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Call number: LD2668 .T4 1929 L33

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1956 N42 / Master of Science

The focus of this study was to determine what stressors were experienced by junior high age students (N = 145) and what relationship there was between those stressors and self-esteem. A modified Youth Adaptation Rating Scale (YARS) was utilized to identify the stressors. The Index of Self-Esteem (ISE) was used to measure self-esteem. Among the findings were: a moderate though significant negative correlation between the number of stressors experienced and the adolescent's self-esteem, fifteen of the fifty-five stressors were significantly related to self-esteem, and nine of the stressors were associated with gender.

Background: Learners with severe intellectual disability are those with a serious condition of learning disability due to the· limitation in intellectual functioning. These learners participate in the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) approach since there is no special curriculum for them. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of severe intellectual disability and to find out whether learners of this condition are able to achieve the learning outcomes and assessment standards prescribed by the NCS. To get access to the different age groups of learners, the study investigated both the Middle and Senior phases of the two schools. Method: Ethnographical study of qualitative research was followed. Data for the study were collected using class observations and educators' questionnaires. Data from the related literature review were also collected. Results: The results revealed that learners with severe intellectual disability could not achieve the learning outcomes and -assessment standards prescribed by the NCS within the whole school period, 8 to 21 years. Conclusion: Learners with severe intellectual disability could not benefit from participating in the standard school curriculum. Suggestions were given from both the empirical study and the literature on the curriculum that would provide better learning opportunities for learners with severe intellectual disability. / Thesis (M.Ed.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2010

The purpose of the descriptive research was to investigate the relationship between an adherence to the Black community's belief and value system about Black skin tones and Black school-age children's skin tone preferences and perceptions of occupational life opportunities. Six Black skin tones were scaled via Thurstone's method of paired comparisons and the law of comparative judgment. The result was an interval level Skin Tone Scale on which the skin tones were positioned from most to least preferred by the children. The most preferred skin tones ranged from medium to honey brown. The least preferred were the extreme tones of very light yellow and very dark brown. Data collection was accomplished with the Porter Skin Tone Connotation Scale (PSTCS). The instrument was constructed from the forced choice preference paradigm. Data were obtained from a volunteer sample of 98 Black school-age children who resided in a city in Arizona. Data collection and analyses were constructed to test two hypotheses: (1) Black school-age children's skin tone classifications for differential status occupations will be related to gender, age, and perception of own skin tone as indexed by the skin tone values of the Skin Tone Scale, and (2) with increasing age, Black school-age children's skin tone preferences will be more systematically related to the skin tone values of the Skin Tone Scale. Testing of the first hypothesis with multiple regression indicated that the independent variables did not account for enough variance to support the hypothesis. Analysis of the second hypothesis with coefficient gamma suggested a trend toward more systematic agreement with the Skin Tone Scale with increasing age. Results of the first hypothesis were discussed in relation to composition of the sample, gender differences, the achievement value of the Black sociocultural system, and these Black children's lived experience. Results of the second hypothesis reflected those from similar investigations conducted in the 1940s. The results suggested Black children still most prefer brown skin tones and least prefer extreme light and dark skin tones. Black children's preferences for Black skin tones have not altered in approximately forty years.

The current study expands upon existing developmental research on marital attitude change by examining how attitudes toward marriage and long-term relationships may vary across emerging adulthood. Utilizing five waves of data from the Center on Young Adult Health and Development’s College Life Study, discrete-time survival analysis and latent basis growth curve analysis are employed to assess the change—and predictors of such change—in three measures of relationship attitudes (desire for marriage, desire for long-term relationships, and importance of marriage and long-term relationships) of over 900 college students. Results indicate positive change in all three measures of attitudes, with most emerging adults desiring and placing importance on marriage and long-term relationships from the very beginning of college. Predictors of attitude change included sex, race, experience of parental death, student status, educational aspirations, and total number of sex partners. Results suggest a need for more longitudinal research in this area.

The present study assessed the views of students on school-related determinants with respect to liking or disliking technology. In determining students' views, two self-report instruments, the Classroom Learning Environment Survey (CLES) and Attitudes Toward Science Scale (ATSS) were used. Also, an interview schedule was arranged with a selected group. Participants were 200 first years registered for Diplomas in Primary -, Secondary -, and Technology Education. Results indicated a positive relationship between attitudes towards technology and each of teacher characteristics, student characteristics and the classroom environment. Regression analysis showed that attitudes toward technology were predicted by the three study variables. On the other hand, no statistically significant gender differences were established. Recommendations and suggestions for further research are also advanced. / Mathematics, Science & Technology Education / M. Sc. (Technology Education)

