Thesis (M. A. (Communication Studies)) -- University if Limpopo, 2021 / This study was prompted by the number of people who die daily from tuberculosis (TB) in the study area. The study investigated the perceptions of Mokopane residents, and their level of understanding and knowledge of the disease, tuberculosis (TB). The aim of the study was to profile people’s perceptions of health beliefs, the causes of the increase and spread of TB and its prevention and their knowledge about TB awareness campaigns in the Mokopane area. Data was collected by means of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Ten (10) medical doctors who operate private practices in the Mokopane area were interviewed. Data was collected from four hundred and one (401) participants from both Sandsloot and Tshamahansi villages outside Mokopane. The major findings of this study showed that firstly residents have a firm belief that traditional methods cure TB; secondly, they are largely ignorant of TB, its prevention, and consequences; and lastly that there is a lack of TB related education.

While beauty brands are often known to set industry trends, the consumers pave the way forbranding communications on social media. Companies have adapted their marketing strategies tobuild interactivity into their branding outreach. Therefore, this study answers the question, “Howdo beauty brands utilize consumer posts to convey branding messages?” To answer this, acontent analysis was performed using two sets of data: brand posts (n=314) from July 2019 andJanuary 2020, and consumer posts (n=100) which tagged the beauty brands. Using consumerculture theory, the study examines several themes, including branding messages, consumerengagement, and brand authenticity. Results reveal that beauty brands typically use consumerproducedcontent to convey experiential or user-centered branding messages, while companyproducedcontent most often includes informative and emotional messages. Further discussed isthe inclusion of Calls-to-Action (CTAs) which brands use to encourage user engagement. Thisstudy found a significant correlation between posts with CTAs and increased numbers in Likesand comments; however, these numbers are often misleading and represent manufacturedengagement. At the same time, users were found to engage more with the brands whenincentives or self-promotion opportunities were available.

During natural disasters or crises, users on social media tend to easily believe contents of postings related to the events, and retweet the postings, hoping that the postings will be reached by many other users. Unfortunately, there are malicious users who understand the tendency and post misinformation such as spam and fake messages with expecting wider propagation. To resolve the problem, in this paper we conduct a case study of the 2013 Moore Tornado and Hurricane Sandy. Concretely, we (i) understand behaviors of these malicious users; (ii) analyze properties of spam, fake and legitimate messages; (iii) propose at and hierarchical classification approaches; and (iv) detect both fake and spam messages with even distinguishing between them. Our experimental results show that our proposed approaches identify spam and fake messages with 96.43% accuracy and 0.961 F-measure.

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A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of McMaster Divinity College in partial fulfilment ofthe requirements for the degree of Doctor of Practical Theology / Board members and pastors in Canadian Protestant churches need a stronger theological foundation for the practice of evaluating what “success” means for the local church. The Canadian church exists in a post-Christendom context where significant shifts have taken place relative to its perceived value and prominence in Canadian culture, which has sparked new interest in examining ministry fruitfulness. Within this context, the skill of conducting a theologically sound organizational evaluation will become a critical practice. This practical theology project follows the methodology of Richard Osmer, giving prominence to practice-led research as an over-arching paradigm. Empirical research, biblical interpretation, and theological reflection are key features ofthis project, which the researcher approached from the perspective of a consultant to church board leaders. Primary research was conducted among pastors and board members of Canadian Protestant churches to provide a research-informed understanding of evaluation criteria, processes, and tools currently used; theological principles, biblical passages, and spiritual practices that guide the evaluation process; and barriers or obstacles experienced. The messages to the seven churches in Rev 2-3 were used as an evaluation paradigm, which was tested, refined, and validated in research with five case study churches. Within these messages, Christ set out criteria for evaluation as well as an evaluation process methodology. Christ exhorted the seven churches to maintain a faithful witness, practice love, and produce fruitful service. Christ also warned them about the dangers of assimilating with culture as well as the importance of being attentive and diligent about false teachers and influencers within their churches. The evaluation methodology modelled in the literary form ofthe messages provides a Christcentric pathway for ministry evaluation. Christ’s evaluation methodology includes an acknowledgement ofChrist’s sovereignty, a context specific evaluation, an authoritative and aligned evaluation, a balanced approach of commendation and exhortation, a call to action, the practice of discernment, and a focus on the long-term mission of God. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Vi har i detta projekt haft i syfte att skapa en djupare förståelse för hur man kommunicerar sensoriska budskap med hjälp av bland annat mentala föreställningar, så kallad “imagery”. Genom att med hjälp av semiotiken analysera sex stycken filmer skapade av tre olika företag så har vi vidare applicerat lärdomar i ett eget projekt i formatet av en kortfilm. Kortfilmen utvärderades efteråt av två stycken fokusgrupper som diskuterade vidare vad som kunde utvecklats och vad som fungerade och vilka sinnen som anspelas i filmen. Fokusgrupperna visade också att vi faktiskt skapat olika imagery hos deltagarna med hjälp av ljud och bild. Denna uppsats tar även upp kritiska aspekter såsom om det kan anses manipulativt, eventuell påverkan på barn och marknadsföring av produkter som kan innehålla skadligt beteende inom sensoriska budskap. Möjligheter man kan se i framtiden är bland annat att kunna utveckla vården genom att ge läkare möjligheten att ta del av de mänskliga sinnen via video. / In this project, we have aimed to create a deeper understanding of how to communicate sensory messages using, among other things, mental representations, so-called "imagery". With the help of semiotics we will analyze six films created by three different companies, we have further applied the lessons learned in our own project in the format of a short film. The short film was evaluated afterwards by two focus groups who further discussed what could be developed and what worked and which senses are alluded to in the film. The focus groups also showed that we actually created different imagery in the participants using sound and images. This paper also addresses critical aspects such as whether it can be considered manipulative, possible impact on children and marketing of products that may contain harmful behavior within sensory messages. Possibilities that can be seen in the future include the possibility of developing healthcare by giving doctors the opportunity to engage with the human senses via video.

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