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<p dir="ltr">Self-care, the intentional and active cultivation of health and wellbeing, has been found to support favorable outcomes across an array of life domains. In addition to preventing and managing disease, burnout, and vicarious traumatization, self-care can promote health and optimal wellbeing. In some occupations (e.g., nursing, psychology, social work), it is mandated as an ethical imperative to prevent impaired professional functioning and associated deleterious effects on clients, patients, and communities served. Yet even in these fields, graduate students report practicing insufficient self-care, which may contribute to decreased retention rates, student productivity, and student wellbeing. As a population with limited time and access to resources, graduate students may need additional external, institutional, and program support to be able to practice effective self-care. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing lifestyle imbalances present in graduate education and further elucidated the need for systemic self-care support. This study uses a systematized review with thematic analysis to compile studies investigating self-care in graduate student populations, with special attention to studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Themes that arose include benefits of self-care, individual factors predicting greater self-care use, challenges and barriers to self-care use, recommendations to support self-care in graduate students, and graduate student self-care during COVID-19. Implications and recommendations for programs and institutions are discussed.</p><p dir="ltr">To prevent burnout and impaired professional functioning, it is crucial that psychologists practice self-care. Despite its ethical importance, self-care is generally still considered an individual responsibility, and most doctoral trainees in psychology report practicing insufficient self-care. The intensive time and energy demands of doctoral education—combined with other competing responsibilities—may limit opportunities for adequate self-care, which poses negative implications for trainee wellbeing and professional functioning. This study uses qualitative methods to investigate factors in doctoral trainees’ social ecologies that they perceive support and impede their self-care, with the goal of shining light on factors that promote and impede self-care in an increasingly diverse population. Participants identified myriad risk and protective factors; supports and challenges; and coping strategies they perceived as detrimental and beneficial, with many factors identified as beneficial when present and detrimental when absent (or vice versa). The Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems theory (PVEST) was used as a framework to understand these results, which suggest that programs and institutions could do more to combat the harmful effects of white supremacy and toxic productivity on student self-care and wellbeing.</p>

楊希. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-169). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in Chinese and English. / Yang xi.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate how postgraduate students cope with the stress induced while adjusting to the various proposal and research report writing phases they are involved in. It is further purported that difficulties in adjusting to the various proposal and research report writing phases and lack of support lead to students experiencing stress. The population consisted of 815 students enrolled for masters and doctoral programmes at Unisa for the 2012 academic year. This study employed the Stress and Support Questionnaire for University Students to determine the stress postgraduate students encountered while adjusting to the proposal and research report writing phases they were in. Furthermore, this questionnaire was also used to understand how these students use support as a coping mechanism. The various research hypotheses were tested using an explanatory mixed method research design. The population consisted of 815 students enrolled for masters and doctoral programmes at Unisa for the 2012 academic year. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Strata software and Microsoft Excel. Statistical analyses included tests, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests. The results demonstrated that students experience stress during the adjustment process to the various research report writing phases. However, masters students showed higher levels of stress while adjusting to the research report writing phases, compared with doctoral students. Some of the doctoral students reported that they felt fewer levels of stress, because they were already exposed to postgraduate studies and were aware of what is expected. Furthermore, students who reported feeling stress to a large extent indicated the reasons to be a lack of support from supervisors, delayed and insufficient feedback, lack of financial support, lack of social support, procrastination, and balancing work and studies. Some of the students iv indicated that they do not feel any stress at all because they have surrounded themselves with people who have travelled the path, and their environment is conducive to study. Support from colleagues at work, supervisors, friends and family have also shown to help students adjust to the research report writing phases of their programmes. Although some of the students indicated that they do not experience stress, it is imperative that interventions be designed for those students who do experience challenges when adjusting to the research report writing phases. / Psychology / MA (Psychology)

