Pedagogic videos as a foreign language learning resource in textbooks used in the German studies section of a South African university: A digital multimodal discourse perspective
- Authors: Schafli, Sasha-Lee
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Language and languages Study and teaching Audio-visual aids , Educational technology , Media programs (Education) , German language Study and teaching Foreign speakers Audio-visual aids , Visual learning , Rhodes University , German language Discourse analysis , Digital multimodal discourse analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177087 , vital:42789 , http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/113934
- Description: Video is a prominent teaching and learning tool within foreign language (FL) textbook media packages in the 21st century. While studies undertaken in the Global North highlight that video materials in the FL classroom have the potential to influence learning and cultural knowledge acquisition, there is a lack of research on the manner in which pedagogically designed videos influence adult FL learning and cultural knowledge acquisition in a South African context. In this study, I explore the opportunities and challenges in terms of language learning and cultural knowledge acquisition that arise from three pedagogic videos in the Menschen A1 textbook which is used in teaching students registered for the German Studies 1 course at Rhodes University. I compare and contrast two sets of data to examine the relationship between pedagogic video and student knowledge acquisition: the results of a digital multimodal discourse analysis (DMDA) of these videos, and questionnaires and transcriptions collected from semi-structured group interviews with German Studies 1 students. These questionnaires and transcriptions were analysed thematically. Findings in terms of the language learning experience indicate that actor over-exaggeration and visual aids assist students when learning German at this level with this type of video. However, these visual aids can be distracting and confusing without balanced representation and contextual information. Differences between videos in terms of speech rate seem to affect students’ perceptions of their ability to comprehend the videos. Students reported forming only positive impressions of German culture(s) on the basis of the videos. In general, students find Germans portrayed as friendly and helpful in the videos. The results of this investigation provide recommendations for the optimal use of this type of teaching and learning resource, for example, teachers/ lecturers/ facilitators should allow for focus group discussions on cultural discourse to occur in order to balance stereotype formation and should consider the speech rate of videos for language learning. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Schafli, Sasha-Lee
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Language and languages Study and teaching Audio-visual aids , Educational technology , Media programs (Education) , German language Study and teaching Foreign speakers Audio-visual aids , Visual learning , Rhodes University , German language Discourse analysis , Digital multimodal discourse analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177087 , vital:42789 , http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/113934
- Description: Video is a prominent teaching and learning tool within foreign language (FL) textbook media packages in the 21st century. While studies undertaken in the Global North highlight that video materials in the FL classroom have the potential to influence learning and cultural knowledge acquisition, there is a lack of research on the manner in which pedagogically designed videos influence adult FL learning and cultural knowledge acquisition in a South African context. In this study, I explore the opportunities and challenges in terms of language learning and cultural knowledge acquisition that arise from three pedagogic videos in the Menschen A1 textbook which is used in teaching students registered for the German Studies 1 course at Rhodes University. I compare and contrast two sets of data to examine the relationship between pedagogic video and student knowledge acquisition: the results of a digital multimodal discourse analysis (DMDA) of these videos, and questionnaires and transcriptions collected from semi-structured group interviews with German Studies 1 students. These questionnaires and transcriptions were analysed thematically. Findings in terms of the language learning experience indicate that actor over-exaggeration and visual aids assist students when learning German at this level with this type of video. However, these visual aids can be distracting and confusing without balanced representation and contextual information. Differences between videos in terms of speech rate seem to affect students’ perceptions of their ability to comprehend the videos. Students reported forming only positive impressions of German culture(s) on the basis of the videos. In general, students find Germans portrayed as friendly and helpful in the videos. The results of this investigation provide recommendations for the optimal use of this type of teaching and learning resource, for example, teachers/ lecturers/ facilitators should allow for focus group discussions on cultural discourse to occur in order to balance stereotype formation and should consider the speech rate of videos for language learning. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Assessing South African Medical Interns’ Experience and Confidence in Managing Obstetric Emergencies
- Authors: Miller, Andrew
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Obstetrical emergencies
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6882 , vital:52352
- Description: Background: Medical doctors in South Africa are required to complete a two-year internship at training hospitals, including a four-month rotation in obstetrics and gynaecology. Following this, doctors are allocated to community service posts; many of which are at district and primary level facilities where supervision is limited. The latest triennial Saving Mothers Report identified district hospitals as the second leading site for maternal deaths of all causes. District hospital were also the leading site for maternal deaths secondary to obstetric haemorrhage and the most likely site for the lack of a skilled doctor to be identified as a factor in deaths associated with caesarean delivery. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to describe the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to independently manage obstetric emergencies, based on the ESMOE modules in the HPCSA internship logbook. The research assessed medical interns in the last three months of their training, using a self-administered online questionnaire, with data collection between October and December 2019. Cluster sampling of interns at training facilities throughout the country resulted in a total of 182 respondents from 17 hospitals in seven provinces in the country, with an overall response rate of 34.1%. Results: Most interns had experience with, and confidence in, the management of miscarriage and hypertension in pregnancy. However, gaps in labour ward management, pregnancy related sepsis and surgical skills were identified. Only 42.3% of respondents were confident in their ability to diagnose obstructed labour, 26.3% had performed an assisted delivery, 39.0% were confident in their knowledge of the indications and contraindications of assisted deliveries and 35.7% had been involved in the delivery of a baby with shoulder dystocia. Regarding pregnancy related sepsis, 54.4% had experience with managing a wound abscess and 29.7% were confident managing puerperal endometritis. While 78.0% felt confident to perform a caesarean section, only 28.6% had performed uterine compression sutures for uterine atony at caesarean section. Additionally, there was a statistically significant variation in scores between training hospitals. Conclusion: A gap exists between the shortcomings in district hospital obstetric services, the prioritisation of placement of community service doctors at primary care and district hospitals, and the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to safely manage obstetric emergencies. This highlights the importance of clinical support for junior doctors at district hospitals and standardisation of intern training at accredited facilities across the country. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-02
Assessing South African Medical Interns’ Experience and Confidence in Managing Obstetric Emergencies
- Authors: Miller, Andrew
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Obstetrical emergencies
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6882 , vital:52352
- Description: Background: Medical doctors in South Africa are required to complete a two-year internship at training hospitals, including a four-month rotation in obstetrics and gynaecology. Following this, doctors are allocated to community service posts; many of which are at district and primary level facilities where supervision is limited. The latest triennial Saving Mothers Report identified district hospitals as the second leading site for maternal deaths of all causes. District hospital were also the leading site for maternal deaths secondary to obstetric haemorrhage and the most likely site for the lack of a skilled doctor to be identified as a factor in deaths associated with caesarean delivery. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to describe the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to independently manage obstetric emergencies, based on the ESMOE modules in the HPCSA internship logbook. The research assessed medical interns in the last three months of their training, using a self-administered online questionnaire, with data collection between October and December 2019. Cluster sampling of interns at training facilities throughout the country resulted in a total of 182 respondents from 17 hospitals in seven provinces in the country, with an overall response rate of 34.1%. Results: Most interns had experience with, and confidence in, the management of miscarriage and hypertension in pregnancy. However, gaps in labour ward management, pregnancy related sepsis and surgical skills were identified. Only 42.3% of respondents were confident in their ability to diagnose obstructed labour, 26.3% had performed an assisted delivery, 39.0% were confident in their knowledge of the indications and contraindications of assisted deliveries and 35.7% had been involved in the delivery of a baby with shoulder dystocia. Regarding pregnancy related sepsis, 54.4% had experience with managing a wound abscess and 29.7% were confident managing puerperal endometritis. While 78.0% felt confident to perform a caesarean section, only 28.6% had performed uterine compression sutures for uterine atony at caesarean section. Additionally, there was a statistically significant variation in scores between training hospitals. Conclusion: A gap exists between the shortcomings in district hospital obstetric services, the prioritisation of placement of community service doctors at primary care and district hospitals, and the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to safely manage obstetric emergencies. This highlights the importance of clinical support for junior doctors at district hospitals and standardisation of intern training at accredited facilities across the country. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-02
Outcomes of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Two Rural District Hospitals, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Lotz, John-D Knipe
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6834 , vital:51018
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is still rampant in South Africa, and drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) forms a significant part of this burden on both the health care system and economy. A number of interventions have recently been introduced to help curb the growing epidemic of DR-TB, including increasing access to novel and repurposed drugs, decentralisation of care, and a new shorter (9-11 month) treatment regimen recently endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Significantly, this new regimen has now also become injectable-free (also known as an all-oral regimen). However, at the time of implementation in 2017, the shorter regimen was yet to be proven effective in a programmatic setting in South Africa. This is a retrospective cohort study to describe the outcomes in patients on short and long DR-TB treatment regimens, over five years, at two treatment sites in a rural setting in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the hope that elucidation of factors involved in affecting outcomes in DR-TB may direct future interventions in these two facilities, and the wider DR-TB program in South Africa , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-02
- Authors: Lotz, John-D Knipe
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6834 , vital:51018
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is still rampant in South Africa, and drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) forms a significant part of this burden on both the health care system and economy. A number of interventions have recently been introduced to help curb the growing epidemic of DR-TB, including increasing access to novel and repurposed drugs, decentralisation of care, and a new shorter (9-11 month) treatment regimen recently endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Significantly, this new regimen has now also become injectable-free (also known as an all-oral regimen). However, at the time of implementation in 2017, the shorter regimen was yet to be proven effective in a programmatic setting in South Africa. This is a retrospective cohort study to describe the outcomes in patients on short and long DR-TB treatment regimens, over five years, at two treatment sites in a rural setting in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the hope that elucidation of factors involved in affecting outcomes in DR-TB may direct future interventions in these two facilities, and the wider DR-TB program in South Africa , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-02
Prevalence and Implications of Telecommunication Counselling
- Authors: Lusiba, Sinazo.
