Writing the aerial dancing body a preliminary choreological investigation of the aesthetics and kinetics of the aerial dancing body
- Authors: Acker, Shaun Albert
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Dance -- 19th century Dance -- 20th century Dance -- 21st century Aerialists Movement, Aesthetics of Feminine beauty (Aesthetics) Movement notation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2129 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002361
- Description: This mini-thesis investigates some of the nineteenth century socio-cultural ideals that have structured a connection between virtuosic aerial skill and bodily aesthetics. It views the emergence of a style of aerial kineticism that is structured from the gender ideologies of the period. It investigates the continual recurrence of this nineteenth century style amongst contemporary aerial dance works and outlines the possible frictions between this Victorian style of kineticism and contemporary aerial explorations. From this observation, a possible catalyst may be observed with which to relocate and inspire a study of aerial kinetics sans the nineteenth century aesthetic component. This kinesiological catalyst may be viewed in conjunction with the theories of ground-based kinetic theorist, Rudolph Laban’s choreutic study of the body in space. Thus, it may be possible to suggest and introduce a possible practical dance scholarship for aerial dance. This mini-thesis includes an introductory choreological investigation that draws on and integrates the disciplines of kinesiology; choreutic theory; existing aerial kinetic technique; musicology; and the physical sciences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Acker, Shaun Albert
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Dance -- 19th century Dance -- 20th century Dance -- 21st century Aerialists Movement, Aesthetics of Feminine beauty (Aesthetics) Movement notation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2129 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002361
- Description: This mini-thesis investigates some of the nineteenth century socio-cultural ideals that have structured a connection between virtuosic aerial skill and bodily aesthetics. It views the emergence of a style of aerial kineticism that is structured from the gender ideologies of the period. It investigates the continual recurrence of this nineteenth century style amongst contemporary aerial dance works and outlines the possible frictions between this Victorian style of kineticism and contemporary aerial explorations. From this observation, a possible catalyst may be observed with which to relocate and inspire a study of aerial kinetics sans the nineteenth century aesthetic component. This kinesiological catalyst may be viewed in conjunction with the theories of ground-based kinetic theorist, Rudolph Laban’s choreutic study of the body in space. Thus, it may be possible to suggest and introduce a possible practical dance scholarship for aerial dance. This mini-thesis includes an introductory choreological investigation that draws on and integrates the disciplines of kinesiology; choreutic theory; existing aerial kinetic technique; musicology; and the physical sciences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Perspectives of managers regarding the effectiveness of programmes at Nerina one stop youth justice centre for addressing yout re-offending
- Authors: Agaba, Gary
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Recidivists -- South Africa , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa , Programmed instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1460 , Recidivists -- South Africa , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa , Programmed instruction -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore and describe causes of re-offending and the management’s perspective of the effectiveness of programmes being implemented at Nerina One Stop Youth Justice Centre in dealing with re-offenders. Youth re-offending involves breaking of the law and crime. Offending if repeated then develops to be re-offending which is the breaking of the law more than once and this is a dilemma in South Africa as the increase of crime is a challenging issue. A qualitative approach was utilized following an exploratory, descriptive research design as the researcher sought to understand the perspective of the managers at Nerina regarding causes of re-offending and the effectiveness of the intervention programmes aimed at addressing this phenomenon. The researcher conducted face to face interviews with the mangers at Nerina One Stop Youth Justice Centre. For the purpose of this study the population was the total complement of the management staff at the One Stop Youth Justice Centre, this included the personnel of the departments of Justice, Social Development, and South African Police Service who are all involved in rendering services at Nerina. The method of data collection was one on one semi structured interviews and data analysis undertaken according to the steps for qualitative data analysis as proposed by Tesch in Creswell (1994). Guba’s model (Krefting, 1991) was employed for assessing the trustworthiness of the qualitative data. Some of the important findings included the causes of re-offending which included loss of parents, alcohol and drug abuse, inadequate parent role, role of peers and inadequate facilities. Further more from the study suggestions for improving programmes at the One Stop Youth Justice Center were discussed and these include involvement of community, involve more role players, training staff and increasing staff.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Agaba, Gary
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Recidivists -- South Africa , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa , Programmed instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1460 , Recidivists -- South Africa , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa , Programmed instruction -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore and describe causes of re-offending and the management’s perspective of the effectiveness of programmes being implemented at Nerina One Stop Youth Justice Centre in dealing with re-offenders. Youth re-offending involves breaking of the law and crime. Offending if repeated then develops to be re-offending which is the breaking of the law more than once and this is a dilemma in South Africa as the increase of crime is a challenging issue. A qualitative approach was utilized following an exploratory, descriptive research design as the researcher sought to understand the perspective of the managers at Nerina regarding causes of re-offending and the effectiveness of the intervention programmes aimed at addressing this phenomenon. The researcher conducted face to face interviews with the mangers at Nerina One Stop Youth Justice Centre. For the purpose of this study the population was the total complement of the management staff at the One Stop Youth Justice Centre, this included the personnel of the departments of Justice, Social Development, and South African Police Service who are all involved in rendering services at Nerina. The method of data collection was one on one semi structured interviews and data analysis undertaken according to the steps for qualitative data analysis as proposed by Tesch in Creswell (1994). Guba’s model (Krefting, 1991) was employed for assessing the trustworthiness of the qualitative data. Some of the important findings included the causes of re-offending which included loss of parents, alcohol and drug abuse, inadequate parent role, role of peers and inadequate facilities. Further more from the study suggestions for improving programmes at the One Stop Youth Justice Center were discussed and these include involvement of community, involve more role players, training staff and increasing staff.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Deliberating the Dialogues: a critical examination of the nature and purpose of a Daily Dispatch public journalism project
- Authors: Amner, Roderick John
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Daily Dispatch (East London, South Africa) Journalism -- South Africa -- East London Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002870
- Description: This thesis critically examines the nature and purpose of a series of four town-hall-like meetings, the Community Dialogues, held in the townships and suburbs of East London, South Africa, in 2009. They were undertaken by a mainstream, commercial newspaper, the Daily Dispatch, under the banner of the worldwide public journalism movement. Following Christians et al (2009), the thesis sets out a normative framework of media performance in a democracy, including a detailed and critical normative theory of the ‘facilitative role’ proposed and developed by Haas (2007), one of the public journalism movement’s key advocate-theorists. It also draws on a variety of theoretical frameworks and perspectives in the fields of Political Studies and Media Studies to provide an analytical overview of the complex matrix of political and media contexts – at the macro (global), meso (national) and micro (local) levels – that have helped give impetus to the Community Dialogues and also shaped their ongoing operation as a public journalism strategy in the South African context. Following a critical realist case study design, the thesis goes on to provide a narrative account of the Dialogues based on in-depth interviews exploring the motivations, self-understandings and perceptions of those journalists who originated, directed and participated in this project, as well as observation of a Community Dialogue, and an examination of some of the journalistic texts related to the Dialogues. This primary data is then critically evaluated against normative theories of press performance, especially Haas’s ‘public philosophy’ of public journalism. The thesis found that apart from their undoubted success in generating a more comprehensive and representative news agenda for the newspaper, the Dialogues often fell short of Habermas’s (1989) proceduralist-discursive notion of the ‘deliberating public’, which sees citizens share a commitment to engage in common deliberation and public problem solving. This can be attributed to a number of problems, including some important theoretical/conceptual weaknesses in the Community Dialogues’ project design, the relative immaturity of the project, the domination of civil society by political society in the South African political context, and a number of organisational constraints at the Daily Dispatch. On the other hand, the newspaper’s editorial leadership has shown clear commitment to the idea of expanding the project in the future, establishing a more a more structured programme of community engagement, and nurturing a more sustainable public sphere, including the building of a more dialectical relationship between the Dialogues and civil society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Amner, Roderick John
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Daily Dispatch (East London, South Africa) Journalism -- South Africa -- East London Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002870
- Description: This thesis critically examines the nature and purpose of a series of four town-hall-like meetings, the Community Dialogues, held in the townships and suburbs of East London, South Africa, in 2009. They were undertaken by a mainstream, commercial newspaper, the Daily Dispatch, under the banner of the worldwide public journalism movement. Following Christians et al (2009), the thesis sets out a normative framework of media performance in a democracy, including a detailed and critical normative theory of the ‘facilitative role’ proposed and developed by Haas (2007), one of the public journalism movement’s key advocate-theorists. It also draws on a variety of theoretical frameworks and perspectives in the fields of Political Studies and Media Studies to provide an analytical overview of the complex matrix of political and media contexts – at the macro (global), meso (national) and micro (local) levels – that have helped give impetus to the Community Dialogues and also shaped their ongoing operation as a public journalism strategy in the South African context. Following a critical realist case study design, the thesis goes on to provide a narrative account of the Dialogues based on in-depth interviews exploring the motivations, self-understandings and perceptions of those journalists who originated, directed and participated in this project, as well as observation of a Community Dialogue, and an examination of some of the journalistic texts related to the Dialogues. This primary data is then critically evaluated against normative theories of press performance, especially Haas’s ‘public philosophy’ of public journalism. The thesis found that apart from their undoubted success in generating a more comprehensive and representative news agenda for the newspaper, the Dialogues often fell short of Habermas’s (1989) proceduralist-discursive notion of the ‘deliberating public’, which sees citizens share a commitment to engage in common deliberation and public problem solving. This can be attributed to a number of problems, including some important theoretical/conceptual weaknesses in the Community Dialogues’ project design, the relative immaturity of the project, the domination of civil society by political society in the South African political context, and a number of organisational constraints at the Daily Dispatch. On the other hand, the newspaper’s editorial leadership has shown clear commitment to the idea of expanding the project in the future, establishing a more a more structured programme of community engagement, and nurturing a more sustainable public sphere, including the building of a more dialectical relationship between the Dialogues and civil society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The advent of the 'Festivore' an exploration of South African audience attendance in the performing arts at the National Arts Festival
