A picture's worth a thousand words: a case study of grade 10 English language educators teaching visual literacy
- Authors: Leask-Smith, Lyn Ann
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Visual literacy -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Case studies English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Case studies Teacher educators -- Training of -- Case studies English teachers -- Training of -- Case studies Teachers -- In-service training
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003585
- Description: The aim of this research was to better understand teacher's beliefs about visual literacy and to explore how their beliefs influence their teaching practice. In order to investigate this, a case study was conducted that comprised of lesson observations and semi-structured interviews with two secondary school English home language educators. The backdrop to the research was the implementation of the new national curriculum for grade 10. The participants, though well educated and experienced teachers, felt their training had been inadequate in the area of teaching visual literacy and although they acknowledged the importance of visual literacy, it seemed to have a fairly low priority in their actual teaching practice. In particular, very little attention was given to the production of multimodal texts by learners. The reason for this low priority may be related to the requirements of the formal assessment programme as well as limited lesson time in which to cover an extensive curriculum. The research findings would seem to suggest a need for in-service training in this area as well as access to suitable learning support materials and teacher resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Leask-Smith, Lyn Ann
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Visual literacy -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Case studies English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Case studies Teacher educators -- Training of -- Case studies English teachers -- Training of -- Case studies Teachers -- In-service training
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003585
- Description: The aim of this research was to better understand teacher's beliefs about visual literacy and to explore how their beliefs influence their teaching practice. In order to investigate this, a case study was conducted that comprised of lesson observations and semi-structured interviews with two secondary school English home language educators. The backdrop to the research was the implementation of the new national curriculum for grade 10. The participants, though well educated and experienced teachers, felt their training had been inadequate in the area of teaching visual literacy and although they acknowledged the importance of visual literacy, it seemed to have a fairly low priority in their actual teaching practice. In particular, very little attention was given to the production of multimodal texts by learners. The reason for this low priority may be related to the requirements of the formal assessment programme as well as limited lesson time in which to cover an extensive curriculum. The research findings would seem to suggest a need for in-service training in this area as well as access to suitable learning support materials and teacher resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A potential biological role for microcystin in photosynthesis in Microcystis Aeruginosa
- Authors: Phelan, Richard Reginald
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Microcystis aeruginosa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10320 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1285 , Microcystis aeruginosa
- Description: Neither the ecological role nor the metabolic function of microcystin is known. Cellular microcystin concentrations correlate to cellular nitrogen status for a given environmental phosphorous concentration and specific growth rate. Microcystin production is enhanced when the rate of nitrogen accumulation exceeds the relative specific growth rate and/or when cellular N:C ratios exceed the Redfield ratio as a function of reduced carbon fixation, suggesting enhanced production of microcystin under carbon stress. Additionally, a strong correlation between medium phosphate and carbon fixation, and the negative correlation between medium phosphate and microcystin combined with the cellular localization of microcystin in thylakoids supports a possible role for microcystin in enhancement of photosynthesis. Batch cultures of both Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 and a mcyA- knockout mutant of PCC7806 were therefore cultured at different light intensities and media treatments, so as to vary cellular N:C ratios and concentrations, and sampled for analysis of microcystin concentration, cell numbers and residual medium nitrates. Inter-strain differences in photosynthetic electron transfer rates and levels were monitored using a Hansatech PEA fluorometer and compared to cellular microcystin concentrations. An enhanced survival was observed at high light, where the toxic strain survived while the nontoxic strain became chlorotic. A strong correlation (r2 = 0.907, p< 0.001, N=22) between microcystin concentration and growth rate was observed at high light conditions. No such advantage was observed at optimal or low-light conditions and media composition had no significant effect on the relationship between toxicity and survival at high light. PCC7806 showed elevated PI(abs) values compared to the mcyA knockout strain, which indicates an increased stability of PSII. A strong correlation between PI(abs) and microcystin (r = 0.88, p< 0.005, N=15) was observed for cultures grown in modified BG11 containing 25 mM under continuous illumination of 37 μmol of photons m-2.s-1. No correlation was observed between PI(abs) and microcystin for the other treatments. The toxin producer had significantly higher values for density of active reaction centers and ii quantum efficiency compared to the mutant. A decrease in F0 in the mutant suggests degradation of the phycobiliproteins, whereas PCC7806 didn’t show a significant decrease in F0 Data indicate that microcystins play a role in photosynthesis by preventing chlorosis in saturating light conditions either by enhancing the redox stability of the phycobiliproteins or PS II, thus preventing photooxidation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Phelan, Richard Reginald
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Microcystis aeruginosa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10320 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1285 , Microcystis aeruginosa
- Description: Neither the ecological role nor the metabolic function of microcystin is known. Cellular microcystin concentrations correlate to cellular nitrogen status for a given environmental phosphorous concentration and specific growth rate. Microcystin production is enhanced when the rate of nitrogen accumulation exceeds the relative specific growth rate and/or when cellular N:C ratios exceed the Redfield ratio as a function of reduced carbon fixation, suggesting enhanced production of microcystin under carbon stress. Additionally, a strong correlation between medium phosphate and carbon fixation, and the negative correlation between medium phosphate and microcystin combined with the cellular localization of microcystin in thylakoids supports a possible role for microcystin in enhancement of photosynthesis. Batch cultures of both Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 and a mcyA- knockout mutant of PCC7806 were therefore cultured at different light intensities and media treatments, so as to vary cellular N:C ratios and concentrations, and sampled for analysis of microcystin concentration, cell numbers and residual medium nitrates. Inter-strain differences in photosynthetic electron transfer rates and levels were monitored using a Hansatech PEA fluorometer and compared to cellular microcystin concentrations. An enhanced survival was observed at high light, where the toxic strain survived while the nontoxic strain became chlorotic. A strong correlation (r2 = 0.907, p< 0.001, N=22) between microcystin concentration and growth rate was observed at high light conditions. No such advantage was observed at optimal or low-light conditions and media composition had no significant effect on the relationship between toxicity and survival at high light. PCC7806 showed elevated PI(abs) values compared to the mcyA knockout strain, which indicates an increased stability of PSII. A strong correlation between PI(abs) and microcystin (r = 0.88, p< 0.005, N=15) was observed for cultures grown in modified BG11 containing 25 mM under continuous illumination of 37 μmol of photons m-2.s-1. No correlation was observed between PI(abs) and microcystin for the other treatments. The toxin producer had significantly higher values for density of active reaction centers and ii quantum efficiency compared to the mutant. A decrease in F0 in the mutant suggests degradation of the phycobiliproteins, whereas PCC7806 didn’t show a significant decrease in F0 Data indicate that microcystins play a role in photosynthesis by preventing chlorosis in saturating light conditions either by enhancing the redox stability of the phycobiliproteins or PS II, thus preventing photooxidation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A preliminary investigation and photographic atlas of nodules found in the Bokkelveld group (Gydo formation), Steytlerville district, South Africa
- Authors: Browning, Claire
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Gydo formation -- South Africa , Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Groups (Stratigraphy) -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Geology -- Stratigraphic , Bokkeveld group (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10656 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/927 , Gydo formation -- South Africa , Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Groups (Stratigraphy) -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Geology -- Stratigraphic , Bokkeveld group (South Africa)
- Description: Nodules within the lower Bokkeveld shales often contain well-preserved invertebrate fossil material. The aim of this study was to describe some characteristics seen at various scales (macro-, micro- and ultra -) within nodules that might contribute to an understanding of aspects of nodule formation and the reasons for the excellent preservation of the fossil material within these nodules. Detailed, high quality macro-photographs were taken of sliced and whole nodule surfaces and a catalogue was produced to tentatively identify fossils present and illustrate the variations seen within nodules. Selected nodules were then subjected to petrographic, ultra-structural (SEM) and some chemical (EDS, XRD & XRF) analysis to investigate the possible reasons for these variations. The chemical results have indicated that nodules are enriched with quartz compared to the surrounding shale. Quartz is also the dominant mineral replacing trilobite carapace material within nodules, while trilobite material within shales is replaced with equal proportions of hematite, biotite and quartz. It appears that the higher resistance of quartz to weathering is the dominant factor leading to the preservation of both nodules within the shales and trilobite material within the nodules examined. A comparison with some Western Cape nodules highlighted possible variations in overall nodule chemical composition along strike. Western Cape nodules are predominantly composed of apatite whereas the Cockscomb nodules are mainly composed of quartz. This quartz-apatite compositional variation in nodules occurring within a single formation has been reported from nodules found in the Armorican Massif of France which are very similar in a number of respects to the Bokkeveld nodules described in this study. Based on various features of the fossils present and the structure of nodules they were probably formed during early diagenesis within an epeiric marine deposit greatly affected by sea level fluctuations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Browning, Claire
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Gydo formation -- South Africa , Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Groups (Stratigraphy) -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Geology -- Stratigraphic , Bokkeveld group (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10656 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/927 , Gydo formation -- South Africa , Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Groups (Stratigraphy) -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Geology -- Stratigraphic , Bokkeveld group (South Africa)