Based on widespread perceptions and short-term reports that most research masters and doctoral students at the University of Ghana spend unusually long durations to complete their studies due to their inability to complete and submit their theses on time and unduly long waiting periods for thesis results, the researcher decided to investigate these phenomena to identify the root causes. The aim of the study therefore, was to establish empirical basis for this problem and to recommend ways of strengthening postgraduate study delivery at the University of Ghana, based on input from past students, faculty, and the University‟s external publics who have a stake in promoting postgraduate studies and research. To achieve this aim, the researcher set out the framework within which the study should be conducted in Chapter One, and reviewed literature on the theories and concepts of throughput and student throughput in particular as well as global student throughput trends and postgraduate candidature models in Chapter Two. To fully appreciate the delivery of postgraduate studies and throughput trends at the study institution, Chapter Three was devoted to the review of the University of Ghana‟s postgraduate study delivery system, and its enrolment and output statistics compared with similar trends in other African Universities. The research design was explained in Chapter Four, and, guided to adopt the mixed methods approach because of its efficacy in rendering research findings credible and reliable, a number of past masters and doctoral students who extended their candidatures while at the University of Ghana provided data by completing questionnaires. Thesis supervisors and examiners selected on the basis of experience also provided data by completing questionnaire, heads of departments, past deans and thesis schedule officers and the Ghana Education Trust Fund Secretariat provided information through interviews. To further unravel specific cases of the phenomenon, which might not be obtained by means of questionnaire and interviews, relevant information were extracted from selected case files that typify cases of delayed candidature and non-completions. In Chapter Five, Quantitative data were analyzed statistically, qualitative data were analyzed using the open coding method, and documentary data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings and recommendations from the study were reported in Chapter Six. The findings confirmed the perceptions and reports and the major factors responsible for delayed completion and non-completion, including other unpopular factors were identified and discussed. Recommendations were made to address the findings, with particular reference to the role of each stakeholder in strengthening postgraduate study delivery to ensure high throughput at the University of Ghana. In the end, three models were developed for improving candidature durations for masters and doctoral candidates, and for ensuring timely examination of theses. The researcher hopes that, if implemented, the recommendations would help to improve postgraduate study delivery and throughput at the University of Ghana. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The landscape of learning spaces in academic libraries is undergoing continual change, re-adaptation and reconfiguration. These winds of change are ushered in by the very nature of the dynamic information economy. Globally, information needs of end-users in academic libraries have dictated the changing space trends as in this case study of the Research Commons of the Howard College Library at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The demands of the changing information economy have directed institutions of higher learning en route to tailoring their outcomes with the view to increasing research output and productivity. In view of this, Academic libraries are finding themselves increasingly becoming significantly involved in the process of research support. The Research Commons (RC) is one such research support initiative of UKZN Libraries. This RC opened its doors, offering research facilities to a designate cohort of Master’s, Doctoral students, Researchers and Academic staff on the 01st of October 2008. Three years to date, the facility has grown in its popularity and patronage. The study of the end-users of the RC emanated from an express interest of the researcher who supports EUs in the capacity of a Senior Librarian. Time spent in the RC further, piqued the interest of the researcher, who was particularly keen about how EUs interacted with the elements of this space and their experiences thereof. This study was conducted with the express aim of understanding, through a qualitative inquiry the experiences of the end-users of the (RC) situated at the Howard College Library of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. I the researcher in attempting to examine these experiences found myself having to address the following key research questions: What are the experiences of the end-users of the learning space? Who are the end-users of the Research Commons? With what elements of the Research Commons do the end-users interact? In what ways do the end-users interact with the different elements? The survey methodology approach was employed using the following instruments: Online and manual survey questionnaires Interviews Observations The different data collection techniques served to generate the richest data for the researcher to use in the interpretation of the results. An important element of this survey was an attempt to ascertain as deep an understanding of the experiences of the EUs in relation to their interaction with this designated space and its elements in their research journey. The findings of the survey demonstrated that the EUs of the RC did indeed encounter experiences that were precipitated by their interaction with the elements of this space. Significantly, it was revealed that EUs found that their time spent in the RC contributed positively to their research experiences. It was further established that interaction with the space and its elements influenced the way in which EUs work. In disclosing the desirability of the RC in meeting their research needs, the EUs were keen to render suggestions for changes and enhancements to the RC. Overall, it was verified that this study shed valuable evidence on how the EUs experienced the RC. Consequently, emanating through the interpretation of the data, the researcher was able to identify possible gaps in the provision of this research support unit which has perhaps added value to this study in providing library management with the necessary understanding in addressing the research needs of the EUs of the RC more than adequately. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate how postgraduate students cope with the stress induced while adjusting to the various proposal and research report writing phases they are involved in. It is further purported that difficulties in adjusting to the various proposal and research report writing phases and lack of support lead to students experiencing stress. The population consisted of 815 students enrolled for masters and doctoral programmes at Unisa for the 2012 academic year. This study employed the Stress and Support Questionnaire for University Students to determine the stress postgraduate students encountered while adjusting to the proposal and research report writing phases they were in. Furthermore, this questionnaire was also used to understand how these students use support as a coping mechanism. The various research hypotheses were tested using an explanatory mixed method research design. The population consisted of 815 students enrolled for masters and doctoral programmes at Unisa for the 2012 academic year. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Strata software and Microsoft Excel. Statistical analyses included tests, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests. The results demonstrated that students experience stress during the adjustment process to the various research report writing phases. However, masters students showed higher levels of stress while adjusting to the research report writing phases, compared with doctoral students. Some of the doctoral students reported that they felt fewer levels of stress, because they were already exposed to postgraduate studies and were aware of what is expected. Furthermore, students who reported feeling stress to a large extent indicated the reasons to be a lack of support from supervisors, delayed and insufficient feedback, lack of financial support, lack of social support, procrastination, and balancing work and studies. Some of the students iv indicated that they do not feel any stress at all because they have surrounded themselves with people who have travelled the path, and their environment is conducive to study. Support from colleagues at work, supervisors, friends and family have also shown to help students adjust to the research report writing phases of their programmes. Although some of the students indicated that they do not experience stress, it is imperative that interventions be designed for those students who do experience challenges when adjusting to the research report writing phases. / Psychology / MA (Psychology)