- Authors: Antrobus, Richard Roy
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Standard Bank National Arts Festival -- Economic aspects , Arts -- Economic aspects , Performing arts festivals -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Arts -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , Arts -- South Africa -- Finance , Arts -- South Africa -- Political aspects , Arts audiences -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2130 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002362
- Description: In South Africa, the performing arts have contributed to enhancing national identity and distinctiveness despite coming up against weak legislation, policy and infrastructure to support their growth and proliferation (Fredericks, 2005: 9). Coupled with a decline in both government and consumer support and the contradictory disparity between valuing the arts and the funding of the arts, theatre companies can no longer rely on the comfort of external subsidies and financial support. In order to be economically viable and sustainable to ensure their survival, there is an increasing demand for theatre companies to look to novel ways of increasing audience demand for theatre and improving audience attendance. However, instead of risking artistic integrity and the performance product to satisfy the market, this research suggests that promotion and development of theatre at arts festivals provides a platform to access a wider theatre-going public, which therefore facilitates a change in the market focus toward appreciation of the product (production). It explores leading arguments pertaining to the attendance of arts and cultural events, namely, Peterson and Simkus (1992), later updated by Peterson‟s (2005)„omnivore-univore‟ argument. The argument purports cultural consumption as binary in nature: either significant and diverse or limited, if not absent altogether. Supported by a number of case-studies, including Chan and Goldthorpe (2005) and Montgomery and Robinson (2008) and Snowball et al. (2009), the investigation challenges Bourdieu‟s (1984) theory on cultural distinction as well as the homology and individualisation argument. In determining the factors that influence cultural taste and consumer behaviour, including motivators and inhibitors of attendance and a predominant emphasis on audience risk and information asymmetry, the research was placed in a local context, providing an overview of the socio-economic theatre environment in South Africa. It investigated the nature, structure and impact of local festivals (as events) in changing audience demand and theatre attendance. With specific reference to the South African National Arts Festival (NAF) the research notes the effects of Hauptfleisch‟s „eventification‟ phenomenon on univore attenders and therefore expands the omnivore-univore theory to include a new breed of attender: the “Festivore”. A case study explored the “Festivore” hypothesis through empirical research, surveys and face-to-face qualitative interviews and on-seat questionnaire responses by festival attenders. Personal interviews and communication was also carried out with leading experts in the field. The data was then analysed using SPSS 13 electronic statistical analysis programme to determine the socio-demographics and the factors that affect theatre attendance of existing, as well as potential target, theatre audiences at the National Arts Festival The study concluded that South African theatre attenders are generally omnivorous consumers and that, more importantly, there seems to be a shift towards „festivorous‟ consumption. Furthermore, evidence supports the development and proliferation of festivals as a means not only to support and promote the arts in South Africa but, more importantly, to generate new theatre audiences and entrench theatre attendance into South African culture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Antrobus, Richard Roy
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Standard Bank National Arts Festival -- Economic aspects , Arts -- Economic aspects , Performing arts festivals -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Arts -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , Arts -- South Africa -- Finance , Arts -- South Africa -- Political aspects , Arts audiences -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2130 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002362
- Description: In South Africa, the performing arts have contributed to enhancing national identity and distinctiveness despite coming up against weak legislation, policy and infrastructure to support their growth and proliferation (Fredericks, 2005: 9). Coupled with a decline in both government and consumer support and the contradictory disparity between valuing the arts and the funding of the arts, theatre companies can no longer rely on the comfort of external subsidies and financial support. In order to be economically viable and sustainable to ensure their survival, there is an increasing demand for theatre companies to look to novel ways of increasing audience demand for theatre and improving audience attendance. However, instead of risking artistic integrity and the performance product to satisfy the market, this research suggests that promotion and development of theatre at arts festivals provides a platform to access a wider theatre-going public, which therefore facilitates a change in the market focus toward appreciation of the product (production). It explores leading arguments pertaining to the attendance of arts and cultural events, namely, Peterson and Simkus (1992), later updated by Peterson‟s (2005)„omnivore-univore‟ argument. The argument purports cultural consumption as binary in nature: either significant and diverse or limited, if not absent altogether. Supported by a number of case-studies, including Chan and Goldthorpe (2005) and Montgomery and Robinson (2008) and Snowball et al. (2009), the investigation challenges Bourdieu‟s (1984) theory on cultural distinction as well as the homology and individualisation argument. In determining the factors that influence cultural taste and consumer behaviour, including motivators and inhibitors of attendance and a predominant emphasis on audience risk and information asymmetry, the research was placed in a local context, providing an overview of the socio-economic theatre environment in South Africa. It investigated the nature, structure and impact of local festivals (as events) in changing audience demand and theatre attendance. With specific reference to the South African National Arts Festival (NAF) the research notes the effects of Hauptfleisch‟s „eventification‟ phenomenon on univore attenders and therefore expands the omnivore-univore theory to include a new breed of attender: the “Festivore”. A case study explored the “Festivore” hypothesis through empirical research, surveys and face-to-face qualitative interviews and on-seat questionnaire responses by festival attenders. Personal interviews and communication was also carried out with leading experts in the field. The data was then analysed using SPSS 13 electronic statistical analysis programme to determine the socio-demographics and the factors that affect theatre attendance of existing, as well as potential target, theatre audiences at the National Arts Festival The study concluded that South African theatre attenders are generally omnivorous consumers and that, more importantly, there seems to be a shift towards „festivorous‟ consumption. Furthermore, evidence supports the development and proliferation of festivals as a means not only to support and promote the arts in South Africa but, more importantly, to generate new theatre audiences and entrench theatre attendance into South African culture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An assessment of the effectiveness of trade union participation in municipal decision-making: a case study of the Buffalo City Municipality
- Authors: Apraku, Amos
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9037 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1262 , Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality
- Description: The objectives of this study were to first identify the decision-making bodies structures in the Buffalo City Municipality. Secondly, to assess compositions, powers and functions of such identified bodies or structures. The field study was limited to the administrative jurisdictions of the Buffalo City Municipality; however, the findings and recommendations were applicable to all municipalities in South Africa with the same or similar decision-making like the Buffalo City Municipality. In order to achieve the research objectives, a review of the relevant literature was done. It began by first looking at the constitutional and other legislative provisions establishing the Municipal government system or concept. The literature review looked at the powers and functions given to municipal governments by such constitutional provisions and how effective are such powers exercised. The literature further highlighted the role of trade unions participation and civil society groups in the smooth and effective administration of the municipality and in making the Integrated Development Planning a successful one. The data collection was done by means of questionnaire, focus group discussions complimented by face-to-face interviews. Forty respondents were sampled from six different trade unions and top municipal management. The data collected were analysed thematically with the use of frequency tables, pie charts and histograms. The findings of the study showed among other things that, the highest decision-making body in the municipality is the municipal council supported by various committees, boards and directorates. All the legislative and executive powers are vested in the municipal council. Again, it became known that, the municipal workers unions participate effectively in labour related issues whereas the non-municipal workers unions participate poorly in all consultative processes. In conclusion, there is the urgent need to bring all stakeholders including trade unions in the municipality during decision-making processes in order promote sustainable development in the municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Apraku, Amos
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9037 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1262 , Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality
- Description: The objectives of this study were to first identify the decision-making bodies structures in the Buffalo City Municipality. Secondly, to assess compositions, powers and functions of such identified bodies or structures. The field study was limited to the administrative jurisdictions of the Buffalo City Municipality; however, the findings and recommendations were applicable to all municipalities in South Africa with the same or similar decision-making like the Buffalo City Municipality. In order to achieve the research objectives, a review of the relevant literature was done. It began by first looking at the constitutional and other legislative provisions establishing the Municipal government system or concept. The literature review looked at the powers and functions given to municipal governments by such constitutional provisions and how effective are such powers exercised. The literature further highlighted the role of trade unions participation and civil society groups in the smooth and effective administration of the municipality and in making the Integrated Development Planning a successful one. The data collection was done by means of questionnaire, focus group discussions complimented by face-to-face interviews. Forty respondents were sampled from six different trade unions and top municipal management. The data collected were analysed thematically with the use of frequency tables, pie charts and histograms. The findings of the study showed among other things that, the highest decision-making body in the municipality is the municipal council supported by various committees, boards and directorates. All the legislative and executive powers are vested in the municipal council. Again, it became known that, the municipal workers unions participate effectively in labour related issues whereas the non-municipal workers unions participate poorly in all consultative processes. In conclusion, there is the urgent need to bring all stakeholders including trade unions in the municipality during decision-making processes in order promote sustainable development in the municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The migration of the term "civil war" : a social constructivist explanation
- Authors: Bailie, Lawrence Craig
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Civil Wars United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Iraq -- History -- Civil War, 1991
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2845 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006022 , DOI http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/d1006022
- Description: Although the occurrence of wars between states has been in decline, the same cannot be said of conflict within states – especially when considering the innumerable ‘Civil Wars’ said to have occurred since the end of the Cold War. In this context the use of the word ‘innumerable’ is qualified more by the variance in how ‘Civil War’ is understood as a concept (leading to different claims as to how many conflicts of this kind may have occurred over a period of time) and less by their large number. Claims regarding the occurrence of ‘Civil War’ suggest this type of conflict to be the dominant form at least since the end of World War Two. This prevalence in the face of a decline in inter-state warfare has afforded greater interest to ‘Civil War’ as a topic of inquiry. The understanding that ‘Civil Wars’ have with time increased in their occurrence and changed in their nature comes under investigation in this thesis and is seen as problematic in that the means by which a phenomenon is measured (i.e. through its nature) must be fixed so as to measure the frequency of that phenomenon. Using Social Constructivism as a theoretical lens of inquiry, sense is made of this understanding and, furthermore, the true meaning behind the claim that ‘Civil War’ has changed is revealed. The empirical evidence that accompanies this theoretical work exists in the American Civil War of 1861–1865 and the debate over the conflict in Iraq following the U.S. invasion in 2003. This debate is used as a means by which to bring the contestation over the notion of ‘Civil War’ to the fore, while a comparison of this conflict with the quintessential American Civil War reveals the migration of the term.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Bailie, Lawrence Craig
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Civil Wars United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Iraq -- History -- Civil War, 1991
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2845 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006022 , DOI http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/d1006022
- Description: Although the occurrence of wars between states has been in decline, the same cannot be said of conflict within states – especially when considering the innumerable ‘Civil Wars’ said to have occurred since the end of the Cold War. In this context the use of the word ‘innumerable’ is qualified more by the variance in how ‘Civil War’ is understood as a concept (leading to different claims as to how many conflicts of this kind may have occurred over a period of time) and less by their large number. Claims regarding the occurrence of ‘Civil War’ suggest this type of conflict to be the dominant form at least since the end of World War Two. This prevalence in the face of a decline in inter-state warfare has afforded greater interest to ‘Civil War’ as a topic of inquiry. The understanding that ‘Civil Wars’ have with time increased in their occurrence and changed in their nature comes under investigation in this thesis and is seen as problematic in that the means by which a phenomenon is measured (i.e. through its nature) must be fixed so as to measure the frequency of that phenomenon. Using Social Constructivism as a theoretical lens of inquiry, sense is made of this understanding and, furthermore, the true meaning behind the claim that ‘Civil War’ has changed is revealed. The empirical evidence that accompanies this theoretical work exists in the American Civil War of 1861–1865 and the debate over the conflict in Iraq following the U.S. invasion in 2003. This debate is used as a means by which to bring the contestation over the notion of ‘Civil War’ to the fore, while a comparison of this conflict with the quintessential American Civil War reveals the migration of the term.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Antibiotic use in two hospitals in West Wollega, Ethiopia
- Authors: Banja, Wakweya Dugassa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Bacterial diseases -- Chemotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1263 , Antibiotics , Bacterial diseases -- Chemotherapy
- Description: In the last decades, there has been an escalating consumption of antibiotics with the number of antibiotic prescriptions increasing worldwide. Overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics has resulted in a major increase in the development of multi-drug resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the world’s most serious public health problems with great implication in terms of morbidity, mortality, and costs. To date, there has been no formal antibiotic use study conducted in the West Wollega zone of Ethiopia to assess antibiotic utilization. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of antibiotic use in two hospitals in the West Wollega zone of Ethiopia, namely Gimbie Adventist Hospital and Nedjo Hospitals, using drug utilization metrics and the costs associated. In addition it was to assess the correlation between diagnosed infectious diseases and antibiotic prescriptions. This study was a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive review of antibiotic usage in the two hospitals in the year 2007. Prescriptions dispensed in the first month of each quarter of 2007 were reviewed. The number of prescriptions screened, antibiotic courses started, antibiotic days by specific agent and overall, the cost of individual and all antibiotics, the number and type of infectious diseases diagnosed were collected from which core drug use indicators were calculated. The correlation between infectious disease diagnosed and the antibiotic days prescribed were analyzed. A total of 18568 antibiotic and non-antibiotic prescriptions were reviewed retrospectively in the four months of the study period, 47 percent of which contained at least one antibiotic. The average number of antibiotics per prescription was 1.33 and 1.09 whilst the percentage of injectable antibiotics prescribed was 83.2 percent and 3.76 percent to outpatients and inpatients respectively. Antibiotics prescribed from the Essential Drug List (EDL) and List of Drugs for District Hospital (LDDH) were 63.0 percent, 74.8 percent, and 90.8 percent and 76.1 percent for outpatients and inpatients respectively. 98.6 percent of outpatient and 97.0 percent inpatient prescribed antibiotics were actually dispensed. Penicillins and quinolones were the most prescribed antibiotics in both inpatient and outpatient departments constituting 43.46 percent and 24.08 percent respectively. The antibiotic utilization ratio, incidence of outpatient antibiotic use, incidence of inpatient antibiotic use, the number of Defined Daily Doses (DDD)/1000inhabitants/year and DDD/100 Occupied Bed Days (OBD) for the zone was 0.16, 17.25, 23.56, 158.61, and 70 respectively. Antibiotic cost constituted 33.7 percent of all expenditure on drug, cost of antibiotic per patient care day and cost per antibiotic day was 3.84 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) ($0.40) and 6.29 ETB ($0.66) respectively. The correlation between infectious diseases diagnosed and antibiotic prescription shows significant variation. At outpatient departments alone an average number of antibiotic courses started was 2.7 at Gimbie Adventist Hospital and 7.6 for Nedjo Hospital. When overall antibiotic days prescribed and required was compared in both hospitals, there were 2.4 and 5 times more antibiotic days prescribed than were required for Gimbie and Nedjo Hospitals respectively. This suggests that the overuse of antibiotic is worse in the government hospital (Nedjo Hospital) than in the mission hospital (Gimbie Adventist Hospital). This study suggested that there was overuse of antibiotics in the West Wollega hospitals although further investigation is needed to identify its underlying causes and nature. It is recommended that the health personnel, the hospital management, the zonal and regional Health Bureau, the regulatory bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) work hand-in-hand to promote the rational use of antibiotics in this region so that the consequences and financial cost of antimicrobial resistance can be prevented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Banja, Wakweya Dugassa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Bacterial diseases -- Chemotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1263 , Antibiotics , Bacterial diseases -- Chemotherapy
- Description: In the last decades, there has been an escalating consumption of antibiotics with the number of antibiotic prescriptions increasing worldwide. Overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics has resulted in a major increase in the development of multi-drug resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the world’s most serious public health problems with great implication in terms of morbidity, mortality, and costs. To date, there has been no formal antibiotic use study conducted in the West Wollega zone of Ethiopia to assess antibiotic utilization. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of antibiotic use in two hospitals in the West Wollega zone of Ethiopia, namely Gimbie Adventist Hospital and Nedjo Hospitals, using drug utilization metrics and the costs associated. In addition it was to assess the correlation between diagnosed infectious diseases and antibiotic prescriptions. This study was a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive review of antibiotic usage in the two hospitals in the year 2007. Prescriptions dispensed in the first month of each quarter of 2007 were reviewed. The number of prescriptions screened, antibiotic courses started, antibiotic days by specific agent and overall, the cost of individual and all antibiotics, the number and type of infectious diseases diagnosed were collected from which core drug use indicators were calculated. The correlation between infectious disease diagnosed and the antibiotic days prescribed were analyzed. A total of 18568 antibiotic and non-antibiotic prescriptions were reviewed retrospectively in the four months of the study period, 47 percent of which contained at least one antibiotic. The average number of antibiotics per prescription was 1.33 and 1.09 whilst the percentage of injectable antibiotics prescribed was 83.2 percent and 3.76 percent to outpatients and inpatients respectively. Antibiotics prescribed from the Essential Drug List (EDL) and List of Drugs for District Hospital (LDDH) were 63.0 percent, 74.8 percent, and 90.8 percent and 76.1 percent for outpatients and inpatients respectively. 98.6 percent of outpatient and 97.0 percent inpatient prescribed antibiotics were actually dispensed. Penicillins and quinolones were the most prescribed antibiotics in both inpatient and outpatient departments constituting 43.46 percent and 24.08 percent respectively. The antibiotic utilization ratio, incidence of outpatient antibiotic use, incidence of inpatient antibiotic use, the number of Defined Daily Doses (DDD)/1000inhabitants/year and DDD/100 Occupied Bed Days (OBD) for the zone was 0.16, 17.25, 23.56, 158.61, and 70 respectively. Antibiotic cost constituted 33.7 percent of all expenditure on drug, cost of antibiotic per patient care day and cost per antibiotic day was 3.84 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) ($0.40) and 6.29 ETB ($0.66) respectively. The correlation between infectious diseases diagnosed and antibiotic prescription shows significant variation. At outpatient departments alone an average number of antibiotic courses started was 2.7 at Gimbie Adventist Hospital and 7.6 for Nedjo Hospital. When overall antibiotic days prescribed and required was compared in both hospitals, there were 2.4 and 5 times more antibiotic days prescribed than were required for Gimbie and Nedjo Hospitals respectively. This suggests that the overuse of antibiotic is worse in the government hospital (Nedjo Hospital) than in the mission hospital (Gimbie Adventist Hospital). This study suggested that there was overuse of antibiotics in the West Wollega hospitals although further investigation is needed to identify its underlying causes and nature. It is recommended that the health personnel, the hospital management, the zonal and regional Health Bureau, the regulatory bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) work hand-in-hand to promote the rational use of antibiotics in this region so that the consequences and financial cost of antimicrobial resistance can be prevented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation of the use of social media news releases to create dialogue around brands
