Thesis (Ph. D.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008 / This study primarily focuses on the factors that should be taken into account when developing Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) to be used by FET Accounting educators to improve the results of their learners. In order to accomplish this aim, literature from published books, textbooks, guidelines and syllabi from the Department of Education, speeches and articles on the internet, interviews and questionnaires were used in capturing data to establish the essence of Accounting and Accounting principles, to determine the educational changes regarding the curriculum that were made and the influence of these changes on the Accounting syllabi for the FET phase, to identify the factors that hamper the improvement of FET Accounting results in schools and to identify, describe and analyse a curriculum and LTSM. A triangulation methodology was employed in this study where qualitative data (interviews) and quantitative data (questionnaires) were captured. Through the interviews with the Learning Facilitators of Accounting and questionnaires completed by Accounting educators, it became clear that a lack of LTSM exist in Accounting. Accounting educators indicated that they are in dire need of LTSM for the FET phase to be able to improve the results of their Accounting learners in tests and examinations.

Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010 / The aim of the study was to determine the problems encountered by educators who teach Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and Information Technology (IT) in the FET band in the Bloemfontein area, Free State. The main contribution of the study lies in the identification of those problems. By knowing and understanding the problems, the Department of Education and the stakeholders will seek solutions to rectify the problems which will lead to the successful implementation of IT and CAT. The assumptions of the study were that many educators lacked basic ICT skills and pedagogical training, and there were not enough computer stations for learners. Both the qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in the study. The researcher used the survey research method and data was collected through the use of questionnaires and interviews. Simple random sampling was used to ensure that each member of the population in the study had an equal chance of being selected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the data from the questionnaires. In order to analyze the qualitative data from the interviews, the researcher described the sample populations, ordered and coded the data (data processing), and displayed summaries of data in such a way that interpretation became easy. This was done by preparing tables, diagrams and pie charts. According to the results of the study, the problems that the educators encountered include a lack of sufficient didactical training for educators, learners don’t have computers at home to practice on, a lack of financial support to provide relevant facilities for schools, such as computer laboratories and learning materials in IT/CAT, educators spend too much time on paper work and do not have enough time for teaching, and IT/CAT teachers become ‘do-it-all’ teachers with regard to any work on the computer, such as fixing the computer, designing the school website. Regarding the identified problems, recommendations were made, such as the Department of Education must review the curriculum of IT and CAT, sufficient subject related training and didactical training for IT and CAT educators should be provided by the Department of Education on a regular basis.

Published Article / The article focuses on the interplay between print advertisements and literary genres such as poetry, drama, folklore, etc. This interplay may be used to develop an advertisement's point of interest to attract attention from a specific target audience. Based on previous research we hypothesise that literary genres are exploited as a means to engage audiences. The study aims to give a description of the typical genre characteristics of modern literary genres in SA print advertising. It also endeavours to do a pragmatic analysis of these advertisements against the background of the specific literary genre category and the genre qualities of advertisements to identify the implied marketing message.