In South Africa, reform policies and frameworks introduced since the 1994 democratic election have sought to bring about change to a highly ineffective and unfair system. In spite of all the changes which have occurred, however, there is evidence to suggest that the system is still not functioning as effectively as it might, given that a relatively large number of graduates remain unemployed in a country with a high skills shortage. This thesis aims to explore the experiences of graduates from one university, Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape, as they enter the job market. It does this through the administration of a first job destination survey administered at the 2009 Graduation Ceremonies held in Grahamstown. Analysis of the survey takes into account the idea that it is not a degree per se, or even a degree from a prestigious university which brings employment, but also the social, cultural and human capital that graduates can bring to their job search.

The purpose of the study was to investigate cultural aspects that influence customer perception of service quality in the hotel industry, specifically those that influence Eastern and Western respondents. A questionnaire was developed to assess cultural differences on perceptions, which included a modified version of the SERVQUAL scales, an instrument used to measure service quality. The convenience sample consisted of students enrolled in the MBA program at a Western university (N=152; Eastern=57.9%, Western=34.9%, Other=7.2%). Findings indicated that there were no significant differences between Eastern and Western cultures in perceptions of service quality. A sample questionnaire is included.

Based on widespread perceptions and short-term reports that most research masters and doctoral students at the University of Ghana spend unusually long durations to complete their studies due to their inability to complete and submit their theses on time and unduly long waiting periods for thesis results, the researcher decided to investigate these phenomena to identify the root causes. The aim of the study therefore, was to establish empirical basis for this problem and to recommend ways of strengthening postgraduate study delivery at the University of Ghana, based on input from past students, faculty, and the University‟s external publics who have a stake in promoting postgraduate studies and research. To achieve this aim, the researcher set out the framework within which the study should be conducted in Chapter One, and reviewed literature on the theories and concepts of throughput and student throughput in particular as well as global student throughput trends and postgraduate candidature models in Chapter Two. To fully appreciate the delivery of postgraduate studies and throughput trends at the study institution, Chapter Three was devoted to the review of the University of Ghana‟s postgraduate study delivery system, and its enrolment and output statistics compared with similar trends in other African Universities. The research design was explained in Chapter Four, and, guided to adopt the mixed methods approach because of its efficacy in rendering research findings credible and reliable, a number of past masters and doctoral students who extended their candidatures while at the University of Ghana provided data by completing questionnaires. Thesis supervisors and examiners selected on the basis of experience also provided data by completing questionnaire, heads of departments, past deans and thesis schedule officers and the Ghana Education Trust Fund Secretariat provided information through interviews. To further unravel specific cases of the phenomenon, which might not be obtained by means of questionnaire and interviews, relevant information were extracted from selected case files that typify cases of delayed candidature and non-completions. In Chapter Five, Quantitative data were analyzed statistically, qualitative data were analyzed using the open coding method, and documentary data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings and recommendations from the study were reported in Chapter Six. The findings confirmed the perceptions and reports and the major factors responsible for delayed completion and non-completion, including other unpopular factors were identified and discussed. Recommendations were made to address the findings, with particular reference to the role of each stakeholder in strengthening postgraduate study delivery to ensure high throughput at the University of Ghana. In the end, three models were developed for improving candidature durations for masters and doctoral candidates, and for ensuring timely examination of theses. The researcher hopes that, if implemented, the recommendations would help to improve postgraduate study delivery and throughput at the University of Ghana. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)