- Authors: Barnard, Marieka Helen
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Social marketing -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa -- Marketing , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa , Brand name products -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8389 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1264 , Social marketing -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa -- Marketing , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa , Brand name products -- South Africa
- Description: This study aimed to provide South African public relations professionals with insights into the use of the Social Media News Release (SMNR) as a PR 2.0 tool that has the potential to elicit consumer-driven dialogue in social media channels about information, a brand, product or service advocated by the particular social media news release. Drawing on literature from fields such as public relations, new media studies, marketing, and consumer studies, an analysis of two South African SMNR case studies was conducted including the Samsung Omnia i900 SMNR and the Standard Bank Pro20 2008 and 2009 SMNRs. An in-depth content analysis applying limited designations analysis and detailed assertions analysis techniques was performed on selected content from the dedicated social media platforms linked to in the SMNRs to determine the origins, tone and thematic nature of communications on the platforms. A total of 2071 messages was analysed by means of content analysis across six social media platforms in the two case studies. In order to triangulate and support data, an online survey was conducted with 43 social media users as respondents in order to determine social media users’ interactions with the social media platforms and SMNRs. The study found that the social media platforms linked to the SMNRs in the two case studies largely successfully elicited and hosted social media user-generated conversations about the themes advocated by the SMNR. The Blog, Facebook and YouTube platforms proved to be most successful in generating social media conversation, while the Flickr, Twitter and Delicious platforms were less effective among South African consumers. It was found that social media news releases are likely to elicit consumer-driven dialogue on the dedicated social media platforms linked to by the SMNRs if the platforms are managed correctly. Factors that were identified as important management considerations include ensuring the relevancy and timeliness of content on the social media platforms, the involvement by the platform creator in stimulating and encouraging participation from social media users where necessary, as well as the swift response to user comments, deleting of spam comments and pro-active management of negative perceptions that may arise from user comments on the platforms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Barnard, Marieka Helen
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Social marketing -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa -- Marketing , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa , Brand name products -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8389 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1264 , Social marketing -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa -- Marketing , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa , Brand name products -- South Africa
- Description: This study aimed to provide South African public relations professionals with insights into the use of the Social Media News Release (SMNR) as a PR 2.0 tool that has the potential to elicit consumer-driven dialogue in social media channels about information, a brand, product or service advocated by the particular social media news release. Drawing on literature from fields such as public relations, new media studies, marketing, and consumer studies, an analysis of two South African SMNR case studies was conducted including the Samsung Omnia i900 SMNR and the Standard Bank Pro20 2008 and 2009 SMNRs. An in-depth content analysis applying limited designations analysis and detailed assertions analysis techniques was performed on selected content from the dedicated social media platforms linked to in the SMNRs to determine the origins, tone and thematic nature of communications on the platforms. A total of 2071 messages was analysed by means of content analysis across six social media platforms in the two case studies. In order to triangulate and support data, an online survey was conducted with 43 social media users as respondents in order to determine social media users’ interactions with the social media platforms and SMNRs. The study found that the social media platforms linked to the SMNRs in the two case studies largely successfully elicited and hosted social media user-generated conversations about the themes advocated by the SMNR. The Blog, Facebook and YouTube platforms proved to be most successful in generating social media conversation, while the Flickr, Twitter and Delicious platforms were less effective among South African consumers. It was found that social media news releases are likely to elicit consumer-driven dialogue on the dedicated social media platforms linked to by the SMNRs if the platforms are managed correctly. Factors that were identified as important management considerations include ensuring the relevancy and timeliness of content on the social media platforms, the involvement by the platform creator in stimulating and encouraging participation from social media users where necessary, as well as the swift response to user comments, deleting of spam comments and pro-active management of negative perceptions that may arise from user comments on the platforms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Company-community participation as a conflict management strategy: a case study of AngloGold Ashanti in Mongbwalu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Authors: Barnett, Sarah
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Conflict management -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Mining corporations , Social participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8200 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1265 , Conflict management -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Mining corporations , Social participation
- Description: Mining companies operating in developing countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have come under increasing public criticism for not only failing to bring benefits to the country in which they operate but for often making the situation even worse through adverse environmental and social impacts. The particular focus of this treatise is the social division that a new mining project can generate between the operating company and the community living on or near to the mine site. In one area in north-eastern DRC, a large multinational mining company, AngloGold Ashanti, plans to develop a gold mine. While there have been no manifest conflicts between the company and the host community, there is evident latent conflict in the form of uncertainty and mistrust between parties. Although the company is engaged in two different models of companycommunity participation, this has either resulted in or failed to prevent tensions between the company and the local community. This research offers an exploration and discussion of the existing models of company-community participation as a conflict management strategy. With reference to relevant research and literature, as well as other available models for company-community participation, this treatise will provide a series of recommendations as to how the existing models could be made more effective in managing conflict.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Barnett, Sarah
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Conflict management -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Mining corporations , Social participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8200 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1265 , Conflict management -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Mining corporations , Social participation
- Description: Mining companies operating in developing countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have come under increasing public criticism for not only failing to bring benefits to the country in which they operate but for often making the situation even worse through adverse environmental and social impacts. The particular focus of this treatise is the social division that a new mining project can generate between the operating company and the community living on or near to the mine site. In one area in north-eastern DRC, a large multinational mining company, AngloGold Ashanti, plans to develop a gold mine. While there have been no manifest conflicts between the company and the host community, there is evident latent conflict in the form of uncertainty and mistrust between parties. Although the company is engaged in two different models of companycommunity participation, this has either resulted in or failed to prevent tensions between the company and the local community. This research offers an exploration and discussion of the existing models of company-community participation as a conflict management strategy. With reference to relevant research and literature, as well as other available models for company-community participation, this treatise will provide a series of recommendations as to how the existing models could be made more effective in managing conflict.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Modelling and control of combustion in a high velocity air flame (HVAF) thermal spraying process
- Authors: Barth, Dominic
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Metal spraying , Combustion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1266 , Metal spraying , Combustion
- Description: Thermal spraying is a technology, which is used for coating of components and structures in order to achieve certain tribological characteristics, or for protection against corrosion, excessive temperature and wear. Within thermal spray, there are processes, which utilise combustion of liquid fuel to obtain high velocities flows providing, therefore, good adhesion of coating materials to substrates. These include High Velocity Oxygen Flame (HVOF) and High Velocity Air Flame (HVAF) process, of which the former one is widely used as it has been developed for at least two decades, while HVAF is less common. However, some studies indicate that HVAF has a number of advantages over HVOF, including the economic benefits. The thermal spray gun, based on the HVAF process, has been developed before, but the system was controlled manually. Therefore, there is a need to develop a fully automated controller of an HVAF thermal spray system. Process control of thermal spraying is highly complex as it involves simultaneous control of a number of processes, including; ignition process, combustion process, spraying material melting, as well as control and monitoring of auxiliary equipment. This paper presents the development of a control system for an HVAF thermal spray system, based on a Microchip PIC microcontroller. The designed control system was applied for controlling of thermal spraying of carbides powders, and provided a reliable ignition and stable combustion process, powder feeding and all other functions of control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Barth, Dominic