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Counseling
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7554 , vital:54349
- Description: ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to explore prevalence and implications of telecommunication counselling. Available literature suggests that telecommunication counselling may have far-reaching implications in the mental health practice in general, and particularly in psychology. This study was guided by the social information processing theoretical framework. A total number of 26 mental health practitioners aged from 22 to 45 were selected using purposive sampling. In this study questionnaires were distributed to respondents through email, email was also used to collect the research data. Research ethics, such as confidentiality, anonymity, and voluntary participation, were strictly observed. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 was used to analyse the data. The analysed data are presented in frequency tables and graphs. This study found that there are effectiveness and efficiency factors associated with the use telecommunication counselling. Furthermore, the findings imply that the popularity of this type of counselling has been growing steadily in the past few years, especially in urban areas. Furthermore, despite the increase and growing popularity in the use of telecommunication counselling, the results suggest the presence of ethical dilemmas that confront the practitioners. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculy of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Lusiba, Sinazo.
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Counseling
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7554 , vital:54349
- Description: ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to explore prevalence and implications of telecommunication counselling. Available literature suggests that telecommunication counselling may have far-reaching implications in the mental health practice in general, and particularly in psychology. This study was guided by the social information processing theoretical framework. A total number of 26 mental health practitioners aged from 22 to 45 were selected using purposive sampling. In this study questionnaires were distributed to respondents through email, email was also used to collect the research data. Research ethics, such as confidentiality, anonymity, and voluntary participation, were strictly observed. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 was used to analyse the data. The analysed data are presented in frequency tables and graphs. This study found that there are effectiveness and efficiency factors associated with the use telecommunication counselling. Furthermore, the findings imply that the popularity of this type of counselling has been growing steadily in the past few years, especially in urban areas. Furthermore, despite the increase and growing popularity in the use of telecommunication counselling, the results suggest the presence of ethical dilemmas that confront the practitioners. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculy of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Re-thinking freedom: selected Life-Writings of South African Born-frees
- Authors: Mpendulo, Mashumi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Born-Frees , Freedom of expression , Post-apartheid era -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3400 , vital:43339
- Description: Ideas of freedom in post-apartheid South Africa cannot be understood in isolation from the lived experiences of the people we often consider as the future of South Africa. Freedom is a time-bound value whose meaning keeps changing as time goes by, and our understanding of freedom before 1994 cannot be the same as today. With close reference to the selected life writings of South African born-frees, this study examines ideas of freedom as expressed in these texts written from the perspectives of ordinary young black people in post-apartheid South Africa. It unpacks the youth’s rejection of the tag ‘born-free’ by bringing out the difficulties of their upbringing in poverty and inequality. This work argues that poverty, inequality, unemployment, and dilapidated infrastructure in public schools are still very much a feature of post-apartheid South Africa, and that the government is yet to fully transform the lives of ordinary black people who much as they try to do so themselves, are still faced with structural inequalities, physical and symbolic violence. Through decolonial theory, the selected texts are analysed to trace the legacies of colonialism and apartheid and how notions of freedom have changed over time. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mpendulo, Mashumi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Born-Frees , Freedom of expression , Post-apartheid era -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3400 , vital:43339
- Description: Ideas of freedom in post-apartheid South Africa cannot be understood in isolation from the lived experiences of the people we often consider as the future of South Africa. Freedom is a time-bound value whose meaning keeps changing as time goes by, and our understanding of freedom before 1994 cannot be the same as today. With close reference to the selected life writings of South African born-frees, this study examines ideas of freedom as expressed in these texts written from the perspectives of ordinary young black people in post-apartheid South Africa. It unpacks the youth’s rejection of the tag ‘born-free’ by bringing out the difficulties of their upbringing in poverty and inequality. This work argues that poverty, inequality, unemployment, and dilapidated infrastructure in public schools are still very much a feature of post-apartheid South Africa, and that the government is yet to fully transform the lives of ordinary black people who much as they try to do so themselves, are still faced with structural inequalities, physical and symbolic violence. Through decolonial theory, the selected texts are analysed to trace the legacies of colonialism and apartheid and how notions of freedom have changed over time. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
An Investigation on the Clinical Experiences of Newly Qualified Professional Nurses in Hospital Facilities of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Hloba, Siyathemba Prince
- Date: 2021-00
- Subjects: Nurse practitioners
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7942 , vital:55856
- Description: The study aimed to explore and describe the clinical experiences of newly qualified professional nurses in hospital facilities of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The newly qualified professional nurses may face difficulties in the hospital facilities when it comes to the execution of duties. The newly qualified professional nurses are expected to display knowledge, skills and to have a positive effect on patients, the relatives of patients and their colleagues to alleviate diseases. This challenge may create emotional distress if newly qualified professional nurses receive inadequate guidance from the senior staff members of the hospital facility. The objectives of this study were to explore and describe the clinical experiences of newly qualified professional nurses, to explore how the newly qualified professional nurses were affected emotionally by clinical experiences and to explore the support system to enhance the performance of the newly qualified professional nurses. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to explore and describe the experiences of the newly qualified professional nurses in hospital facilities of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape. A purposive sampling of newly qualified professional nurses, with less than two years of experience after completing the community service in the clinical practice, was used. The data were collected through face-to-face and semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted until the data were saturated. A pilot study was done before the main study to prove the adequacy and suitability of the methods to conduct the main study. The participants‟ interviews and results of the pilot study were incorporated into the interviews and results of the main study. Tesch‟s method of thematic analysis and an independent coder were used to analyse the data and to draw meaning from the content. The study used Guba and Lincoln‟s criteria of measures to ensure trustworthiness, which included credibility, confirmability, dependability and transferability. Ethical standards were maintained throughout the study as the researcher complied with ethical principles, namely, respect for persons, beneficence, justice and autonomy. The key considerations to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, as stipulated by the World Health Organisation, were followed during the data collection. On data interpretation, three themes were developed with eight subthemes on the first theme, two subthemes on the second theme and three subthemes on the third theme. The research findings revealed that the participants experienced negative attitudes from colleagues and multidisciplinary team members. The shortage of staff and resources made participants feel ineffective in their work environment. Clinical exposure to different units and procedures in various units added value to the development of the participants. The recommendations were made with regards to three divisions. They were the hospital facilities‟ personnel, future nursing research personnel and nursing schools personnel. In hospital facilities, the recommendations included that all novice professional nurses should be made aware of the emotional impact at work. An annual plan for workshops and in-service training should be implemented. Professional counselling is required for the novice professionals who were exposed to Covid-19 isolation units. A need to increase staff coverage in the clinical units was identified as the workload is too big. Management is encouraged to be more sensitive about the newly employed nurses‟ challenges in their facilities and the most experienced nurses are encouraged to mentor and coach the novice nurses. In the future nursing research, recommendations included that more studies need to be conducted in South Africa and the Eastern Cape province to verify the findings of this research. A specific research study that will focus on the supportive needs of nurses in clinical facilities should be done institutionally to provide evidence-based practice. The research culture on the nurses‟ experiences in clinical facilities needs to become a norm. In nursing schools, the recommendations motivated that the nursing students should be exposed to all clinical units before completing the training xiv course. Further studies need to be conducted to evaluate the balance between theory and clinical learning on duly performance. The nursing education institutions should use quality improvement suggestion boxes for students to consider their experiences and opinions about their learning. Key words : clinical experiences, newly qualified professional nurses, Alfred Nzo district municipalities , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-00
- Authors: Hloba, Siyathemba Prince
- Date: 2021-00
- Subjects: Nurse practitioners
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7942 , vital:55856