In this study the researcher attempted to determine the current role expectations of a clinic manager in a primary health care setting, to identify factors determining and influencing the role of a clinic manager, to determine what effect the current role expectations had on the management of primary health care services rendered at the clinic, to establish the developmental needs of clinic managers to enable them to adhere to their role expectations, and to identify and recommend measures to support clinic managers in the execution of their managerial role by addressing the identified deficiencies. The researcher selected a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. Clinic managers of fixed clinics in the Free State province were randomly selected to participate in the study and a questionnaire was utilised as data-collection instrument. The study found that the clinic manager's role is comprehensive and varies from telephonic booking patients to assessment of the quality of primary health care programmes. A number of non-managerial functions were identified, such as consultation of patients, management of medicine, dispensing of medicine and ordering of stock. It was also found that the respondents were not involved in a number of management functions such as financial and human resource management, and adherence to the implementation of standards. Factors that negatively influenced the clinic managers' management role included: * Lack of time due to the large number of patients they had to consult due to the shortage of staff. * Shortage of staff. * The execution of non-managerial tasks. Although it was found that the current role of the clinic manager was confusing as it entailed much more than just clinic management, it is foreseen that the role of the clinic manager could in future be clarified if the recommendations are implemented. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study investigated the prevalences and intensity of intestinal parasites and aspects of their epidemiology among children in the Qwa-Qwa region of the eastern Free St~te. Faecal samples of 1180 children differing socio-economic status from nine schools at altitudes varying from 1660m to 2200m were examined quantitatively by means of the formol-ether sedimentation technique. Socio-economic, and demographic characteristics for the communities served by the schools were obtained from the literature and from a questionnaire. The study showed that, the area supports a markedly low diversity of parasite infections, and at lower intensities, than low altitude areas such as the coastal plain of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, the Northern Province, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape. The intestinal parasite fauna affecting children in Qwa-Qwa is dominated by protozoans with only few helminths and no hookworm or bilharzia. The results indicated that factors which influence the transmission of intestinal parasites in Qwa-Qwa appear to be related primarily to social, economic and cultural aspects of the peoples' lifestyles. Climatic factors were not found important. There was a significant seasonal effect on the intensities of all parasite infection, except two protozoans, Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana. Water source, electricity, house-type and quality of meat were found to be the important socio-economic factors that influenced parasite transmission. These relationships were investigated by fitting logistic regression and generalized linear mixed models. By documenting human parasitism (above 1700m) this study provided an endpoint to the altitudinal transect conducted in 1993 in KwaZulu-Natal by Appleton and Gouws (in press). Public health authorities and Primary Health Care personnel should find this study useful when designing and implementing nutrition and parasite control. Severe ascariasis has been reported from the study area. It will help focus PHC activities in Qwa-Qwa and in the wider context of Free State Province by demonstrating the value of proper personal and environmental hygiene in the home, thereby forming the basis for intestinal parasite control at the community level. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1995.

(MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Orientation: Bullying is a form of counterproductive behaviour that is more subtle and more difficult to detect and that can be instigated by either individual or organisational antecedents. Research purpose: This study aims to explore bullying in a public hospital, and strives to contribute to the body of knowledge by providing guidance not only to organisational practitioners but also to employees to assist with the formation of policies and procedures to protect employees against bullying. Motivation for the study: Bullying is currently a substantial phenomenon in schools, and little research exists in South Africa that explains the extent of bullying within organisations. The focus of the study is to explore the possible antecedents and cost of bullying within a public hospital and to provide guidelines for the prevention of bullying behaviour. Research design, approach and method: The design followed was that of a mixed-method study. First, a quantitative approach was used whereby questionnaires were distributed to 77 participants. The questionnaire consisted of five sections, namely demographic particulars, prevalence of bullying and intervention against bullying, types of bullying, Negative Acts Questionnaire and Work Harassment Scale, and the cost of bullying. Data was then analysed by means of descriptive statistics to determine the sample group with the highest prevalence of bullying. The second approach was a qualitative approach that included conducting an in-depth interview with seven participants who volunteered to be interviewed. Main findings: The results represented and discussed suggest that bullying is prevalent in the public hospital in the Free State, and that some of the most prevalent behaviours are that of interrupting someone while they are speaking, belittling someone’s opinion, excessive monitoring of work, or flaunting one’s status or authority. Antecedents such as attitude, job environment, perception, power and language have been identified as possible causes for bullying behaviour. Whereas anxiety, not looking forward to going to work and constantly feeling tired are some of the psychological cost, a high frequency of sick leave indicated the organisational cost of bullying. Practical/managerial implications: Participants suggested the following interventions that can be implemented by the organisation to possibly prevent bullying behaviour: an orientation programme; a policy on how to interact with staff; complying with the language policy; creating a grievance policy; support groups and training with a specific focus on anger management; emotional intelligence, and coping skills. Contribution: While bullying is prevalent and actively combated elsewhere in the world and in local schools, the importance and consequences thereof should still be realised in South African organisations. This study examined the prevalence of bullying in a public hospital, and the possible antecedents of bullying behaviour, the cost of such behaviours that should be considered by the organisation, and possible interventions that could be implemented. In line with the literature, South African organisations can benefit from realising the importance and implementation thereof. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oriëntasie: Bullebakkery is 'n vorm van onproduktiewe gedrag wat meer subtiel is en moeiliker is om te bepaal. Dit word aangehits deur individuele asook organisatoriese faktore. Doel van navorsing: Hierdie studie het ten doel om bullebakery te verken in 'n publieke hospitaal, en streef daarna om by te dra tot die literatuur, deur riglyne te verskaf om organisatoriese praktisyns, maar ook werknemers te help met die vorming van beleide en prosedures om werknemers teen die bullebakery te beskerm. Motivering: Bullebakery is tans 'n groot fenomeen in skole, en min navorsing bestaan in Suid-Afrika wat die omvang van bullebakery binne organisasies kan verduidelik. Die fokus van die studie is om die moontlike faktore en die koste van bullebakery in 'n publieke hospitaal te ondersoek en riglyne vir die voorkoming van bullebakery te voorsien. Ontwerp, benadering en metode van navorsing: Die navoringsontwerp wat gevolg is, is 'n gemengde metode studie. Eerstens, is 'n kwantitatiewe benadering gevolg waarvolgens vraelyste aan 77 deelnemers uitgedeel is. Die vraelys bestaan uit vyf afdelings, naamlik: demografiese besonderhede, die voorkoms van bullebakery en intervensies teen bullebakery, tipes bullebakery, negatiewe gedragvraelys en werkteisteringvraelys, en die koste van bullebakery. Data is deur middel van beskrywende statistiek ontleed om die steekproef met die hoogste voorkoms van bullebakery te bepaal. Die tweede benadering wat gevolg is, is 'n kwalitatiewe benadering, met die uitvoering van 'n in-diepte onderhoud met sewe deelnemers wat vrywillig aan 'n onderhoud deelgeneem het. Vernaamste bevindings: Die resultate en bespreking daarvan dui daarop dat bullebakery algemeen voorkom in die openbare hospitaal in die Vrystaat. Dit dui aan dat die algemeenste bullebakery behels die onderbreking van iemand terwyl hulle praat, verkleinering van iemand se opinie, oormatige monitering van werk en dan spog met jou status of gesag. Faktore soos houding, werksomgewing, persepsie, krag en taal is geïdentifiseer as moontlike oorsake vir die bullebakery gedrag. Verder is angs, om nie daarna uit te sien om te gaan werk nie en voortdurende moegheid, as sommige van die sielkundige koste van bullebakery wat geïdentifiseer is. ‘n Hoë frekwensie van siekteverlof is geïdentifeer as die organisatoriese koste van bullebakery. Praktiese/bestuursimplikasies: Die deelnemers het aangevoer dat die volgende stappe deur die organisasie geïmplementeer kan word om moontlik bullebakery te voorkom: 'n oriënteringsprogram, 'n beleid oor hoe om te kommunikeer met die personeel, navolging van die taalbeleid, die skep van 'n griefbeleid, ondersteuningsgroepe; opleiding met 'n spesifieke fokus op woedebestuur, emosionele intelligensie en hanteringsvaardighede. Bydrae: Terwyl die bullebakery algemeen en aktief in plaaslike skole bestry word, is dit ook van belang om die impak daarvan op Suid-Afrikaanse organisasies te ondersoek. Die fokus van hierdie studie is die ondersoek na bullebakery in 'n publieke hospitaal en die moontlike oorsake daarvanvan, die koste van sodanige gedrag wat deur organisasies oorweeg moet word, en moontlike intervensies wat geïmplementeer kan word. In ooreenstemming met die literatuur kan Suid-Afrikaanse organisasies baat vind deur die belangrikheid van die implementering daarvan te besef.