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Metal spraying , Combustion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1266 , Metal spraying , Combustion
- Description: Thermal spraying is a technology, which is used for coating of components and structures in order to achieve certain tribological characteristics, or for protection against corrosion, excessive temperature and wear. Within thermal spray, there are processes, which utilise combustion of liquid fuel to obtain high velocities flows providing, therefore, good adhesion of coating materials to substrates. These include High Velocity Oxygen Flame (HVOF) and High Velocity Air Flame (HVAF) process, of which the former one is widely used as it has been developed for at least two decades, while HVAF is less common. However, some studies indicate that HVAF has a number of advantages over HVOF, including the economic benefits. The thermal spray gun, based on the HVAF process, has been developed before, but the system was controlled manually. Therefore, there is a need to develop a fully automated controller of an HVAF thermal spray system. Process control of thermal spraying is highly complex as it involves simultaneous control of a number of processes, including; ignition process, combustion process, spraying material melting, as well as control and monitoring of auxiliary equipment. This paper presents the development of a control system for an HVAF thermal spray system, based on a Microchip PIC microcontroller. The designed control system was applied for controlling of thermal spraying of carbides powders, and provided a reliable ignition and stable combustion process, powder feeding and all other functions of control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Policies, procedures and practices contributing to tensions between labour and management
- Authors: Basson, Jerome Godfrey
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Human capital -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government , South Africa -- Constitution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9427 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1267 , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Human capital -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government , South Africa -- Constitution
- Description: The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa guarantees the right of education to all citizens of the country. The Eastern Cape Department of Education went a step further by adopting a vision to ensure quality public education that will result in the positive transformation of all schools. Education is therefore a very important part of the life of any society and needs to be protected at all costs. It is therefore important that all obstacles in the way of providing quality public education be removed. It is no secret that the Eastern Cape Department of Education has had a number of battles with some of its social partners. These battles have negatively impacted on the education system. This Department also received the largest slice of the taxpayers’ money. It is time to take serious steps to halt the waste of time and resources. It is against this background that this study wanted to consider policies, procedures and practices that generated tension between the management and labour in the Eastern Cape Department of Education. It is my belief that if tension between the different social partners can be reduced, we would have gone a long way in achieving the vision of the Department of Education. The research methodology that was followed for this study comprised the following: • Literature was reviewed that dealt with labour relations and human resources. • A questionnaire was designed to collect information from the different participants. • The information in the questionnaire was incorporated into the main study where findings were identified and recommendations were formulated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Basson, Jerome Godfrey
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Human capital -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government , South Africa -- Constitution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9427 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1267 , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Human capital -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government , South Africa -- Constitution
- Description: The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa guarantees the right of education to all citizens of the country. The Eastern Cape Department of Education went a step further by adopting a vision to ensure quality public education that will result in the positive transformation of all schools. Education is therefore a very important part of the life of any society and needs to be protected at all costs. It is therefore important that all obstacles in the way of providing quality public education be removed. It is no secret that the Eastern Cape Department of Education has had a number of battles with some of its social partners. These battles have negatively impacted on the education system. This Department also received the largest slice of the taxpayers’ money. It is time to take serious steps to halt the waste of time and resources. It is against this background that this study wanted to consider policies, procedures and practices that generated tension between the management and labour in the Eastern Cape Department of Education. It is my belief that if tension between the different social partners can be reduced, we would have gone a long way in achieving the vision of the Department of Education. The research methodology that was followed for this study comprised the following: • Literature was reviewed that dealt with labour relations and human resources. • A questionnaire was designed to collect information from the different participants. • The information in the questionnaire was incorporated into the main study where findings were identified and recommendations were formulated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Psychologists' perceived influences of early strategies on the psychosocial response to those affected by disasters
- Authors: Blackburn, Nerina June
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Disasters -- Psychological aspects , Post-traumatic stress disorder , Disaster victims -- Mental health , Disasters
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1416 , Disasters -- Psychological aspects , Post-traumatic stress disorder , Disaster victims -- Mental health , Disasters
- Description: Currently some confusion exists as to how health professionals should best respond to the psychological needs of those affected by disasters. Some have argued that early psychological intervention is essential and others have argued that early formal psychological interventions have no useful role in post trauma response. This study highlights the importance of considering both counselling and non-counselling factors as potentially influencing the psychosocial response of disaster victims. Although posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not the only mental disorder that can develop as a result of exposure to disasters, it is probably the most frequent and debilitating psychological disorder associated with traumatic stress. In this exploratorydescriptive study the researcher aimed to explore and describe psychologists’ perceived influences of early strategies on the psychosocial response to those affected by disaster. The researcher used non-probability snowball sampling to access participants. The sample consisted of 5 participants. Semi structured interviews were conducted. Content analysis was used to analyse the data obtained from interviews. Results that emerged from the data suggest that there are many factors that influence the psychosocial response to those affected by disasters. These factors include the screening process, needs of survivors, the method of choice for treatment, the timing of intervention, pharmacology, the South African context, training and planning. The study makes a contribution to the growing knowledge of early strategies in response to those affected by disasters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Blackburn, Nerina June
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Disasters -- Psychological aspects , Post-traumatic stress disorder , Disaster victims -- Mental health , Disasters
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1416 , Disasters -- Psychological aspects , Post-traumatic stress disorder , Disaster victims -- Mental health , Disasters
- Description: Currently some confusion exists as to how health professionals should best respond to the psychological needs of those affected by disasters. Some have argued that early psychological intervention is essential and others have argued that early formal psychological interventions have no useful role in post trauma response. This study highlights the importance of considering both counselling and non-counselling factors as potentially influencing the psychosocial response of disaster victims. Although posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not the only mental disorder that can develop as a result of exposure to disasters, it is probably the most frequent and debilitating psychological disorder associated with traumatic stress. In this exploratorydescriptive study the researcher aimed to explore and describe psychologists’ perceived influences of early strategies on the psychosocial response to those affected by disaster. The researcher used non-probability snowball sampling to access participants. The sample consisted of 5 participants. Semi structured interviews were conducted. Content analysis was used to analyse the data obtained from interviews. Results that emerged from the data suggest that there are many factors that influence the psychosocial response to those affected by disasters. These factors include the screening process, needs of survivors, the method of choice for treatment, the timing of intervention, pharmacology, the South African context, training and planning. The study makes a contribution to the growing knowledge of early strategies in response to those affected by disasters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Adult adjustment and independent functioning in individuals who were raised in a children's home
- Authors: Bond, Susan Jane
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Child welfare , Foster children -- Counseling of , Children -- Institutional care , Adjustment (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9994 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008161 , Child welfare , Foster children -- Counseling of , Children -- Institutional care , Adjustment (Psychology)
- Description: Children are placed in a children’s home when a Presiding Officer finds them to be in need of care and when there is no viable community placement alternative. The body of literature on children’s homes focuses primarily on the negative effects and outcomes of such statutory placement. The assertion that children who grew up in children’s homes will continue to use the services of welfare organisations in adulthood, is supported by the researcher’s observation as a practicing social worker. This, and the study of available literature, resulted in this qualitative, exploratory-descriptive and contextual research study with the following goal: to enhance the understanding of how intervention programmes at children’s homes can contribute to adult adjustment and independent functioning of those children in their care. A purposive sampling method was used to identify ten participants who had spent at least 2 years in a children’s home and who had been discharged from the children’s home at least 5 years ago (to the date of data collection). The sample was drawn from clients at non governmental social welfare agencies who fitted the sampling criteria. The data was collected via semi-structured interviews using an interview guide, which were recorded, transcribed and then analysed using a thematic content analysis approach. The results of the study may be used to develop and implement meaningful intervention strategies for individuals placed in children’s homes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Bond, Susan Jane