- Description: Nodules within the lower Bokkeveld shales often contain well-preserved invertebrate fossil material. The aim of this study was to describe some characteristics seen at various scales (macro-, micro- and ultra -) within nodules that might contribute to an understanding of aspects of nodule formation and the reasons for the excellent preservation of the fossil material within these nodules. Detailed, high quality macro-photographs were taken of sliced and whole nodule surfaces and a catalogue was produced to tentatively identify fossils present and illustrate the variations seen within nodules. Selected nodules were then subjected to petrographic, ultra-structural (SEM) and some chemical (EDS, XRD & XRF) analysis to investigate the possible reasons for these variations. The chemical results have indicated that nodules are enriched with quartz compared to the surrounding shale. Quartz is also the dominant mineral replacing trilobite carapace material within nodules, while trilobite material within shales is replaced with equal proportions of hematite, biotite and quartz. It appears that the higher resistance of quartz to weathering is the dominant factor leading to the preservation of both nodules within the shales and trilobite material within the nodules examined. A comparison with some Western Cape nodules highlighted possible variations in overall nodule chemical composition along strike. Western Cape nodules are predominantly composed of apatite whereas the Cockscomb nodules are mainly composed of quartz. This quartz-apatite compositional variation in nodules occurring within a single formation has been reported from nodules found in the Armorican Massif of France which are very similar in a number of respects to the Bokkeveld nodules described in this study. Based on various features of the fossils present and the structure of nodules they were probably formed during early diagenesis within an epeiric marine deposit greatly affected by sea level fluctuations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A proposed launch strategy of an aerosol spray automotive paint
- Authors: Msuthwana, Vusumzi Michael
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: New products -- South Africa -- Marketing , Marketing -- South Africa -- Technique , Aerosols
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1134 , New products -- South Africa -- Marketing , Marketing -- South Africa -- Technique , Aerosols
- Description: Launching a new product requires a creative and analytical approach that will embrace the needs of a variety of customers. Therefore the key to success, during the launch stage of a new product, lies in finding those customer segments which are most disposed to become early adopters. Once the new product has been launched and is widely accepted, the more conservative customers will be easier to sell to. This study proposes the launch strategy of an aerosol spray paint which is designed for the use in a DIY market of the automotive refinish segment. The study take a form of an assessment survey involving a literature review and a survey of managers and sales representatives of selected automotive dealerships and body repair shops. The literature review identified best practices that should be followed to launch a new product: starting with assessing the market potential of the new product, followed by a series of activities including pre-launch and then a full launch. The strategic marketing approach required to launch a new product is also described throughout the process. The empirical survey and research methodology employed in the study is described. This is followed by the survey questionnaire used for gathering the data needed for analysis. The research findings of the empirical survey are then analyzed and reported on. Various recommendations flowing from the results of the empirical study are presented in the final chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Msuthwana, Vusumzi Michael
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: New products -- South Africa -- Marketing , Marketing -- South Africa -- Technique , Aerosols
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1134 , New products -- South Africa -- Marketing , Marketing -- South Africa -- Technique , Aerosols
- Description: Launching a new product requires a creative and analytical approach that will embrace the needs of a variety of customers. Therefore the key to success, during the launch stage of a new product, lies in finding those customer segments which are most disposed to become early adopters. Once the new product has been launched and is widely accepted, the more conservative customers will be easier to sell to. This study proposes the launch strategy of an aerosol spray paint which is designed for the use in a DIY market of the automotive refinish segment. The study take a form of an assessment survey involving a literature review and a survey of managers and sales representatives of selected automotive dealerships and body repair shops. The literature review identified best practices that should be followed to launch a new product: starting with assessing the market potential of the new product, followed by a series of activities including pre-launch and then a full launch. The strategic marketing approach required to launch a new product is also described throughout the process. The empirical survey and research methodology employed in the study is described. This is followed by the survey questionnaire used for gathering the data needed for analysis. The research findings of the empirical survey are then analyzed and reported on. Various recommendations flowing from the results of the empirical study are presented in the final chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A psychobiographical study of Helen Keller
- Van Genechten, Désirée Martina
- Authors: Van Genechten, Désirée Martina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Deafblind people
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1101 , Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Deafblind people
- Description: This psychobiographical study of Helen Keller’s life is exploratory-descriptive in nature. The subject was chosen through purposive sampling. The choice was based on the researcher’s personal interest and the remarkable impact this profoundly handicapped woman had within her society. Helen Keller also meets the psychobiographical requirements. These include that she is historically well known, inspirational, and her life has been completed. The study uses a qualitative, single case, interpretive research design. The design is employed to study Helen Keller’s entire life span within a formal psychological theory. The theory used in this study is Daniel Levinson’s (1996) Life Structure theory of adult development. Data for this study were collected from a variety of primary and secondary sources which provided alternative perspectives on her life. In addition, the data have been corroborated by historical texts, and newspaper and journal articles. Levinson’s (1996) theory divides the lifespan into four developmental eras, each with its own biopsychosocial character. Each era in turn is divided into shorter periods of development, each with particular developmental tasks. Cross-era transitions separate the eras. By describing and exploring the data according to this theory, Helen Keller as a profoundly handicapped person is shown to display universal patterns of development as suggested by Levinson. At the same time, the Life Structure she developed, her life components, and Satisfactoriness illuminated her uniqueness. Through the application of the theory to Helen Keller’s life, this psychobiographical study facilitated an examination of the theory. This led to suggestions for potential development of the theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Van Genechten, Désirée Martina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Deafblind people
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1101 , Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Deafblind people
- Description: This psychobiographical study of Helen Keller’s life is exploratory-descriptive in nature. The subject was chosen through purposive sampling. The choice was based on the researcher’s personal interest and the remarkable impact this profoundly handicapped woman had within her society. Helen Keller also meets the psychobiographical requirements. These include that she is historically well known, inspirational, and her life has been completed. The study uses a qualitative, single case, interpretive research design. The design is employed to study Helen Keller’s entire life span within a formal psychological theory. The theory used in this study is Daniel Levinson’s (1996) Life Structure theory of adult development. Data for this study were collected from a variety of primary and secondary sources which provided alternative perspectives on her life. In addition, the data have been corroborated by historical texts, and newspaper and journal articles. Levinson’s (1996) theory divides the lifespan into four developmental eras, each with its own biopsychosocial character. Each era in turn is divided into shorter periods of development, each with particular developmental tasks. Cross-era transitions separate the eras. By describing and exploring the data according to this theory, Helen Keller as a profoundly handicapped person is shown to display universal patterns of development as suggested by Levinson. At the same time, the Life Structure she developed, her life components, and Satisfactoriness illuminated her uniqueness. Through the application of the theory to Helen Keller’s life, this psychobiographical study facilitated an examination of the theory. This led to suggestions for potential development of the theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A psychobiographical study of Isie Smuts
- Authors: Smuts, Carisa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Smuts, Isie K., 1870-1954 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Developmental psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/894 , Smuts, Isie K., 1870-1954 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Developmental psychology
- Description: Psychobiographical research, with the use of psychological theory, allows us to uncover and unravel the life of an individual. This important area of research for the application of a psychological theory has, however, been under-utilized, especially in South Africa. The importance of psychobiographical case study research for the development and testing of theories of human development throughout the lifespan, has been supported by a number of academics in the field. The research subject was Sibella Margaretha (Isie) Krige. Isie (1870-1954) was married to General Jan Christiaan Smuts (1870-1950). He was a prominent South African and Commonwealth statesman, military leader, botanist and philosopher. Although much has been written on General Smuts, a psychobiography on the life of Isie had not been written yet. Isie was chosen as the research subject through purposive sampling. The study employed a qualitative psychobiographical research method, which aimed to explore and describe Isie’s psychological development in terms of Daniel Levinson’s (1996) theory of the Human Life Cycle. Collected data were analysed in accordance with Huberman and Miles’ (2000) approach. It integrated three sub-processes, namely data reduction, data display, as well as the drawing of conclusions and verification. The findings of the study indicate that Isie’s life was consistent with the pattern which Levinson (1996) identified. Isie was relatively successful in resolving the life tasks and transitional periods proposed by Levinson. The findings of the study also indicated that the development of Isie’s life structure was strongly influenced by a number of sociohistorical and global events. This research study has given a positive demonstration of the value of development theory. Furthermore, it emphasized the uniqueness of individuals in coping with the challenges of life. As a result it has opened up the possibility of perceiving people and their actions in a different way. Consequently, recommendations regarding the psychobiographical research design and methodology in future have been made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Smuts, Carisa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Smuts, Isie K., 1870-1954 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Developmental psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/894 , Smuts, Isie K., 1870-1954 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Developmental psychology
