An investigation into how grade 9 girls participate during practical work in Physical Science lessons : a case study
- Authors: Munyanyo, Johanna
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Physical sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Teenage girls -- Education , Sex differences in education -- Namibia , Sex discrimination in education -- Namibia , Physical sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Sex differences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017353
- Description: This research report documented in this thesis focused mainly on the participation of grade 9 girls during practical work in the topic of ‘Electricity’ in Physical Science lessons at Mwatya (pseudonym) Junior Secondary School in Ohangwena region of Namibia. The study was triggered by the lack of participation of girls during practical work. Underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, the study took the form of a qualitative case study and my unit of analysis was girls’ participation during practical work on electricity in particular. The perceptions and experiences of girls about practical work in Physical Science were investigated using the administered questionnaires. The participation of girls during practical work was further explored using interviews (semi-structured and focus group interviews) and observations of selected girls. A thematic approach to data analysis was adopted. The qualitative data from the audio and video transcripts were analysed according to the categories developed and themes that emerged from the analysis process. The categories developed for presenting the data are: teaching methods preferred by girls; importance and roles of practical activities; things that girls enjoy during practical activities; problems experienced by girls during practical activities; preference for doing practical work in groups or as an individual task; if practical work given in groups should the sex of learners be considered or not; activities preferred by girls when they are in single sex and in mixed sex groups; factors that enable girls to participate; and factors that prevent girls from participating. The study found that girls’ perceptions about practical work affect their participation during practical work in the topic of Electricity. It also revealed different factors that contribute to either good or poor participation of girls, namely, factors such as mixed-sex group-work, limited science prior experience (knowledge), unequal treatment from teachers during lessons and home environment were identified as contributing to poor participation. Girls however suggested some factors that they think could enable them to participate freely and actively during practical work. In view of these findings, this study recommends that teacher training institutions should train teachers to plan practical work in a gender sensitive manner. Schools should be provided with enough materials as sharing materials can contribute to poor participation of girls during practical work especially when they are in mixed groups with boys. There is a need for science teachers to assess the learning taking place during practical work and, finally, textbook suppliers should be monitored in a way that enables the supply of gender sensitive printed materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Munyanyo, Johanna
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Physical sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Teenage girls -- Education , Sex differences in education -- Namibia , Sex discrimination in education -- Namibia , Physical sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Sex differences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017353
- Description: This research report documented in this thesis focused mainly on the participation of grade 9 girls during practical work in the topic of ‘Electricity’ in Physical Science lessons at Mwatya (pseudonym) Junior Secondary School in Ohangwena region of Namibia. The study was triggered by the lack of participation of girls during practical work. Underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, the study took the form of a qualitative case study and my unit of analysis was girls’ participation during practical work on electricity in particular. The perceptions and experiences of girls about practical work in Physical Science were investigated using the administered questionnaires. The participation of girls during practical work was further explored using interviews (semi-structured and focus group interviews) and observations of selected girls. A thematic approach to data analysis was adopted. The qualitative data from the audio and video transcripts were analysed according to the categories developed and themes that emerged from the analysis process. The categories developed for presenting the data are: teaching methods preferred by girls; importance and roles of practical activities; things that girls enjoy during practical activities; problems experienced by girls during practical activities; preference for doing practical work in groups or as an individual task; if practical work given in groups should the sex of learners be considered or not; activities preferred by girls when they are in single sex and in mixed sex groups; factors that enable girls to participate; and factors that prevent girls from participating. The study found that girls’ perceptions about practical work affect their participation during practical work in the topic of Electricity. It also revealed different factors that contribute to either good or poor participation of girls, namely, factors such as mixed-sex group-work, limited science prior experience (knowledge), unequal treatment from teachers during lessons and home environment were identified as contributing to poor participation. Girls however suggested some factors that they think could enable them to participate freely and actively during practical work. In view of these findings, this study recommends that teacher training institutions should train teachers to plan practical work in a gender sensitive manner. Schools should be provided with enough materials as sharing materials can contribute to poor participation of girls during practical work especially when they are in mixed groups with boys. There is a need for science teachers to assess the learning taking place during practical work and, finally, textbook suppliers should be monitored in a way that enables the supply of gender sensitive printed materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Exploring the effects of domestic violence in the psychosocial development of children : the case of Mlungisi Township in Queenstown
- Authors: Ntsumpa, SL
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Family violence Abused children--South Africa Children and violence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17338 , vital:40957