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Child welfare , Foster children -- Counseling of , Children -- Institutional care , Adjustment (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9994 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008161 , Child welfare , Foster children -- Counseling of , Children -- Institutional care , Adjustment (Psychology)
- Description: Children are placed in a children’s home when a Presiding Officer finds them to be in need of care and when there is no viable community placement alternative. The body of literature on children’s homes focuses primarily on the negative effects and outcomes of such statutory placement. The assertion that children who grew up in children’s homes will continue to use the services of welfare organisations in adulthood, is supported by the researcher’s observation as a practicing social worker. This, and the study of available literature, resulted in this qualitative, exploratory-descriptive and contextual research study with the following goal: to enhance the understanding of how intervention programmes at children’s homes can contribute to adult adjustment and independent functioning of those children in their care. A purposive sampling method was used to identify ten participants who had spent at least 2 years in a children’s home and who had been discharged from the children’s home at least 5 years ago (to the date of data collection). The sample was drawn from clients at non governmental social welfare agencies who fitted the sampling criteria. The data was collected via semi-structured interviews using an interview guide, which were recorded, transcribed and then analysed using a thematic content analysis approach. The results of the study may be used to develop and implement meaningful intervention strategies for individuals placed in children’s homes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Gender and racial stereotyping in rape coverage: an analysis of rape coverage in Grocott's Mail
- Authors: Bonnes, Stephanie Marie
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) Rape in mass media Rape -- South Africa Stereotypes (Social psychology) in mass media Sexism in mass media Racism in mass media Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa Violence in mass media Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa Journalism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002972
- Description: This thesis analyzes rape coverage in a Grahamstown newspaper, Grocott’s Mail. Critical discourse analysis is used to discuss and analyze articles about rape that appear in Grocott’s Mail between October 14th 2008 and October 29th 2009. Drawing on existing literature on ‘rape myths’ in media coverage of rape, this thesis argues that Grocott’s Mail perpetuates racial and gender stereotypes through the way in which it reports on rape. While not all of the articles included in the analysis use rape myths, most use one or more when discussing rape incidents. Specifically, Grocott’s Mail tends to use rape myths that blame the victim for the rape and de-emphasize the role of the perpetrator in the rape. This is problematic as it sustains existing racial and gender inequalities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Bonnes, Stephanie Marie
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) Rape in mass media Rape -- South Africa Stereotypes (Social psychology) in mass media Sexism in mass media Racism in mass media Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa Violence in mass media Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa Journalism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002972
- Description: This thesis analyzes rape coverage in a Grahamstown newspaper, Grocott’s Mail. Critical discourse analysis is used to discuss and analyze articles about rape that appear in Grocott’s Mail between October 14th 2008 and October 29th 2009. Drawing on existing literature on ‘rape myths’ in media coverage of rape, this thesis argues that Grocott’s Mail perpetuates racial and gender stereotypes through the way in which it reports on rape. While not all of the articles included in the analysis use rape myths, most use one or more when discussing rape incidents. Specifically, Grocott’s Mail tends to use rape myths that blame the victim for the rape and de-emphasize the role of the perpetrator in the rape. This is problematic as it sustains existing racial and gender inequalities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation into the competencies associated with change leadership : a case study analysis of an information technology organisation
- Authors: Britton, Leola
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:16138 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1227 , Organizational change -- Management
- Description: In this research, the researcher-consultant together with the management corps of a merged IT organisation, embarked on a process of participative research with the aim to identify the competencies and skills that are required of the management-leadership corps to drive a process of change management and to ensure the organisation will be characterised by sustained growth and development. In using participative research methodology, qualitative data was mainly gathered through informal interviews and focus group sessions to identify the competencies and skills that are defined as important for the change manager-cum-leader role within the merged IT organisation. In addition, a matrix was compiled to enable each manager/leader to undertake a self-assessment of how capable they are in using the identified competencies and skills. The outcome of the assessment provided an indication of the areas of competencies and skills that through various interventions would enable the management-leadership corps to deal with the challenges of change, as well as to guide those that report to them through a process of change. While the management-leadership corps – referred to as the Executive, Senior, and Middle Management cohorts – all require enhancing their change management / leadership competencies and skills capability, it is the Middle Management cohort that is better equipped to perform their change management and leadership role. During the research, focus group sessions enhanced a participative methodology to enable identification of competencies important to the IT Company’s vision, mission and core values, as well as opportunity to identify interventions that will encourage an on-going process of change, growth and development. However, there is indication that the members of the Executive and Senior Management cohorts assessed themselves higher on those competencies that relate directly to their functionary roles, rather than the change management-leadership role. The scope of a treatise limits an in-depth and expanded research endeavour; however, the methodology used provided information on how a platform for participation in a change management process can be enabled. Furthermore, this research gives indication of how a management-leadership strata can ‘buy-in’ to the process of change, growth and development, commencing with the self and, which is aimed to encourage the same in those that share responsibility for sustained growth and development of the IT company. The research is also example of how an applied sociology endeavour can be undertaken.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Britton, Leola
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:16138 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1227 , Organizational change -- Management
- Description: In this research, the researcher-consultant together with the management corps of a merged IT organisation, embarked on a process of participative research with the aim to identify the competencies and skills that are required of the management-leadership corps to drive a process of change management and to ensure the organisation will be characterised by sustained growth and development. In using participative research methodology, qualitative data was mainly gathered through informal interviews and focus group sessions to identify the competencies and skills that are defined as important for the change manager-cum-leader role within the merged IT organisation. In addition, a matrix was compiled to enable each manager/leader to undertake a self-assessment of how capable they are in using the identified competencies and skills. The outcome of the assessment provided an indication of the areas of competencies and skills that through various interventions would enable the management-leadership corps to deal with the challenges of change, as well as to guide those that report to them through a process of change. While the management-leadership corps – referred to as the Executive, Senior, and Middle Management cohorts – all require enhancing their change management / leadership competencies and skills capability, it is the Middle Management cohort that is better equipped to perform their change management and leadership role. During the research, focus group sessions enhanced a participative methodology to enable identification of competencies important to the IT Company’s vision, mission and core values, as well as opportunity to identify interventions that will encourage an on-going process of change, growth and development. However, there is indication that the members of the Executive and Senior Management cohorts assessed themselves higher on those competencies that relate directly to their functionary roles, rather than the change management-leadership role. The scope of a treatise limits an in-depth and expanded research endeavour; however, the methodology used provided information on how a platform for participation in a change management process can be enabled. Furthermore, this research gives indication of how a management-leadership strata can ‘buy-in’ to the process of change, growth and development, commencing with the self and, which is aimed to encourage the same in those that share responsibility for sustained growth and development of the IT company. The research is also example of how an applied sociology endeavour can be undertaken.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An explanatory study into the rehabilitation of ex-freedom fighters in Gweru, Zimbabwe from 1990 to 1995
- Authors: Charema, John
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Guerrillas -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Political rehabilitation -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Nationalism -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1990-1995 , Zimbabwe -- History -- 1990-1995
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8202 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1223 , Guerrillas -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Political rehabilitation -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Nationalism -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1990-1995 , Zimbabwe -- History -- 1990-1995
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore the rehabilitation of ex-combatants who fought the Zimbabwe liberation war, thus to find out if these ex-combatants received counseling and were resettled or reintegrated within the period 1990 to 1995. In order to maintain focus the aims of the study were set out as follows: • to focus on rehabilitation which encompasses taking care of the ex-combatants who were disabled and or injured during the war, as well as counseling, reintegrating and resettling them and • to explore whether the ex-combatants who were demobilized and those who opted for a civilian life were rehabilitated. • to explore if the ex-combatants were reintegrated. • to understand how the ex-combatants were coping with their lives and • to discover how they perceived their support from the government at the time of their demobilisation. The study concentrated on ex-combatants in Gweru, who were to be rehabilitated from 1990 to 1995. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted to achieve the objectives set out for the study. The results of the study indicate that there was no rehabilitation, counseling, resettlement and real integration. The findings clearly indicate that these ex-combatants still think of being resettled, allocated good land for farming. They went on to suggest being paid pension by the government and to have their children employed, educated and supported by the government.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Charema, John
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Guerrillas -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Political rehabilitation -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Nationalism -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1990-1995 , Zimbabwe -- History -- 1990-1995