- Description: Psychobiographical research, with the use of psychological theory, allows us to uncover and unravel the life of an individual. This important area of research for the application of a psychological theory has, however, been under-utilized, especially in South Africa. The importance of psychobiographical case study research for the development and testing of theories of human development throughout the lifespan, has been supported by a number of academics in the field. The research subject was Sibella Margaretha (Isie) Krige. Isie (1870-1954) was married to General Jan Christiaan Smuts (1870-1950). He was a prominent South African and Commonwealth statesman, military leader, botanist and philosopher. Although much has been written on General Smuts, a psychobiography on the life of Isie had not been written yet. Isie was chosen as the research subject through purposive sampling. The study employed a qualitative psychobiographical research method, which aimed to explore and describe Isie’s psychological development in terms of Daniel Levinson’s (1996) theory of the Human Life Cycle. Collected data were analysed in accordance with Huberman and Miles’ (2000) approach. It integrated three sub-processes, namely data reduction, data display, as well as the drawing of conclusions and verification. The findings of the study indicate that Isie’s life was consistent with the pattern which Levinson (1996) identified. Isie was relatively successful in resolving the life tasks and transitional periods proposed by Levinson. The findings of the study also indicated that the development of Isie’s life structure was strongly influenced by a number of sociohistorical and global events. This research study has given a positive demonstration of the value of development theory. Furthermore, it emphasized the uniqueness of individuals in coping with the challenges of life. As a result it has opened up the possibility of perceiving people and their actions in a different way. Consequently, recommendations regarding the psychobiographical research design and methodology in future have been made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A qualitative analysis of the cost and management accounting curricula at higher education institutions in South Africa
- Authors: Roodt, Luan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Cost accounting -- South Africa , Managerial accounting -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Curricula -- South Africa , Curriculum planning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1202 , Cost accounting -- South Africa , Managerial accounting -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Curricula -- South Africa , Curriculum planning -- South Africa
- Description: The democracy in South Africa brought about many changes and new challenges. One such challenge was to transform the Higher Education institutes in South Africa. The National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) resulted in the proposed National Plan for Higher Education in 2001. This referred to the restructuring of Higher Educational Institutes in South Africa. The National Plan for Higher Education listed priorities within section 6, which deals with the restructuring process. Some of these priorities referred to the reduction of duplications and overlaps in the programmes offered. Prior to 2005, Technikons offered the course National Diploma: Cost and Management Accounting over three years. Former Technikons developed their curricula for Cost and Management Accounting to utilise career orientated training in order to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for careers in financial and cost and management accounting as was applied in commerce and industry. Before the transformation and restructuring of the South African higher education institutions, Technikons in South Africa was part of a National system where a National curriculum was developed and implemented by all Technikons in South Africa. Curriculum development took place on a national level. Therefore, the programmes offered at these former Technikons were similar. Some of the former Technikons still offer the National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting but in a different format. Students registering for this programme, register for a National Higher Certificate (NHC) in Accountancy. The duration of this NHC is two years where after students can complete a third year to graduate with a National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting. The NHC in Accountancy was also developed on a national level and the curricula are similar at the higher education institutions offering it in South Africa. Since the merger of higher education institutions in South Africa, the responsibility to develop new programmes shifted from a national level to an institutional level. The newly merged institutions carry the responsibility to develop new programmes which suites the specific institution and serves the need of the specific communities. The iv primary objective of this study is to analyse the Cost and Management Accounting curricula in South Africa with the intention to propose a new curriculum for this diploma. To suggest a proposed curriculum, the old curricula of the various South African institutions were considered using qualitative research methods. The four South African institutions and the two Australian institutions were analysed and a balanced curriculum proposed out of this information. The proposed curriculum for the diploma in accounting, combined subjects that have been offered previously and subjects that could further expand graduate employability. Five companies were selected to evaluate the proposed curriculum. After considering the views of all the interviewed employers, a final curriculum was suggested for the Diploma in Accounting. As a result of this study it was clear that in-service training should be added to the Diploma in Accounting. Eighty percent of the interviewed potential employers suggested that practical experience in third year studies would significantly enhance student employability. Cost and Management Accounting has long been used by accountants to help managers understand the different costs of running a business. It is important for managers to identify certain areas of the business process where costs can be cut and the profitability increased. From this study it is clear that the proposed curriculum is acceptable to employers as they found that students will benefit from it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Roodt, Luan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Cost accounting -- South Africa , Managerial accounting -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Curricula -- South Africa , Curriculum planning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1202 , Cost accounting -- South Africa , Managerial accounting -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Curricula -- South Africa , Curriculum planning -- South Africa
- Description: The democracy in South Africa brought about many changes and new challenges. One such challenge was to transform the Higher Education institutes in South Africa. The National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) resulted in the proposed National Plan for Higher Education in 2001. This referred to the restructuring of Higher Educational Institutes in South Africa. The National Plan for Higher Education listed priorities within section 6, which deals with the restructuring process. Some of these priorities referred to the reduction of duplications and overlaps in the programmes offered. Prior to 2005, Technikons offered the course National Diploma: Cost and Management Accounting over three years. Former Technikons developed their curricula for Cost and Management Accounting to utilise career orientated training in order to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for careers in financial and cost and management accounting as was applied in commerce and industry. Before the transformation and restructuring of the South African higher education institutions, Technikons in South Africa was part of a National system where a National curriculum was developed and implemented by all Technikons in South Africa. Curriculum development took place on a national level. Therefore, the programmes offered at these former Technikons were similar. Some of the former Technikons still offer the National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting but in a different format. Students registering for this programme, register for a National Higher Certificate (NHC) in Accountancy. The duration of this NHC is two years where after students can complete a third year to graduate with a National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting. The NHC in Accountancy was also developed on a national level and the curricula are similar at the higher education institutions offering it in South Africa. Since the merger of higher education institutions in South Africa, the responsibility to develop new programmes shifted from a national level to an institutional level. The newly merged institutions carry the responsibility to develop new programmes which suites the specific institution and serves the need of the specific communities. The iv primary objective of this study is to analyse the Cost and Management Accounting curricula in South Africa with the intention to propose a new curriculum for this diploma. To suggest a proposed curriculum, the old curricula of the various South African institutions were considered using qualitative research methods. The four South African institutions and the two Australian institutions were analysed and a balanced curriculum proposed out of this information. The proposed curriculum for the diploma in accounting, combined subjects that have been offered previously and subjects that could further expand graduate employability. Five companies were selected to evaluate the proposed curriculum. After considering the views of all the interviewed employers, a final curriculum was suggested for the Diploma in Accounting. As a result of this study it was clear that in-service training should be added to the Diploma in Accounting. Eighty percent of the interviewed potential employers suggested that practical experience in third year studies would significantly enhance student employability. Cost and Management Accounting has long been used by accountants to help managers understand the different costs of running a business. It is important for managers to identify certain areas of the business process where costs can be cut and the profitability increased. From this study it is clear that the proposed curriculum is acceptable to employers as they found that students will benefit from it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A real time HF beacon monitoring station for South Africa
- Authors: Mudzingwa, Courage
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Radio , Shortwave radio , Radio and television towers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5486 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005272 , Radio , Shortwave radio , Radio and television towers
- Description: High frequency, HF (3 - 30 MHz), radio communications are greatly affected by ionospheric conditions. Both civilian and military users need reliable, real time propagation information to show at any time the feasibility of communicating to any part of the world on a particular frequency band. For this thesis, an automated receiving/monitoring station for the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF)/ International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) International Beacon Project was setup at the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory, HMO (34.42oS, 19.22oE) to monitor international beacons on 20 m, 17 m, 15 m, 12 m and 10 m bands. The beacons form a world wide multiband network. The task of monitoring the beacons was broken down into two steps. Initially the single band station, at 14.10 MHz, was installed and later it was upgraded to a multiband station capable of automatically monitoring all the five HF bands. The single band station setup involved the construction and installation of the half-wave dipole antenna, construction and installation of an HF choke balun; and the choice of Faros 1.3 as the appropriate monitoring software. The multiband monitoring station set-up involved the installation of an MFJ-1778 G5RV multiband antenna, construction and installation of a Communication Interface - V (CI-V) level converter and configuring the Faros 1.3 software to monitor the beacons on all five HF bands. Then a web page was created on the HMO space weather website (http://spaceweather.hmo.ac.za). Here, the real-time signal to noise ratio (SNR) and short path (SP)/long path (LP) plots are uploaded every 3 minutes, showing real time HF propagation conditions on the five HF bands. Historical propagation data are archived for later analysis. A preliminary data analysis was done to confirm the peration of the monitoring station. The archived data were analysed and compared to ICEPAC (Ionospheric Communications Enhanced Profile Analysis and Circuit) predictions. Results show that the real-time signal plots as well as the archive of historical signal plots, convey information on ropagation conditions to users in terms that are easy to interpret and understand.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mudzingwa, Courage