- Description: The study aimed to explore and describe the clinical experiences of newly qualified professional nurses in hospital facilities of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The newly qualified professional nurses may face difficulties in the hospital facilities when it comes to the execution of duties. The newly qualified professional nurses are expected to display knowledge, skills and to have a positive effect on patients, the relatives of patients and their colleagues to alleviate diseases. This challenge may create emotional distress if newly qualified professional nurses receive inadequate guidance from the senior staff members of the hospital facility. The objectives of this study were to explore and describe the clinical experiences of newly qualified professional nurses, to explore how the newly qualified professional nurses were affected emotionally by clinical experiences and to explore the support system to enhance the performance of the newly qualified professional nurses. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to explore and describe the experiences of the newly qualified professional nurses in hospital facilities of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape. A purposive sampling of newly qualified professional nurses, with less than two years of experience after completing the community service in the clinical practice, was used. The data were collected through face-to-face and semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted until the data were saturated. A pilot study was done before the main study to prove the adequacy and suitability of the methods to conduct the main study. The participants‟ interviews and results of the pilot study were incorporated into the interviews and results of the main study. Tesch‟s method of thematic analysis and an independent coder were used to analyse the data and to draw meaning from the content. The study used Guba and Lincoln‟s criteria of measures to ensure trustworthiness, which included credibility, confirmability, dependability and transferability. Ethical standards were maintained throughout the study as the researcher complied with ethical principles, namely, respect for persons, beneficence, justice and autonomy. The key considerations to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, as stipulated by the World Health Organisation, were followed during the data collection. On data interpretation, three themes were developed with eight subthemes on the first theme, two subthemes on the second theme and three subthemes on the third theme. The research findings revealed that the participants experienced negative attitudes from colleagues and multidisciplinary team members. The shortage of staff and resources made participants feel ineffective in their work environment. Clinical exposure to different units and procedures in various units added value to the development of the participants. The recommendations were made with regards to three divisions. They were the hospital facilities‟ personnel, future nursing research personnel and nursing schools personnel. In hospital facilities, the recommendations included that all novice professional nurses should be made aware of the emotional impact at work. An annual plan for workshops and in-service training should be implemented. Professional counselling is required for the novice professionals who were exposed to Covid-19 isolation units. A need to increase staff coverage in the clinical units was identified as the workload is too big. Management is encouraged to be more sensitive about the newly employed nurses‟ challenges in their facilities and the most experienced nurses are encouraged to mentor and coach the novice nurses. In the future nursing research, recommendations included that more studies need to be conducted in South Africa and the Eastern Cape province to verify the findings of this research. A specific research study that will focus on the supportive needs of nurses in clinical facilities should be done institutionally to provide evidence-based practice. The research culture on the nurses‟ experiences in clinical facilities needs to become a norm. In nursing schools, the recommendations motivated that the nursing students should be exposed to all clinical units before completing the training xiv course. Further studies need to be conducted to evaluate the balance between theory and clinical learning on duly performance. The nursing education institutions should use quality improvement suggestion boxes for students to consider their experiences and opinions about their learning. Key words : clinical experiences, newly qualified professional nurses, Alfred Nzo district municipalities , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-00
Experiences of Homophobia by the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual Students in Selected Institutions of Higher Learning in OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province.
- Authors: Luvo , Kasa
- Date: 2021-00
- Subjects: Sex
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7950 , vital:57232
- Description: Sexuality remains one of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood social concepts. The societal norms have had a role to play. The identification and acceptance of heterosexuality as the only sexual practice has created some misconceptions. Furthermore, the role played by religion has a tremendous influence on how people views sexuality. However, the aim of the study is to investigate the experiences of the LGBTQIA society with special reference to students residing in the OR Tambo district municipality. Social Constructionism and Five Faces of Oppression are theories that underpinned this study. Furthermore, the nature of this research is descriptive and explorative and the methodology utilized in this study correlates to the mentioned research design. Therefore, qualitative research method was adopted in this study. A sample of 15 participants was utilized, and Non-probability sampling procedure was used through snowball sampling. An in-depth interview guide was used for data collection and thematic analysis approach was utilized for the analysis. Findings of the study suggests that there is rife homophobia in the IHL; the students subscribing to heteronormativity have been threatening those who were homosexuals and/or aligning with the LGBTQIA community with physical assault. It further found that they showed resilience and consistency when it came to academic performance. This, they attributed to their urge to “prove the naysers wrong” as they have been told that they will never make it in life because of their sexuality. The study recommends that the university should engage external stakeholders on the decriminalization of homosexuality and that the university should protect their students from all sort of harm. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-00
- Authors: Luvo , Kasa
- Date: 2021-00
- Subjects: Sex
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7950 , vital:57232
- Description: Sexuality remains one of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood social concepts. The societal norms have had a role to play. The identification and acceptance of heterosexuality as the only sexual practice has created some misconceptions. Furthermore, the role played by religion has a tremendous influence on how people views sexuality. However, the aim of the study is to investigate the experiences of the LGBTQIA society with special reference to students residing in the OR Tambo district municipality. Social Constructionism and Five Faces of Oppression are theories that underpinned this study. Furthermore, the nature of this research is descriptive and explorative and the methodology utilized in this study correlates to the mentioned research design. Therefore, qualitative research method was adopted in this study. A sample of 15 participants was utilized, and Non-probability sampling procedure was used through snowball sampling. An in-depth interview guide was used for data collection and thematic analysis approach was utilized for the analysis. Findings of the study suggests that there is rife homophobia in the IHL; the students subscribing to heteronormativity have been threatening those who were homosexuals and/or aligning with the LGBTQIA community with physical assault. It further found that they showed resilience and consistency when it came to academic performance. This, they attributed to their urge to “prove the naysers wrong” as they have been told that they will never make it in life because of their sexuality. The study recommends that the university should engage external stakeholders on the decriminalization of homosexuality and that the university should protect their students from all sort of harm. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-00
Women’s perceptions, beliefs and lived experiences of postpartum intrauterine contraception at a District Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa – a qualitative study
- Authors: Gibson, Dylan
- Date: 2021-00
- Subjects: Postpartum contraception
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6833 , vital:51015
- Description: Background There is a significant unmet need for family planning in South Africa where long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), including intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) are underutilised. The situation is no different in the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape where high rates of unintended pregnancies continue to be a problem. The postpartum period presents a unique opportunity for providing effective contraception. It has been established that immediate post-placental insertion of a copper IUCD is a safe, effective method that has the potential to reduce unintended pregnancy rates. A Post placental intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) refers to an IUCD that is placed into the uterine fundus immediately after delivery of the placenta after caesarean or vaginal delivery. The understanding of women’s perceptions, beliefs and lived experiences of the PPIUCD in this community has the potential to improve uptake of this method. The aim of the study was to fully explore the phenomenon of postpartum intrauterine contraception as a means of family planning at Madwaleni District Hospital in the Amathole District within the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods A qualitative, phenomenological study design was used in gathering data through a combination of three focus group discussions and in-depth individual interviews with three different groups of peripartum women. Data was collected from perinatal women at three snapshots in time, namely prior to labour, during the postpartum admission and at 12 weeks postpartum with the aim to fully explore the phenomenon of post-placental IUCD use in the study population. III Results The data was analysed using the framework method and five themes were derived iteratively from the text. These themes included the perceptions of perinatal women towards a PPIUCD, the origins of these perceptions, the reasons why women would or would not choose the method for themselves and lastly, the experiences of those women who chose the method. The findings of this study showed that PPIUCD was a novel method in this community and that misinformation, largely driven by deficiencies in antenatal counselling, led to hesitancy to adopt the method. These deficiencies extended to those women who consented to a PPIUCD insertion at caesarean section who did not fully understand what they had consented to. Despite this, women were open to a more effective, convenient contraceptive and the overall experiences of those women who chose to use a PPIUCD was positive. Conclusions Post-placental IUCD insertion was a relatively new method in the study population. Deficiencies in antenatal contraceptive counselling created uncertainty and scepticism which in turn contributed to low uptake of the method among perinatal women. Despite this, there was a strong desire amongst perinatal women to access effective, convenient family planning and prevent future unwanted pregnancies. The overall experiences of women who did choose the method was positive. This suggested that with the right counselling and support, there would be an increase in uptake of PPIUCD in the population. Recommendations from this study include the need to explore healthcare workers perspectives on this topic, to further explore the lived experience of PPIUCD users over a longer period of time and to explore the effectiveness of various antenatal counselling strategies to equip women to make peripartum contraceptive choices. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-00