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8202 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1223 , Guerrillas -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Political rehabilitation -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Nationalism -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1990-1995 , Zimbabwe -- History -- 1990-1995
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore the rehabilitation of ex-combatants who fought the Zimbabwe liberation war, thus to find out if these ex-combatants received counseling and were resettled or reintegrated within the period 1990 to 1995. In order to maintain focus the aims of the study were set out as follows: • to focus on rehabilitation which encompasses taking care of the ex-combatants who were disabled and or injured during the war, as well as counseling, reintegrating and resettling them and • to explore whether the ex-combatants who were demobilized and those who opted for a civilian life were rehabilitated. • to explore if the ex-combatants were reintegrated. • to understand how the ex-combatants were coping with their lives and • to discover how they perceived their support from the government at the time of their demobilisation. The study concentrated on ex-combatants in Gweru, who were to be rehabilitated from 1990 to 1995. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted to achieve the objectives set out for the study. The results of the study indicate that there was no rehabilitation, counseling, resettlement and real integration. The findings clearly indicate that these ex-combatants still think of being resettled, allocated good land for farming. They went on to suggest being paid pension by the government and to have their children employed, educated and supported by the government.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Social relationships and identity online and offline: a study of the interplay between offline social relationships and facebook usage by Rhodes University students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds
- Authors: Chatora, Arther Tichaona
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Facebook (Electronic resource) Online social networks Information technology -- Social aspects Identity (Psychology) and mass media Rhodes University -- Students -- Social life and customs Rhodes University -- Students -- Social networks Rhodes University -- Students -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3421 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002874
- Description: Based on in-depth focus group and individual interviews, this thesis examines how Rhodes University students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds experience campus social life and how they subsequently use Facebook to perform, represent and negotiate their social identities. The study discusses utopian and dystopian positions and interrogates these theoretical perspectives in relation to the students‟ Facebook usage. The popularity and uptake of Facebook by students from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as those here at Rhodes University, is a growing phenomenon, provoking questions about the relationship between social experiences, social identity and social networks. Rhodes University‟s social space has been identified by previous studies as modern, liberal, “elite” and divided along race and class lines. The ways in which students experience this campus social space relates to their subject positions and identities. The study employs different perspectives of identity construction to interrogate the students‟ subject experiences in home and school contexts before coming to Rhodes University. The students‟ subjective positions are primarily embedded in tradition and their subject positions are sometimes in tension or come in conflict with the modern and liberal elements permitted by the Rhodes University context. The students also experience and adopt modern and liberal elements in their lifestyles which are permitted within the Rhodes University social space. The thesis found that Facebook offers a platform which facilitates a social connectivity that influences how students perform their identities in relation to their offline social identities and lived social experiences. This study concludes that the mediated symbolic materials for the construction and negotiation of identity provided by Facebook are sometimes in tension with the demands of traditional subjectivities experienced by these students at Rhodes University. Facebook allows the students to reinforce and affirm the validity of their traditional identities in this modern and liberal space. However, it also emerged that Facebook facilitates and allows students who experience and incorporate the modern and liberal elements permitted at Rhodes University to represent and negotiate their subjective positions online. The findings of the study indicate that participants primarily communicate with their friends, families, relatives and acquaintances - people they know personally offline, in line with the theoretical position which argues that online relationships are primarily shaped by offline relationships.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Chatora, Arther Tichaona
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Facebook (Electronic resource) Online social networks Information technology -- Social aspects Identity (Psychology) and mass media Rhodes University -- Students -- Social life and customs Rhodes University -- Students -- Social networks Rhodes University -- Students -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3421 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002874
- Description: Based on in-depth focus group and individual interviews, this thesis examines how Rhodes University students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds experience campus social life and how they subsequently use Facebook to perform, represent and negotiate their social identities. The study discusses utopian and dystopian positions and interrogates these theoretical perspectives in relation to the students‟ Facebook usage. The popularity and uptake of Facebook by students from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as those here at Rhodes University, is a growing phenomenon, provoking questions about the relationship between social experiences, social identity and social networks. Rhodes University‟s social space has been identified by previous studies as modern, liberal, “elite” and divided along race and class lines. The ways in which students experience this campus social space relates to their subject positions and identities. The study employs different perspectives of identity construction to interrogate the students‟ subject experiences in home and school contexts before coming to Rhodes University. The students‟ subjective positions are primarily embedded in tradition and their subject positions are sometimes in tension or come in conflict with the modern and liberal elements permitted by the Rhodes University context. The students also experience and adopt modern and liberal elements in their lifestyles which are permitted within the Rhodes University social space. The thesis found that Facebook offers a platform which facilitates a social connectivity that influences how students perform their identities in relation to their offline social identities and lived social experiences. This study concludes that the mediated symbolic materials for the construction and negotiation of identity provided by Facebook are sometimes in tension with the demands of traditional subjectivities experienced by these students at Rhodes University. Facebook allows the students to reinforce and affirm the validity of their traditional identities in this modern and liberal space. However, it also emerged that Facebook facilitates and allows students who experience and incorporate the modern and liberal elements permitted at Rhodes University to represent and negotiate their subjective positions online. The findings of the study indicate that participants primarily communicate with their friends, families, relatives and acquaintances - people they know personally offline, in line with the theoretical position which argues that online relationships are primarily shaped by offline relationships.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Negotiating sexuality in Grahamstown East: young black women's experiences of relationships in the context of HIV risk
- Authors: Clüver, Frances Rose Mannix
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: HIV infections -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Man-woman relationships -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Intimacy -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Sex -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Youth, Black -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Sexual behavior HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Youth, Black -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Attitudes Reproductive health -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Health education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Youth, Black -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Health and hygiene Phenomenological psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002460
- Description: Adolescent sexual health has been identified as a significant health and development problem facing South Africa. Limited amounts of research on sexual interactions have been undertaken, with information on adolescents’ romantic relationships being particularly scarce. Qualitative research needs to foster an understanding of the dynamics of sexual interactions in specific settings, and with emphasis in the past on cognitive health psychology models, very little is thus known about how adolescents negotiate and make sense of their sexual experiences. This highlights the need to investigate the complexities of human sexuality in a contextual manner. In response, this study explores the lived experiences of four young black women as they negotiate their agency and sexuality in a local context. By way of in-depth qualitative interviews, which were analysed for recurrent themes using interpretative phenomenological analysis, this project examines the participants’ experiences regarding sex, relationships, communication, sexual health care, as well as HIV and pregnancy prevention. The results reveal that communication about sexuality in the participants’ homes was limited if not absent altogether. When seeking sexual health care, they found clinic nurses to be judgemental and rude. Regarding sexuality and HIV education, the participants stressed the need for outside educators to teach in more practical ways to increase efficacy. In their dating relationships, most participants revealed their boyfriends had a great deal of influence over their sexual initiation. Unwanted pregnancy surfaced as a greater fear than HIV in their accounts due to pressure to finish their education and attain well-paying jobs in the future. The participants felt unable to stop their boyfriends’ infidelity and had limited agency when facing sexual demands. Their accounts revealed that they negotiate their agency in an atmosphere of coercion and the threat of rape. However, areas of agency included their consistent condom use even when facing pressure to have unprotected sex, and their active accessing of sexual health services for hormonal contraception. These insights serve to better inform sexual and reproductive health education and intervention programmes for young women. Moreover, educators, researchers and programme developers alike may gain useful insights from the personalised accounts derived from this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Clüver, Frances Rose Mannix
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: HIV infections -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Man-woman relationships -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Intimacy -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Sex -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Youth, Black -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Sexual behavior HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Youth, Black -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Attitudes Reproductive health -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Health education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Youth, Black -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Health and hygiene Phenomenological psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002460