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)--Durban University of Technology, 2008. xix, 122 leaves / Discussion among homoeopaths in South Africa provides the impression that there is a degree of misunderstanding and ignorance about homoeopathy, and opinions are varied on its application and efficacy amongst the South African public. An over the counter (OTC) medicine, is a medicine which is sold without a prescription directly to the public, which includes homoeopathic medicines. OTC medicines may be sold at any retail outlet, i.e. a pharmacy or general store. There is much evidence pointed towards the growth and rise in over the counter sales in complementary and alternative medicine, a growth of more than 17% in total, homoeopathy is a major part of the complementary and alternative medicine group, having its own growth of more than 16% over a four year period. Self-medication in the form of over the counter medicines forms the main part of this industry (Caldis, 2000). The market was previously examined by the Mintel Group for complementary medicines and its growth in sales, in April 2003. Since then, the market has continued to expand, growing by 45% in real terms from 1999 to 2004. Greater consumer awareness of alternative medicines, an interest in healthy lifestyles, and the willingness to self-medicate certain conditions have all contributed to the increased value of sales (Mintel, 2005). Whenever the economic and public health benefits of self-medication are discussed, it is important to address inequalities in health. This means that not every citizen may feel sufficiently confident to practice responsible self-medication. It is also evident that not everybody has the financial means to do iii so. The whole notion of responsible self-medication both in a traditional sense and in the future is based on the concept of choice. Allowing individuals certain options when they suffer minor, self-limiting or chronic diseases is the fundamental consideration behind responsible self-medication (AESGP, 2004). Methodology A non-experimental descriptive survey was conducted to determine the perceptions of registered South African Homoeopaths regarding the availability of over the counter homoeopathic remedies. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed and 68 anonymous responses were obtained. Raw data was analysed using descriptive statistics and the relationships between variables tested for correlations. Results Respondents perceived homoeopathic OTC medicine sales and their availability in health shops and pharmacies, as contributing to the promotion of the profession as well as increasing its accessibility to the public. Other benefits perceived were the cost effectiveness of homoeopathic OTC medicines and convenience for home usage. The majority of respondents felt that there should be certain restrictions regarding the availability of OTC homoeopathic medicines, such as, the limitations regarding the availability of certain potencies. Participants also expressed concern over the degree of training held by retail outlet staff. Certain respondents felt that homoeopathic medicines should only be iv available with a prescription or used under the guidance of their practitioner. Other negative aspects of over the counter homoeopathic medicines were: incorrect use of medication, overdosing, and potential negative effects the patient may experience if the OTC medicine interacts with other medication, as well as the concern over the risks of self-medicating without the advice from a practitioner. Conclusions and recommendations The majority of respondents were in favour of the availability of homoeopathic OTC medicines to the public, provided that they are suitably regulated to ensure patient safety and quality control. Furthermore the regulation of the relevant retail outlets including education of staff in this regard was recommended. Respondents also were in favour of the awareness of the profession that homoeopathic OTC medicines created.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)--Durban University of Technology, 2008 / The 2001 Census revealed that roughly 78% of the South African population claimed to be of a certain religious standing, namely Christian (Statistics South Africa: 2001). One can assume that many Christians are exposed to, and partake in, the growing trend of complementary medicine. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of homeopathy amongst Christian Church members in the Berea North area of Durban and assess how similar they are to the perceptions of certain Christian authors holding the view that homoeopathy is incompatible with Christianity. Methodology A survey method with self-administered questionnaires was employed. A total of 365 questionnaires were distributed and 174 completed questionnaires were returned (47.40%). The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions that were divided into 4 sections. The first section consisted of demographic questions while the remaining sections were related to the perception of homoeopathy. For most of the questions, possible alternative answers were given. A few of the questions allowed open ended answers. Data was analyzed by means of the SPSS (v.13) program. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis and interpretation. More specifically, the Chi square test was used to determine relationships between certain qualitative variables. iii Results The majority of respondents (63.2%) perceived that homoeopathy is compatible with Christianity, with more females than males agreeing with that statement. Only 10.3% said it is not, and 24.1% were undecided. A similar majority (64.9%) answered “Yes” regarding whether Christians should use homoeopathy or not. The results showed that respondents who have made use of some form of complementary medicine e.g. reflexology, herbal medicine and acupuncture, are more likely to condone the use of homoeopathy amongst Christians. The overwhelming majority of respondents categorize homoeopathy as either natural (54%) or complementary (30%) medicine. Slightly more respondents categorize it as Eastern (8%) rather than New Age medicine (5%). Only 2 respondents (1%) categorized homoeopathy as occult. The results of the study showed that slightly more than half of the respondents perceive homoeopathy as operating on scientific principles (52.9%), and only 13.2% perceive that it does not with 32.8% undecided. 92.8% of respondents have a matric or higher level of education. Despite the high education level of respondents, 47.1% of respondents indicated that they only know something about homoeopathy and 25% indicated that they have either never heard of it or have only heard of it. The majority of respondents indicated that their knowledge of homoeopathy is inadequate (69%) but showed a desire to know more about homoeopathy (72.4%). iv Conclusion The conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that the majority of Christians surveyed did not share the views of the Christian authors who regard homoeopathy as incompatible with Christianity. On the contrary, the majority supported the use of homoeopathy, and were interested to find out more about it.