Thesis (MPhil) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The state of media literacy in South Africa was investigated on the basis of a case study. A survey was conducted among grade 10 learners in two Free State schools which are amongst the top achievers academically to determine if these learners possess the knowledge linked with media literacy. It was found that the majority of these learners do not. It is therefore imperative that the media industry promotes media literacy through assistance to teachers and independent training programmes aimed at learners. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Ondersoek na die stand van mediageletterdheid in Suid-Afrika is aan die hand van 'n gevallestudie gedoen. Die aan- of afwesigheid van kennis wat mediageletterdheid veronderstel, is met behulp van 'n vraelys onder gr. 10-leerders aan twee van die Vrystaat se voorste (akademiese) skole gemeet. Die navorser het bevind dat die meerderheid van dié leerders nie oor dié kennis beskik nie. Die bevindinge dui op die noodsaaklikheid van steun aan onderwysers vanuit die bedryf asook die aanbied van onafhanklike opleidingsprogramme deur mediamaatskappye

In this study the researcher attempted to determine the current role expectations of a clinic manager in a primary health care setting, to identify factors determining and influencing the role of a clinic manager, to determine what effect the current role expectations had on the management of primary health care services rendered at the clinic, to establish the developmental needs of clinic managers to enable them to adhere to their role expectations, and to identify and recommend measures to support clinic managers in the execution of their managerial role by addressing the identified deficiencies. The researcher selected a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. Clinic managers of fixed clinics in the Free State province were randomly selected to participate in the study and a questionnaire was utilised as data-collection instrument. The study found that the clinic manager's role is comprehensive and varies from telephonic booking patients to assessment of the quality of primary health care programmes. A number of non-managerial functions were identified, such as consultation of patients, management of medicine, dispensing of medicine and ordering of stock. It was also found that the respondents were not involved in a number of management functions such as financial and human resource management, and adherence to the implementation of standards. Factors that negatively influenced the clinic managers' management role included: * Lack of time due to the large number of patients they had to consult due to the shortage of staff. * Shortage of staff. * The execution of non-managerial tasks. Although it was found that the current role of the clinic manager was confusing as it entailed much more than just clinic management, it is foreseen that the role of the clinic manager could in future be clarified if the recommendations are implemented. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

M.A. (Environmental Management) / Reptiles are internationally one of the least studied taxa compared to all other vertebrates, and even less is known about the large arachnids. This proves problematic as the environmental management of reptile and large arachnid species is generally neglected or only partially considered in environmental impact studies and conservation. Consequently, there is a considerable lack of knowledge on the ecological requirements (dietary and habitat requirements) of reptiles and invertebrates. Furthermore, the environmental management of reptiles and large arachnids in the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve is restricted as no data exists on the assemblage of these taxa in the study area. A model based approach was used to examine the ecology of species of reptiles and large arachnids (scorpions and baboon spiders) that were found in the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve during this study. The study proposes a baseline analysis between the species found in the study area and the suitability and availability of the ecological requirements necessary to their survival. The ecological requirements of each species were noted and utilised as the variable input categories in a scoring model developed for this study. Each species identified in the study area was allocated points from the scoring model based on favourable ecological requirements for that particular species. Field work was conducted in the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve in the northern Free State Province (March 2012 – March 2013) to do a survey on reptile and large arachnid diversity and to record the habitats in which they occur. A list of the reptiles and large arachnids found in the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve was compiled. One of the significant results which came to light during this study is that the diversity and abundance of reptiles and large arachnids are dependent on the availability and diversity of habitats with the necessary ecological requirements for those species. For example, the distribution of snake species was largely dependent on the abundance of amphibians and birds for food which coincided with a seasonal wetland in the study area; while rocks and detritus proved imperative to the seasonal functionality of the reptiles.