A comparison of WISC-IV test performance for Afrikaans, English and Xhosa speaking South African grade 7 learners
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Adele
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Intelligence tests -- South Africa Psychological tests -- Cross-cultural studies Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa Educational psychology -- South Africa Language and languages -- Ability testing Educational evaluation -- South Africa Education, Elementary -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3076 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002585
- Description: his study builds on South African cross-cultural research which demonstrated the importance of careful stratification of multicultural/multilingual normative samples for quality of education in respect of English and African language (predominantly Xhosa) speaking adults and children tested with the WAIS-III and WISC-IV, respectively. The aim of the present study was to produce an expanded set of preliminary comparative norms on the WISC-IV for white and coloured Afrikaans, white English and black Xhosa speaking Grade 7 children, aged 12 to 13 years, stratified for advantaged versus disadvantaged education. The results of this study replicate the findings of the prior South African cross-cultural studies in respect of quality of education, as groups with advantaged private/former Model C schooling outperformed those with disadvantaged former DET or HOR township schooling. Furthermore, a downward continuum of WISC-IV IQ test performance emerged as follows: 1) white English advantaged (high average), 2) white Afrikaans advantaged and black Xhosa advantaged (average), 3) coloured Afrikaans advantaged (below average), 4) black Xhosa disadvantaged (borderline), and 5) coloured Afrikaans disadvantaged (extremely low). The present study has demonstrated that while language and ethnic variables reveal subtle effects on IQ test performance, quality of education has the most significant effect – impacting significantly on verbal performance with this effect replicated in respect of the FSIQ. Therefore caution should be exercised in interpreting test results of individuals from different language/ethnic groups, and in particular those with disadvantaged schooling, as preliminary data suggest that these individuals achieve scores which are 20 – 35 points lower than the UK standardisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Adele
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Intelligence tests -- South Africa Psychological tests -- Cross-cultural studies Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa Educational psychology -- South Africa Language and languages -- Ability testing Educational evaluation -- South Africa Education, Elementary -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3076 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002585
- Description: his study builds on South African cross-cultural research which demonstrated the importance of careful stratification of multicultural/multilingual normative samples for quality of education in respect of English and African language (predominantly Xhosa) speaking adults and children tested with the WAIS-III and WISC-IV, respectively. The aim of the present study was to produce an expanded set of preliminary comparative norms on the WISC-IV for white and coloured Afrikaans, white English and black Xhosa speaking Grade 7 children, aged 12 to 13 years, stratified for advantaged versus disadvantaged education. The results of this study replicate the findings of the prior South African cross-cultural studies in respect of quality of education, as groups with advantaged private/former Model C schooling outperformed those with disadvantaged former DET or HOR township schooling. Furthermore, a downward continuum of WISC-IV IQ test performance emerged as follows: 1) white English advantaged (high average), 2) white Afrikaans advantaged and black Xhosa advantaged (average), 3) coloured Afrikaans advantaged (below average), 4) black Xhosa disadvantaged (borderline), and 5) coloured Afrikaans disadvantaged (extremely low). The present study has demonstrated that while language and ethnic variables reveal subtle effects on IQ test performance, quality of education has the most significant effect – impacting significantly on verbal performance with this effect replicated in respect of the FSIQ. Therefore caution should be exercised in interpreting test results of individuals from different language/ethnic groups, and in particular those with disadvantaged schooling, as preliminary data suggest that these individuals achieve scores which are 20 – 35 points lower than the UK standardisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Retention of medical doctors in the public health sector: a case study of the Port Elizabeth Hospital complex
- Authors: Guvava, Dorothy Dorica
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Employee retention -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Physicians -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/976 , Employee retention -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Physicians -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The Port Elizabeth (PE) hospital complex is one of the public hospital groups in South Africa facing a critical shortage of medical practitioners, with reference to doctors in particular. In the quest of finding how to retain doctors in the hospital complex, the aims of this research were to survey doctors’ career intentions; to investigate factors that could be contributing to these career intentions so as to uncover some of the reasons why doctors are leaving the public sector; and to identify effective ways in which the government and hospitals might improve retention by pointing out areas that need improvement. The factors that influence doctors’ career intention included income, work conditions, risk of contracting infection, risk of injury at work, hours of work, work load, work related stress, paid leave days, resources, personal growth and development opportunities, ongoing training opportunities, advancement and promotion opportunities, relation with co-workers, relations with supervisor/superiors, and sense of meaning. Findings revealed that even though the tendency to leave’ group (43%) was smaller than the ‘tendency to stay’ (57%), the majority (85%) of those who intended to leave were younger doctors. Despite some significant differences in responses between the two groups, results revealed that both groups were dissatisfied with almost all conditions of work apart from relationships with supervisors and co-workers. To a large extent, both groups revealed that work conditions are better in the private hospitals than in their current hospitals. viii The fact that some doctors could stay in the public hospital sector despite intense dissatisfaction with conditions of work, and despite the perception that that there are better options in the private hospitals could be attributed to the fact that most of these doctors are older and are at their retirement stage . Adding to this is that most of these doctors, who indicated willingness to say, scored high in sense of meaning as a factor influencing their career intention. This research was based on the assumption that there was no retention strategy put in place to solve the problems facing PE hospital complex. However, during this research a strategy was being developed and implemented by the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Therefore, evaluation and recommendations of the strategy are provided in the conclusions of the study. These recommendations relate not only to the implementation of the strategy, but improving it to accommodate all problems currently facing the doctors and finding ways and means of making the strategy sustainable; creating private-public partnerships; focusing on creating a sense of meaning amongst the doctors (especially the younger ones) and focusing on retaining the risk group which was the younger doctors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Guvava, Dorothy Dorica
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Employee retention -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Physicians -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/976 , Employee retention -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Physicians -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The Port Elizabeth (PE) hospital complex is one of the public hospital groups in South Africa facing a critical shortage of medical practitioners, with reference to doctors in particular. In the quest of finding how to retain doctors in the hospital complex, the aims of this research were to survey doctors’ career intentions; to investigate factors that could be contributing to these career intentions so as to uncover some of the reasons why doctors are leaving the public sector; and to identify effective ways in which the government and hospitals might improve retention by pointing out areas that need improvement. The factors that influence doctors’ career intention included income, work conditions, risk of contracting infection, risk of injury at work, hours of work, work load, work related stress, paid leave days, resources, personal growth and development opportunities, ongoing training opportunities, advancement and promotion opportunities, relation with co-workers, relations with supervisor/superiors, and sense of meaning. Findings revealed that even though the tendency to leave’ group (43%) was smaller than the ‘tendency to stay’ (57%), the majority (85%) of those who intended to leave were younger doctors. Despite some significant differences in responses between the two groups, results revealed that both groups were dissatisfied with almost all conditions of work apart from relationships with supervisors and co-workers. To a large extent, both groups revealed that work conditions are better in the private hospitals than in their current hospitals. viii The fact that some doctors could stay in the public hospital sector despite intense dissatisfaction with conditions of work, and despite the perception that that there are better options in the private hospitals could be attributed to the fact that most of these doctors are older and are at their retirement stage . Adding to this is that most of these doctors, who indicated willingness to say, scored high in sense of meaning as a factor influencing their career intention. This research was based on the assumption that there was no retention strategy put in place to solve the problems facing PE hospital complex. However, during this research a strategy was being developed and implemented by the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Therefore, evaluation and recommendations of the strategy are provided in the conclusions of the study. These recommendations relate not only to the implementation of the strategy, but improving it to accommodate all problems currently facing the doctors and finding ways and means of making the strategy sustainable; creating private-public partnerships; focusing on creating a sense of meaning amongst the doctors (especially the younger ones) and focusing on retaining the risk group which was the younger doctors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
No other world: the poetry of Don Maclennan
- Authors: Robinson, Brendon Kimbale
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Maclennan, Don Maclennan, Don -- Criticism and interpretation South African poetry (English) -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002264
- Description: This is a study of the poetry of Don Maclennan in four chapters. Chapter One explores the poetry's deep involvement with the immediate world, and with the being that encounters it. Chapter Two examines the corpus's mistrust of abstract thought, and its suggestions for alternative ways of intepreting (or at least approaching an interpretation of) our existential situation. Chapter Three deals with Maclennan's writing on the subject of death, while the final chapter looks at the response of the poetry to the fact of death: put simply, this is to learn to love the situation we are in, and to record our thoughts for future generations, thus reaching beyond death to share with others the necessarily unique experience of our one and only life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Robinson, Brendon Kimbale