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Radio , Shortwave radio , Radio and television towers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5486 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005272 , Radio , Shortwave radio , Radio and television towers
- Description: High frequency, HF (3 - 30 MHz), radio communications are greatly affected by ionospheric conditions. Both civilian and military users need reliable, real time propagation information to show at any time the feasibility of communicating to any part of the world on a particular frequency band. For this thesis, an automated receiving/monitoring station for the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF)/ International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) International Beacon Project was setup at the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory, HMO (34.42oS, 19.22oE) to monitor international beacons on 20 m, 17 m, 15 m, 12 m and 10 m bands. The beacons form a world wide multiband network. The task of monitoring the beacons was broken down into two steps. Initially the single band station, at 14.10 MHz, was installed and later it was upgraded to a multiband station capable of automatically monitoring all the five HF bands. The single band station setup involved the construction and installation of the half-wave dipole antenna, construction and installation of an HF choke balun; and the choice of Faros 1.3 as the appropriate monitoring software. The multiband monitoring station set-up involved the installation of an MFJ-1778 G5RV multiband antenna, construction and installation of a Communication Interface - V (CI-V) level converter and configuring the Faros 1.3 software to monitor the beacons on all five HF bands. Then a web page was created on the HMO space weather website (http://spaceweather.hmo.ac.za). Here, the real-time signal to noise ratio (SNR) and short path (SP)/long path (LP) plots are uploaded every 3 minutes, showing real time HF propagation conditions on the five HF bands. Historical propagation data are archived for later analysis. A preliminary data analysis was done to confirm the peration of the monitoring station. The archived data were analysed and compared to ICEPAC (Ionospheric Communications Enhanced Profile Analysis and Circuit) predictions. Results show that the real-time signal plots as well as the archive of historical signal plots, convey information on ropagation conditions to users in terms that are easy to interpret and understand.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A resource allocation system for invasive alien plant control on the St. Francis Conservancy
- Authors: Reeves, Brian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Alien plants -- Control -- South Africa , Plant invasions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10634 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1073 , Alien plants -- Control -- South Africa , Plant invasions -- South Africa
- Description: Alien invasive species pose a great threat to ecosystems and human communities (Richardson & van Wilgen 2004; Hobbs & Humphries 1995). On private lands, there is a need to find institutional, administrative and scientific responses to the alien plant problem that operate beyond the scale imposed by property boundaries (Slocombe 1998; Grumbine 1994). One such response is the development and support of institutions, such as the St Francis Conservancy, that foster cross-boundary management of landscapes (Hurley et al. 2002). This study seeks to promote collective decision-making and collaborative management by private landowners through the development of a resource allocation system for the control of alien invasive plants on the St Francis Conservancy. The conservancy is located in the south-eastern lowlands of the Cape Floristic Region, between the villages of Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay, and is comprised of the properties of multiple landowners. Mutliple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques were integrated to provide a spatially explicit resource allocation system that considered environmental, social and economic concerns. The MCDA technique selected for use was the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). This technique has a record of providing robust, defensible decisions and enabled the resource allocation decision-problem to be decomposed into a hierarchy of objectives, criteria and indicators. Stakeholders participated in the development of the resource allocation system, especially through providing input into the determination of the relative importance of criteria and indicators through the assignment of weights. Various weighting scenarios were presented and these were interpreted into an ii implementation plan. The costs and effort required to clear alien plants were estimated, and obstacles facing the implementation of the plan were identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Reeves, Brian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Alien plants -- Control -- South Africa , Plant invasions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10634 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1073 , Alien plants -- Control -- South Africa , Plant invasions -- South Africa
- Description: Alien invasive species pose a great threat to ecosystems and human communities (Richardson & van Wilgen 2004; Hobbs & Humphries 1995). On private lands, there is a need to find institutional, administrative and scientific responses to the alien plant problem that operate beyond the scale imposed by property boundaries (Slocombe 1998; Grumbine 1994). One such response is the development and support of institutions, such as the St Francis Conservancy, that foster cross-boundary management of landscapes (Hurley et al. 2002). This study seeks to promote collective decision-making and collaborative management by private landowners through the development of a resource allocation system for the control of alien invasive plants on the St Francis Conservancy. The conservancy is located in the south-eastern lowlands of the Cape Floristic Region, between the villages of Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay, and is comprised of the properties of multiple landowners. Mutliple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques were integrated to provide a spatially explicit resource allocation system that considered environmental, social and economic concerns. The MCDA technique selected for use was the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). This technique has a record of providing robust, defensible decisions and enabled the resource allocation decision-problem to be decomposed into a hierarchy of objectives, criteria and indicators. Stakeholders participated in the development of the resource allocation system, especially through providing input into the determination of the relative importance of criteria and indicators through the assignment of weights. Various weighting scenarios were presented and these were interpreted into an ii implementation plan. The costs and effort required to clear alien plants were estimated, and obstacles facing the implementation of the plan were identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A situational analysis on the public participation processes in integrated water resources management in the Kat River Valley, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Naidoo, Merle
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South Africa. Dept. of Water Affairs and Forestry , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water quality management -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water-supply -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Integrated water development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Rural development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4854 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005530 , South Africa. Dept. of Water Affairs and Forestry , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water quality management -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water-supply -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Integrated water development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Rural development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley
- Description: Public participation in water management processes is one of the internationally recognised and adopted principles of Integrated Water Resource Management. The South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry aims to facilitate the decentralisation of water management powers to the local community level via the establishment of regional and local water management institutions, namely Catchment Management Agencies, Water User Associations and Catchment Forums. The National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998) acknowledges that the discriminatory laws and practices of the past have prevented equal access to water and the use of water resources. The contribution of water management institutions to social and economic development, in particular poverty eradication and food security, is mentioned in the water act. The participation of poor rural communities living in the Kat valley, an area where an elite minority reap the benefits of water use for agriculture, is the focus of this research. Their participation, perceptions and experiences are documented and explored to determine how the promulgation of post-apartheid water policy and legislation has affected their access to water. The results of this research are based on data collected from several methods including surveys, workshops and observation. Analysis of these data revealed the complicated and stagnant nature of participation from Kat valley rural communities in local water management initiatives and organisations. Existing water management organisations were not successful in stimulating poor people’s participation as they were unable to address their primary concerns, namely a secure source of potable water, employment and access to water for agricultural purposes. This thesis asserts that the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, as the custodian of South Africa’s water resources, has not taken on a supportive, accountable role in assisting marginalised communities with improving their access to water for domestic purposes and securing access to water rights for productive use. This, in turn, has led to dissatisfaction among these communities and a wariness of participatory activities that focus mainly on raising environmental awareness. The establishment of effective accountability relationships among all stakeholders, pro-poor water management structures and initiatives, as well as integrated and co-operative management of natural resources, are needed to revitalise the present participation of poor communities living in rural areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Naidoo, Merle
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South Africa. Dept. of Water Affairs and Forestry , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water quality management -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water-supply -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Integrated water development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Rural development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4854 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005530 , South Africa. Dept. of Water Affairs and Forestry , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water quality management -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water-supply -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Integrated water development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Rural development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley
