Exploring a dialogic approach to writing for English second language learners
- Authors: Domingo, Jamiellah
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Dialogism (Literary analysis) , Creative writing -- Study and teaching Thought and thinking -- Study and teaching Language and languages -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39534 , vital:35288
- Description: In South Africa, most of our children learn in a language other than their home language. Language and Literacy is thus a major concern for many of them who are trying to make meaning of literature. This study was part of a continuing community dialogic engagement project, between the university and a rural high school in Paterson, a rural settlement in the Eastern Cape. The selected school – ‘Sandhill High’ has English as the Language of Teaching and Learning (LOLT) but has predominantly isiXhosa- and a smaller number of Afrikaans home language learners. The aim of this research was to explore how English second language learners, in a rural high school engage with and experience a dialogic approach to writing as a social practice. This was firstly done by, investigating in which ways dialogic writing might encourage participation in literacy as a social practice. Secondly, exploring in which ways the choices of language might engage learners in responding to text. A qualitative, participatory case study was used to interpret the phenomena. To adequately address the research questions, this study was underpinned by Bakhtin’s theory on Dialogism, viewed through the lens of a third space. As this study was about writing, theories of literacies and second language writing were also reviewed. Dialogic journals offer reflective spaces for learners to record their thinking and because reading and writing complement each other, both need ongoing practice. The data was gathered using the dialogic journals and focus group discussions. Data was analysed in a process of thematic narrative analysis. Participation was voluntary and 16, grade 10 learners of the school participated in the study. The significance of this study was that it enabled learners to engage with texts using their choice of language to participate in dialogic journal writing as a social practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Domingo, Jamiellah
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Dialogism (Literary analysis) , Creative writing -- Study and teaching Thought and thinking -- Study and teaching Language and languages -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39534 , vital:35288
- Description: In South Africa, most of our children learn in a language other than their home language. Language and Literacy is thus a major concern for many of them who are trying to make meaning of literature. This study was part of a continuing community dialogic engagement project, between the university and a rural high school in Paterson, a rural settlement in the Eastern Cape. The selected school – ‘Sandhill High’ has English as the Language of Teaching and Learning (LOLT) but has predominantly isiXhosa- and a smaller number of Afrikaans home language learners. The aim of this research was to explore how English second language learners, in a rural high school engage with and experience a dialogic approach to writing as a social practice. This was firstly done by, investigating in which ways dialogic writing might encourage participation in literacy as a social practice. Secondly, exploring in which ways the choices of language might engage learners in responding to text. A qualitative, participatory case study was used to interpret the phenomena. To adequately address the research questions, this study was underpinned by Bakhtin’s theory on Dialogism, viewed through the lens of a third space. As this study was about writing, theories of literacies and second language writing were also reviewed. Dialogic journals offer reflective spaces for learners to record their thinking and because reading and writing complement each other, both need ongoing practice. The data was gathered using the dialogic journals and focus group discussions. Data was analysed in a process of thematic narrative analysis. Participation was voluntary and 16, grade 10 learners of the school participated in the study. The significance of this study was that it enabled learners to engage with texts using their choice of language to participate in dialogic journal writing as a social practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The impact of the ISO 9001:2015 on organisational change in South African organisations
- Authors: Pearson, Dean Warren
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational change -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa Organizational behavior -- South Africa Leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34476 , vital:33384
- Description: In order for organisations to grow and maintain their competitive advantage, change has become the norm. Quality management systems are increasingly being deployed as a means to maintain this advantage, and enhance the quality of product and service offerings. The implementation of the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 requires organisations to have a more holistic overview and understanding of leadership requirements, planning as well as the organisational context they operate in. A positivistic research paradigm, with a quantitative, explorative and deductive approach was used to conduct the study. The study explored the requirements of change in organisations implementing the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. It aimed at exploring the relationship between selected demographic variables, and the variables of the study. Lastly, the relationship between organisational context, planning and leadership (independent variables) and organisational change (dependent variable) were explored. The sample comprised of 81 organisations that were based in the Eastern Cape having their quality management systems based on the ISO9001 structure. A structured questionnaire with a Cronbach‘s alpha of more than 0.8 was used to collect data and distributed to lower, middle and upper level managers within these selected organisations. The empirical results indicated that the variables under study were prevalent in the organisations currently ISO9001 certified and in the process of implementing the latest version of the standard. However, the sizes of the studied organisations were found to present the most noteworthy differences, highlighting the current and future requirements for successful organisational change. Recommendations related to the findings were made for managers, as well as for research, and industry. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pearson, Dean Warren