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Maclennan, Don Maclennan, Don -- Criticism and interpretation South African poetry (English) -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002264
- Description: This is a study of the poetry of Don Maclennan in four chapters. Chapter One explores the poetry's deep involvement with the immediate world, and with the being that encounters it. Chapter Two examines the corpus's mistrust of abstract thought, and its suggestions for alternative ways of intepreting (or at least approaching an interpretation of) our existential situation. Chapter Three deals with Maclennan's writing on the subject of death, while the final chapter looks at the response of the poetry to the fact of death: put simply, this is to learn to love the situation we are in, and to record our thoughts for future generations, thus reaching beyond death to share with others the necessarily unique experience of our one and only life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Resilience in HIV/AIDS' adolescent headed families
- Authors: Beeka, Hershilla A
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait) in adolescence -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children of AIDS patients -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Families, Black -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/922 , Resilience (Personality trait) in adolescence -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children of AIDS patients -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Families, Black -- Research -- South Africa
- Description: HIV/AIDS has presented humanity with various challenges, one of which is the manner in which it has affected family structure and patterns. Parental illness and eventual death due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic is escalating. One of the major challenges of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa is the increase in the number of orphaned and vulnerable children. As a result new family forms are emerging such as the "skip-generation" family in which children or adolescent siblings head the family. It is anticipated that HIV/AIDS in South Africa will progressively increase the number of such families. During this time of profound family change, the family as an institution has remained remarkably resilient. The present study utilised the Family Resilience Framework and the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation to explore and describe the resilience of HIV/AIDS’ adolescent headed families. A qualitative, exploratory-descriptive research design, which was assessed against Guba’s (1985) model of trustworthiness, was employed and the participants were sampled using non-probability purposive sampling. The Masizakhe Community Project volunteers (an AIDS Community Project in Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth receiving support from the iThemba AIDS Foundation) assisted in identifying participants according to the predetermined inclusion criteria. The sample consisted of four female, adolescent heads of HIV/AIDS’ affected households, who volunteered at the Masizakhe Community Project and resided in Kwazakhele. The data that was collected via audio-recorded semi structured interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Family resilience factors that emerged included intrafamilial strengths (family cohesion, organisation, hardiness, and adaptability); social support resources (especially from the community project, friends, and community members); family appraisal processes; and problem solving and coping strategies. Extended family support was partial and largely financial. The findings from this study provided insights into the resilience of adolescent-headed families; provided guidance for the development of intervention programmes to assist these families; and affirmed the existing strengths of the families. Furthermore, it has contributed to the research and literature on family resilience and formed the foundation for future research projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Beeka, Hershilla A
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait) in adolescence -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children of AIDS patients -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Families, Black -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/922 , Resilience (Personality trait) in adolescence -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children of AIDS patients -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Families, Black -- Research -- South Africa
- Description: HIV/AIDS has presented humanity with various challenges, one of which is the manner in which it has affected family structure and patterns. Parental illness and eventual death due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic is escalating. One of the major challenges of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa is the increase in the number of orphaned and vulnerable children. As a result new family forms are emerging such as the "skip-generation" family in which children or adolescent siblings head the family. It is anticipated that HIV/AIDS in South Africa will progressively increase the number of such families. During this time of profound family change, the family as an institution has remained remarkably resilient. The present study utilised the Family Resilience Framework and the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation to explore and describe the resilience of HIV/AIDS’ adolescent headed families. A qualitative, exploratory-descriptive research design, which was assessed against Guba’s (1985) model of trustworthiness, was employed and the participants were sampled using non-probability purposive sampling. The Masizakhe Community Project volunteers (an AIDS Community Project in Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth receiving support from the iThemba AIDS Foundation) assisted in identifying participants according to the predetermined inclusion criteria. The sample consisted of four female, adolescent heads of HIV/AIDS’ affected households, who volunteered at the Masizakhe Community Project and resided in Kwazakhele. The data that was collected via audio-recorded semi structured interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Family resilience factors that emerged included intrafamilial strengths (family cohesion, organisation, hardiness, and adaptability); social support resources (especially from the community project, friends, and community members); family appraisal processes; and problem solving and coping strategies. Extended family support was partial and largely financial. The findings from this study provided insights into the resilience of adolescent-headed families; provided guidance for the development of intervention programmes to assist these families; and affirmed the existing strengths of the families. Furthermore, it has contributed to the research and literature on family resilience and formed the foundation for future research projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Pilates for postural stability in computer users
- Authors: Strydom, Lana
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Pilates method , Human beings -- Attitude and movement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10094 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/867 , Pilates method , Human beings -- Attitude and movement
- Description: The impact of computer use is evident in every day life (Harrington, Carter, Birrell and Gompertz, 2000:264). Lind (2002:18) explains that global trends continue to show that the most severe work-related health problems that exist amongst computer users are musculoskeletal disorders. As technology has lead to increases in automation, so it has lead to increases in work-related illnesses. Although studies have explored the effects of ergonomics (Thibodeau, 1995:322) in static working positions there has been little evidence supporting a solution in overcoming poor occupational postures. Many health practitioners argue that occupationally caused, or aggravated, musculoskeletal disorders are steadily increasing. Thus, even though computers have improved productivity and made work easier for the population in general, they have adverse effects as well. Designing the proper tools or a setup of the work place is of prime importance for the elimination of chronic diseases attributed to sedentary lifestyles. Regular physical activity had long been regarded as an important component of a healthy lifestyle. This notion has recently been reinforced by scientific evidence linking regular physical activity with a wide array of physical and mental health benefits, synonymous with an improvement in wellness (Pratt, Macera, and Wang, 2000:63). According to Pratt et al. (2000:63) higher direct medical costs associates with physical inactivity. Further cross-sectional epidemiologic studies and controlled experimental investigations conducted by Okura, Nakata and Tanaka (2003:1131) had demonstrated that physically active adults, in contrast to their sedentary counterparts, tend to develop and maintain higher levels of physical fitness. These studies had not only demonstrated the positive results of physical activity, such as an improvement in blood lipid profile, body composition, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, but had also shown that participation in such activity decreased the risk of developing several chronic hypokinetic diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (type II), osteoporosis, colon cancer, anxiety and depression. In addition, low levels of habitual physical activity and the subsequent low levels of physical fitness were associated with a marked increase in all-cause mortality rates. Okura et al. (2003:1131) confirm that effects of exercise intensity on physical fitness and risk factors for coronary Herat disease.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Strydom, Lana
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Pilates method , Human beings -- Attitude and movement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10094 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/867 , Pilates method , Human beings -- Attitude and movement
- Description: The impact of computer use is evident in every day life (Harrington, Carter, Birrell and Gompertz, 2000:264). Lind (2002:18) explains that global trends continue to show that the most severe work-related health problems that exist amongst computer users are musculoskeletal disorders. As technology has lead to increases in automation, so it has lead to increases in work-related illnesses. Although studies have explored the effects of ergonomics (Thibodeau, 1995:322) in static working positions there has been little evidence supporting a solution in overcoming poor occupational postures. Many health practitioners argue that occupationally caused, or aggravated, musculoskeletal disorders are steadily increasing. Thus, even though computers have improved productivity and made work easier for the population in general, they have adverse effects as well. Designing the proper tools or a setup of the work place is of prime importance for the elimination of chronic diseases attributed to sedentary lifestyles. Regular physical activity had long been regarded as an important component of a healthy lifestyle. This notion has recently been reinforced by scientific evidence linking regular physical activity with a wide array of physical and mental health benefits, synonymous with an improvement in wellness (Pratt, Macera, and Wang, 2000:63). According to Pratt et al. (2000:63) higher direct medical costs associates with physical inactivity. Further cross-sectional epidemiologic studies and controlled experimental investigations conducted by Okura, Nakata and Tanaka (2003:1131) had demonstrated that physically active adults, in contrast to their sedentary counterparts, tend to develop and maintain higher levels of physical fitness. These studies had not only demonstrated the positive results of physical activity, such as an improvement in blood lipid profile, body composition, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, but had also shown that participation in such activity decreased the risk of developing several chronic hypokinetic diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (type II), osteoporosis, colon cancer, anxiety and depression. In addition, low levels of habitual physical activity and the subsequent low levels of physical fitness were associated with a marked increase in all-cause mortality rates. Okura et al. (2003:1131) confirm that effects of exercise intensity on physical fitness and risk factors for coronary Herat disease.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The difficulty of living well: effort and failure in the good life