- Description: Public participation in water management processes is one of the internationally recognised and adopted principles of Integrated Water Resource Management. The South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry aims to facilitate the decentralisation of water management powers to the local community level via the establishment of regional and local water management institutions, namely Catchment Management Agencies, Water User Associations and Catchment Forums. The National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998) acknowledges that the discriminatory laws and practices of the past have prevented equal access to water and the use of water resources. The contribution of water management institutions to social and economic development, in particular poverty eradication and food security, is mentioned in the water act. The participation of poor rural communities living in the Kat valley, an area where an elite minority reap the benefits of water use for agriculture, is the focus of this research. Their participation, perceptions and experiences are documented and explored to determine how the promulgation of post-apartheid water policy and legislation has affected their access to water. The results of this research are based on data collected from several methods including surveys, workshops and observation. Analysis of these data revealed the complicated and stagnant nature of participation from Kat valley rural communities in local water management initiatives and organisations. Existing water management organisations were not successful in stimulating poor people’s participation as they were unable to address their primary concerns, namely a secure source of potable water, employment and access to water for agricultural purposes. This thesis asserts that the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, as the custodian of South Africa’s water resources, has not taken on a supportive, accountable role in assisting marginalised communities with improving their access to water for domestic purposes and securing access to water rights for productive use. This, in turn, has led to dissatisfaction among these communities and a wariness of participatory activities that focus mainly on raising environmental awareness. The establishment of effective accountability relationships among all stakeholders, pro-poor water management structures and initiatives, as well as integrated and co-operative management of natural resources, are needed to revitalise the present participation of poor communities living in rural areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A social and cultural history of Grahamstown, 1812 to c1845
- Authors: Marshall, Richard Graham
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Cities and towns -- Growth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community development, Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- History -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- History -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- History -- Social aspects -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Social conditions -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Economic conditions -- 19th Century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2549 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002401
- Description: This thesis examines the development of Grahamstown from its inception in 1812 to the mid-1840s, paying particular attention to the social and cultural life of the town. It traces the economic development of the town from a military outpost to a thriving commercial settlement, noting the essential factor of the town's proximity to the Cape frontier in this process. The economic interaction between diverse groups in the town mirrors the social and cultural interaction which occurred between British settlers, Khoekhoe and Africans. The result of these interactions was the creation of a new, distinctively South African urban society and culture, despite the desire of the white settlers to reproduce a “typical” English environment in their new home. The conflict between attempts to anglicise the urban environment and the realities of Grahamstown's situation on a colonial frontier was reflected in the architecture and layout of the town. Attempts to recreate an English social environment also failed. New classes arose in the town in response to the economic opportunities available on the frontier. Although some settlers prospered, many did not, and the presence of an impoverished white working class undermines settler historians' picture of settler success and affluence. The poorest people in the town, though, were the increasing numbers of Khoekhoe and Africans who migrated from the surrounding countryside, and who were unequally incorporated into the urban community as a colonial labouring class. In response to these unique circumstances, white settlers in Grahamstown developed a powerful political and propaganda machine, which helped lay the foundations of a distinct settler identity in the eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Marshall, Richard Graham
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Cities and towns -- Growth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community development, Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- History -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- History -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- History -- Social aspects -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Social conditions -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Economic conditions -- 19th Century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2549 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002401
- Description: This thesis examines the development of Grahamstown from its inception in 1812 to the mid-1840s, paying particular attention to the social and cultural life of the town. It traces the economic development of the town from a military outpost to a thriving commercial settlement, noting the essential factor of the town's proximity to the Cape frontier in this process. The economic interaction between diverse groups in the town mirrors the social and cultural interaction which occurred between British settlers, Khoekhoe and Africans. The result of these interactions was the creation of a new, distinctively South African urban society and culture, despite the desire of the white settlers to reproduce a “typical” English environment in their new home. The conflict between attempts to anglicise the urban environment and the realities of Grahamstown's situation on a colonial frontier was reflected in the architecture and layout of the town. Attempts to recreate an English social environment also failed. New classes arose in the town in response to the economic opportunities available on the frontier. Although some settlers prospered, many did not, and the presence of an impoverished white working class undermines settler historians' picture of settler success and affluence. The poorest people in the town, though, were the increasing numbers of Khoekhoe and Africans who migrated from the surrounding countryside, and who were unequally incorporated into the urban community as a colonial labouring class. In response to these unique circumstances, white settlers in Grahamstown developed a powerful political and propaganda machine, which helped lay the foundations of a distinct settler identity in the eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A socio-economic impact assessment (SEIA) of the best management practices (BMP) project of the Zanyokwe irrigation scheme at farm level
- Authors: Tshuma, Mengezi Chancellor
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape--Zanyokwe , Irrigation projects -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe , Irrigation -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/139 , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape--Zanyokwe , Irrigation projects -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe , Irrigation -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe
- Description: The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Best Management Practices (BMP) project on social and economic wellbeing at Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS) in central Eastern Cape Province. The BMP project is a knowledge-based initiative aimed at introducing management practices (mainly soft skills) in order to improve production and livelihoods in the study area. The study employed a survey to collect socio-economic data amongst farming households. The 2005 situation analysis, which was conducted amongst the same respondents before the introduction of the new practices allowed for comparisons in order to track changes or impacts after the implementation of the project. Also, the social and economic impact assessment (SEIA) framework was used to assess the impacts. The results of the impact assessment showed the BMP project to have an impact on social and economic well being of households. The skills introduced were in the areas of water management, agronomic practices, marketing and institutional arrangements. More than 90% indicated that there was improvement in agronomic practices and water management and 68% in marketing. More than half of farmers worked in their farms on a daily basis, which is a big change as none of the farmers worked during weekends in 2005. The average time spent on the farms also increased from four (in 2005) to seven hours (this investigation) on average per day. The BMP project also had a positive impact on social relationships and networks between farmers and the BMP project team as well as well as farmers and non-farmers. Land use intensity improved due to increases in acreage of main crops as well as cultivating at both seasons. More than 40% of farmers cropped their land at both seasons (winter and summer). In 2005, most of the land was fallow in winter. While some of the new practices introduced had a negative impact on input expenditures, the returns were positive. These extra efforts and expenditures resulted in improvement in incomes. Agricultural contribution to household income increased from 71% in 2005 to 81% in 2007. The increase in household incomes had a positive effect on poverty and food security status of households. The proportion of households earning incomes that are below poverty line dropped from 61% in 2005 to 38% in 2007. Changes in the diet of the households were noticed. In addition to the consumption of staples such as samp, maize meal and rice, people added a variety of vegetables. Own production was the main source of these vegetables as was indicated by 66% of respondents compared to only 25% in 2005. Food remained the main expenditure category though, as was the case in 2005. Improvements in marketing such as performing extra marketing functions and adopting a marketing strategy (collective action) also led to improvements in economic wellbeing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Tshuma, Mengezi Chancellor
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape--Zanyokwe , Irrigation projects -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe , Irrigation -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/139 , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape--Zanyokwe , Irrigation projects -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe , Irrigation -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Zanyokwe
- Description: The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Best Management Practices (BMP) project on social and economic wellbeing at Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS) in central Eastern Cape Province. The BMP project is a knowledge-based initiative aimed at introducing management practices (mainly soft skills) in order to improve production and livelihoods in the study area. The study employed a survey to collect socio-economic data amongst farming households. The 2005 situation analysis, which was conducted amongst the same respondents before the introduction of the new practices allowed for comparisons in order to track changes or impacts after the implementation of the project. Also, the social and economic impact assessment (SEIA) framework was used to assess the impacts. The results of the impact assessment showed the BMP project to have an impact on social and economic well being of households. The skills introduced were in the areas of water management, agronomic practices, marketing and institutional arrangements. More than 90% indicated that there was improvement in agronomic practices and water management and 68% in marketing. More than half of farmers worked in their farms on a daily basis, which is a big change as none of the farmers worked during weekends in 2005. The average time spent on the farms also increased from four (in 2005) to seven hours (this investigation) on average per day. The BMP project also had a positive impact on social relationships and networks between farmers and the BMP project team as well as well as farmers and non-farmers. Land use intensity improved due to increases in acreage of main crops as well as cultivating at both seasons. More than 40% of farmers cropped their land at both seasons (winter and summer). In 2005, most of the land was fallow in winter. While some of the new practices introduced had a negative impact on input expenditures, the returns were positive. These extra efforts and expenditures resulted in improvement in incomes. Agricultural contribution to household income increased from 71% in 2005 to 81% in 2007. The increase in household incomes had a positive effect on poverty and food security status of households. The proportion of households earning incomes that are below poverty line dropped from 61% in 2005 to 38% in 2007. Changes in the diet of the households were noticed. In addition to the consumption of staples such as samp, maize meal and rice, people added a variety of vegetables. Own production was the main source of these vegetables as was indicated by 66% of respondents compared to only 25% in 2005. Food remained the main expenditure category though, as was the case in 2005. Improvements in marketing such as performing extra marketing functions and adopting a marketing strategy (collective action) also led to improvements in economic wellbeing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A Speciation study of the chloro-hydroxo complexes of Pt(II)
