The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether adolescents make use of an ethical decision–making framework when they make choices in relation to sexual activities and the elements that make up this ethical decision–making framework. The adolescent stage of development is characterized by physical and cognitive changes, of which the development of sexual characteristics and morality are only parts. Both these developments are discussed at length within the context of adolescent sexual activity, and cognitive and moral development. Different influences on the morality of adolescents were identified, of which the faith community of adolescents were one. These elements also influence the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents on sexual activity. The influence of the religious community on the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents was also investigated on the basis of the faith community's message about sexual activities and the perceptual influence of the religious community on the morality of adolescents. The sexual activity of adolescents, adolescents? perceptions about these sexual activities as well as the messages and sources of information that are available to adolescents with regard to sex was identified by making use of Participant Observation Research. A small group of participants and observers used the PIRASH program to identify the above–mentioned information. The participants also identified the obstacles that adolescents must overcome to establish a healthy sexual life, and what their definition of a healthy sexual life is. Participants in this study agreed that their faith community did not provide enough information to adolescents about sex and sexual activities. Participants indicated this lack of information as their reason for using other sources of information about sexual activities. These messages conveyed by other sources, including those of the media, friends and parents vary from those the faith community has about sex. Adolescents have easier access to these other sources; therefore there is a difference between the faith community's view on sexual activity and that of the adolescents who form part of the faith community. It is concluded that it is necessary, almost urgently, for faith communities to establish the actual view of adolescents who form part of the community, on sexual activity, and to have a stronger influence on the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents. The ethical decision–making framework of adolescents can only be influenced if the faith communities speak more comfortably and more extensively with their adolescents about sex and sexual activities. Postmodern adolescents have access to a variety of sources with a variety of messages about sex and the importance of moral messages from the faith community cannot be underestimated. A secondary outcome of this study was to explore the possibility of Participant Observation Research as research methodology within Theological Ethics. / Thesis (M.A. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether adolescents make use of an ethical decision–making framework when they make choices in relation to sexual activities and the elements that make up this ethical decision–making framework. The adolescent stage of development is characterized by physical and cognitive changes, of which the development of sexual characteristics and morality are only parts. Both these developments are discussed at length within the context of adolescent sexual activity, and cognitive and moral development. Different influences on the morality of adolescents were identified, of which the faith community of adolescents were one. These elements also influence the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents on sexual activity. The influence of the religious community on the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents was also investigated on the basis of the faith community's message about sexual activities and the perceptual influence of the religious community on the morality of adolescents. The sexual activity of adolescents, adolescents? perceptions about these sexual activities as well as the messages and sources of information that are available to adolescents with regard to sex was identified by making use of Participant Observation Research. A small group of participants and observers used the PIRASH program to identify the above–mentioned information. The participants also identified the obstacles that adolescents must overcome to establish a healthy sexual life, and what their definition of a healthy sexual life is. Participants in this study agreed that their faith community did not provide enough information to adolescents about sex and sexual activities. Participants indicated this lack of information as their reason for using other sources of information about sexual activities. These messages conveyed by other sources, including those of the media, friends and parents vary from those the faith community has about sex. Adolescents have easier access to these other sources; therefore there is a difference between the faith community's view on sexual activity and that of the adolescents who form part of the faith community. It is concluded that it is necessary, almost urgently, for faith communities to establish the actual view of adolescents who form part of the community, on sexual activity, and to have a stronger influence on the ethical decision–making framework of adolescents. The ethical decision–making framework of adolescents can only be influenced if the faith communities speak more comfortably and more extensively with their adolescents about sex and sexual activities. Postmodern adolescents have access to a variety of sources with a variety of messages about sex and the importance of moral messages from the faith community cannot be underestimated. A secondary outcome of this study was to explore the possibility of Participant Observation Research as research methodology within Theological Ethics. / Thesis (M.A. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

M. Diac. (Spelterapie) / Text in Afrikaans with summaries in Afrikaans and English / Anorexia nervosa is ‘n komplekse eetversteuring wat hoofsaaklik voorkom onder adolessente meisies regoor die wêreld. Anorexia nervosa word geklassifiseer as ‘n versteuring wat ten spyte van literatuur steeds nie ten volle verstaan of begryp kan word nie, weens die kompleksiteit daarvan. Hierdie kompleksitieit het ‘n tekort aan insig en begrip van ander tot gevolg wat weerstand by die adolessent wek. Die terapeutiese proses met hierdie individue word sodoende negatief beïnvloed en lei tot beperkte groei en verandering. In die betrokke studie is die ervaringswêreld van die adolessent wat lei aan anorexia nervosa nagevors met die doel om lig te bring op hierdie komplekse, tog hedendaagse verskynsel. Na die uitvoering van ongestruktureerde onderhoudvoering met adolessente meisies wat lei aan anorexia nervosa, is verskeie temas, konsepte en kategorieë geïdentifiseer en bespreek aan die hand van Gestalt terapeutiese konsepte. / Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder that mainly affects adolescent girls all over the world. Anorexia nervosa is classified as a disorder that, despite existing literature, cannot be fully understood or comprehended, due to the complexity of the disorder. The complexity of Anorexia nervosa makes it difficult for people to understand these individuals, which causes resistance to occur within the adolescents. The resistance then complicates the therapeutic process, which can lead to inefficient growth and change in therapy. In this study, the experience of adolescent girls that suffer from anorexia nervosa is researched with the aim of shedding some light on this complex, though common, issue. After interviewing adolescents that suffer from anorexia nervosa, certain themes, concepts and categories were identified and explained by the hand of Gestalt therapeutic concepts. / Social Work