- Authors: Gibson, Dylan
- Date: 2021-00
- Subjects: Postpartum contraception
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6833 , vital:51015
- Description: Background There is a significant unmet need for family planning in South Africa where long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), including intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) are underutilised. The situation is no different in the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape where high rates of unintended pregnancies continue to be a problem. The postpartum period presents a unique opportunity for providing effective contraception. It has been established that immediate post-placental insertion of a copper IUCD is a safe, effective method that has the potential to reduce unintended pregnancy rates. A Post placental intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) refers to an IUCD that is placed into the uterine fundus immediately after delivery of the placenta after caesarean or vaginal delivery. The understanding of women’s perceptions, beliefs and lived experiences of the PPIUCD in this community has the potential to improve uptake of this method. The aim of the study was to fully explore the phenomenon of postpartum intrauterine contraception as a means of family planning at Madwaleni District Hospital in the Amathole District within the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods A qualitative, phenomenological study design was used in gathering data through a combination of three focus group discussions and in-depth individual interviews with three different groups of peripartum women. Data was collected from perinatal women at three snapshots in time, namely prior to labour, during the postpartum admission and at 12 weeks postpartum with the aim to fully explore the phenomenon of post-placental IUCD use in the study population. III Results The data was analysed using the framework method and five themes were derived iteratively from the text. These themes included the perceptions of perinatal women towards a PPIUCD, the origins of these perceptions, the reasons why women would or would not choose the method for themselves and lastly, the experiences of those women who chose the method. The findings of this study showed that PPIUCD was a novel method in this community and that misinformation, largely driven by deficiencies in antenatal counselling, led to hesitancy to adopt the method. These deficiencies extended to those women who consented to a PPIUCD insertion at caesarean section who did not fully understand what they had consented to. Despite this, women were open to a more effective, convenient contraceptive and the overall experiences of those women who chose to use a PPIUCD was positive. Conclusions Post-placental IUCD insertion was a relatively new method in the study population. Deficiencies in antenatal contraceptive counselling created uncertainty and scepticism which in turn contributed to low uptake of the method among perinatal women. Despite this, there was a strong desire amongst perinatal women to access effective, convenient family planning and prevent future unwanted pregnancies. The overall experiences of women who did choose the method was positive. This suggested that with the right counselling and support, there would be an increase in uptake of PPIUCD in the population. Recommendations from this study include the need to explore healthcare workers perspectives on this topic, to further explore the lived experience of PPIUCD users over a longer period of time and to explore the effectiveness of various antenatal counselling strategies to equip women to make peripartum contraceptive choices. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-00
Graduate attributes: A comparison between public and private higher education commerce students in South Africa
- Bissig, Abigail https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8316-629X
- Authors: Bissig, Abigail https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8316-629X
- Date: 2020-01
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , Private universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19683 , vital:43166
- Description: In order to handle the capacity shortfall of state-funded universities in developing economies, governments with limited public resources often establish systems and regulations that enable private organisations to provide equivalent qualifications. As such, South Africa (SA) has seen a large growth in the number of registered private higher education institutions (HEIs) offering alternatives to students who are seeking higher education qualifications but do not meet public universities admission criteria. The emergence of private HEIs has resulted in a different type of learning environment. These institutions provide smaller classes than their public counterparts and a faculty which often consists of both part-time and full-time retired public HEIs lecturers and industry experts, in an environment that is more practical, and less research focused. Due to the substantial differences between the public and private higher education sector mandate, the educational quality produced by private HEIs is often a contentious subject among academics. Employer perspectives are that most graduates do not have the necessary work-ready skills to successfully integrate into the workforce. While various studies have attempted to define and measure graduate employability, limited research differentiates between public and private HEI graduates, and even fewer studies compare the level of graduate employability between these two sectors. In an attempt to determine whether any statistically significant differences exist between the graduate attributes of public and private higher education commerce students in SA, this study makes use of the Graduate Skills and Attributes Scale (GSAS). The GSAS clusters eight graduate skills and behaviours into the three holistic, overarching attitudinal domains of personal and intellectual development. These eight graduate attributes include interactive skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills, continuous learning orientation, enterprising skills, presenting and applying information skills, goal-directed behaviour, ethical and responsible behaviour, and analytical thinking skills. Using a quantitative approach, questionnaires were distributed to a total of 416 respondents, consisting of 351 public and 65 private higher education commerce students within SA. The sample consisted of students enrolled in their final year of study, through either a public university or registered private HEI situated within SA, completing a Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) accredited NQF 7 Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree through contact mode of study. After the data collection, independent samples t-tests were used to compare the graduate attributes of the two sectors. The study concludes that higher levels of interactive skills and continuous learning orientation were present among students attending private HEIs, while the remaining six graduate attributes indicated no significant differences between the two sectors. The results of this study provide valuable information to HEIs, students, industry and government, as it measures and compares the level of graduate quality produced by public and private HEIs within SA. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-01
- Authors: Bissig, Abigail https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8316-629X
- Date: 2020-01
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , Private universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19683 , vital:43166
- Description: In order to handle the capacity shortfall of state-funded universities in developing economies, governments with limited public resources often establish systems and regulations that enable private organisations to provide equivalent qualifications. As such, South Africa (SA) has seen a large growth in the number of registered private higher education institutions (HEIs) offering alternatives to students who are seeking higher education qualifications but do not meet public universities admission criteria. The emergence of private HEIs has resulted in a different type of learning environment. These institutions provide smaller classes than their public counterparts and a faculty which often consists of both part-time and full-time retired public HEIs lecturers and industry experts, in an environment that is more practical, and less research focused. Due to the substantial differences between the public and private higher education sector mandate, the educational quality produced by private HEIs is often a contentious subject among academics. Employer perspectives are that most graduates do not have the necessary work-ready skills to successfully integrate into the workforce. While various studies have attempted to define and measure graduate employability, limited research differentiates between public and private HEI graduates, and even fewer studies compare the level of graduate employability between these two sectors. In an attempt to determine whether any statistically significant differences exist between the graduate attributes of public and private higher education commerce students in SA, this study makes use of the Graduate Skills and Attributes Scale (GSAS). The GSAS clusters eight graduate skills and behaviours into the three holistic, overarching attitudinal domains of personal and intellectual development. These eight graduate attributes include interactive skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills, continuous learning orientation, enterprising skills, presenting and applying information skills, goal-directed behaviour, ethical and responsible behaviour, and analytical thinking skills. Using a quantitative approach, questionnaires were distributed to a total of 416 respondents, consisting of 351 public and 65 private higher education commerce students within SA. The sample consisted of students enrolled in their final year of study, through either a public university or registered private HEI situated within SA, completing a Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) accredited NQF 7 Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree through contact mode of study. After the data collection, independent samples t-tests were used to compare the graduate attributes of the two sectors. The study concludes that higher levels of interactive skills and continuous learning orientation were present among students attending private HEIs, while the remaining six graduate attributes indicated no significant differences between the two sectors. The results of this study provide valuable information to HEIs, students, industry and government, as it measures and compares the level of graduate quality produced by public and private HEIs within SA. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-01
Evaluating the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Services in the Eastern Cape: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Sigovana, Khuthala
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3176 , vital:43182