- Description: The main aim of the study was to explore the effects of domestic violence in the psychosocial development of children at Mlungisi Township, Chris Hani District in Queenstown – Eastern Cape Province. The specific objectives of the study were: to investigate the effect domestic violence has on the psychosocial development of children; to assess the behavior of the children subjected to domestic violence; and to examine challenges that children are facing due to domestic violence; and to examine the support provided by professionals (Social works, community worker, educator, South African Police and Justice System) to children who are victims of domestic violence. The study adopted a qualitative research paradigm and non-probability sampling methodology in the form of purposive sampling technique. The study‟s sample size comprised of 20 participants, 7 male children between the ages of 9 and 16, and 8 female children between the ages of 9 and 16 on in-depth one-on-one interviews. Five children withdrew from the study because they became emotional and were reluctant to participate. The study also comprised of 5 participants in a focus group which composed of various professionals from government departments such as: Department of Social Development, Department of Education, South African Police Services, Lukhanji Municipality and Justice Official who are directly working with children. The research instrument used was an interview guide with open ended questions. The study findings include the following: effects of domestic violence on the psychosocial development of children; challenges faced by children due to domestic violence; behaviors of children subjected to domestic violence; support services; efficiency and effectiveness of services rendered to the children; and improvement of services rendered to the victims by government officials. The study recommendations were: more studies on domestic violence specifically on children as victims should be done; policy regarding domestic violence needs to be reviewed and in order to accommodate children; there should be policies that focus solemnly to children who happen to be victims of domestic violence not domestic violence in general; and government departments and other relevant stakeholder should be strengthened or even develop new intervention strategies to ensure effectiveness in curbing domestic violence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ntsumpa, SL
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Family violence Abused children--South Africa Children and violence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17338 , vital:40957
- Description: The main aim of the study was to explore the effects of domestic violence in the psychosocial development of children at Mlungisi Township, Chris Hani District in Queenstown – Eastern Cape Province. The specific objectives of the study were: to investigate the effect domestic violence has on the psychosocial development of children; to assess the behavior of the children subjected to domestic violence; and to examine challenges that children are facing due to domestic violence; and to examine the support provided by professionals (Social works, community worker, educator, South African Police and Justice System) to children who are victims of domestic violence. The study adopted a qualitative research paradigm and non-probability sampling methodology in the form of purposive sampling technique. The study‟s sample size comprised of 20 participants, 7 male children between the ages of 9 and 16, and 8 female children between the ages of 9 and 16 on in-depth one-on-one interviews. Five children withdrew from the study because they became emotional and were reluctant to participate. The study also comprised of 5 participants in a focus group which composed of various professionals from government departments such as: Department of Social Development, Department of Education, South African Police Services, Lukhanji Municipality and Justice Official who are directly working with children. The research instrument used was an interview guide with open ended questions. The study findings include the following: effects of domestic violence on the psychosocial development of children; challenges faced by children due to domestic violence; behaviors of children subjected to domestic violence; support services; efficiency and effectiveness of services rendered to the children; and improvement of services rendered to the victims by government officials. The study recommendations were: more studies on domestic violence specifically on children as victims should be done; policy regarding domestic violence needs to be reviewed and in order to accommodate children; there should be policies that focus solemnly to children who happen to be victims of domestic violence not domestic violence in general; and government departments and other relevant stakeholder should be strengthened or even develop new intervention strategies to ensure effectiveness in curbing domestic violence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Identification of novel SNPSTRs by 454 sequencing in Nguni and Sotho-Tswana populations
- Authors: Laurence, Jo-Anne Elizabeth
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/55885 , vital:26752
- Description: DNA profiling is currently performed by analysis of the electropherogram that results following the amplification of a panel of Short Tandem Repeat (STR) loci. A need has arisen, however, for the development of a typing method that generates results which are compatible and comparable with existing databases, but that have a higher discrimination power by supplying sequence data as well as repeat-number data. Recent studies that explore these alternative typing methodologies have revealed the existence of a number of STR variants. There is, however, little information about the exact nature and prevalence of these sub-alleles. There have also been limited population studies of the genetic profiles of sub-Saharan African populations, despite the fact that evidence suggests that there is greater genetic structure and genetic diversity in these populations. In this study, a processing protocol for the generation of 454 sequencing-ready amplicons of vWA, D2S441, D3S1358, D13S317, D21S11 and D7S820 loci was developed. This protocol was applied to buccal swabs collected from 144 individuals of the Nguni and Sotho-Tswana population groups. A total of 145 485 reads were obtained from the sequencing of these amplicons, of which 97 400 and 48 085 reads were obtained for the Nguni and Sotho-Tswana populations respectively. The proportional representation for each locus ranged from 8-20%, and the allele calls and observed frequencies of these alleles suggested a high degree of relatedness between population groups. The sequencing results, furthermore, enabled the identification of a number of previously undescribed STR variants and SNPSTRs; with allele 13´ for D13S317 representing a SNP that may be predictive of Nguni-ancestry. The results also demonstrated the usefulness of next generation sequencing for increasing the number of discernible alleles for STR profiling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Laurence, Jo-Anne Elizabeth
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/55885 , vital:26752