- Authors: Moore, Jesse Alexander
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Conduct of life Ethics Happiness Values Failure (Psychology) Success Struggle
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2715 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002845
- Description: We all want to live good lives, but due to the difficulty involved, few of us ever succeed. We usually either fail in our attempts to live well or remain with our safer, and less worthwhile, options. In spite of this, there has been little, if any, investigation of the role that difficulty plays in our attempts to live well, and thus in our conceptions of the good life. Within the field of the good life, philosophers tend to acknowledge the fact that good lives are difficult to live, and leave it at that. Since we must all face the difficulty of living well, the lack of analysis of the implications of difficulty seems a glaring oversight. In order to redress this, I explore the role that difficulty plays in two requirements for living well, namely achievement and reflection. Firstly, I examine the relationship between effort and achievement. I argue that difficulty just is the requirement of effort, and that it is required in order for our achievements to be meaningful and for us to value them. Secondly, I look at the relationship between failure and reflection. I argue that reflection on our failures can lead us to knowledge that helps us to live well and that we would not usually come to if we did not fail. Finally, I look at the roles of effort and failure in some accounts of the good life and I draw on psychological research and theory to provide support for my conclusions about the positive effects of effort. I conclude by examining the implications of reducing difficulty for the future of humankind.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Moore, Jesse Alexander
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Conduct of life Ethics Happiness Values Failure (Psychology) Success Struggle
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2715 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002845
- Description: We all want to live good lives, but due to the difficulty involved, few of us ever succeed. We usually either fail in our attempts to live well or remain with our safer, and less worthwhile, options. In spite of this, there has been little, if any, investigation of the role that difficulty plays in our attempts to live well, and thus in our conceptions of the good life. Within the field of the good life, philosophers tend to acknowledge the fact that good lives are difficult to live, and leave it at that. Since we must all face the difficulty of living well, the lack of analysis of the implications of difficulty seems a glaring oversight. In order to redress this, I explore the role that difficulty plays in two requirements for living well, namely achievement and reflection. Firstly, I examine the relationship between effort and achievement. I argue that difficulty just is the requirement of effort, and that it is required in order for our achievements to be meaningful and for us to value them. Secondly, I look at the relationship between failure and reflection. I argue that reflection on our failures can lead us to knowledge that helps us to live well and that we would not usually come to if we did not fail. Finally, I look at the roles of effort and failure in some accounts of the good life and I draw on psychological research and theory to provide support for my conclusions about the positive effects of effort. I conclude by examining the implications of reducing difficulty for the future of humankind.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The effect of varied instructions on prison guard role behaviour expectations
- Authors: Githaiga, Sandra J N
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Prison psychology -- Experiments , Role expectations , Imprisonment -- Experiments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/961 , Prison psychology -- Experiments , Role expectations , Imprisonment -- Experiments
- Description: The Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE) was conducted to determine the psychological and behavioural effects of adopting the roles of prisoners or prison guards. In various published research articles Zimbardo reported that he instructed the prison guards to maintain law and order (Haney, Banks, & Zimbardo, 1973). However, in the Quiet Rage video (Zimbardo, 1989), Zimbardo gave the prison guards additional detailed instructions. To examine the effects of these different instructions on expected prison guard role behaviour, first year Psychology students were requested to predict expected prison guard role behaviour under two different conditions. In the order condition, participants received the instructions used in published research articles. While in the fear condition, participants received the instructions from the Quiet Rage video (Zimbardo, 1989). Participants estimated the likelihood of 50 guard behaviours. Participants in the order condition predicted more pleasant behaviour, while participants in the fear condition predicted more unpleasant behaviours. This indicates that the different instructions influenced their intent to perform the different behaviours. There was no significant difference between the fear and order conditions, and the control behaviours. Participants in both the fear and order conditions rated the control items as expected prison guard role behaviour. Participants in both conditions indicated that they would behave in this manner. Gender had no significant influence on expected prison guard role behavior.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Githaiga, Sandra J N
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Prison psychology -- Experiments , Role expectations , Imprisonment -- Experiments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/961 , Prison psychology -- Experiments , Role expectations , Imprisonment -- Experiments
- Description: The Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE) was conducted to determine the psychological and behavioural effects of adopting the roles of prisoners or prison guards. In various published research articles Zimbardo reported that he instructed the prison guards to maintain law and order (Haney, Banks, & Zimbardo, 1973). However, in the Quiet Rage video (Zimbardo, 1989), Zimbardo gave the prison guards additional detailed instructions. To examine the effects of these different instructions on expected prison guard role behaviour, first year Psychology students were requested to predict expected prison guard role behaviour under two different conditions. In the order condition, participants received the instructions used in published research articles. While in the fear condition, participants received the instructions from the Quiet Rage video (Zimbardo, 1989). Participants estimated the likelihood of 50 guard behaviours. Participants in the order condition predicted more pleasant behaviour, while participants in the fear condition predicted more unpleasant behaviours. This indicates that the different instructions influenced their intent to perform the different behaviours. There was no significant difference between the fear and order conditions, and the control behaviours. Participants in both the fear and order conditions rated the control items as expected prison guard role behaviour. Participants in both conditions indicated that they would behave in this manner. Gender had no significant influence on expected prison guard role behavior.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An exploratory study of Rhodes students' attitudes and perceptions towards HIV/Aids
- Authors: Weston, Robyn
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Students Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes Counseling in higher education AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- South Africa HIV infections -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa HIV infections -- Study and teaching -- South Africa HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3095 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003294
- Description: The present study explores Rhodes students' perceptions and attitudes towards HIV/Aids issues. This study focuses on risk behaviour, stigmatisation, social perceptions and voluntary counselling and HIV testing (VCT). There is a lack of research on student attitudes, knowledge and behaviour at Rhodes University. It was therefore deemed pertinent to research this topic in that context. It was envisaged that the study would provide insights to be used in the formulation of improved strategies for HIV/Aids programs and education, ultimately impacting on the exponential increase of the pandemic in the Southern African region. A sample of six hundred and seventy five Rhodes University undergraduates completed a survey and its findings were interpreted in terms of relevant literature. A mixed methods approach using qualitative and quantitative methods was used. A focus group consisting of seven post-graduate students informed the development of the survey along with relevant literature. Four departments from the faculties of Commerce, Humanities, Science and Law were randomly sampled for the survey phase. Statistica was used to calculate descriptive statistics while the chi-square statistic was applied to examine the relationships between the variables. The findings show that the majority of students have high intention levels in planning to use preventative behaviour. However, in practise, this may not be the case. Many students feel that they belong to high or medium risk groups, as opposed to the low-risk groups. In terms of motivation levels, only sixty three percent of students are highly motivated to protect themselves from HIV/Aids and one third of respondents felt that they could not ask their partner to accompany them for an HIV/Aids test. In addition, students who had received VCT were more likely to be positive about the counselling process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Weston, Robyn
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Students Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes Counseling in higher education AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- South Africa HIV infections -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa HIV infections -- Study and teaching -- South Africa HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3095 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003294
- Description: The present study explores Rhodes students' perceptions and attitudes towards HIV/Aids issues. This study focuses on risk behaviour, stigmatisation, social perceptions and voluntary counselling and HIV testing (VCT). There is a lack of research on student attitudes, knowledge and behaviour at Rhodes University. It was therefore deemed pertinent to research this topic in that context. It was envisaged that the study would provide insights to be used in the formulation of improved strategies for HIV/Aids programs and education, ultimately impacting on the exponential increase of the pandemic in the Southern African region. A sample of six hundred and seventy five Rhodes University undergraduates completed a survey and its findings were interpreted in terms of relevant literature. A mixed methods approach using qualitative and quantitative methods was used. A focus group consisting of seven post-graduate students informed the development of the survey along with relevant literature. Four departments from the faculties of Commerce, Humanities, Science and Law were randomly sampled for the survey phase. Statistica was used to calculate descriptive statistics while the chi-square statistic was applied to examine the relationships between the variables. The findings show that the majority of students have high intention levels in planning to use preventative behaviour. However, in practise, this may not be the case. Many students feel that they belong to high or medium risk groups, as opposed to the low-risk groups. In terms of motivation levels, only sixty three percent of students are highly motivated to protect themselves from HIV/Aids and one third of respondents felt that they could not ask their partner to accompany them for an HIV/Aids test. In addition, students who had received VCT were more likely to be positive about the counselling process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A book history study of Michael Radford's filmic production William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