- Authors: Davis, John Christopher
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Platinum , Platinum -- Separation , Platinum compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10388 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1213 , Platinum , Platinum -- Separation , Platinum compounds
- Description: In this study a method was developed to identify and quantify platinum(II) complexes of the type [PtCl4-n(OH)n]2- and [PtCl4-n(H2O)n]2-n. Separation of the various species was achieved with the aid of a hyphenated reversed phase HPLC-ICP-MS technique coupled with an ion-pairing reagent, HMHDCl2. The adsorption of HMHD2+ onto a C-18 column was investigated by generating a series of breakthrough curves. It was found that the selectivity for high charge density anions originates from its low surface coverage relative to TBA+, which on the other hand could not separate Pt(II) complexes. The peaks in the chromatographic traces were assigned by following the stepwise ligand substitution of [PtCl4]2- in hydroxide medium with UV/Vis spectrophotometry and HPLC-ICP-MS simultaneously. A computer program was written by the author to analyse chromatographic data by deconvoluting the chromatogram into its individual components and calculating the mole fraction of each component. The validity of the consecutive pseudo-first order model was validated by constructing 3D Mauser diagrams with the raw spectrophotometric data (A1 vs A2 vs A3). Additional software was used to simulate the raw spectrophotometric data and processed chromatographic data. The pseudo-first order rate constants obtained in both cases were in agreement with each other. Hence, peaks were assigned to [PtCl4]2-, [PtCl3(OH)]2-, [PtCl2(OH)2]2-, [PtCl3(H2O)]-. The molar extinction coefficient spectra of [PtCl3(OH)]2- and [PtCl2(OH)2]2- were obtained by simulating the spectrophotometric data at wavelengths from 280 to 450 nm. The reaction of [PtCl4]2- with sodium hydroxide was investigated with UV/Vis spectrophotometry at 25 °C. A rate constant consisting of a first and second order term was obtained. The first order term agreed with what has been reported in the literature for aquation of [PtCl4]2- at 25 degrees C. The influence of temperature was established by conducting the experiment at different temperatures. It was found that the reaction proceeds essentially via aquation at elevated temperatures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Davis, John Christopher
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Platinum , Platinum -- Separation , Platinum compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10388 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1213 , Platinum , Platinum -- Separation , Platinum compounds
- Description: In this study a method was developed to identify and quantify platinum(II) complexes of the type [PtCl4-n(OH)n]2- and [PtCl4-n(H2O)n]2-n. Separation of the various species was achieved with the aid of a hyphenated reversed phase HPLC-ICP-MS technique coupled with an ion-pairing reagent, HMHDCl2. The adsorption of HMHD2+ onto a C-18 column was investigated by generating a series of breakthrough curves. It was found that the selectivity for high charge density anions originates from its low surface coverage relative to TBA+, which on the other hand could not separate Pt(II) complexes. The peaks in the chromatographic traces were assigned by following the stepwise ligand substitution of [PtCl4]2- in hydroxide medium with UV/Vis spectrophotometry and HPLC-ICP-MS simultaneously. A computer program was written by the author to analyse chromatographic data by deconvoluting the chromatogram into its individual components and calculating the mole fraction of each component. The validity of the consecutive pseudo-first order model was validated by constructing 3D Mauser diagrams with the raw spectrophotometric data (A1 vs A2 vs A3). Additional software was used to simulate the raw spectrophotometric data and processed chromatographic data. The pseudo-first order rate constants obtained in both cases were in agreement with each other. Hence, peaks were assigned to [PtCl4]2-, [PtCl3(OH)]2-, [PtCl2(OH)2]2-, [PtCl3(H2O)]-. The molar extinction coefficient spectra of [PtCl3(OH)]2- and [PtCl2(OH)2]2- were obtained by simulating the spectrophotometric data at wavelengths from 280 to 450 nm. The reaction of [PtCl4]2- with sodium hydroxide was investigated with UV/Vis spectrophotometry at 25 °C. A rate constant consisting of a first and second order term was obtained. The first order term agreed with what has been reported in the literature for aquation of [PtCl4]2- at 25 degrees C. The influence of temperature was established by conducting the experiment at different temperatures. It was found that the reaction proceeds essentially via aquation at elevated temperatures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A strategic entrepreneurial model to develop females for tourism related businesses
- Authors: Mazubane, Ewart Mphilisi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-employed women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Entrepreneurship -- Women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Bed and breakfast accommodations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8574 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1188 , Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-employed women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Entrepreneurship -- Women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Bed and breakfast accommodations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Since the inception of the new dispensation, entrepreneurship has been identified as one of the key enablers of economic participation. For this reason the government has established strategic institutions and mandated them to promote entrepreneurship in the country with the aim of increasing economic participation and entrepreneurial activities. One of the key and the fastest growing industries that have been identified as needing attention with regards to increasing participation of the women entrepreneurs is the tourism industry. There is now a noticeable growth of women entrepreneurs in this industry. They are found running bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and conducting tours in urban areas as well as townships and rural areas. This is further evident if one looks at the value chain in the tourism sector. However, women entrepreneurs that are found in this sector are facing specific challenges that hinder their progress towards achieving sustainable businesses, especially those running or intending to run B&B businesses. Some of these challenges are sector related and some are just inherent to pursuing an entrepreneurial journey. The participation of women in the mainstream of entrepreneurship presents unique challenges as well. Women were never allowed to participate fully in the entrepreneurial activities. The latter still contributes to the challenges faced by women in their journey towards developing and operating sustainable businesses irrespective of the industry in which they operate in. Based on the above discussion, the main problem statement of this study is: To develop a strategic entrepreneurial model to enable female entrepreneurs to operate sustainable B&B businesses in the tourism industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mazubane, Ewart Mphilisi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-employed women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Entrepreneurship -- Women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Bed and breakfast accommodations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8574 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1188 , Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-employed women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Entrepreneurship -- Women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Bed and breakfast accommodations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Since the inception of the new dispensation, entrepreneurship has been identified as one of the key enablers of economic participation. For this reason the government has established strategic institutions and mandated them to promote entrepreneurship in the country with the aim of increasing economic participation and entrepreneurial activities. One of the key and the fastest growing industries that have been identified as needing attention with regards to increasing participation of the women entrepreneurs is the tourism industry. There is now a noticeable growth of women entrepreneurs in this industry. They are found running bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and conducting tours in urban areas as well as townships and rural areas. This is further evident if one looks at the value chain in the tourism sector. However, women entrepreneurs that are found in this sector are facing specific challenges that hinder their progress towards achieving sustainable businesses, especially those running or intending to run B&B businesses. Some of these challenges are sector related and some are just inherent to pursuing an entrepreneurial journey. The participation of women in the mainstream of entrepreneurship presents unique challenges as well. Women were never allowed to participate fully in the entrepreneurial activities. The latter still contributes to the challenges faced by women in their journey towards developing and operating sustainable businesses irrespective of the industry in which they operate in. Based on the above discussion, the main problem statement of this study is: To develop a strategic entrepreneurial model to enable female entrepreneurs to operate sustainable B&B businesses in the tourism industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A study of employee satisfaction in two manufacturing facilities of General Motors South Africa
- Authors: Matutoane, Leanetse Paul
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: General Motors Corporation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Employee attitude surveys -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003887
- Description: Employed individuals spend a majority of their waking time at work. Therefore, within an individual’s working lifetime, most hours will be spent at work. Subsequently, theories abound purporting that humans are hedonistic beings. Considering that on average people spend most of their working lives in a working environment, it then stands to reason that people should endeavor to be satisfied at work if humans are always in pursuit of happiness. The questions arise as thus: what makes people satisfied at work, does being satisfied with the job result in less turnover, and is that the only reason that they would endeavor to prolong their employment, are older employees more satisfied with their jobs than younger employees, is a plant with an older workforce more satisfied than a similar plant with a younger workforce? This study attempts to find an answer to these and other related questions. It was conducted on employees of two plants of an automotive manufacturer based in Port Elizabeth, a town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The Job Descriptive Index (JDI) was used to collect the feelings of 92 employees in different shops and analyzed to check for differences in satisfaction levels. No significant differences were found between the plants, shops and age categories surveyed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Matutoane, Leanetse Paul