- Description: Abstract text To effectively reduce HIV transmission to newborns requires a reduction of HIV prevalence among pregnant women and a full understanding of its epidemiology. There is however, a literature gap: few recent HIV studies focus on women attending antenatal care in rural areas in South Africa. A Cross-sectional study of women attending antenatal care in four Primary Care facilities was conducted. An interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and medical history was used. Binomial logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with HIV and to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR). The 95% confidence interval (CI) is used for precision of estimates; p≤0.05 for statistical significance. A total of 343 participants were recruited. Most participants (n = 341 or 99.42%; CI: 97.91 – 99.93) knew their HIV status. The antenatal HIV prevalence was 38.19% (CI: 33.17 – 43.48). Participants older than 40 years were 3.99 and 3.81 times more likely to be HIV positive compared to teenagers (PR = 3.99; CI: 1.11 – 14.30; pstxvalue = 0.034) and those in the 20-29 age group (PR = 3.81; CI: 1.07 – 13.60; pstxvaluevalue = 0.039) respectively; and this was statistically significant. Unemployed participants were 34% (PR = 1.34; CI: 1.16 – 1.55; p-value less than 0.0001) and 41 percent (PR = 1.41; CI: 1.23 – 1.61; p-value less than 0.0001) more likely to be HIV positive when compared to tertiary students and self-employed individuals respectively. The antenatal HIV prevalence remains high and is increasing in this population. However, findings suggest a changing and maturing epidemic. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Sigovana, Khuthala
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3176 , vital:43182
- Description: Abstract text To effectively reduce HIV transmission to newborns requires a reduction of HIV prevalence among pregnant women and a full understanding of its epidemiology. There is however, a literature gap: few recent HIV studies focus on women attending antenatal care in rural areas in South Africa. A Cross-sectional study of women attending antenatal care in four Primary Care facilities was conducted. An interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and medical history was used. Binomial logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with HIV and to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR). The 95% confidence interval (CI) is used for precision of estimates; p≤0.05 for statistical significance. A total of 343 participants were recruited. Most participants (n = 341 or 99.42%; CI: 97.91 – 99.93) knew their HIV status. The antenatal HIV prevalence was 38.19% (CI: 33.17 – 43.48). Participants older than 40 years were 3.99 and 3.81 times more likely to be HIV positive compared to teenagers (PR = 3.99; CI: 1.11 – 14.30; pstxvalue = 0.034) and those in the 20-29 age group (PR = 3.81; CI: 1.07 – 13.60; pstxvaluevalue = 0.039) respectively; and this was statistically significant. Unemployed participants were 34% (PR = 1.34; CI: 1.16 – 1.55; p-value less than 0.0001) and 41 percent (PR = 1.41; CI: 1.23 – 1.61; p-value less than 0.0001) more likely to be HIV positive when compared to tertiary students and self-employed individuals respectively. The antenatal HIV prevalence remains high and is increasing in this population. However, findings suggest a changing and maturing epidemic. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Exploring Teacher Assessment Practices in The General Education and Training Level in Junior Secondary Schools in Mthatha Education District
- Authors: Novukela, Cawe Sandys
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3460 , vital:43409
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is one of the largest and most important public health emergencies of our time that has resulted in human suffering and huge financial implications for organisations, governments and individuals (IDF Atlas, 2015). Furthermore there is growing evidence that a number of employees are overstretched in their work environments and this has resulted in stress and burnout (McCormack and Cotter, 2013). This study investigated the effects of diabetes mellitus on burnout among WSU employees as well as the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and burnout. A mixed method research design using quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed in order to explore the effects of diabetes on burnout as well as the prevalence of diabetes and burnout at WSU. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather quantitative data and semi-structured interviews were used for the qualitative data collection. A total number of 169 participants were involved in this study. This included 154 participants and 15 participants who were selected for the quantitative and qualitative respectively using random sampling technique and purposive sampling method. The quantitative data was analysed using Stata version 13. The study findings indicated that the prevalence of diabetes at WSU was 16% and 57% participants were burned out. It was further found that the majority of participants (58%) who were diabetic also suffered from burnout. The relationship between diabetes and burnout was found to be significant. Qualitative data analysis involved coding data and analysing the emerging themes to form the basis of the findings. The results of the study found an emerging problem of high level of burnout and also a significant number of employees who were diabetic. A combination of these two conditions poses a challenge to the continued uninterrupted functioning of WSU. It is recommended that the university should educate its employees about diabetes and burnout as well as create an environment that promotes healthy lifestyle. A model has been developed that could help deal with diabetes and burnout. , Thesis - Faculty of Health Sciences, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Novukela, Cawe Sandys
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3460 , vital:43409
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is one of the largest and most important public health emergencies of our time that has resulted in human suffering and huge financial implications for organisations, governments and individuals (IDF Atlas, 2015). Furthermore there is growing evidence that a number of employees are overstretched in their work environments and this has resulted in stress and burnout (McCormack and Cotter, 2013). This study investigated the effects of diabetes mellitus on burnout among WSU employees as well as the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and burnout. A mixed method research design using quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed in order to explore the effects of diabetes on burnout as well as the prevalence of diabetes and burnout at WSU. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather quantitative data and semi-structured interviews were used for the qualitative data collection. A total number of 169 participants were involved in this study. This included 154 participants and 15 participants who were selected for the quantitative and qualitative respectively using random sampling technique and purposive sampling method. The quantitative data was analysed using Stata version 13. The study findings indicated that the prevalence of diabetes at WSU was 16% and 57% participants were burned out. It was further found that the majority of participants (58%) who were diabetic also suffered from burnout. The relationship between diabetes and burnout was found to be significant. Qualitative data analysis involved coding data and analysing the emerging themes to form the basis of the findings. The results of the study found an emerging problem of high level of burnout and also a significant number of employees who were diabetic. A combination of these two conditions poses a challenge to the continued uninterrupted functioning of WSU. It is recommended that the university should educate its employees about diabetes and burnout as well as create an environment that promotes healthy lifestyle. A model has been developed that could help deal with diabetes and burnout. , Thesis - Faculty of Health Sciences, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Literary representations of Zimbabwean migrants’ lives in selected texts
- Authors: Mpofu, Tarisai
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Human rights -- Zimbabwe , Homelessness in literature , African diaspora in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3402 , vital:43340
- Description: It has been nearly two decades since Zimbabwe has been engulfed in both political and economic crises which have had untold hardships to the majority of ordinary people. As the hardships worsened it pushed Zimbabweans to migrate to “greener pastures” as a survival strategy. Due to the sheer numbers of people who left the country, migration became a social phenomenon in the country that even literary writers also explored. It is the purpose of this study to analyse literary reactions to migration in Zimbabwe from the turn of the new millennium to date, with particular reference to selected Zimbabwean fiction in the form of the short story and novel. The dissertation examines how Zimbabwean literature represents life in Zimbabwe in the context of this economic malaise that emerged after the year 2000 and the resultant lives of migrants who left the country as a result of this political and economic crisis. Similar to the majority of African literatures, Zimbabwean literature emerges from specific historical events and this study therefore sought to describe literary representations of people’s responses to the crisis and the life of Zimbabwean migrants in the margins of host communities. This study reveals the intricate relationship between literary responses and the conditions that most migrants found themselves in especially as they fled the country and what obtained in host countries. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2018
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mpofu, Tarisai
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Human rights -- Zimbabwe , Homelessness in literature , African diaspora in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3402 , vital:43340
- Description: It has been nearly two decades since Zimbabwe has been engulfed in both political and economic crises which have had untold hardships to the majority of ordinary people. As the hardships worsened it pushed Zimbabweans to migrate to “greener pastures” as a survival strategy. Due to the sheer numbers of people who left the country, migration became a social phenomenon in the country that even literary writers also explored. It is the purpose of this study to analyse literary reactions to migration in Zimbabwe from the turn of the new millennium to date, with particular reference to selected Zimbabwean fiction in the form of the short story and novel. The dissertation examines how Zimbabwean literature represents life in Zimbabwe in the context of this economic malaise that emerged after the year 2000 and the resultant lives of migrants who left the country as a result of this political and economic crisis. Similar to the majority of African literatures, Zimbabwean literature emerges from specific historical events and this study therefore sought to describe literary representations of people’s responses to the crisis and the life of Zimbabwean migrants in the margins of host communities. This study reveals the intricate relationship between literary responses and the conditions that most migrants found themselves in especially as they fled the country and what obtained in host countries. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2018
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A Facile Effective Method for the Synthesis of Au-Cdse Nanostructures and their Characterisations.