- Green, Bryony Rose Humphries
- Authors: Green, Bryony Rose Humphries
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Film adaptations Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Merchant of Venice Merchant of Venice (Motion picture: 2004) English drama -- Film and video adaptations Film adaptations -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002239
- Description: Falling within the ambit of the Department of English Literature but with interdisciplinary scope and method, the research undertaken in this thesis examines Michael Radford’s 2004 film production William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice using the Book History approach to textual study. Previously applied almost exclusively to the study of books, Book History examines the text in terms of both its medium and its content, bringing together bibliographical, literary and historical approaches to the study of books within one theoretical paradigm. My research extends this interdisciplinary approach into the filmic medium by using a modified version of Robert Darnton’s “communication circuit” to examine the process of transmission of this Shakespearean film adaptation from creation to reception. The research is not intended as a complete Book History study and even less as a comprehensive investigation of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Rather, it uses a Shakespearean case study to bring together the two previously discrete fields of Book History and filmic investigation. Drawing on film studies, literary concepts, cultural and media studies, modern management theory as well as reception theories and with the use of both quantitative and qualitative data, I show Book History to be an eminently useful and constructive approach to the study of film.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Green, Bryony Rose Humphries
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Film adaptations Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Merchant of Venice Merchant of Venice (Motion picture: 2004) English drama -- Film and video adaptations Film adaptations -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002239
- Description: Falling within the ambit of the Department of English Literature but with interdisciplinary scope and method, the research undertaken in this thesis examines Michael Radford’s 2004 film production William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice using the Book History approach to textual study. Previously applied almost exclusively to the study of books, Book History examines the text in terms of both its medium and its content, bringing together bibliographical, literary and historical approaches to the study of books within one theoretical paradigm. My research extends this interdisciplinary approach into the filmic medium by using a modified version of Robert Darnton’s “communication circuit” to examine the process of transmission of this Shakespearean film adaptation from creation to reception. The research is not intended as a complete Book History study and even less as a comprehensive investigation of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Rather, it uses a Shakespearean case study to bring together the two previously discrete fields of Book History and filmic investigation. Drawing on film studies, literary concepts, cultural and media studies, modern management theory as well as reception theories and with the use of both quantitative and qualitative data, I show Book History to be an eminently useful and constructive approach to the study of film.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Whole body vibration training and physical fitness of persons with diabetes melitus type II
- Authors: Bekker, Lindy
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Exercise therapy , Vibration -- Physiological effect
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10096 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/672 , Diabetes -- Exercise therapy , Vibration -- Physiological effect
- Description: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of whole body vibration training on selected health and fitness parameters, including: blood glucose levels, blood pressure, anthropometric profile, muscular flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance of persons with diabetes mellitus type II. The study was conducted in a descriptive, explorative manner utilizing a quasiexperimental design with an equistatic approach, employing match-pair design to participant grouping. The experimental design was a non-randomized two-group pre- and post-test design, in which approximately 16 male and female participants, who were chosen through convenience and snowball sampling with diabetes mellitus type II, completed the study. Pre- and post-test analysis was performed at the Biokinetics and Sport Science Unit. The whole body vibration training (experimental) group, trained three times a week for a period of ten weeks, performing exercises on the vibration platform with progressive increments in the intensity, duration, and number of the exercises. The control group remained sedentary throughout the intervention period. The dependant variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. ANOVA was done to determine pre- and post-test differences for both the experimental and control groups for all the variables. Post-Hoc analysis was done to determine and compare differences which may have existed between the experimental and control groups, with practical significance being determined by Cohen’s D analysis. The analysis of the results revealed significant improvements in systolic blood pressure, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Bekker, Lindy
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Exercise therapy , Vibration -- Physiological effect
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10096 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/672 , Diabetes -- Exercise therapy , Vibration -- Physiological effect
- Description: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of whole body vibration training on selected health and fitness parameters, including: blood glucose levels, blood pressure, anthropometric profile, muscular flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance of persons with diabetes mellitus type II. The study was conducted in a descriptive, explorative manner utilizing a quasiexperimental design with an equistatic approach, employing match-pair design to participant grouping. The experimental design was a non-randomized two-group pre- and post-test design, in which approximately 16 male and female participants, who were chosen through convenience and snowball sampling with diabetes mellitus type II, completed the study. Pre- and post-test analysis was performed at the Biokinetics and Sport Science Unit. The whole body vibration training (experimental) group, trained three times a week for a period of ten weeks, performing exercises on the vibration platform with progressive increments in the intensity, duration, and number of the exercises. The control group remained sedentary throughout the intervention period. The dependant variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. ANOVA was done to determine pre- and post-test differences for both the experimental and control groups for all the variables. Post-Hoc analysis was done to determine and compare differences which may have existed between the experimental and control groups, with practical significance being determined by Cohen’s D analysis. The analysis of the results revealed significant improvements in systolic blood pressure, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Ray Charles: a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Biggs, Ilze
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Charles, Ray, 1930-2004 Psychology -- Biographical methods -- Case studies Jazz singers -- Biography Blind entertainers -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002442
- Description: Psychobiography is the formulation of an individual's narrative according to a psychological theory. Psychobiographical researchers face a number of challenges. One pertinent challenge is the limited amount of psychobiographical research conducted at academic institutions, including South Africa. Although a number of studies had been completed in the past decade, the impact of psychobiographical research remains negligible. Although much has been written about Ray Charles, none of the existing literature adopted a specific psychological focus. Charles developed from a young boy in a poverty stricken, racially segregated society into an exceptionally successful musician who worked productively until he died at the age of 73. He was selected as the subject on the basis of interest value, uniqueness and significance of life achievements. The primary aim of this study was to explore and describe the development of Charles according to Levinson's (Levinson, et. ai, 1978) theoretical framework. Levinson's theory of adult development identifies and describes the important changes that occur throughout the lifespan of an individual. A secondary aim was to provide an understanding of Charles within the social, economic and historical context in which he lived. The data collection and analysis was conducted according to Yin's (2003) 'analytic generalization'. The data was analysed according to three linked sub-processes proposed by Huberman and Miles (1994).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Biggs, Ilze
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Charles, Ray, 1930-2004 Psychology -- Biographical methods -- Case studies Jazz singers -- Biography Blind entertainers -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002442
- Description: Psychobiography is the formulation of an individual's narrative according to a psychological theory. Psychobiographical researchers face a number of challenges. One pertinent challenge is the limited amount of psychobiographical research conducted at academic institutions, including South Africa. Although a number of studies had been completed in the past decade, the impact of psychobiographical research remains negligible. Although much has been written about Ray Charles, none of the existing literature adopted a specific psychological focus. Charles developed from a young boy in a poverty stricken, racially segregated society into an exceptionally successful musician who worked productively until he died at the age of 73. He was selected as the subject on the basis of interest value, uniqueness and significance of life achievements. The primary aim of this study was to explore and describe the development of Charles according to Levinson's (Levinson, et. ai, 1978) theoretical framework. Levinson's theory of adult development identifies and describes the important changes that occur throughout the lifespan of an individual. A secondary aim was to provide an understanding of Charles within the social, economic and historical context in which he lived. The data collection and analysis was conducted according to Yin's (2003) 'analytic generalization'. The data was analysed according to three linked sub-processes proposed by Huberman and Miles (1994).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Reflective accounts of childhood inter-species experiences in a Southern-African context: a phenomenological-hermeneutic exploration
- Authors: Rump, Samantha
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Child psychology -- South Africa Child development -- South Africa Human-animal relationships -- South Africa Children and animals -- South Africa Animal psychology -- South Africa Hermeneutics Phenomenology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3045 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002554