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational change -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa Organizational behavior -- South Africa Leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34476 , vital:33384
- Description: In order for organisations to grow and maintain their competitive advantage, change has become the norm. Quality management systems are increasingly being deployed as a means to maintain this advantage, and enhance the quality of product and service offerings. The implementation of the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 requires organisations to have a more holistic overview and understanding of leadership requirements, planning as well as the organisational context they operate in. A positivistic research paradigm, with a quantitative, explorative and deductive approach was used to conduct the study. The study explored the requirements of change in organisations implementing the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. It aimed at exploring the relationship between selected demographic variables, and the variables of the study. Lastly, the relationship between organisational context, planning and leadership (independent variables) and organisational change (dependent variable) were explored. The sample comprised of 81 organisations that were based in the Eastern Cape having their quality management systems based on the ISO9001 structure. A structured questionnaire with a Cronbach‘s alpha of more than 0.8 was used to collect data and distributed to lower, middle and upper level managers within these selected organisations. The empirical results indicated that the variables under study were prevalent in the organisations currently ISO9001 certified and in the process of implementing the latest version of the standard. However, the sizes of the studied organisations were found to present the most noteworthy differences, highlighting the current and future requirements for successful organisational change. Recommendations related to the findings were made for managers, as well as for research, and industry. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Coping strategies among female Zimbabwean refugees at the central Methodist church in Johannesburg : a conflict management perspective
- Authors: Bjorknes, Guro Lauvland
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Central Methodist Church Refugee Community , Church work with refugees , Conflict management , Interpersonal relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1424 , Central Methodist Church Refugee Community , Church work with refugees , Conflict management , Interpersonal relations
- Description: This treatise represents an investigation into the coping strategies of female Zimbabwean refugees at the Central Methodist Church (CMC) in Johannesburg. The CMC in Johannesburg includes a non-profit organisation called Ray of Hope that has functioned as a provider of accommodation and emergency refuge at the church since 1997. A vast number of Zimbabweans are moving to adjacent countries as a consequence of the conflict in Zimbabwe and approximately 85 percent of the people that have sought refuge in the CMC in Johannesburg are Zimbabweans that have fled the economic and political conflict in Zimbabwe. Using an interviewing strategy of a sample of 20 female Zimbabwean refugees, conducted at the CMC, the researcher gathered data, indicating that they face various conflicts on a daily basis inside as well as outside the refugee community in the CMC in Johannesburg. An extensive literature review and researcher‟s own observations during hours spent in the refugee community have also contributed to the collection of data. The findings suggest that coping mechanisms have been adopted by the female refugees to deal with the conflicts. Analysis of data was guided by grounded theory approach which allowed key findings about coping mechanisms to surface which encouraged recommendations presented in the conclusion of the treatise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Bjorknes, Guro Lauvland
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Central Methodist Church Refugee Community , Church work with refugees , Conflict management , Interpersonal relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1424 , Central Methodist Church Refugee Community , Church work with refugees , Conflict management , Interpersonal relations
- Description: This treatise represents an investigation into the coping strategies of female Zimbabwean refugees at the Central Methodist Church (CMC) in Johannesburg. The CMC in Johannesburg includes a non-profit organisation called Ray of Hope that has functioned as a provider of accommodation and emergency refuge at the church since 1997. A vast number of Zimbabweans are moving to adjacent countries as a consequence of the conflict in Zimbabwe and approximately 85 percent of the people that have sought refuge in the CMC in Johannesburg are Zimbabweans that have fled the economic and political conflict in Zimbabwe. Using an interviewing strategy of a sample of 20 female Zimbabwean refugees, conducted at the CMC, the researcher gathered data, indicating that they face various conflicts on a daily basis inside as well as outside the refugee community in the CMC in Johannesburg. An extensive literature review and researcher‟s own observations during hours spent in the refugee community have also contributed to the collection of data. The findings suggest that coping mechanisms have been adopted by the female refugees to deal with the conflicts. Analysis of data was guided by grounded theory approach which allowed key findings about coping mechanisms to surface which encouraged recommendations presented in the conclusion of the treatise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The attitudes and perceptions of students at a South African university towards binge drinking
- Authors: Mokgethi, Lerato
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: College students -- Alcohol use -- South Africa , Alcoholism -- Treatment -- South Africa , Drug abuse -- Treatment -- South Africa , Binge drinking