- Description: DNA profiling is currently performed by analysis of the electropherogram that results following the amplification of a panel of Short Tandem Repeat (STR) loci. A need has arisen, however, for the development of a typing method that generates results which are compatible and comparable with existing databases, but that have a higher discrimination power by supplying sequence data as well as repeat-number data. Recent studies that explore these alternative typing methodologies have revealed the existence of a number of STR variants. There is, however, little information about the exact nature and prevalence of these sub-alleles. There have also been limited population studies of the genetic profiles of sub-Saharan African populations, despite the fact that evidence suggests that there is greater genetic structure and genetic diversity in these populations. In this study, a processing protocol for the generation of 454 sequencing-ready amplicons of vWA, D2S441, D3S1358, D13S317, D21S11 and D7S820 loci was developed. This protocol was applied to buccal swabs collected from 144 individuals of the Nguni and Sotho-Tswana population groups. A total of 145 485 reads were obtained from the sequencing of these amplicons, of which 97 400 and 48 085 reads were obtained for the Nguni and Sotho-Tswana populations respectively. The proportional representation for each locus ranged from 8-20%, and the allele calls and observed frequencies of these alleles suggested a high degree of relatedness between population groups. The sequencing results, furthermore, enabled the identification of a number of previously undescribed STR variants and SNPSTRs; with allele 13´ for D13S317 representing a SNP that may be predictive of Nguni-ancestry. The results also demonstrated the usefulness of next generation sequencing for increasing the number of discernible alleles for STR profiling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Taxing the Minerals Sector in South Africa: a comparative analysis of the proposed tax model for South Africa and the models adopted in selected African countries
- Authors: Van den Berg, Jana
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Industrial minerals -- Taxation -- South Africa , Industrial minerals -- Taxation -- Developing countries , Industrial minerals -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Industrial minerals -- Law and legislation -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:919 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017545
- Description: The State Intervention in the Minerals Sector Report emerged as a resolution during the 3rd National General Council Resolution on Economic Transformation held in 2012, during which the Council stated that: “The ANC’s approach to economic transformation of the South African economy should always be holistic and comprehensive, covering all sectors of the economy. In this regard, the ANC should ensure greater state involvement and control of strategic sectors of the economy, such as mining, energy, the financial sector and others.” It was for this reason that the National General Council mandated the National Executive Committee to ensure that further work be done on ways in which the African National Congress can implement economic transformation in sectors such as the mining industry. It was suggested that methods including research, study tours and discussions be conducted to gather the required information. As a result of the research, The State Intervention in the Minerals Sector Report emerged. In The State Intervention in the Minerals Sector Report, the mineral sectors of developed as well as developing countries are compared with each other. The developing countries compared included Botswana, Zambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and these countries have also been selected for the purpose of comparison in the present research. The goal of this study is to analyse the recommendations made in The State Intervention in the Minerals Sector Report regarding State involvement in the minerals sector. To determine whether the economic situation in South Africa is comparable to the five other African countries, an analysis based on demographic indicators, the history of the minerals sector in the various countries, its contribution to the fiscal regime of that country, its economic contribution, as well as the extent of involvement from Government and the model implemented for its involvement, is conducted. According to a work paper published by the World Bank on the world development indicators for 2014, control over metal supply to the economy has been considered vital for political and economic reasons in most societies. It further states that most State-owned mining companies have over the years and, in particular, in developing countries, not been able to operate successfully, leading to privatisation. Poor performance is, however, not necessarily the reason for State ownership. Areas not addressed by this thesis include the Gold Mining industry in South Africa and the Diamond mining industry in Botswana.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Van den Berg, Jana
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Industrial minerals -- Taxation -- South Africa , Industrial minerals -- Taxation -- Developing countries , Industrial minerals -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Industrial minerals -- Law and legislation -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:919 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017545
- Description: The State Intervention in the Minerals Sector Report emerged as a resolution during the 3rd National General Council Resolution on Economic Transformation held in 2012, during which the Council stated that: “The ANC’s approach to economic transformation of the South African economy should always be holistic and comprehensive, covering all sectors of the economy. In this regard, the ANC should ensure greater state involvement and control of strategic sectors of the economy, such as mining, energy, the financial sector and others.” It was for this reason that the National General Council mandated the National Executive Committee to ensure that further work be done on ways in which the African National Congress can implement economic transformation in sectors such as the mining industry. It was suggested that methods including research, study tours and discussions be conducted to gather the required information. As a result of the research, The State Intervention in the Minerals Sector Report emerged. In The State Intervention in the Minerals Sector Report, the mineral sectors of developed as well as developing countries are compared with each other. The developing countries compared included Botswana, Zambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and these countries have also been selected for the purpose of comparison in the present research. The goal of this study is to analyse the recommendations made in The State Intervention in the Minerals Sector Report regarding State involvement in the minerals sector. To determine whether the economic situation in South Africa is comparable to the five other African countries, an analysis based on demographic indicators, the history of the minerals sector in the various countries, its contribution to the fiscal regime of that country, its economic contribution, as well as the extent of involvement from Government and the model implemented for its involvement, is conducted. According to a work paper published by the World Bank on the world development indicators for 2014, control over metal supply to the economy has been considered vital for political and economic reasons in most societies. It further states that most State-owned mining companies have over the years and, in particular, in developing countries, not been able to operate successfully, leading to privatisation. Poor performance is, however, not necessarily the reason for State ownership. Areas not addressed by this thesis include the Gold Mining industry in South Africa and the Diamond mining industry in Botswana.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
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