- Authors: Gaxela, Nelisa Ncumisa
- Date: 2016-5
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3238 , vital:43198
- Description: ABSTRACT We report the synthesis of aqueous and organically soluble cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles (NPs) doped with gold via a facile and effective method. Briefly the synthesis involves the reduction of selenium powder using sodium sulphite to produce sodium selenosulphate which acts as the selenium source, followed by the addition of CdX (X = Cl2, CH3COO, NO3). The nanoparticles were passivated with trisodium citrate, mercaptopropanoic acid (MPA), potassium sodium tartarate (PST) and L-cysteine which rendered them soluble in water and also acted as stabilizing agents, while passivation with hexadecylamine (HDA) made them soluble in organic solvent which also enhanced their stability. The high quality of the as-synthesized nanoparticles was confirmed using absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM). The systematic study of the effect of mole ratio, temperature, capping agent, growth time, cadmium precursor and ratio of Au on the size, optical and structural properties on the water soluble CdSe nanoparticles were investigated. All the as-synthesised particles, are blue-shifted in relation to the bulk band gap of CdSe. As the Cd: Se mole ratio increases, the intensity of the citrate capped CdSe materials also increases and the particle sizes are in the range of 2.06 – 4.00 nm. When the temperature was increased, the luminescence intensity quenched whereas the particle size increased. As the growth time increased, the intensity increased and then decreased again towards the end of the reaction. When different capping agents were used the particle sizes range from 2.06 – 3.36 nm for citrate, 2.08 – 3.33 nm for MPA, 2.01 – 2.28 nm for L-cysteine and polydispersed for PST. The luminescence intensity decreased in the order citrate > cysteine > PST > MPA when CdCl2 was used as cadmium precursor. When different cadmium precursors were used for L-cysteine, the particle sizes range from 2.06 – 2.31 nm for Cd(CH3COO)2 and 2.00 – 2.37 nm for Cd(NO3)2 while the intensity increased as the reaction time increased, however, still lower than the CdCl2 materials. The effect of Au ratio showed that the intensity of Au-doped cysteine capped-CdSe increased as the Au ratio decreased. The systematic study of the effect of temperature and growth time in the organic soluble CdSe nanoparticles on the size, optical and structural properties was also investigated. All the as-synthesised particles were blue-shifted in relation to the bulk CdSe. As the temperature increased the particle sizes of the undoped materials range between 2.92 – 2.95 nm at 160 °C and 5.35 – 5.39 nm at 200 °C while for the doped materials the particle size range from 2.53 – 2.61 nm at 160 °C, 3.97 nm at 200 °C and 4.20 – 4.72 nm at 240 °C. The intensity of the doped materials increased as the reaction time increased and then decreased again towards the end of the reaction. After ligand exchange the intensity of the as-synthesized doped and undoped-CdSe NPs was very low compare to the parent organically capped doped and un-doped CdSe. It was discovered that without any further purification, the quality of the materials formed by this method is comparable to that of the best CdSe NPs reported in the literature. This method is safe, inexpensive and reproducible. , Thesis (MsC Chemistry) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016-5
- Authors: Gaxela, Nelisa Ncumisa
- Date: 2016-5
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3238 , vital:43198
- Description: ABSTRACT We report the synthesis of aqueous and organically soluble cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles (NPs) doped with gold via a facile and effective method. Briefly the synthesis involves the reduction of selenium powder using sodium sulphite to produce sodium selenosulphate which acts as the selenium source, followed by the addition of CdX (X = Cl2, CH3COO, NO3). The nanoparticles were passivated with trisodium citrate, mercaptopropanoic acid (MPA), potassium sodium tartarate (PST) and L-cysteine which rendered them soluble in water and also acted as stabilizing agents, while passivation with hexadecylamine (HDA) made them soluble in organic solvent which also enhanced their stability. The high quality of the as-synthesized nanoparticles was confirmed using absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM). The systematic study of the effect of mole ratio, temperature, capping agent, growth time, cadmium precursor and ratio of Au on the size, optical and structural properties on the water soluble CdSe nanoparticles were investigated. All the as-synthesised particles, are blue-shifted in relation to the bulk band gap of CdSe. As the Cd: Se mole ratio increases, the intensity of the citrate capped CdSe materials also increases and the particle sizes are in the range of 2.06 – 4.00 nm. When the temperature was increased, the luminescence intensity quenched whereas the particle size increased. As the growth time increased, the intensity increased and then decreased again towards the end of the reaction. When different capping agents were used the particle sizes range from 2.06 – 3.36 nm for citrate, 2.08 – 3.33 nm for MPA, 2.01 – 2.28 nm for L-cysteine and polydispersed for PST. The luminescence intensity decreased in the order citrate > cysteine > PST > MPA when CdCl2 was used as cadmium precursor. When different cadmium precursors were used for L-cysteine, the particle sizes range from 2.06 – 2.31 nm for Cd(CH3COO)2 and 2.00 – 2.37 nm for Cd(NO3)2 while the intensity increased as the reaction time increased, however, still lower than the CdCl2 materials. The effect of Au ratio showed that the intensity of Au-doped cysteine capped-CdSe increased as the Au ratio decreased. The systematic study of the effect of temperature and growth time in the organic soluble CdSe nanoparticles on the size, optical and structural properties was also investigated. All the as-synthesised particles were blue-shifted in relation to the bulk CdSe. As the temperature increased the particle sizes of the undoped materials range between 2.92 – 2.95 nm at 160 °C and 5.35 – 5.39 nm at 200 °C while for the doped materials the particle size range from 2.53 – 2.61 nm at 160 °C, 3.97 nm at 200 °C and 4.20 – 4.72 nm at 240 °C. The intensity of the doped materials increased as the reaction time increased and then decreased again towards the end of the reaction. After ligand exchange the intensity of the as-synthesized doped and undoped-CdSe NPs was very low compare to the parent organically capped doped and un-doped CdSe. It was discovered that without any further purification, the quality of the materials formed by this method is comparable to that of the best CdSe NPs reported in the literature. This method is safe, inexpensive and reproducible. , Thesis (MsC Chemistry) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016-5
Comparison between Endothelin, Nitric Oxide and their Association to Blood Pressure and Body Composition in HIV Patients, in Mthatha
- Authors: Zono, Sinethemba
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2909 , vital:43105
- Description: Background: Dysfunction of the vascular endothelium is an early finding in the progression of cardiovascular disease and is closely related to clinical events in patients with obesity and hypertension. Vascular function is mediated by nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET-1) which serve as natural counterparts. The aim of the study was to determine the physiological effects of HIV infection, blood pressure and body composition on the changes of ET-1 and NO and association between ET-1 and NO. Methods and results: This was a descriptive and comparative study. A Quota sample method was used. The study population consisted of 154 participants categorized into the following groups: 57 HIV negative participants (A), 40 HIV positive not on treatment participants and 57 HIV positive on treatment participants. Enzyme immunoassay kit was used for the quantitative determination of ET-1 and Nitrate/nitrite colorimetric assay kit was used for the determination of NO. Anthropometric measurements, body composition were determined. Hemodynamic measurements were also taken into account. Results: Resting metabolism, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference had low mean levels in both HIV positives groups compared to HIV negative group. On lipid profiles visceral fat (VF), whole fat (WF) had low mean levels but skeletal muscle fat (SMF) showed the highest mean levels in both HIV positive groups. All the blood pressures between HIV groups were on a normal range scale. Mean values of endothelin and nitric oxide are increased in HIV positive not on ART and HIV (+) on ART compared with the HIV negative group. Conclusion: NO, ET-1, ART and HIV itself were associated with the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in persons with HIV infection. Elevated endothelial markers namely ET-1 and NO can lead to improvement of endothelium dependent relaxation to some extent but not completely. Although these markers have deleterious effect on the endothelium but can also serve as up-regulator of hypertension. Key words: HIV-infection, antiretroviral therapy, endothelial dysfunction, Endothelin1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), blood pressures (BPs). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Zono, Sinethemba
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2909 , vital:43105
- Description: Background: Dysfunction of the vascular endothelium is an early finding in the progression of cardiovascular disease and is closely related to clinical events in patients with obesity and hypertension. Vascular function is mediated by nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET-1) which serve as natural counterparts. The aim of the study was to determine the physiological effects of HIV infection, blood pressure and body composition on the changes of ET-1 and NO and association between ET-1 and NO. Methods and results: This was a descriptive and comparative study. A Quota sample method was used. The study population consisted of 154 participants categorized into the following groups: 57 HIV negative participants (A), 40 HIV positive not on treatment participants and 57 HIV positive on treatment participants. Enzyme immunoassay kit was used for the quantitative determination of ET-1 and Nitrate/nitrite colorimetric assay kit was used for the determination of NO. Anthropometric measurements, body composition were determined. Hemodynamic measurements were also taken into account. Results: Resting metabolism, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference had low mean levels in both HIV positives groups compared to HIV negative group. On lipid profiles visceral fat (VF), whole fat (WF) had low mean levels but skeletal muscle fat (SMF) showed the highest mean levels in both HIV positive groups. All the blood pressures between HIV groups were on a normal range scale. Mean values of endothelin and nitric oxide are increased in HIV positive not on ART and HIV (+) on ART compared with the HIV negative group. Conclusion: NO, ET-1, ART and HIV itself were associated with the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in persons with HIV infection. Elevated endothelial markers namely ET-1 and NO can lead to improvement of endothelium dependent relaxation to some extent but not completely. Although these markers have deleterious effect on the endothelium but can also serve as up-regulator of hypertension. Key words: HIV-infection, antiretroviral therapy, endothelial dysfunction, Endothelin1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), blood pressures (BPs). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Negotiation of Sex: A Study on Prevention Methods of Gender Based Violence amongst Intimate Partners of Ntabankulu
- Authors: Mketi, Funeka Gloria
- Date: 2014-10
- Subjects: Violent Crimes
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7550 , vital:54348
- Description: ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to investigate whether negotiation of sex between intimate partners can be used as a prevention strategy of gender-based violence. The study included both female and male participants. Availability sampling technique was used to select the sample size of thirty. Participants were recruited from the street and data was collected in a private office. Participant’s ethical rights to confidentiality, anonymity, voluntary participation, and informed consent obtained prior taking part in the study were highly respected. Thirty questionnaires were used to collect data. Nature and prevalence of gender-based violence, attitudes, mechanisms and processes involved in negotiation of sex, and prevention strategies were investigated. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. SPSS analyzed and summarized data into tables. Findings showed that prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) in intimate partners is high. Negotiation of sex can be used as one of the prevention strategies, and the available processes and mechanisms of negotiating sex should be strengthened. Results also revealed that women empowerment in education and interventions focused on changing men’s attitude towards negotiation can help. Lastly, it appears that there is a need for capacitating both females and males with negotiation skills. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculy of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-10
