The use of psychometric test systems as a pre-selection tool for identifying successful harvesting machine operators
- Authors: Schwegman, Kylle
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55246 , vital:51102
- Description: A shift towards fully mechanized forest activities, such as harvesting and, more recently, silviculture, has occurred from the early 2 000’s. The reason for mechanizing these activities differs for each country, although for most countries there is concern relating to the health and safety of forest workers. With mechanization in harvesting, the forest worker has moved away from the physical intensity of having to fell, debranch, debark and cross-cut trees into logs using either an axe or chainsaw, to operating a machine. Studies revolving around the human element (operator) have been conducted specifically relating to the ergonomics of the machines and how operators may influence machine productivity. Results showed that due to the repetitive nature of the work, the operators are exposed to associated stresses for longer periods. Typical injuries associated to these kinds of stressors are whole body vibrations (WBVs), repetitive hand and arm movements, non-neutral body postures and manual lifting, which lead to musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower back, neck and shoulders. However, as machine technology improves so does the ergonomic conditions which are experienced by machine operators. Machine productivity can be influenced by various factors, with the most influential being tree volume. However, a recent study showed that over 40% of variation in machine productivity has been observed amongst different machine operators operating similar machines. The specific reason for these differences has yet to be determined. However, decision making, motivation, planning capacity, concentration, memory, motor coordination, pattern recognition, logic reasoning, and spatial perception are abilities that have been described as important for successful harvesting work. The pre-selection of operators using psychometric and cognitive tests is not new to forestry, although very little information is available relating to the aptitude test known as the Vienna test system as well as the best possible demographic associated with successful harvesting operators. The overall aim of this study was to determine whether the high variation found amongst harvesting machine operators could be reduced initially through a preselection process which involves the use of aptitude tests (Vienna Test System) and demographic questionnaires. A study was implemented in Zululand, South Africa, testing whether there were significant productivity differences between nine machine operators. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Schwegman, Kylle
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55246 , vital:51102
- Description: A shift towards fully mechanized forest activities, such as harvesting and, more recently, silviculture, has occurred from the early 2 000’s. The reason for mechanizing these activities differs for each country, although for most countries there is concern relating to the health and safety of forest workers. With mechanization in harvesting, the forest worker has moved away from the physical intensity of having to fell, debranch, debark and cross-cut trees into logs using either an axe or chainsaw, to operating a machine. Studies revolving around the human element (operator) have been conducted specifically relating to the ergonomics of the machines and how operators may influence machine productivity. Results showed that due to the repetitive nature of the work, the operators are exposed to associated stresses for longer periods. Typical injuries associated to these kinds of stressors are whole body vibrations (WBVs), repetitive hand and arm movements, non-neutral body postures and manual lifting, which lead to musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower back, neck and shoulders. However, as machine technology improves so does the ergonomic conditions which are experienced by machine operators. Machine productivity can be influenced by various factors, with the most influential being tree volume. However, a recent study showed that over 40% of variation in machine productivity has been observed amongst different machine operators operating similar machines. The specific reason for these differences has yet to be determined. However, decision making, motivation, planning capacity, concentration, memory, motor coordination, pattern recognition, logic reasoning, and spatial perception are abilities that have been described as important for successful harvesting work. The pre-selection of operators using psychometric and cognitive tests is not new to forestry, although very little information is available relating to the aptitude test known as the Vienna test system as well as the best possible demographic associated with successful harvesting operators. The overall aim of this study was to determine whether the high variation found amongst harvesting machine operators could be reduced initially through a preselection process which involves the use of aptitude tests (Vienna Test System) and demographic questionnaires. A study was implemented in Zululand, South Africa, testing whether there were significant productivity differences between nine machine operators. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
An anthropological investigation on academic performance of grade 12 learners: selected schools in King William’s Town, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Stuart, Sinaed
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54816 , vital:47910
- Description: The Eastern Cape is one of the poorest provinces in South Africa. The level of poverty, and lack of basic resources has given way to inadequacies in many of the services available to communities. From improper infrastructure, to a flawed or lacking public education system. Past and future research into the inadequacies and inequity that exists in the public education system need to act as a catalyst to policy changes, and intervention implementations to solve the issues that continue to persist. This study focuses on the factors that influence the academic performance of learners in matric in King Williams Town. The importance of this research is to investigate the issues that negatively impact on the performance of Grade 12 learners at Breidbach High School. Further, the importance of this study is to share the findings of the research with community members as well as the Department of Basic Education with the view and hope that they will address these issues. The research question is: What are the factors influencing academic performance of Grade 12 learners at Breidbach High School in Breidbach outside King Williams Town? The research objectives are as follows: to investigate and highlight factors associated with poor academic performance in the participating high school at Breidbach in King Williams Town, to contribute within the anthropology of education, adding to an already existing body of knowledge, with specific reference to the participating high school in King William’s Town and to come up with the recommendations with the view of addressing some of the challenges faced by the participating high school in King Williams Town. The study followed a qualitative approach which included various techniques and ethical compliance was adhered to. For the proposed study, the researcher will use ‘academic performance’ as a guideline for the conceptual framework. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Stuart, Sinaed
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54816 , vital:47910
- Description: The Eastern Cape is one of the poorest provinces in South Africa. The level of poverty, and lack of basic resources has given way to inadequacies in many of the services available to communities. From improper infrastructure, to a flawed or lacking public education system. Past and future research into the inadequacies and inequity that exists in the public education system need to act as a catalyst to policy changes, and intervention implementations to solve the issues that continue to persist. This study focuses on the factors that influence the academic performance of learners in matric in King Williams Town. The importance of this research is to investigate the issues that negatively impact on the performance of Grade 12 learners at Breidbach High School. Further, the importance of this study is to share the findings of the research with community members as well as the Department of Basic Education with the view and hope that they will address these issues. The research question is: What are the factors influencing academic performance of Grade 12 learners at Breidbach High School in Breidbach outside King Williams Town? The research objectives are as follows: to investigate and highlight factors associated with poor academic performance in the participating high school at Breidbach in King Williams Town, to contribute within the anthropology of education, adding to an already existing body of knowledge, with specific reference to the participating high school in King William’s Town and to come up with the recommendations with the view of addressing some of the challenges faced by the participating high school in King Williams Town. The study followed a qualitative approach which included various techniques and ethical compliance was adhered to. For the proposed study, the researcher will use ‘academic performance’ as a guideline for the conceptual framework. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
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