- Description: The aims of this research were to describe in rich phenomenological detail the recollected childhood experiences described by three South African adults of growing up with animals in the context of a traditionally African cultural perspective in South Africa; as well as to document the emotional, physical and social effects of inter-species relationships as described by these participants, in order to explore and situate these experiences in relation to broad international perspectives on the contribution of animals to human development. The question of how these described experiences correlate with broad international perspectives on the contribution of animals to human development comprised the hermeneutic of the study. Here it was found that the experiences of these South African individuals were generally in keeping with the trends found in the literature. Participants attributed to their childhood relationships with animals a variety of benefits. These benefits occur on a range of levels, from the physical to the cognitive, and the psychosocial. The emotional attachment of the participants to animals with whom they had interacted in childhood correlated with the nature of interspecies relationships as anticipated by the literature. Cultural differences in the conceptualisation of inter-species relationships, between western and traditionally African ideologies, appeared to influence the moral and ethical positions assumed by the participants, while the subjective nature of the described attachment between participants and animals remains qualitatively similar across cultures, when explored in relation to international research. The similarities between the experiences of the participants and international research findings lend credence to Wilson’s hypothesis that all human beings are potentially able to connect in deep and profound ways with their natural environment, and that this connection contributes to the development of social and cognitive skills, as well as constituting emotional support and stability. The research concludes with an examination of its own limitations and suggestions are made for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Rump, Samantha
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Child psychology -- South Africa Child development -- South Africa Human-animal relationships -- South Africa Children and animals -- South Africa Animal psychology -- South Africa Hermeneutics Phenomenology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3045 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002554
- Description: The aims of this research were to describe in rich phenomenological detail the recollected childhood experiences described by three South African adults of growing up with animals in the context of a traditionally African cultural perspective in South Africa; as well as to document the emotional, physical and social effects of inter-species relationships as described by these participants, in order to explore and situate these experiences in relation to broad international perspectives on the contribution of animals to human development. The question of how these described experiences correlate with broad international perspectives on the contribution of animals to human development comprised the hermeneutic of the study. Here it was found that the experiences of these South African individuals were generally in keeping with the trends found in the literature. Participants attributed to their childhood relationships with animals a variety of benefits. These benefits occur on a range of levels, from the physical to the cognitive, and the psychosocial. The emotional attachment of the participants to animals with whom they had interacted in childhood correlated with the nature of interspecies relationships as anticipated by the literature. Cultural differences in the conceptualisation of inter-species relationships, between western and traditionally African ideologies, appeared to influence the moral and ethical positions assumed by the participants, while the subjective nature of the described attachment between participants and animals remains qualitatively similar across cultures, when explored in relation to international research. The similarities between the experiences of the participants and international research findings lend credence to Wilson’s hypothesis that all human beings are potentially able to connect in deep and profound ways with their natural environment, and that this connection contributes to the development of social and cognitive skills, as well as constituting emotional support and stability. The research concludes with an examination of its own limitations and suggestions are made for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Melanie Klein: a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Espinosa, Marianna J
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Klein, Melanie Psychology -- Biographical methods Psychoanalysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002480
- Description: The objective of psychobiography is a better understanding of individuals, and psychobiographical case studies add meaning and value to research (Runyan, 1988a). Melanie Klein was chosen for this study through a purposive sampling method due to her contributions to the discipline of psychology, which placed her in a distinguished position regarding twentieth century psychoanalysis. Furthermore, no other psychobiography has been written on Klein. The primary aim of this study was to present the reader with a basic description of her life, and a secondary aim was to accomplish an in-depth description of Klein within her social and historical context. Due to these aims and the nature of psychobiography, it may be said that this is a qualitative study based on a single case method, described as explorative and descriptive. Data was analysed according to Huberman and Miles’ (1994) approach which consists of data reduction, display and verification. This study was guided by Levinson’s (1996) theory of Adult Development in Women. The theory allowed for an in-depth description of Klein’s experiences and social and historical contexts by merely illuminating her life. Finally, it may be said that this study contributed to the limited amount of psychobiographical research in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Espinosa, Marianna J
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Klein, Melanie Psychology -- Biographical methods Psychoanalysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002480
- Description: The objective of psychobiography is a better understanding of individuals, and psychobiographical case studies add meaning and value to research (Runyan, 1988a). Melanie Klein was chosen for this study through a purposive sampling method due to her contributions to the discipline of psychology, which placed her in a distinguished position regarding twentieth century psychoanalysis. Furthermore, no other psychobiography has been written on Klein. The primary aim of this study was to present the reader with a basic description of her life, and a secondary aim was to accomplish an in-depth description of Klein within her social and historical context. Due to these aims and the nature of psychobiography, it may be said that this is a qualitative study based on a single case method, described as explorative and descriptive. Data was analysed according to Huberman and Miles’ (1994) approach which consists of data reduction, display and verification. This study was guided by Levinson’s (1996) theory of Adult Development in Women. The theory allowed for an in-depth description of Klein’s experiences and social and historical contexts by merely illuminating her life. Finally, it may be said that this study contributed to the limited amount of psychobiographical research in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The discursive management of homework practices in three primary schools in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Felix, Nadine
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Homework -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/782 , Homework -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This treatise examines the discursive management of homework practices in three primary schools in Nelson Mandela Bay. Grade four is focused on as it is hoped that at this stage of their schooling, the learners are receiving homework and are familiar with the concept. The three schools are from differing social, historical, political and economic backgrounds. The schools chosen are a former model C school, a ‘Coloured’ school and a ‘Township’ school. These three diverse schools have been selected to identify the dominant Discourses that inform the homework practices. The eventual effect of these Discourses on the learners is also included. The material and personal effects on the learners is discussed. The prevalent Discourses on homework in the model C school, work to produce disciplined subjects who are able to ‘self govern’ and thereby succeed in society. At school’s B and C the dominant Discourses are of a deficit nature. These discursively position the learners as victims and subjects who are unable to manage their academic and private selves, as a result of their circumstance. While the staffs at schools B and C appear to be well intentioned, this abovementioned deficit model is perpetuated by their talk. These principals and teachers need to become aware of the power that their discursive formations contain and the impact thereof. A qualitative methodology is adopted in this study. Three different methods of data collection are employed in order to promote triangulation and thereby increase the validity of the findings. Discourse and Critical Discourse analysis provide the tools with which to analyse and draw conclusions from the gathered data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Felix, Nadine
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Homework -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/782 , Homework -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This treatise examines the discursive management of homework practices in three primary schools in Nelson Mandela Bay. Grade four is focused on as it is hoped that at this stage of their schooling, the learners are receiving homework and are familiar with the concept. The three schools are from differing social, historical, political and economic backgrounds. The schools chosen are a former model C school, a ‘Coloured’ school and a ‘Township’ school. These three diverse schools have been selected to identify the dominant Discourses that inform the homework practices. The eventual effect of these Discourses on the learners is also included. The material and personal effects on the learners is discussed. The prevalent Discourses on homework in the model C school, work to produce disciplined subjects who are able to ‘self govern’ and thereby succeed in society. At school’s B and C the dominant Discourses are of a deficit nature. These discursively position the learners as victims and subjects who are unable to manage their academic and private selves, as a result of their circumstance. While the staffs at schools B and C appear to be well intentioned, this abovementioned deficit model is perpetuated by their talk. These principals and teachers need to become aware of the power that their discursive formations contain and the impact thereof. A qualitative methodology is adopted in this study. Three different methods of data collection are employed in order to promote triangulation and thereby increase the validity of the findings. Discourse and Critical Discourse analysis provide the tools with which to analyse and draw conclusions from the gathered data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The assessment of factors contributing to the sustainability of poverty relief projects in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Makhalane, Vuyisile