- Authors: Mketi, Funeka Gloria
- Date: 2014-10
- Subjects: Violent Crimes
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7550 , vital:54348
- Description: ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to investigate whether negotiation of sex between intimate partners can be used as a prevention strategy of gender-based violence. The study included both female and male participants. Availability sampling technique was used to select the sample size of thirty. Participants were recruited from the street and data was collected in a private office. Participant’s ethical rights to confidentiality, anonymity, voluntary participation, and informed consent obtained prior taking part in the study were highly respected. Thirty questionnaires were used to collect data. Nature and prevalence of gender-based violence, attitudes, mechanisms and processes involved in negotiation of sex, and prevention strategies were investigated. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. SPSS analyzed and summarized data into tables. Findings showed that prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) in intimate partners is high. Negotiation of sex can be used as one of the prevention strategies, and the available processes and mechanisms of negotiating sex should be strengthened. Results also revealed that women empowerment in education and interventions focused on changing men’s attitude towards negotiation can help. Lastly, it appears that there is a need for capacitating both females and males with negotiation skills. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculy of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-10
Degradation of Paracetamol and other constituents in Perfalgan®: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Curran,Catherine
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3165 , vital:43181
- Description: Abstract text. 5.1 Background Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is useful for the treatment of mild to moderate pain as well as being opiate–sparing. In recent years the problem of poor solubility of paracetamol in water has been overcome and an intravenous formulation of paracetamol developed. In South Africa this is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb as Perfalgan®. Each 500 mg or 1g ampoule of Perfalgan® is recommended for single use only and is to be discarded once opened (Medicines.org, n.d.). This is most likely due to concerns about degradation of paracetamol or other ingredients in the solution once exposed to air and sterility issues. However in South Africa where this drug is expensive, some centers use one ampoule for multiple cases over the course of 12-24 hours. No obvious clinical adverse effects have been reported. 5.2 Objective of study The aim of this study was to examine the practice of using a single vial of Perfalgan® in divided doses over the course of a day for different patients by way of assessing the stability of Perfalgan® on exposure to air. The study has three components, namely: 1. In vitro assessment of paracetamol levels on exposure to air and stressors over time. 2. In vitro assessment of levels of the excipients, namely mannitol and cysteine on exposure to air and stressors over time. 3. Assessment of the lipid permeability of paracetamol in Perfalgan® on exposure to air and stressors over time. C Curran 2014 Degradation of paracetamol and other constituents in Perfalgan® 8 5.3 Methodology High performance liquid chromatography (HPCL-UV) was used to determine the concentration of paracetamol and the presence of degradation products in samples taken at set time periods following exposure of Perfalgan® to air and stressors. Initial work was done using pure paracetamol to determine optimal measurement conditions prior to analysing Perfalgan®. The concentrations of the additives and their degradation products were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR). Appreciable changes in these could indicate a safety hazard or decreased bioavailability. Finally ultraviolet spectroscopy was performed to assess samples at a wider spectrum of wavelengths, instead of the single wavelength used in HPLC. This was used to assess for degradation products which absorb at different wavelengths and therefore may be missed if HPLC was used alone. Ultraviolet spectroscopy was also used to test bioavailability of the drug via the octanol:water partition coefficient under stressed and unstressed conditions. 5.4 Results The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air over 24 hours. Neither did it degrade on exposure to acid, alkali, oxidative or heat stress. The HPLC retention time was constantly between 3.17-3.29 minutes. 1 H NMR revealed no change in the formulation of Perfalgan® except for the conversion of the oxygen scavenger cysteine to cystine. The octanol:water partition coefficient likewise stayed constant and was in agreement with the value of 0.46-0.49 quoted in the literature (International Programme on Chemical Safety, 2008; McNeil Consumer Healthcare, 2010). 5.5 Conclusion The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air and other stressors over 24 hours. The formulation as Perfalgan® was likewise found to be stable. The drug retained its lipid permeability over this period. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Curran,Catherine
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3165 , vital:43181
- Description: Abstract text. 5.1 Background Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is useful for the treatment of mild to moderate pain as well as being opiate–sparing. In recent years the problem of poor solubility of paracetamol in water has been overcome and an intravenous formulation of paracetamol developed. In South Africa this is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb as Perfalgan®. Each 500 mg or 1g ampoule of Perfalgan® is recommended for single use only and is to be discarded once opened (Medicines.org, n.d.). This is most likely due to concerns about degradation of paracetamol or other ingredients in the solution once exposed to air and sterility issues. However in South Africa where this drug is expensive, some centers use one ampoule for multiple cases over the course of 12-24 hours. No obvious clinical adverse effects have been reported. 5.2 Objective of study The aim of this study was to examine the practice of using a single vial of Perfalgan® in divided doses over the course of a day for different patients by way of assessing the stability of Perfalgan® on exposure to air. The study has three components, namely: 1. In vitro assessment of paracetamol levels on exposure to air and stressors over time. 2. In vitro assessment of levels of the excipients, namely mannitol and cysteine on exposure to air and stressors over time. 3. Assessment of the lipid permeability of paracetamol in Perfalgan® on exposure to air and stressors over time. C Curran 2014 Degradation of paracetamol and other constituents in Perfalgan® 8 5.3 Methodology High performance liquid chromatography (HPCL-UV) was used to determine the concentration of paracetamol and the presence of degradation products in samples taken at set time periods following exposure of Perfalgan® to air and stressors. Initial work was done using pure paracetamol to determine optimal measurement conditions prior to analysing Perfalgan®. The concentrations of the additives and their degradation products were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR). Appreciable changes in these could indicate a safety hazard or decreased bioavailability. Finally ultraviolet spectroscopy was performed to assess samples at a wider spectrum of wavelengths, instead of the single wavelength used in HPLC. This was used to assess for degradation products which absorb at different wavelengths and therefore may be missed if HPLC was used alone. Ultraviolet spectroscopy was also used to test bioavailability of the drug via the octanol:water partition coefficient under stressed and unstressed conditions. 5.4 Results The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air over 24 hours. Neither did it degrade on exposure to acid, alkali, oxidative or heat stress. The HPLC retention time was constantly between 3.17-3.29 minutes. 1 H NMR revealed no change in the formulation of Perfalgan® except for the conversion of the oxygen scavenger cysteine to cystine. The octanol:water partition coefficient likewise stayed constant and was in agreement with the value of 0.46-0.49 quoted in the literature (International Programme on Chemical Safety, 2008; McNeil Consumer Healthcare, 2010). 5.5 Conclusion The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air and other stressors over 24 hours. The formulation as Perfalgan® was likewise found to be stable. The drug retained its lipid permeability over this period. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Exploring Teacher Assessment Practices in The General Education and Training Level in Junior Secondary Schools in Mthatha Education District
- Authors: Xolile, Stwebile
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2933 , vital:43116
- Description: This dissertation is a report of the study that was conducted in rural and urban periphery schools of Mthatha City within Mthatha Education District in the Eastern Cape, a province of South Africa. The study explored teacher-assessment practices in two selected junior secondary schools. The utmost purpose was to determine the nature of teacher-assessment practices in these junior secondary schools. This study involved mainly a quantitative research design and later supplemented by qualitative research design. The target population was made up of 63 teachers from both schools. Sampling entailed simple random sampling for quantitative approach and purposeful sampling for qualitative. Instrumentation involved questionnaires and focus group interviews to gather data for these two different research paradigms used. The data was analysed by means of SPSS for quantitative and thematically for qualitative. The results of this study from both instruments were crystallized, and indicated that teachers were grappling with difficulty in strategies and procedures of assessment due to an ever changing curriculum and overload of work. The main findings were: assessment based on content knowledge of learners, negative impact of teacher re-deployment on assessment, stress accumulated by various challenges such as overload of work and frequent curriculum changes as well as lack of data organisation and gathering. The recommendations were: workshops and training programmes on assessment to be provided to teachers; teachers should use various information sources for conducting assessment; more teachers need to be recruited for understaffing and overloading problems as well as pragmatic assessment strategies should be used for learners assessment. Teachers should be included in matters of curriculum changes and be exposed to in-service training. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Xolile, Stwebile
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2933 , vital:43116
- Description: This dissertation is a report of the study that was conducted in rural and urban periphery schools of Mthatha City within Mthatha Education District in the Eastern Cape, a province of South Africa. The study explored teacher-assessment practices in two selected junior secondary schools. The utmost purpose was to determine the nature of teacher-assessment practices in these junior secondary schools. This study involved mainly a quantitative research design and later supplemented by qualitative research design. The target population was made up of 63 teachers from both schools. Sampling entailed simple random sampling for quantitative approach and purposeful sampling for qualitative. Instrumentation involved questionnaires and focus group interviews to gather data for these two different research paradigms used. The data was analysed by means of SPSS for quantitative and thematically for qualitative. The results of this study from both instruments were crystallized, and indicated that teachers were grappling with difficulty in strategies and procedures of assessment due to an ever changing curriculum and overload of work. The main findings were: assessment based on content knowledge of learners, negative impact of teacher re-deployment on assessment, stress accumulated by various challenges such as overload of work and frequent curriculum changes as well as lack of data organisation and gathering. The recommendations were: workshops and training programmes on assessment to be provided to teachers; teachers should use various information sources for conducting assessment; more teachers need to be recruited for understaffing and overloading problems as well as pragmatic assessment strategies should be used for learners assessment. Teachers should be included in matters of curriculum changes and be exposed to in-service training. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Factors leading to the high failure rate of grade 12 learners in the Ngqeleni area: A case study of two schools in the Ngqeleni area of the Libode mega district, Eastern Cape.