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9858 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1560 , College students -- Alcohol use -- South Africa , Alcoholism -- Treatment -- South Africa , Drug abuse -- Treatment -- South Africa , Binge drinking
- Description: The focus of this treatise is to explore the attitudes and perceptions of university students towards binge drinking at a South African University. Binge drinking among university students is a serious concern, prevalent on many campuses and ingrained on university campuses worldwide. The aims of this study were (a) to describe students’ understanding of binge drinking, (b) to explore and describe university students’ attitudes towards and perceptions of binge drinking, and (c) to explore the contextual factors relating to binge drinking within a university setting. An exploratory, qualitative approach was utilized. The collection of data was initiated using a biographical questionnaire to identify participants relevant to the study. The data collection process continued with semi‐structured focus group interviews. Data was collected by conducting four focus group sessions with two separate groups of students between the ages of 18 and 25 and residing on a university campus. Data analysis was conducted in accordance with the principles and guidelines of Tesch’s (as cited in Creswell, 1994) eight steps in qualitative data analysis. The results of this study indicate the following: there is lack of knowledge and understanding of binge drinking, students have positive perceptions of binge drinking and there is a perception that the university environment promotes binge drinking. In order to address binge drinking, strategies need to be implemented in the student, family, university and community context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mokgethi, Lerato
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: College students -- Alcohol use -- South Africa , Alcoholism -- Treatment -- South Africa , Drug abuse -- Treatment -- South Africa , Binge drinking
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9858 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1560 , College students -- Alcohol use -- South Africa , Alcoholism -- Treatment -- South Africa , Drug abuse -- Treatment -- South Africa , Binge drinking
- Description: The focus of this treatise is to explore the attitudes and perceptions of university students towards binge drinking at a South African University. Binge drinking among university students is a serious concern, prevalent on many campuses and ingrained on university campuses worldwide. The aims of this study were (a) to describe students’ understanding of binge drinking, (b) to explore and describe university students’ attitudes towards and perceptions of binge drinking, and (c) to explore the contextual factors relating to binge drinking within a university setting. An exploratory, qualitative approach was utilized. The collection of data was initiated using a biographical questionnaire to identify participants relevant to the study. The data collection process continued with semi‐structured focus group interviews. Data was collected by conducting four focus group sessions with two separate groups of students between the ages of 18 and 25 and residing on a university campus. Data analysis was conducted in accordance with the principles and guidelines of Tesch’s (as cited in Creswell, 1994) eight steps in qualitative data analysis. The results of this study indicate the following: there is lack of knowledge and understanding of binge drinking, students have positive perceptions of binge drinking and there is a perception that the university environment promotes binge drinking. In order to address binge drinking, strategies need to be implemented in the student, family, university and community context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Strategies for Chinese companies to enter the Port Elizabeth sports-shoe market
- Guo, Zhi
- Authors: Guo, Zhi
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Shoe industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Business enterprises, Foreign -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9005 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/516 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011691 , Shoe industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Business enterprises, Foreign -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This research addressed the study of entry strategies by Chinese sports-shoe manufacturers into the South African sports-shoe market. The goal of this research is to investigate what are the appropriate entry strategies for Chinese sports-shoe companies to enter the South African sports-shoe market. A Chinese sports-shoe company, Li Ning Limited, was used as a case study to illustrate the methods to explore appropriate entry strategies. The research methodology included: {u10007A} A literature study to explore the popular entry strategies used to enter the South African and also global markets was conducted. In addition, the South African and Chinese market environments were investigated. {u10007A} An empirical study, a survey of sports-shoe customers and sports-shoe shops owners, was done in order to explore the advisable entry strategies for Chinese sports-shoe companies to enter the South African sports-shoe market. According to the literature study as well as the empirical study, the research explored some advisable entry strategies for Chinese sports-shoe companies into the South African domain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Guo, Zhi
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Shoe industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Business enterprises, Foreign -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9005 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/516 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011691 , Shoe industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Business enterprises, Foreign -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This research addressed the study of entry strategies by Chinese sports-shoe manufacturers into the South African sports-shoe market. The goal of this research is to investigate what are the appropriate entry strategies for Chinese sports-shoe companies to enter the South African sports-shoe market. A Chinese sports-shoe company, Li Ning Limited, was used as a case study to illustrate the methods to explore appropriate entry strategies. The research methodology included: {u10007A} A literature study to explore the popular entry strategies used to enter the South African and also global markets was conducted. In addition, the South African and Chinese market environments were investigated. {u10007A} An empirical study, a survey of sports-shoe customers and sports-shoe shops owners, was done in order to explore the advisable entry strategies for Chinese sports-shoe companies to enter the South African sports-shoe market. According to the literature study as well as the empirical study, the research explored some advisable entry strategies for Chinese sports-shoe companies into the South African domain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
