Low-literate consumers display distinctive behaviour in the marketplace, and in the first phase of a mixed method study, the aim was to explore the challenges and coping strategies of low-literate clothing consumers. Due to fairly high levels of low-literacy in South Africa and limited research, this research was undertaken to better understand the behaviour of low-literate clothing consumers in the marketplace. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data, and through inductive, interpretative data analysis three broad themes were identified, namely personal (cognitive, social, financial and affective), product (types and format of product information, evaluative criteria) and store-related (store assistants’ behaviour, store selection and in-store information) challenges and associated coping strategies. The results of this study can be used to advise marketers regarding the needs of these consumers, and were also used to develop a quantitative measuring instrument to investigate low-literate consumers’ use of clothing labels in the retail setting. In the second quantitative phase of the study, the use of clothing label information amidst low-literate respondents’ personal- (reading and numeracy skills, concrete and pictographic thinking) and product-related challenges (the format of labels, care-label knowledge and evaluating clothing products’ quality) were investigated. The study sample consisted of 450 black female consumers with literacy levels between Grades 5 and 8, residing in the Emfuleni Local Municipality area, in the southern part of Gauteng, South Africa. Interviewer administered questionnaires were filled out, and it was examined for validity and reliability. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and correlations were drawn between reliable factors, and practical significant correlations were reported. ANOVA’s indicated statistically significant differences with mostly medium effect sizes between the occupation of respondents and selected factors. Respondents indicated that they do read and understand clothing labels, but results revealed that they did experience problems when using information on labels. Their numeracy skills were average, and abstract thinking related to numeracy, were fair. Pictographic thinking was evident in their preference for symbolic and graphic presentation of size format, but not when they were presented altered store logos. Care label knowledge was poor, and clothing products were evaluated concretely. Some of the respondents, especially the older respondents were inclined to follow the peripheral route of elaboration when reading clothing label information. / Thesis (PhD (Consumer Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Low-literate consumers display distinctive behaviour in the marketplace, and in the first phase of a mixed method study, the aim was to explore the challenges and coping strategies of low-literate clothing consumers. Due to fairly high levels of low-literacy in South Africa and limited research, this research was undertaken to better understand the behaviour of low-literate clothing consumers in the marketplace. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data, and through inductive, interpretative data analysis three broad themes were identified, namely personal (cognitive, social, financial and affective), product (types and format of product information, evaluative criteria) and store-related (store assistants’ behaviour, store selection and in-store information) challenges and associated coping strategies. The results of this study can be used to advise marketers regarding the needs of these consumers, and were also used to develop a quantitative measuring instrument to investigate low-literate consumers’ use of clothing labels in the retail setting. In the second quantitative phase of the study, the use of clothing label information amidst low-literate respondents’ personal- (reading and numeracy skills, concrete and pictographic thinking) and product-related challenges (the format of labels, care-label knowledge and evaluating clothing products’ quality) were investigated. The study sample consisted of 450 black female consumers with literacy levels between Grades 5 and 8, residing in the Emfuleni Local Municipality area, in the southern part of Gauteng, South Africa. Interviewer administered questionnaires were filled out, and it was examined for validity and reliability. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and correlations were drawn between reliable factors, and practical significant correlations were reported. ANOVA’s indicated statistically significant differences with mostly medium effect sizes between the occupation of respondents and selected factors. Respondents indicated that they do read and understand clothing labels, but results revealed that they did experience problems when using information on labels. Their numeracy skills were average, and abstract thinking related to numeracy, were fair. Pictographic thinking was evident in their preference for symbolic and graphic presentation of size format, but not when they were presented altered store logos. Care label knowledge was poor, and clothing products were evaluated concretely. Some of the respondents, especially the older respondents were inclined to follow the peripheral route of elaboration when reading clothing label information. / Thesis (PhD (Consumer Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

In view of the unprecedented escalation in unplanned teenage pregnancies in South Africa, this research study sought to explore contributing factors, consequences, challenges, needs and coping strategies surrounding teenage pregnancy. The study was based on a qualitative research paradigm. The research used purposive sampling as a strategy to target three particular categories of individuals for investigations (i.e. parents/caregivers, teenagers and teachers). Semi-structured interview schedules were the instruments used to gather data during face-to-face interviews with the participants. The sample consisted of eight teenage mothers and one expectant teenage mother in Grade 9 to Grade 12; six parents who had children who had experienced teenage pregnancy and six teachers who were or are teaching teenagers. In order to analyze the qualitative data, a typical form of thematic content analysis was utilised. The main conclusion based on the research findings was that the challenges, needs and coping strategies perceived by the three groups of participants were similar and associated with one another. Although most of the most of the findings coming to the fore have also been apparent in previous research studies, it enhanced the knowledge and understanding of the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy from a triangulation perspective, namely teenagers and primary role players in their lives. It is hoped that the recommendations made, based on the research findings, will lead to improved social work intervention strategies, and services offered by other people responsible for addressing this social problem in the South African context..

This thesis adopts Gideon Toury’s model of “Problem of Translation” (2013: 38-45) as a framework of analysis in interpreting research, extrapolating the notion of “translation as process” to community interpreting. Thus, as an attempt to broaden the framework of analysis in community interpreting, this study aims to: 1) Register and classify conflicting situations and coping strategies that community interpreters find and use before, during and after assignments. 2) Understand the types of norms that govern community interpreters’ work. 3) Observe the interplay between institutional norms and interpreters’ actions and interactions. For these purposes, I conducted an exploratory study using Grounded Theory Methodology with 14 participants (9 community interpreters and 5 service providers) in the cities of Toronto, Ottawa, Gatineau, and Montreal. Interpreters’ accounts were triangulated with those of service providers and with institutional codes of ethics for community interpreting. The dialectical analysis carried out across this thesis allowed me to discover that participant interpreters’ coping strategies are twofold: rule bending and rule validating. The major findings shed light on technical aspects of conducting briefings, debriefings, and introductions. Another major finding is the concept of assertiveness, its relevance in the actions and interactions of interpreters, and its potential as a technical competence rather than a social talent. Finally, the challenges and coping strategies presented in the graphics may serve as guidelines for future research.