terms. Second, this is much more than a story of quantitative methods. The evolution of the instrument both shaped qualitative methods and was shaped by the data they generated, offering insights into how qualitative research can more fully engage with LCT. Its development also involved intimate dialogue with theory that shed fresh light on LCT itself, making explicit the ‘gaze’ embodied by the framework (Chapter 1, this volume). We shall highlight wider lessons learned about the craft of enacting LCT in research, lessons of direct relevance for studies using any methods. Third, we shall illustrate the explanatory power offered by using quantitative and qualitative methods together, such as providing a robust basis for detailed findings, identifying wider-scale trends typically inaccessible to qualitative methods that provide a context for their data, and facilitating knowledge-building through greater replicability across contexts and over time. For example, the technology studies built directly on the music studies to cumulatively develop the instrument and generated probably the largest data set in code sociology: 97,386 responses (83,937 student and 13,449 staff surveys) on the organizing principles of academic subjects, alongside 20 in-depth qualitative case studies of secondary schools. This offers a foundation of substantial breadth and depth for making claims about knowledge practices across the disciplinary map and a firm basis on which future research into disciplinary differences can build. Moreover, the quantitative instrument itself can be adopted or adapted in new studies, further enabling cumulative knowledge-building. Given these substantive, methodological and theoretical gains, it is perhaps surprising there exists any temptation to skip past discussion of mixed-methods research. This reflects the methodological character of the fields in which LCT emerged. We thus begin by briefly illustrating how the sociological frameworks on which the theory builds have become distanced from quantitative methods.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016