An investigation of specific contributing factors affecting quality assurance in the diagnosis of conventional cervical smears
- Authors: Jordaan, Suzette Mirietta
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- Cytodiagnosis -- Quality control , Vaginal smears -- Quality control , Pap test -- Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/173 , Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- Cytodiagnosis -- Quality control , Vaginal smears -- Quality control , Pap test -- Quality control
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate specific contributing factors affecting quality assurance in the diagnosis of conventional cervical smears. More than half of South- African women fail to have one cervical smear in their lifetime and +/- 50 percent of those who do have cervical smears taken, are lost to follow-up. Since cervical cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women in developing countries, the medical profession will have to endeavor to screen a higher rate of women and ensure a 100 percent quality assurance with every patient treated in order to reduce the unacceptable high incidence of cervical carcinoma. At this stage it seems like an impossible task to screen all women in South Africa, due to far-off rural areas, shortage of medical professionals and the lack of knowledge of some women of the necessity of cervical smears. Many newly qualified South-African doctors leave the country to go and work elsewhere. South Africa then in turn has to recruit doctors from other countries to staff the State hospitals and clinics. Some areas have one doctor to thousands of patients, insufficient nursing personnel and inadequate equipment. Doctors in some areas cannot cope with the volume of work and the long hours. One has to accept that the quality of the management of some patients is affected negatively. There are a number of medico-legal issues (world wide) in relation to aspects of cervical cancer prevention practices which are controversial and are of particular concern to all of those involved in cervical cancer prevention. Various countries have therefore formed different national organizations to address the medico-legal issues in screening for the prevention of cancer. These organizations monitors procedures, internal quality control as well as external quality control. In South Africa, medico-legal cases are not so prevalent, but may become so shortly. The South-African medical professionals therefore have to ensure that their quality of work conforms to accepted good practice in all circumstances. State hospitals serve thousands of patients per month and it is an every day occurrence to see long queues of patients sitting waiting for doctors and who often have to come back the following day. The situation appears to be much improved in private practice and since patients have medical cover and accessible medical facilities. Since cervical cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women in developing countries, the medical profession will have to endeavor to screen a higher rate of women and ensure a 100 percent quality assurance with every patient treated in order to reduce the unacceptable high incidence of cervical carcinoma. At this stage it seems like an impossible task to screen 100 percent of women in South Africa, due to far-off rural areas, the shortage of medical professionals and ignorance of patients. Quality assurance is therefore of paramount importance to every medical professional for every patient treated. Laboratories all worldwide have been, or are in the process of being accredited by their specific accreditation authorities. The main reason for this is improvement of quality control and therefore quality assurance. The South African National Accreditation Society (SANAS) now accredits various laboratories in South Africa with the view of accreditting all laboratories within a certain time limit. The Ampath laboratory Port Elizabeth was successfully accredited during 2001. Accredited laboratories have to uphold a very high degree of quality to remain accredited. A team of professionals inspects the laboratory every 2 years and other quality assurance staff inspects the laboratories every few months. All aspects of the laboratory are checked, e.g. the qualification of staff, their registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), their curriculum vitaes, equipment, safety of the laboratory etc. Since the laboratory chosen for this study, is accredited, the author evaluated every cervical smear that was received in the laboratory since the year 2000, with the following objectives in mind: · Whether the presence or absence of an endocervical component has an effect on the adequacy of cervical smears · To determine the effect of using smaller coverslips on quality assurance in the cytology laboratory · Evaluate the effect that manual re-screening of smears has on quality assurance in the cytology laboratory. As there is a shortage of cytotechnologists and pathologists worldwide, several countries make use of automated screening devices as primary screening or secondary screening for quality assurance. These devices were tested in some laboratories in South Africa but were found to be very expensive and sensitivity and specificity were not up to standard. Sensitivity is a measure of the ability of a test to detect the abnormal - Sensitivity is the ratio of true positives to true positives + false negatives. Specificity is a measure of the ability of a test to correctly identify the negative - Specificity is the ratio of true negative to true negatives + false positives. The automated screening machines failed to identify abnormal cells amongst inflammatory cells, as well as in very blood stained smears. Several other problems also occurred and an increasing number of smears had to be manually rescreened, thus making this exercise costly and not helpful as a quality assurance instrument. The slides used for this thesis, have been retrieved from the archives of the Ampath laboratory in Port Elizabeth. Fourteen specific contributing factors affecting quality assurance in the diagnosis of cervical smears are also discussed and conclusions and recommendations given.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Jordaan, Suzette Mirietta