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: General Motors Corporation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Employee attitude surveys -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003887
- Description: Employed individuals spend a majority of their waking time at work. Therefore, within an individual’s working lifetime, most hours will be spent at work. Subsequently, theories abound purporting that humans are hedonistic beings. Considering that on average people spend most of their working lives in a working environment, it then stands to reason that people should endeavor to be satisfied at work if humans are always in pursuit of happiness. The questions arise as thus: what makes people satisfied at work, does being satisfied with the job result in less turnover, and is that the only reason that they would endeavor to prolong their employment, are older employees more satisfied with their jobs than younger employees, is a plant with an older workforce more satisfied than a similar plant with a younger workforce? This study attempts to find an answer to these and other related questions. It was conducted on employees of two plants of an automotive manufacturer based in Port Elizabeth, a town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The Job Descriptive Index (JDI) was used to collect the feelings of 92 employees in different shops and analyzed to check for differences in satisfaction levels. No significant differences were found between the plants, shops and age categories surveyed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A study on the effects of mental illness on relationships amongst families with the mentally ill members
- Authors: Magadla, Mfanisi Welcome
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Families -- Health and hygiene , Mentally ill -- Home care , Mentally ill -- Family relationships , Mental illness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11901 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001101 , Families -- Health and hygiene , Mentally ill -- Home care , Mentally ill -- Family relationships , Mental illness
- Description: The increased abscondment of Mental Health Care Users from institutions of care, treatment and rehabilitation has prompted the researcher to conduct the study because patients who are not visited do not stand a chance of getting a Leave Of Absence (LOA). Problem: The concern is the danger of assault, murder, rape and other high risk situations the mentally ill individuals and the community are exposed to, which is caused by frequent abscondment of mentally unstable individuals who roam around the community without proper treatment and care. This is caused by failure of the relatives in coming to request patients for leave of absence (LOA). Purpose: The study investigated the effects of mental illness on relationships amongst families with the mentally ill members. The number or frequency of visitations by relatives to the mental health institutions is used by the researcher, to measure the nature of relationships between families and the psychiatric patients related to them. Method: The population comprised families of the mentally ill persons admitted at Cecilia Makiwane mental health units. The sample was collected conveniently as relatives came to visit the mentally ill until the desired number was reached. The designed tool was a questionnaire which was self administered. Data were analysed manually. Tables and graphs are shown in the results. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study revealed that approximately 100% of respondents had a lack of knowledge about mental illness and the mentally ill, in terms of care, treatment and rehabilitation hence they all need assistance in dealing with the mentally ill in the community. Findings also revealed that mental illness causes breakdown in family relationships. Recommendations regarding the enhancement of relationships between families and their mentally ill members are formulated as coping skills in the dissertation. The burden of having to deal with mentally ill person whose illness is not understood can lead the family to a state of confusion and iv not knowing what to anticipate. Lack of resources compounds the problem as the family members are not able to visit the ill member due to lack of funds (Baumann, 2007:637). The families with a mentally ill member usually shoulder the greatest part of the burden of mental illness (Uys and Middleton, 2004:77); unfortunately, lack of resources pose a problem.
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- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Magadla, Mfanisi Welcome
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Families -- Health and hygiene , Mentally ill -- Home care , Mentally ill -- Family relationships , Mental illness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11901 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001101 , Families -- Health and hygiene , Mentally ill -- Home care , Mentally ill -- Family relationships , Mental illness
- Description: The increased abscondment of Mental Health Care Users from institutions of care, treatment and rehabilitation has prompted the researcher to conduct the study because patients who are not visited do not stand a chance of getting a Leave Of Absence (LOA). Problem: The concern is the danger of assault, murder, rape and other high risk situations the mentally ill individuals and the community are exposed to, which is caused by frequent abscondment of mentally unstable individuals who roam around the community without proper treatment and care. This is caused by failure of the relatives in coming to request patients for leave of absence (LOA). Purpose: The study investigated the effects of mental illness on relationships amongst families with the mentally ill members. The number or frequency of visitations by relatives to the mental health institutions is used by the researcher, to measure the nature of relationships between families and the psychiatric patients related to them. Method: The population comprised families of the mentally ill persons admitted at Cecilia Makiwane mental health units. The sample was collected conveniently as relatives came to visit the mentally ill until the desired number was reached. The designed tool was a questionnaire which was self administered. Data were analysed manually. Tables and graphs are shown in the results. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study revealed that approximately 100% of respondents had a lack of knowledge about mental illness and the mentally ill, in terms of care, treatment and rehabilitation hence they all need assistance in dealing with the mentally ill in the community. Findings also revealed that mental illness causes breakdown in family relationships. Recommendations regarding the enhancement of relationships between families and their mentally ill members are formulated as coping skills in the dissertation. The burden of having to deal with mentally ill person whose illness is not understood can lead the family to a state of confusion and iv not knowing what to anticipate. Lack of resources compounds the problem as the family members are not able to visit the ill member due to lack of funds (Baumann, 2007:637). The families with a mentally ill member usually shoulder the greatest part of the burden of mental illness (Uys and Middleton, 2004:77); unfortunately, lack of resources pose a problem.
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- Date Issued: 2009
A study on the knowledge and skills of police officers in handling mentally ill persons in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Kolwapi, Xola Xolani
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Mentally ill -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , People with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11902 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/406 , Mentally ill -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , People with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The dissertation argues that police officers are not trained in handling mentally ill persons. Purpose The study explored police officers‟ knowledge of mental illness and skills necessary for handling mentally ill people. Research methods The descriptive quantitative investigation has been used as a research strategy to identify the knowledge and skills of police officers in handling mentally ill persons. Forty five police officers were randomly selected from a population of 136 police officers. A self administered questionnaire was used for collecting data. Data analysis was done manually and frequency distributions, cross-tabulations and correlations were carried out. Results The findings revealed that police officers do not have knowledge and skills to handle mentally ill people. Recommendations It is recommended that mental health care practitioners should engage the police in discussions on training in handling mentally ill people. iv Limitations Due to time and budgetary limitations, the study had to settle for a more modest investigation
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- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kolwapi, Xola Xolani
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Mentally ill -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , People with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11902 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/406 , Mentally ill -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , People with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The dissertation argues that police officers are not trained in handling mentally ill persons. Purpose The study explored police officers‟ knowledge of mental illness and skills necessary for handling mentally ill people. Research methods The descriptive quantitative investigation has been used as a research strategy to identify the knowledge and skills of police officers in handling mentally ill persons. Forty five police officers were randomly selected from a population of 136 police officers. A self administered questionnaire was used for collecting data. Data analysis was done manually and frequency distributions, cross-tabulations and correlations were carried out. Results The findings revealed that police officers do not have knowledge and skills to handle mentally ill people. Recommendations It is recommended that mental health care practitioners should engage the police in discussions on training in handling mentally ill people. iv Limitations Due to time and budgetary limitations, the study had to settle for a more modest investigation
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- Date Issued: 2009
A system review of higher education admissions testing practices in Israel: implications for South Africa
- Authors: Cronje, Johan Herman
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Admissions , Universities and colleges -- Israel -- Admissions , Universities and colleges -- Entrance requirements , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa -- Validity , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Israel
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9910 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/937 , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Admissions , Universities and colleges -- Israel -- Admissions , Universities and colleges -- Entrance requirements , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa -- Validity , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Israel