- Description: Adolescent sexual health has been identified as a significant health and development problem facing South Africa. Limited amounts of research on sexual interactions have been undertaken, with information on adolescents’ romantic relationships being particularly scarce. Qualitative research needs to foster an understanding of the dynamics of sexual interactions in specific settings, and with emphasis in the past on cognitive health psychology models, very little is thus known about how adolescents negotiate and make sense of their sexual experiences. This highlights the need to investigate the complexities of human sexuality in a contextual manner. In response, this study explores the lived experiences of four young black women as they negotiate their agency and sexuality in a local context. By way of in-depth qualitative interviews, which were analysed for recurrent themes using interpretative phenomenological analysis, this project examines the participants’ experiences regarding sex, relationships, communication, sexual health care, as well as HIV and pregnancy prevention. The results reveal that communication about sexuality in the participants’ homes was limited if not absent altogether. When seeking sexual health care, they found clinic nurses to be judgemental and rude. Regarding sexuality and HIV education, the participants stressed the need for outside educators to teach in more practical ways to increase efficacy. In their dating relationships, most participants revealed their boyfriends had a great deal of influence over their sexual initiation. Unwanted pregnancy surfaced as a greater fear than HIV in their accounts due to pressure to finish their education and attain well-paying jobs in the future. The participants felt unable to stop their boyfriends’ infidelity and had limited agency when facing sexual demands. Their accounts revealed that they negotiate their agency in an atmosphere of coercion and the threat of rape. However, areas of agency included their consistent condom use even when facing pressure to have unprotected sex, and their active accessing of sexual health services for hormonal contraception. These insights serve to better inform sexual and reproductive health education and intervention programmes for young women. Moreover, educators, researchers and programme developers alike may gain useful insights from the personalised accounts derived from this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Systemic influence on Black South African adolescents' career development : adolescent and parental perspectives
- Authors: Collett, Gary Reece
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Career development -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Vocational guidance , Adolescence , Parent and child
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1513 , Career development -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Vocational guidance , Adolescence , Parent and child
- Description: Currently, no career theories exist that sufficiently explain the career development of South Africa’s diverse population groups. Consequently, South African researchers have been entirely dependent on international, western-informed career theories. While such theories have taken on a more ethnocentric complexion in recent times, they remain essentially decontextualised for South Africa. Furthermore, although the influence of family and the significant roles of parents have been theoretically acknowledged as critical influences in adolescent career development, there is still a considerable lack of research in South Africa on this topic. The present study therefore explored the perceptions of systemic influences on adolescent career development from the perspectives of both Black middle-class South African Grade 11 learners and their parents. The research was conceptualised within the Systems Theory Framework (STF) of career development and used its derivative instrument, the My Systems of Career Influences (MSCI, Adolescent). The present study utilised a qualitative research method, using answers derived from the MSCI (Adolescent) booklets to inform semi-structured interviews. The data analysis procedure involved the use of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to qualitatively analyse data obtained from the semistructured interviews. Findings revealed a number of influences within the individual system (personality, values, abilities), social system (adolescents’ parents and teachers) and societal-environmental system (financial support, the opportunity to work overseas, geographical location, job availability, and the location of universities) that were acknowledged as having an influence on the career development of South African Black middle class adolescents. Each of these findings were explored and unpacked under the four xii identified Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) superordinate themes of Family Dynamics, Great Expectations, The Ghost of Apartheid and Coconuts Fall Far From the Tree. Lastly, the limitations of the present study, as well as recommendations for future research are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Collett, Gary Reece
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Career development -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Vocational guidance , Adolescence , Parent and child
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1513 , Career development -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Vocational guidance , Adolescence , Parent and child
- Description: Currently, no career theories exist that sufficiently explain the career development of South Africa’s diverse population groups. Consequently, South African researchers have been entirely dependent on international, western-informed career theories. While such theories have taken on a more ethnocentric complexion in recent times, they remain essentially decontextualised for South Africa. Furthermore, although the influence of family and the significant roles of parents have been theoretically acknowledged as critical influences in adolescent career development, there is still a considerable lack of research in South Africa on this topic. The present study therefore explored the perceptions of systemic influences on adolescent career development from the perspectives of both Black middle-class South African Grade 11 learners and their parents. The research was conceptualised within the Systems Theory Framework (STF) of career development and used its derivative instrument, the My Systems of Career Influences (MSCI, Adolescent). The present study utilised a qualitative research method, using answers derived from the MSCI (Adolescent) booklets to inform semi-structured interviews. The data analysis procedure involved the use of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to qualitatively analyse data obtained from the semistructured interviews. Findings revealed a number of influences within the individual system (personality, values, abilities), social system (adolescents’ parents and teachers) and societal-environmental system (financial support, the opportunity to work overseas, geographical location, job availability, and the location of universities) that were acknowledged as having an influence on the career development of South African Black middle class adolescents. Each of these findings were explored and unpacked under the four xii identified Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) superordinate themes of Family Dynamics, Great Expectations, The Ghost of Apartheid and Coconuts Fall Far From the Tree. Lastly, the limitations of the present study, as well as recommendations for future research are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Self-efficacy and social support of academy cricketers
- Authors: Cowan, Jenna
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Self-efficacy , Control (Psychology) , Social networks , Cricket players
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9859 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1556 , Self-efficacy , Control (Psychology) , Social networks , Cricket players
- Description: Self-efficacy is considered to be a significant variable for enhancing all aspects of human performance (Druckman, 2004). Social support may influence self-efficacy through each of the four channels of self-efficacy information which consist of performance accomplishments, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion and physiological responses (Bandura, 1997). The primary aim of this study was to explore and describe the nature of change that occurred in selfefficacy and received social support of university-age academy cricketers over the duration of an academy programme. The secondary aim was to explore and describe the relationship between the two constructs, self-efficacy and social support. Sixty-five male, university-age (18-25 years) provincial academy cricketers completed a social support measure and a self-efficacy measure specifically designed for the purposes of this study. These measures were based on Rees and Freeman’s (2007) items and Cox, Martens and Russell’s (2003) revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2 - Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump & Smith, 1990) respectively. The perceived pre- and post-academy personal ratings of self-efficacy and social support, obtained prior to the start of the South African Interprovincial Academy Cricket week, referred to participants’ perceptions before and after attending their respective provincial academies. An inferential pre-experimental post-pretest design was used. The results included significant changes found in self-efficacy, esteem social support, informational social support and tangible social support over the academy season. There were no differences attributed to the length of time a cricketer had spent at the academy or to the cricketer’s highest level of achievement in cricket. The only significant correlation that existed between self-efficacy and social support was the correlation between self-efficacy and x informational social support. This study provided an initial insight into the role of self-efficacy and social support in talented cricketers, especially in a South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Cowan, Jenna
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Self-efficacy , Control (Psychology) , Social networks , Cricket players
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9859 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1556 , Self-efficacy , Control (Psychology) , Social networks , Cricket players
- Description: Self-efficacy is considered to be a significant variable for enhancing all aspects of human performance (Druckman, 2004). Social support may influence self-efficacy through each of the four channels of self-efficacy information which consist of performance accomplishments, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion and physiological responses (Bandura, 1997). The primary aim of this study was to explore and describe the nature of change that occurred in selfefficacy and received social support of university-age academy cricketers over the duration of an academy programme. The secondary aim was to explore and describe the relationship between the two constructs, self-efficacy and social support. Sixty-five male, university-age (18-25 years) provincial academy cricketers completed a social support measure and a self-efficacy measure specifically designed for the purposes of this study. These measures were based on Rees and Freeman’s (2007) items and Cox, Martens and Russell’s (2003) revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2 - Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump & Smith, 1990) respectively. The perceived pre- and post-academy personal ratings of self-efficacy and social support, obtained prior to the start of the South African Interprovincial Academy Cricket week, referred to participants’ perceptions before and after attending their respective provincial academies. An inferential pre-experimental post-pretest design was used. The results included significant changes found in self-efficacy, esteem social support, informational social support and tangible social support over the academy season. There were no differences attributed to the length of time a cricketer had spent at the academy or to the cricketer’s highest level of achievement in cricket. The only significant correlation that existed between self-efficacy and social support was the correlation between self-efficacy and x informational social support. This study provided an initial insight into the role of self-efficacy and social support in talented cricketers, especially in a South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010