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- Cytodiagnosis -- Quality control , Vaginal smears -- Quality control , Pap test -- Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/173 , Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- Cytodiagnosis -- Quality control , Vaginal smears -- Quality control , Pap test -- Quality control
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate specific contributing factors affecting quality assurance in the diagnosis of conventional cervical smears. More than half of South- African women fail to have one cervical smear in their lifetime and +/- 50 percent of those who do have cervical smears taken, are lost to follow-up. Since cervical cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women in developing countries, the medical profession will have to endeavor to screen a higher rate of women and ensure a 100 percent quality assurance with every patient treated in order to reduce the unacceptable high incidence of cervical carcinoma. At this stage it seems like an impossible task to screen all women in South Africa, due to far-off rural areas, shortage of medical professionals and the lack of knowledge of some women of the necessity of cervical smears. Many newly qualified South-African doctors leave the country to go and work elsewhere. South Africa then in turn has to recruit doctors from other countries to staff the State hospitals and clinics. Some areas have one doctor to thousands of patients, insufficient nursing personnel and inadequate equipment. Doctors in some areas cannot cope with the volume of work and the long hours. One has to accept that the quality of the management of some patients is affected negatively. There are a number of medico-legal issues (world wide) in relation to aspects of cervical cancer prevention practices which are controversial and are of particular concern to all of those involved in cervical cancer prevention. Various countries have therefore formed different national organizations to address the medico-legal issues in screening for the prevention of cancer. These organizations monitors procedures, internal quality control as well as external quality control. In South Africa, medico-legal cases are not so prevalent, but may become so shortly. The South-African medical professionals therefore have to ensure that their quality of work conforms to accepted good practice in all circumstances. State hospitals serve thousands of patients per month and it is an every day occurrence to see long queues of patients sitting waiting for doctors and who often have to come back the following day. The situation appears to be much improved in private practice and since patients have medical cover and accessible medical facilities. Since cervical cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women in developing countries, the medical profession will have to endeavor to screen a higher rate of women and ensure a 100 percent quality assurance with every patient treated in order to reduce the unacceptable high incidence of cervical carcinoma. At this stage it seems like an impossible task to screen 100 percent of women in South Africa, due to far-off rural areas, the shortage of medical professionals and ignorance of patients. Quality assurance is therefore of paramount importance to every medical professional for every patient treated. Laboratories all worldwide have been, or are in the process of being accredited by their specific accreditation authorities. The main reason for this is improvement of quality control and therefore quality assurance. The South African National Accreditation Society (SANAS) now accredits various laboratories in South Africa with the view of accreditting all laboratories within a certain time limit. The Ampath laboratory Port Elizabeth was successfully accredited during 2001. Accredited laboratories have to uphold a very high degree of quality to remain accredited. A team of professionals inspects the laboratory every 2 years and other quality assurance staff inspects the laboratories every few months. All aspects of the laboratory are checked, e.g. the qualification of staff, their registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), their curriculum vitaes, equipment, safety of the laboratory etc. Since the laboratory chosen for this study, is accredited, the author evaluated every cervical smear that was received in the laboratory since the year 2000, with the following objectives in mind: · Whether the presence or absence of an endocervical component has an effect on the adequacy of cervical smears · To determine the effect of using smaller coverslips on quality assurance in the cytology laboratory · Evaluate the effect that manual re-screening of smears has on quality assurance in the cytology laboratory. As there is a shortage of cytotechnologists and pathologists worldwide, several countries make use of automated screening devices as primary screening or secondary screening for quality assurance. These devices were tested in some laboratories in South Africa but were found to be very expensive and sensitivity and specificity were not up to standard. Sensitivity is a measure of the ability of a test to detect the abnormal - Sensitivity is the ratio of true positives to true positives + false negatives. Specificity is a measure of the ability of a test to correctly identify the negative - Specificity is the ratio of true negative to true negatives + false positives. The automated screening machines failed to identify abnormal cells amongst inflammatory cells, as well as in very blood stained smears. Several other problems also occurred and an increasing number of smears had to be manually rescreened, thus making this exercise costly and not helpful as a quality assurance instrument. The slides used for this thesis, have been retrieved from the archives of the Ampath laboratory in Port Elizabeth. Fourteen specific contributing factors affecting quality assurance in the diagnosis of cervical smears are also discussed and conclusions and recommendations given.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
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