- Description: Internationally, the practice of admissions entry testing in Higher Education (HE) has gained momentum over the past few decades, sparking ongoing research on its effectiveness. On a national level, three factors have signalled a timeous evaluation of admissions practices at HE institutions. Firstly, changes in the school curriculum and the new format of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) have impacted on the admissions criteria of HE institutions. Secondly, with the merging of HE institutions an alignment in admissions practices between the institutions involved were necessitated. Thirdly, South Africa has embarked on the development of National Benchmark Tests (NBTs). The primary aim of this research study was to develop a set of recommendations to guide admissions testing practices in the South African HE context. These recommendations had to place special emphasis on the multicultural and multilingual context of this country. To achieve this aim a systematic review was conducted on HE admissions testing in Israel, as it was identified as a multicultural and multilingual country that had successfully implemented national HE admissions testing. More specifically, a retrospective systematic review was performed on research regarding the national HE admissions test, the Psychometric Entrance Test (PET), used in Israel. The systematic review also contained a narrative overview on the educational landscape in Israel and the specifications of the PET, from which themes were also extracted. Eight broad themes emerged through the systematic review and narrative overview as being of critical importance to an effective national HE admissions test. These were the components of the test, the implementation of the testing programme, the method in which the test results are used to make HE admission decisions, the reliability xi of the test, the validity of the test, bias inherent in the test, other psychometric aspects related to the admissions test, and the effect of coaching or specialized preparation on test results. These themes, together with their sub-components, were used to develop eight recommendations that can guide the development and implementation of the National Benchmark Test (NBTs) in South Africa. Both the themes that emerged during the systematic review and narrative overview as well as the recommendations that were made to guide the development and implementation of a national admission test, represent an important contribution to the field of admission testing and decision-making in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Cronje, Johan Herman
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Admissions , Universities and colleges -- Israel -- Admissions , Universities and colleges -- Entrance requirements , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa -- Validity , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Israel
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9910 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/937 , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Admissions , Universities and colleges -- Israel -- Admissions , Universities and colleges -- Entrance requirements , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa -- Validity , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Israel
- Description: Internationally, the practice of admissions entry testing in Higher Education (HE) has gained momentum over the past few decades, sparking ongoing research on its effectiveness. On a national level, three factors have signalled a timeous evaluation of admissions practices at HE institutions. Firstly, changes in the school curriculum and the new format of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) have impacted on the admissions criteria of HE institutions. Secondly, with the merging of HE institutions an alignment in admissions practices between the institutions involved were necessitated. Thirdly, South Africa has embarked on the development of National Benchmark Tests (NBTs). The primary aim of this research study was to develop a set of recommendations to guide admissions testing practices in the South African HE context. These recommendations had to place special emphasis on the multicultural and multilingual context of this country. To achieve this aim a systematic review was conducted on HE admissions testing in Israel, as it was identified as a multicultural and multilingual country that had successfully implemented national HE admissions testing. More specifically, a retrospective systematic review was performed on research regarding the national HE admissions test, the Psychometric Entrance Test (PET), used in Israel. The systematic review also contained a narrative overview on the educational landscape in Israel and the specifications of the PET, from which themes were also extracted. Eight broad themes emerged through the systematic review and narrative overview as being of critical importance to an effective national HE admissions test. These were the components of the test, the implementation of the testing programme, the method in which the test results are used to make HE admission decisions, the reliability xi of the test, the validity of the test, bias inherent in the test, other psychometric aspects related to the admissions test, and the effect of coaching or specialized preparation on test results. These themes, together with their sub-components, were used to develop eight recommendations that can guide the development and implementation of the National Benchmark Test (NBTs) in South Africa. Both the themes that emerged during the systematic review and narrative overview as well as the recommendations that were made to guide the development and implementation of a national admission test, represent an important contribution to the field of admission testing and decision-making in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Adapting retail business models for the petroleum industry
- Authors: Tait, Hennie Leon
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Petroleum products -- Prices , Petroleum industry and trade -- South Africa , Petroleum industry and trade -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8689 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1110 , Petroleum products -- Prices , Petroleum industry and trade -- South Africa , Petroleum industry and trade -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Deregulation as an open market system is likely to be implemented in the Petroleum industry of South Africa. To secure the success of the retail petroleum industry by means of business and job opportunities one has to investigate the current evolution of the industry and what factors will have a measurable impact on the retail petroleum industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Tait, Hennie Leon
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Petroleum products -- Prices , Petroleum industry and trade -- South Africa , Petroleum industry and trade -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8689 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1110 , Petroleum products -- Prices , Petroleum industry and trade -- South Africa , Petroleum industry and trade -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Deregulation as an open market system is likely to be implemented in the Petroleum industry of South Africa. To secure the success of the retail petroleum industry by means of business and job opportunities one has to investigate the current evolution of the industry and what factors will have a measurable impact on the retail petroleum industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Adaptive interfaces for mobile preference-based searching
- Authors: Hill, Ryan Tebbutt
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Mobile computing -- South Africa , Global Positioning System , Global system for mobile communications -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9259 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1248 , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Mobile computing -- South Africa , Global Positioning System , Global system for mobile communications -- South Africa
- Description: Today's mobile computing devices provide a convenient means to search for points-of-interest (POIs) such as restaurants and accommodation. Mobile Preference-Based Search Tools (PBSTs) allow users to identify POIs such as restaurants or accommodation most suited to their needs and constraints using a mobile device. These devices however, have several design constraints including limited screen space and hardware capabilities. Adaptive User Interfaces (AUIs) have been proposed to address these issues but have not been extensively applied to mobile PBSTs such as mobile tourist guides. In addition, AUIs possess several benefits and advantages over static (traditional) interfaces, which do not take a user's preferences, skill set and experience into account. Little research, however, has been conducted into identifying the potential benefits of AUIs for mobile preference-based searching (PBS). The aim of this research was to determine the extent to which an AUI could improve the effectiveness and user satisfaction of mobile PBS. A literature study was conducted to determine the benefits and limitations of existing mobile PBSTs and determine how these could be improved. The potential benefits of AUIs for mobile PBSTs and a mobile map-based visualisation system were identified. A suitable model for incorporating an AUI into a mobile PBST was identified. The requirements for a mobile PBST were combined with the potentially adaptable objects of a Mobile Map-based Visualisation (MMV) system to provide adaptation suggestions for POInter, an existing mobile tourist guide. A field study using POInter was conducted in order to measure the extent to which participants agreed with suggestions provided for adapting the information, interaction and visualisation aspects of the system. These results were used to derive adaptation requirements for A-POInter, an adaptive version of POInter. Using a model-based design approach, an AUI was designed and implemented for A-POInter. An extensive field study was then conducted to evaluate the usability of the adaptations provided by A-POInter. The quantitative and qualitative data collected from the evaluations allowed the usability of A-POInter to be determined. The results of the field study showed that the participants were highly satisfied with the usability and the usefulness of the adaptations provided by A-POInter. Conclusions and recommendations for future work based on the results of the research were then outlined to conclude the dissertation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hill, Ryan Tebbutt
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Mobile computing -- South Africa , Global Positioning System , Global system for mobile communications -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9259 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1248 , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Mobile computing -- South Africa , Global Positioning System , Global system for mobile communications -- South Africa
- Description: Today's mobile computing devices provide a convenient means to search for points-of-interest (POIs) such as restaurants and accommodation. Mobile Preference-Based Search Tools (PBSTs) allow users to identify POIs such as restaurants or accommodation most suited to their needs and constraints using a mobile device. These devices however, have several design constraints including limited screen space and hardware capabilities. Adaptive User Interfaces (AUIs) have been proposed to address these issues but have not been extensively applied to mobile PBSTs such as mobile tourist guides. In addition, AUIs possess several benefits and advantages over static (traditional) interfaces, which do not take a user's preferences, skill set and experience into account. Little research, however, has been conducted into identifying the potential benefits of AUIs for mobile preference-based searching (PBS). The aim of this research was to determine the extent to which an AUI could improve the effectiveness and user satisfaction of mobile PBS. A literature study was conducted to determine the benefits and limitations of existing mobile PBSTs and determine how these could be improved. The potential benefits of AUIs for mobile PBSTs and a mobile map-based visualisation system were identified. A suitable model for incorporating an AUI into a mobile PBST was identified. The requirements for a mobile PBST were combined with the potentially adaptable objects of a Mobile Map-based Visualisation (MMV) system to provide adaptation suggestions for POInter, an existing mobile tourist guide. A field study using POInter was conducted in order to measure the extent to which participants agreed with suggestions provided for adapting the information, interaction and visualisation aspects of the system. These results were used to derive adaptation requirements for A-POInter, an adaptive version of POInter. Using a model-based design approach, an AUI was designed and implemented for A-POInter. An extensive field study was then conducted to evaluate the usability of the adaptations provided by A-POInter. The quantitative and qualitative data collected from the evaluations allowed the usability of A-POInter to be determined. The results of the field study showed that the participants were highly satisfied with the usability and the usefulness of the adaptations provided by A-POInter. Conclusions and recommendations for future work based on the results of the research were then outlined to conclude the dissertation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009