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8218 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1005 , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The current study aimed at assessing the factors contributing to sustainability of Poverty Relief Projects by the Department of Social Development. The study was conducted in the Eastern Cape within Chris Hani District at Sakhizwe Local Municipality. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Purposive sampling procedures have been seen as most suitable for this study and have been utilized to identify participants of the study. The sample consisted of thirty project members from six different projects and also included five Community Development Practitioners from the Department of Social Development. Semi- structured interviews, document review and focus group discussion were used to collect data for the study. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic methods. The study revealed factors that contribute to the sustainability of the projects. These factors include the capacity of the project members and the departmental officials to implement and monitor the projects. Management and organization of the project plays an important role in determining the sustainability. Active participation of the project members in the planning of the project is important. Stakeholder participation and sharing of expertise is another important factor in determining the sustainability of the projects. Lastly, the study shows that monitoring and evaluation of the progress is necessary to ensure that the project achieve the desired outcome. It is recommended that the Department of Social Development should consider these factors and add them in the checklist before the funding of the project is approved. It is also important to determine the duration of the project in order to be able to measure its impact in a given period of time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Makhalane, Vuyisile
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8218 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1005 , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The current study aimed at assessing the factors contributing to sustainability of Poverty Relief Projects by the Department of Social Development. The study was conducted in the Eastern Cape within Chris Hani District at Sakhizwe Local Municipality. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Purposive sampling procedures have been seen as most suitable for this study and have been utilized to identify participants of the study. The sample consisted of thirty project members from six different projects and also included five Community Development Practitioners from the Department of Social Development. Semi- structured interviews, document review and focus group discussion were used to collect data for the study. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic methods. The study revealed factors that contribute to the sustainability of the projects. These factors include the capacity of the project members and the departmental officials to implement and monitor the projects. Management and organization of the project plays an important role in determining the sustainability. Active participation of the project members in the planning of the project is important. Stakeholder participation and sharing of expertise is another important factor in determining the sustainability of the projects. Lastly, the study shows that monitoring and evaluation of the progress is necessary to ensure that the project achieve the desired outcome. It is recommended that the Department of Social Development should consider these factors and add them in the checklist before the funding of the project is approved. It is also important to determine the duration of the project in order to be able to measure its impact in a given period of time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The applicability of the motivated strategies for learning questionnaire (MSLQ) for South Africa
- Authors: Somtsewu, Nolwazi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Motivation in education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9925 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/657 , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Motivation in education -- South Africa
- Description: Admissions assessment batteries at most South African higher education institutions augment matriculation results with assessment data from cognitive and non-cognitive measures, in order to identify potentially successful students. The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) is a non-cognitive measure, developed in the United States of America to assess the motivational orientation and use of learning strategies among college students. Numerous international studies have confirmed the reliability and validity of the MSLQ. Presently only three quantitative studies have been conducted in the South African higher education context, and in these, researchers have focused on the predictive validity, construct validity and reliability of the MSLQ when used with multicultural and multilingual groups of test-takers. An overview of these studies revealed a confirmation of adequate reliability of the MSLQ, and whereas it was established that nine of the fifteen subscales of the MSLQ are significantly related to the academic success of undergraduate students, limited support was found for the construct validity of the measure. As a result of these findings, a lack of qualitative methods for confirming or disconfirming the quantitative results was noted. The general aim of this study was to explore the applicability of the MSLQ in a higher education South African context, with respect to aspects related to bias, through assessing the item content with specific reference to language and cultural appropriateness. This was to ensure that items on the MSLQ did not favour or disadvantage any cultural and language groups. Investigations in this regard are a necessity in a country like South Africa in an effort to promote fair assessment practices. In order to achieve the above-mentioned aim, a quantitative and qualitative approach was utilised following an exploratory-descriptive research method. The researcher employed a non-probability, purposive sampling procedure to select post-graduate participants employed at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) to act as expert reviewers. A Bias Review Form was the primary mode of data collection and this enabled the researcher to collect the biographical details of the expert reviewers, their ratings of the language and cultural appropriateness of each item, and their comments, suggestions and recommendations for improving identified problematic items. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the reviewers’ responses to the short biographical questionnaire included on the Bias Review Form, while frequency counts were calculated based on the reviewers’ responses to the language and cultural appropriateness of each item. The reviewers’ comments were analyzed into themes using Tesch’s model of content analysis. Three main themes relating to potential bias were identified, namely, language, culture and item characteristics. Guba’s model was employed for assessing the trustworthiness of the qualitative data and for data verification.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Somtsewu, Nolwazi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Motivation in education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9925 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/657 , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Motivation in education -- South Africa
- Description: Admissions assessment batteries at most South African higher education institutions augment matriculation results with assessment data from cognitive and non-cognitive measures, in order to identify potentially successful students. The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) is a non-cognitive measure, developed in the United States of America to assess the motivational orientation and use of learning strategies among college students. Numerous international studies have confirmed the reliability and validity of the MSLQ. Presently only three quantitative studies have been conducted in the South African higher education context, and in these, researchers have focused on the predictive validity, construct validity and reliability of the MSLQ when used with multicultural and multilingual groups of test-takers. An overview of these studies revealed a confirmation of adequate reliability of the MSLQ, and whereas it was established that nine of the fifteen subscales of the MSLQ are significantly related to the academic success of undergraduate students, limited support was found for the construct validity of the measure. As a result of these findings, a lack of qualitative methods for confirming or disconfirming the quantitative results was noted. The general aim of this study was to explore the applicability of the MSLQ in a higher education South African context, with respect to aspects related to bias, through assessing the item content with specific reference to language and cultural appropriateness. This was to ensure that items on the MSLQ did not favour or disadvantage any cultural and language groups. Investigations in this regard are a necessity in a country like South Africa in an effort to promote fair assessment practices. In order to achieve the above-mentioned aim, a quantitative and qualitative approach was utilised following an exploratory-descriptive research method. The researcher employed a non-probability, purposive sampling procedure to select post-graduate participants employed at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) to act as expert reviewers. A Bias Review Form was the primary mode of data collection and this enabled the researcher to collect the biographical details of the expert reviewers, their ratings of the language and cultural appropriateness of each item, and their comments, suggestions and recommendations for improving identified problematic items. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the reviewers’ responses to the short biographical questionnaire included on the Bias Review Form, while frequency counts were calculated based on the reviewers’ responses to the language and cultural appropriateness of each item. The reviewers’ comments were analyzed into themes using Tesch’s model of content analysis. Three main themes relating to potential bias were identified, namely, language, culture and item characteristics. Guba’s model was employed for assessing the trustworthiness of the qualitative data and for data verification.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The underreporting of sexual violence against women in the Camdeboo
- Authors: Luyt, Derek
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Women -- Violence against -- South Africa -- Camdeboo, Plains of Abused women -- South Africa -- Camdeboo, Plains of Sexual abuse victims -- South Africa -- Camdeboo, Plains of Camdeboo, Plains of (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2796 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003006
- Description: This thesis examines the underreporting of sexual violence against women in the Camdeboo. It is based on a survey of 971 women living in the Camdeboo aged fifteen and older. The thesis considers, with reference to relevant secondary literature, methodological issues pertinent to conducting survey research into violence against women. While many survey researchers into violence against women argue that behaviourally specific questions lead to higher rates of disclosure, the survey on which this thesis is based employed complex and open-ended questions to allow respondents to record their own definitions of physical and sexual abuse. 31,2 percent of the women surveyed disclosed having experienced sexual abuse, but 76,7 percent did not report this abuse to the police. The thesis explores the patterns of sexual abuse of women in the Camdeboo and the factors influencing the underreporting of such abuse. While it was possible to establish correlations between certain socio-demographic variables and the underreporting of sexual abuse, such correlations should be treated with caution. The survey found that women were far more likely to report (and disclose) sexual assaults by strangers than by people known to them, particularly intimate partners. Sexual abuse in intimate relations was found to be strongly associated with physical abuse, and women who had experienced sexual and physical abuse within intimate relationships were more likely to report their physical abuse to the police than their sexual abuse. However, the majority of women, particularly poor and economically dependent women, believed that reporting their intimate partner abuse to the police would not end it, and might even place them at greater risk. The evidence suggests that these perceptions are accurate. Under current circumstances, reporting sexual abuse to the police may not be the best help-seeking strategy available to many sexually abused women, and alternative sources of help may be more appropriate. Consideration should be given to directing more resources into such alternatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Luyt, Derek