- Authors: Maqokolo, Gideon Zitobile
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3444 , vital:43390
- Description: The study investigated the factors that lead to the high failure rate of grade 12 learners of the two high schools in the Ngqeleni area of Libode Mega District of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study was qualitative in nature; therefore interviews were used as the method of collecting data. Seven SMT members, four parents and four learners were, randomly selected from the two schools in the Ngqeleni area of Libode Mega District. The researcher randomly selected the participants then interviewed them. The researcher used a video recoder as an instrument to record the responses from the participants. To analyse data, the researcher transcribed the interview responses and interpreted them. The main findings of the study showed that the high failure rate was caused by the following factors: over-croweded classes, shortage of teaching and learnin~ materials, lack of parental involvement, teachers' low morale, poor learner discipline, teachers experiencing problems in implementing government policies, work-load and as such teaching becoming stressful. The researcher in his study therefore recommends that the Department of Education plans more workshops for schools to capacitate them. There should be provision for more classrooms and incentives for teachers. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Maqokolo, Gideon Zitobile
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3444 , vital:43390
- Description: The study investigated the factors that lead to the high failure rate of grade 12 learners of the two high schools in the Ngqeleni area of Libode Mega District of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study was qualitative in nature; therefore interviews were used as the method of collecting data. Seven SMT members, four parents and four learners were, randomly selected from the two schools in the Ngqeleni area of Libode Mega District. The researcher randomly selected the participants then interviewed them. The researcher used a video recoder as an instrument to record the responses from the participants. To analyse data, the researcher transcribed the interview responses and interpreted them. The main findings of the study showed that the high failure rate was caused by the following factors: over-croweded classes, shortage of teaching and learnin~ materials, lack of parental involvement, teachers' low morale, poor learner discipline, teachers experiencing problems in implementing government policies, work-load and as such teaching becoming stressful. The researcher in his study therefore recommends that the Department of Education plans more workshops for schools to capacitate them. There should be provision for more classrooms and incentives for teachers. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Investigation of the Chemical Nature and Species Distribution of Nitromethane in Inert Solvents
- Authors: Namntu, Vuyokozi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2964 , vital:43106
- Description: The solution behaviour of nitromethane in inert solvents; carbon tetrachloride, n-hexane and cyclohexane is rigorously investigated using mainly spectroscopic and computational techniques. Analysis of Proton (1H) and Carbon 13 (13C) NMR spectral data reveal that nitromethane solutions in inert solvents form associated species to varying degrees of complexity. A cyclic dimer is postulated as the energetically most favourable chemical species at low solute concentrations. Infrared spectra studied in the overtone region and UV-Visible spectral data confirm the presence of multiple associated chemical species at different solute concentrations with the degree of association progressively increasing with increase in concentration of the solute. The species involved in the association of nitromethane is formulated as (CH3NO2)2n, where n=0, 1,2 and 3, for the monomer, dimer and higher order polymers respectively. Line-shape analysis of both infrared and UV spectra show the onset of a plateau at molar solute concentrations of 0.616 molar described by the point of inflection in the absorption curve at around 0.055 cm-1 , in the second overtone. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Namntu, Vuyokozi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2964 , vital:43106
- Description: The solution behaviour of nitromethane in inert solvents; carbon tetrachloride, n-hexane and cyclohexane is rigorously investigated using mainly spectroscopic and computational techniques. Analysis of Proton (1H) and Carbon 13 (13C) NMR spectral data reveal that nitromethane solutions in inert solvents form associated species to varying degrees of complexity. A cyclic dimer is postulated as the energetically most favourable chemical species at low solute concentrations. Infrared spectra studied in the overtone region and UV-Visible spectral data confirm the presence of multiple associated chemical species at different solute concentrations with the degree of association progressively increasing with increase in concentration of the solute. The species involved in the association of nitromethane is formulated as (CH3NO2)2n, where n=0, 1,2 and 3, for the monomer, dimer and higher order polymers respectively. Line-shape analysis of both infrared and UV spectra show the onset of a plateau at molar solute concentrations of 0.616 molar described by the point of inflection in the absorption curve at around 0.055 cm-1 , in the second overtone. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Educators ‘Perceptions of The Implementation of The National Curriculum Statement in Mt Fletcher District of The Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Sikhunyana, Philiswa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2957 , vital:43114
- Description: The National Department of Education has undergone drastically changes from 1994. This study is about teacher‘s perceptions of the implementation of NCS. This study seeks to reveal the perception, feelings and the beliefs of teachers towards the implementation of the New Curriculum Statement in Mount Fletcher District of Eastern Cape Province. A mixed mode approach was conducted in this study in a form of quantitative and qualitative methods. Stratified random sampling (schools) and purposive sampling was used to draw the participants (teachers) from different High schools in Mt Fletcher. Data was analyzed following this pattern of organizing, transcribing, coding, establishing themes or categories, structuring, findings which paved way for the recommendations of this study and conclusion. The findings of this study reveals that teachers are just shooting in the dark in the sense that few teachers are implementing NCS successfully using their own methods and strategies of teaching and learning with a very limited clear understanding of the policy documents related to NCS principles while most schools and teachers are implementing through trial and error method, policy documents are just ―blue print to them as they received no clarity of them. And above all, teachers are lamenting on systematic, pedagogical and societal challenges that hindering the process of thorough implementation of NCS. Based on the findings the researcher recommends that the National Department of Education must pay attention for the Systemic challenges e.g. thorough training of teachers on methods of teaching and learning so that they can be able to understand the policies and methods of teaching and learning. She also recommends that whenever the NDoE is introducing new reforms on education, advocacy and awareness must reach the level of implementers not the understanding of the delegates. The NDoE again must pay attention to overcrowded classrooms and classes that are not conducive for teaching and learning (poor infrastructure), lack of basic and appropriate learning materials; Societal challenges e.g. Lack of parental support and Pedagogical challenges e.g. inappropriate teaching methods as well as learning and teacher support material, unqualified and under-qualified teachers, inappropriate assessment procedures, lack of support for teachers. Key words: National Curriculum statement; Teachers; Department of Education; Implementation and Perception. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2013
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Sikhunyana, Philiswa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2957 , vital:43114
- Description: The National Department of Education has undergone drastically changes from 1994. This study is about teacher‘s perceptions of the implementation of NCS. This study seeks to reveal the perception, feelings and the beliefs of teachers towards the implementation of the New Curriculum Statement in Mount Fletcher District of Eastern Cape Province. A mixed mode approach was conducted in this study in a form of quantitative and qualitative methods. Stratified random sampling (schools) and purposive sampling was used to draw the participants (teachers) from different High schools in Mt Fletcher. Data was analyzed following this pattern of organizing, transcribing, coding, establishing themes or categories, structuring, findings which paved way for the recommendations of this study and conclusion. The findings of this study reveals that teachers are just shooting in the dark in the sense that few teachers are implementing NCS successfully using their own methods and strategies of teaching and learning with a very limited clear understanding of the policy documents related to NCS principles while most schools and teachers are implementing through trial and error method, policy documents are just ―blue print to them as they received no clarity of them. And above all, teachers are lamenting on systematic, pedagogical and societal challenges that hindering the process of thorough implementation of NCS. Based on the findings the researcher recommends that the National Department of Education must pay attention for the Systemic challenges e.g. thorough training of teachers on methods of teaching and learning so that they can be able to understand the policies and methods of teaching and learning. She also recommends that whenever the NDoE is introducing new reforms on education, advocacy and awareness must reach the level of implementers not the understanding of the delegates. The NDoE again must pay attention to overcrowded classrooms and classes that are not conducive for teaching and learning (poor infrastructure), lack of basic and appropriate learning materials; Societal challenges e.g. Lack of parental support and Pedagogical challenges e.g. inappropriate teaching methods as well as learning and teacher support material, unqualified and under-qualified teachers, inappropriate assessment procedures, lack of support for teachers. Key words: National Curriculum statement; Teachers; Department of Education; Implementation and Perception. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2013
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013