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Women -- Violence against -- South Africa -- Camdeboo, Plains of Abused women -- South Africa -- Camdeboo, Plains of Sexual abuse victims -- South Africa -- Camdeboo, Plains of Camdeboo, Plains of (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2796 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003006
- Description: This thesis examines the underreporting of sexual violence against women in the Camdeboo. It is based on a survey of 971 women living in the Camdeboo aged fifteen and older. The thesis considers, with reference to relevant secondary literature, methodological issues pertinent to conducting survey research into violence against women. While many survey researchers into violence against women argue that behaviourally specific questions lead to higher rates of disclosure, the survey on which this thesis is based employed complex and open-ended questions to allow respondents to record their own definitions of physical and sexual abuse. 31,2 percent of the women surveyed disclosed having experienced sexual abuse, but 76,7 percent did not report this abuse to the police. The thesis explores the patterns of sexual abuse of women in the Camdeboo and the factors influencing the underreporting of such abuse. While it was possible to establish correlations between certain socio-demographic variables and the underreporting of sexual abuse, such correlations should be treated with caution. The survey found that women were far more likely to report (and disclose) sexual assaults by strangers than by people known to them, particularly intimate partners. Sexual abuse in intimate relations was found to be strongly associated with physical abuse, and women who had experienced sexual and physical abuse within intimate relationships were more likely to report their physical abuse to the police than their sexual abuse. However, the majority of women, particularly poor and economically dependent women, believed that reporting their intimate partner abuse to the police would not end it, and might even place them at greater risk. The evidence suggests that these perceptions are accurate. Under current circumstances, reporting sexual abuse to the police may not be the best help-seeking strategy available to many sexually abused women, and alternative sources of help may be more appropriate. Consideration should be given to directing more resources into such alternatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Journalists' appropriation of ICTs in news-gathering and processing: a case study of Grocott's Mail
- Authors: Dugo, Habtamu Tesfaye
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) Journalism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalists -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Electronic news gathering -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalism -- Data processing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Information technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Reporters and reporting -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Communication and technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3427 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002881
- Description: This study set out to investigate Grocott’s Mail journalists’ appropriation of information and communication technologies in news-gathering and processing using the social shaping of technology as a theoretical lens. It mainly focuses on digital ICTs that journalists use in news-gathering and processing including the Internet, electronic mail, and mobile telephony. Grocott’s Mail is a small-scale newspaper based in Grahamstown, South Africa. Using qualitative research method and the case study as its sub-method, the research reveals that Grocott’s Mail journalists’ appropriation of ICTs involves various opportunities and challenges in news-gathering and processing. In terms of the state of the existing technological infrastructure, the study reveals that since it embraced the digital ICTs in 2003, Grocott’s Mail boasts an adequate ICT infrastructure for a small-scale African newspaper with 30 PCs and one laptop, and professional software for 28 permanent employees. On the other hand, the research reveals serious constraints with the existing ICTs: a huge need for staff training and capacity building to fully utilise the ICTs, and the need to look for ways of raising funds to either upgrade or replace the existing ICTs. Grocott’s Mail journalists use the Internet to do background research on news stories, to verify the accuracy of information, and to check competition across other media. These are the merits of the Internet in news-gathering and processing. On the other hand, there are specific unintended consequences of the Internet such as wasting the company’s working time, and its use leading to lazy/press release journalism. Informants unanimously indicate that the main problems of the Internet are heavy dependence on other online news-sources and wasting time on online entertainment. In terms of using email in news-gathering, the research finds email technology as having advantages such as being a tool of flexibility and speed, a tool for email interviews, and as a technology that promotes participatory journalism. On the other hand, challenges related to email include its limitations because of what interviewees view as its supplementary and small-scale use because of its low contextual richness as opposed to face to face interviews. In terms of cellular telephony, the study finds that regardless of the ubiquity of cell phones and cell phone networks, they have not yet been deployed in news-gathering and processing due to various constraints. These are cell phones not being a big factor in reporting, lack of a proper funding and refunding scheme, prevalence of negative attitudes towards cell phones, and lack of a business model. Thus, cellular phones seem to have little or no relevance in news-gathering and processing at Grocott’s Mail presently.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Dugo, Habtamu Tesfaye
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) Journalism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalists -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Electronic news gathering -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalism -- Data processing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Information technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Reporters and reporting -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Communication and technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3427 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002881
- Description: This study set out to investigate Grocott’s Mail journalists’ appropriation of information and communication technologies in news-gathering and processing using the social shaping of technology as a theoretical lens. It mainly focuses on digital ICTs that journalists use in news-gathering and processing including the Internet, electronic mail, and mobile telephony. Grocott’s Mail is a small-scale newspaper based in Grahamstown, South Africa. Using qualitative research method and the case study as its sub-method, the research reveals that Grocott’s Mail journalists’ appropriation of ICTs involves various opportunities and challenges in news-gathering and processing. In terms of the state of the existing technological infrastructure, the study reveals that since it embraced the digital ICTs in 2003, Grocott’s Mail boasts an adequate ICT infrastructure for a small-scale African newspaper with 30 PCs and one laptop, and professional software for 28 permanent employees. On the other hand, the research reveals serious constraints with the existing ICTs: a huge need for staff training and capacity building to fully utilise the ICTs, and the need to look for ways of raising funds to either upgrade or replace the existing ICTs. Grocott’s Mail journalists use the Internet to do background research on news stories, to verify the accuracy of information, and to check competition across other media. These are the merits of the Internet in news-gathering and processing. On the other hand, there are specific unintended consequences of the Internet such as wasting the company’s working time, and its use leading to lazy/press release journalism. Informants unanimously indicate that the main problems of the Internet are heavy dependence on other online news-sources and wasting time on online entertainment. In terms of using email in news-gathering, the research finds email technology as having advantages such as being a tool of flexibility and speed, a tool for email interviews, and as a technology that promotes participatory journalism. On the other hand, challenges related to email include its limitations because of what interviewees view as its supplementary and small-scale use because of its low contextual richness as opposed to face to face interviews. In terms of cellular telephony, the study finds that regardless of the ubiquity of cell phones and cell phone networks, they have not yet been deployed in news-gathering and processing due to various constraints. These are cell phones not being a big factor in reporting, lack of a proper funding and refunding scheme, prevalence of negative attitudes towards cell phones, and lack of a business model. Thus, cellular phones seem to have little or no relevance in news-gathering and processing at Grocott’s Mail presently.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The nature and incidence of fast bowling injuries at an elite, junior level and the associated risk factors
- Authors: Davies, Roxanne
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cricket injuries , Cricket -- Bowling , Cricket injuries -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10098 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/660 , Cricket injuries , Cricket -- Bowling , Cricket injuries -- Prevention
- Description: Fast bowlers are especially prone to injury as they perform their bowling techniques repetitively at very high intensities. The fast bowling action in the past has been described as a highly explosive activity that produces high levels of stress and strain on the body. The aim of this study was to compile an injury profile of 46 fast bowlers aged 11 to 18, and to identify the associated risk factors for injury during an academy cricket season. A descriptive correlational research design was utilised. Subjects were selected according to age and fast bowling ability. These subjects were observed for one academy cricket season (March to November). Three testing sessions occurred during this time (T1, T2 and T3). Each subject completed two questionnaires: i) bowler history (at T1) and ii) injury history (at T1, T2, and T3). These assisted in grouping the subjects according to their responses into one of three injury classifications (uninjured = S1; injured but able to play = S2; injured and unable to play = S3). Anthropometric and postural data for the entire group of fast bowlers were also collected pre-season (T1). Physical fitness screenings were also conducted during each of the three testing sessions to establish any relationship between the fitness of each fast bowler and the occurrence of injuries. Additional factors assessed during the season were bowling techniques and bowling workload. Statistical significance was indicated by p-values less than .05 (p< .05), while practical significance was indicated by either Cohen’s d-values of 0.2 or better (d>0.2) for tests based on sample means or Cramer’s V for tests based on sample frequencies, the values of which depend on the applicable degrees of freedom. All fitness scores as well as bowling workload figures for each testing session were converted to standard T-scores and these in turn were summated to derive overall fitness and workload T-scores. ‘TT’ indicated the overall average score for the entire season. Changes in performances, bowling workload and injury status were analysed using ANOVA and ANCOVA. A regression analysis was also conducted to analyse the relationship between bowling workload and weeks incapacitated. This study found that hyperextension in the knees had the highest incidence of postural deviation injury (43 percent) followed by winged scapula (39 percent). Only 15 percent of the fast bowlers remained injury-free for the duration of the season, while 35 percent of the subjects were at some stage injured to such an extent that they were unable to play. The incidence of serious injury (S3) showed a statistical and moderate practical (V=0.23, d.f. ≥2) significant increase throughout the data collection period (4 percent at T1 to 30 percent at T3). The most common injury was to the knee (41 percent) followed by those to the lower back (37 percent). These injuries occurred mostly during test periods T2 and T3. The nature of injuries were predominantly strains and "other" which accounted for 39 percent of the injuries overall (TT) and had the highest reported incidence during the period T1 to T3. Sprains followed with an overall incidence of 14 percent. Less frequently reported injuries were tears, fractures, bruises and dislocations. The degree of severity of injuries was defined in terms of the number of weeks a player reported being incapacitated as a result of injury during the academy session. During midand end-season bowlers were on average incapacitated approximately one week out of every five due to injury. The statistics for the duration of the study translate to approximately one week incapacitated out of every seven weeks of play. When comparing the S1/S2 bowlers with the S3 group, the S1/S2 bowlers performed consistently better than the S3 bowlers in all the fitness variables tested. However no significant differences (p>.05) in either flexibility or muscle strength were observed. Of the risk factors analysed, bowling workload presented a statistically significant (p<.0005) increased risk for injury. A strong significant positive relationship (p<.0005, R²=.619) was found between weeks incapacitated and bowling workload, supporting the finding that increased bowling workloads show a linear relationship with the increase in the number of weeks incapacitated from normal play. This study concluded that inadequate fitness, high bowling workload and bowling technique all have a multi-factorial role in predisposing a bowler to increased risk for injury. These variables did not act alone, but have all contributed to recurring injuries. The bowling action alone would not have been detrimental if the workloads were not in excess of the recommended guidelines. Furthermore the workload would not have been as detrimental if the bowlers were well conditioned and uninjured. Management of minor injuries and adequate recovery time, coupled with adequate and relevant fitness preparation would better prepare fast bowlers for the demands of the game.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Davies, Roxanne
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cricket injuries , Cricket -- Bowling , Cricket injuries -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10098 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/660 , Cricket injuries , Cricket -- Bowling , Cricket injuries -- Prevention
- Description: Fast bowlers are especially prone to injury as they perform their bowling techniques repetitively at very high intensities. The fast bowling action in the past has been described as a highly explosive activity that produces high levels of stress and strain on the body. The aim of this study was to compile an injury profile of 46 fast bowlers aged 11 to 18, and to identify the associated risk factors for injury during an academy cricket season. A descriptive correlational research design was utilised. Subjects were selected according to age and fast bowling ability. These subjects were observed for one academy cricket season (March to November). Three testing sessions occurred during this time (T1, T2 and T3). Each subject completed two questionnaires: i) bowler history (at T1) and ii) injury history (at T1, T2, and T3). These assisted in grouping the subjects according to their responses into one of three injury classifications (uninjured = S1; injured but able to play = S2; injured and unable to play = S3). Anthropometric and postural data for the entire group of fast bowlers were also collected pre-season (T1). Physical fitness screenings were also conducted during each of the three testing sessions to establish any relationship between the fitness of each fast bowler and the occurrence of injuries. Additional factors assessed during the season were bowling techniques and bowling workload. Statistical significance was indicated by p-values less than .05 (p< .05), while practical significance was indicated by either Cohen’s d-values of 0.2 or better (d>0.2) for tests based on sample means or Cramer’s V for tests based on sample frequencies, the values of which depend on the applicable degrees of freedom. All fitness scores as well as bowling workload figures for each testing session were converted to standard T-scores and these in turn were summated to derive overall fitness and workload T-scores. ‘TT’ indicated the overall average score for the entire season. Changes in performances, bowling workload and injury status were analysed using ANOVA and ANCOVA. A regression analysis was also conducted to analyse the relationship between bowling workload and weeks incapacitated. This study found that hyperextension in the knees had the highest incidence of postural deviation injury (43 percent) followed by winged scapula (39 percent). Only 15 percent of the fast bowlers remained injury-free for the duration of the season, while 35 percent of the subjects were at some stage injured to such an extent that they were unable to play. The incidence of serious injury (S3) showed a statistical and moderate practical (V=0.23, d.f. ≥2) significant increase throughout the data collection period (4 percent at T1 to 30 percent at T3). The most common injury was to the knee (41 percent) followed by those to the lower back (37 percent). These injuries occurred mostly during test periods T2 and T3. The nature of injuries were predominantly strains and "other" which accounted for 39 percent of the injuries overall (TT) and had the highest reported incidence during the period T1 to T3. Sprains followed with an overall incidence of 14 percent. Less frequently reported injuries were tears, fractures, bruises and dislocations. The degree of severity of injuries was defined in terms of the number of weeks a player reported being incapacitated as a result of injury during the academy session. During midand end-season bowlers were on average incapacitated approximately one week out of every five due to injury. The statistics for the duration of the study translate to approximately one week incapacitated out of every seven weeks of play. When comparing the S1/S2 bowlers with the S3 group, the S1/S2 bowlers performed consistently better than the S3 bowlers in all the fitness variables tested. However no significant differences (p>.05) in either flexibility or muscle strength were observed. Of the risk factors analysed, bowling workload presented a statistically significant (p<.0005) increased risk for injury. A strong significant positive relationship (p<.0005, R²=.619) was found between weeks incapacitated and bowling workload, supporting the finding that increased bowling workloads show a linear relationship with the increase in the number of weeks incapacitated from normal play. This study concluded that inadequate fitness, high bowling workload and bowling technique all have a multi-factorial role in predisposing a bowler to increased risk for injury. These variables did not act alone, but have all contributed to recurring injuries. The bowling action alone would not have been detrimental if the workloads were not in excess of the recommended guidelines. Furthermore the workload would not have been as detrimental if the bowlers were well conditioned and uninjured. Management of minor injuries and adequate recovery time, coupled with adequate and relevant fitness preparation would better prepare fast bowlers for the demands of the game.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Performance of Mhande song-dance: a contextualized and comparative analysis
- Authors: Rutsate, Jerry
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Karanga (African people) -- Music Shona (African people) -- Music Folk music -- Zimbabwe Music -- Zimbabwe Folk songs, Shona Mhande Dance music -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2655 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002321
- Description: This thesis is an investigation of the significance of Mhande song-dance in two performance contexts: the Mutoro ritual of the Karanga and the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Competition. In addition, I undertake comparative analysis of the structure of Mhande music in relation to the structure of selected genres of Shona indigenous music. The position of Mhande in the larger context of Shona music is determined through analysis of transcriptions of the rhythmic, melodic and harmonic elements of chizambi mouth bow, karimba mbira, ngororombe panpipes, ngano story songs, game, hunting, war, and love songs. Mhande is an indigenous song-dance performed for the mutoro ceremony, the annual rain ritual of the Karanga. The Mhande repertoire consists of distinctive songs and rhythms used for communicating with the majukwa rain spirits. The rain spirits in turn communicate with God (Mwari) the provider of rain, on behalf of the Karanga. Mhande song-dance is performed exactly the same way in the annual Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Competitions as in the ritual context of the mutoro ceremony. However, in the context of the Competition, it is used for the expression of joy and as a form of cultural identity. The Competition is a forum in which Karanga songdance traditions such as Mhande, compete with other Shona song-dance traditions such as mbakumba, shangara and chinyambera. I contextualize and analyse Mhande song-dance by using the ‘Matonjeni Model’, which in terms of Karanga epistemology, is culture specific. This Model is grounded in description, interpretation and analysis; the primary methods in my research process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Rutsate, Jerry
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Karanga (African people) -- Music Shona (African people) -- Music Folk music -- Zimbabwe Music -- Zimbabwe Folk songs, Shona Mhande Dance music -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2655 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002321
- Description: This thesis is an investigation of the significance of Mhande song-dance in two performance contexts: the Mutoro ritual of the Karanga and the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Competition. In addition, I undertake comparative analysis of the structure of Mhande music in relation to the structure of selected genres of Shona indigenous music. The position of Mhande in the larger context of Shona music is determined through analysis of transcriptions of the rhythmic, melodic and harmonic elements of chizambi mouth bow, karimba mbira, ngororombe panpipes, ngano story songs, game, hunting, war, and love songs. Mhande is an indigenous song-dance performed for the mutoro ceremony, the annual rain ritual of the Karanga. The Mhande repertoire consists of distinctive songs and rhythms used for communicating with the majukwa rain spirits. The rain spirits in turn communicate with God (Mwari) the provider of rain, on behalf of the Karanga. Mhande song-dance is performed exactly the same way in the annual Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Competitions as in the ritual context of the mutoro ceremony. However, in the context of the Competition, it is used for the expression of joy and as a form of cultural identity. The Competition is a forum in which Karanga songdance traditions such as Mhande, compete with other Shona song-dance traditions such as mbakumba, shangara and chinyambera. I contextualize and analyse Mhande song-dance by using the ‘Matonjeni Model’, which in terms of Karanga epistemology, is culture specific. This Model is grounded in description, interpretation and analysis; the primary methods in my research process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008