Please read the abstract in the 00front of this dissertation. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Psychology / unrestricted

Peter and the Wolf (1936) is a transmedial work based on a Russian fairy tale composed and written by Sergey Prokofiev . Prokofiev’s purpose with the work was amongst others to introduce children to the instruments of the symphony orchestra. This study examines the possibility of creating a new Afrikaans versification of the text in order to introduce this work to Afrikaans-speaking children. The creative product of the research consists of a picture book and a corresponding soundtrack together with the original music and a recitation of the text. The researcher cooperated with other artists in order to achieve the final product. Since the realisation of a creative product forms an integral part of this study, practice-based research has been utilised. The framework for practice-based research by Scrivener and Chapman (2004) has been used for the design of the study, the implementation thereof (theory and practice), as well as for the structure of the dissertation. The first step of the framework of Scrivener and Chapman (2004) entails the pre-project reflection, i.e. the identification of issues, as well as the concerns and interests of the researcher. It is important to the researcher that children are exposed to the instruments of the symphony orchestra, and she is also interested in picture books and fairy tales. Research revealed that there is no recent Afrikaans version of Peter and the Wolf. She consequently decided to do a versification of the text. The identification of the source domains relevant to the research theme and the creative project forms the second step of the framework. The initial source domains that were identified and studied were the theoretical concepts of intertextuality, intermediality and creative adaptation (Chapter 2). Peter and the Wolf originated as an intermedial work and thus the intermedial creative product is also a creative adaptation of the original work. As the study progressed, additional domains for research have been identified and examined. These are music, narrative poetry, children’s book illustrations, developmental psychology, cognitive narratology and information regarding the listener or reader (Chapter 3). Insight into the art forms and media can positively influence the progress of the creative product and can aid in creating an improved understanding of the intermedial effect of the total creative product. Because the target audience of the picture book is children between the ages of six and eight years, research was done on the developmental psychology of the child in the middle childhood years. In combination with this, cognitive narratology was studied to determine the reception of the creative product, and to assist with the analysis of the existing texts of Peter and the Wolf. Thereafter three existing editions of Peter and the Wolf were studied, based on the theoretical framework, and the intermedial interplay and creative possibilities for different medial combinations were examined (Chapter 4). These texts are: 1) a picture book, translated by Lydia Pienaar (1975); it is an equivalent translation of the original Russian text and has become a classical edition of the work in Afrikaans; 2) a poetic version by Philip de Vos of a performance text with the original music (2003); and 3) an alternative modern edition with musical arrangement, text and illustrations by Gavin Friday and Bono (2003). The latter combination of text, music, illustrations and recitation, was also used for the creative work in this study. Cycles of production and work reflection form part of the creative phase of practice-based research. In Chapter 5, the different phases of the versification process are discussed by analysing different versions of the manuscript. There is also a report on the co-operation with the other artists, and the development of the different media (the illustrations, the music realisation, the recitation and the sound mixing). In the post-project reflection the interplay between the theoretical research and the creative work was examined, as well as the contribution of the different research fields to the final creative project and the intermedial interplay between the different media that were used in the creative work. It was found that practice-based research is a very successful research method for a postgraduate study in which a creative project forms part of the study. The research method is not only advantageous for the development of the creative project, but also for thorough theoretical research. Furthermore, the researcher came to the conclusion that an improved understanding of the complex theoretical approaches develops when they are practically applied. This understanding is not necessarily based on theoretical research, but on the experience that was gained throughout this study. The creative product of this study can expand the horizon of the child in an intermedial way that will benefit the listener. Insight has been obtained on the way in which such a project can be undertaken. Furthermore, other intermedial projects can flow from this project. A translation of the poetic text can make this book and CD accessible to a large number of South African children. / MA (Afrikaans and Dutch), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Industrial-organisational (I-O) Psychology is known for specialising in the study of human behaviour in the workplace (Van Vuuren, 2010). It is clear that the problems associated with individuals in the workplace form the basis for the existence of I-O psychology. Veldsman (2001) stated that it is imperative to reflect upon the future of I-O psychology and that I-O psychology must be repositioned in future. Therefore, it is emphasised that additional roles should be elicited for I-O psychologists in South Africa (Barnard & Fourie, 2007). Moalusi (2001) has recognised the need for I-O psychologists to reposition themselves in future by focusing on significant workplace issues. Upon further investigation it should be noted that many factors that exert an influence upon workplace behaviour do not necessarily derive from the workplace. These factors, such as family responsibilities, cultural influences and traumatic events, suggest that the sphere of influence of the I-O psychologists stretches far beyond the physical borders of the workplace (Landy & Conte, 2004; Van Vuuren, 2010). According to Strümpfer (2007), it is the I-O psychologist who is concerned with the deep-rooted problems of individuals. The objective of the study was therefore to critically review the role I-O psychologists play as counsellors, and to determine whether counselling should form part of the I-O psychologist’ scope of practice. A qualitative research design was utilised in the study following a phenomenology strategy. Convenience and snowball sampling were used to identify (n=22) I-O psychologists across the Gauteng and North West provinces. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, where the participants were asked to reflect upon seven interview questions which were later transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Nine themes were extracted from the data, namely, the meaning of counselling, counselling situations that I-O psychologists face, counselling skills required by I-O psychologists, characteristics displayed by I-O psychologist during counselling, counsellor competencies required of I-O psychologists, post graduate counselling training received by I-O psychologists, additional counselling training received by I-O psychologists, recommendations made for future training of I-O psychology students and lastly the inclusion of counselling in the scope of practice From the results it was clear the I-O psychologists are familiar with the meaning of counselling and that they are faced with a diverse range of counselling situations requiring a unique set of skills and competencies. Participants had divergent experience and opinions with regard to the training received in preparation of their role as counsellor. In relation to their training participants made recommendations for the future training of I-O psychologists. Finally, participants mentioned that it would be in their best interest if counselling is formally included in the scope of practice of the I-O psychologists. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The main focus of this study is to determine if systems development methodologies are being utilised in the development of electronic learning systems in South Africa and if these methodologies are being applied effectively. Essentially this study can be viewed as exploratory research, utilising a conceptual research model to investigate the relationships between the constructs and measurements. Electronic learning, or e-learning, is being employed to educate millions of learners, students and employees around the world and it is a critical component of modern educational systems. E-learning systems, or learning management systems, as it is known in the field, sit at the heart of these educational systems and are used to systematically deliver on-line content and facilitate the learning experience around that content. There is still much confusion and misconceptions surrounding e-learning and learning management systems abound. This study will try and clarify some of these misconceptions. In e-learning systems, the effective use of information systems is especially relevant as it is used to educate the minds of the future. To ensure that e-learning systems of outstanding quality are being developed, it is therefore crucial that systems development methodologies are being used as they can have a significant impact on the development process. There is a dearth of empirical research available on the use and effectiveness of systems development methodologies in South Africa. This study aims, amongst other things to make a contribution to the availability of empirical results. By empirically evaluating the conceptual research model, utilising a survey as the main research method and statistically analysing the dataset, meaningful results were obtained. This study gave some insights into how learning management system procurement and development is being done in South Africa and revealed that the use of open-source systems currently exceeds the use of proprietary systems. The results of the research showed that systems development methodologies (e.g. Object-Oriented Analysis and Rapid Application Development) are being used effectively in the development of e-learning systems. Strong relationships exist between many of the systems development methodology factors identified (e.g. performance expectancy and the perceived support of the methodology) and the quality and productivity of the development process. This in turn has a strong influence on the impact systems development methodologies have on the quality of learning management systems. / MCom (Computer Science & Information Systems), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Peter and the Wolf (1936) is a transmedial work based on a Russian fairy tale composed and written by Sergey Prokofiev . Prokofiev’s purpose with the work was amongst others to introduce children to the instruments of the symphony orchestra. This study examines the possibility of creating a new Afrikaans versification of the text in order to introduce this work to Afrikaans-speaking children. The creative product of the research consists of a picture book and a corresponding soundtrack together with the original music and a recitation of the text. The researcher cooperated with other artists in order to achieve the final product. Since the realisation of a creative product forms an integral part of this study, practice-based research has been utilised. The framework for practice-based research by Scrivener and Chapman (2004) has been used for the design of the study, the implementation thereof (theory and practice), as well as for the structure of the dissertation. The first step of the framework of Scrivener and Chapman (2004) entails the pre-project reflection, i.e. the identification of issues, as well as the concerns and interests of the researcher. It is important to the researcher that children are exposed to the instruments of the symphony orchestra, and she is also interested in picture books and fairy tales. Research revealed that there is no recent Afrikaans version of Peter and the Wolf. She consequently decided to do a versification of the text. The identification of the source domains relevant to the research theme and the creative project forms the second step of the framework. The initial source domains that were identified and studied were the theoretical concepts of intertextuality, intermediality and creative adaptation (Chapter 2). Peter and the Wolf originated as an intermedial work and thus the intermedial creative product is also a creative adaptation of the original work. As the study progressed, additional domains for research have been identified and examined. These are music, narrative poetry, children’s book illustrations, developmental psychology, cognitive narratology and information regarding the listener or reader (Chapter 3). Insight into the art forms and media can positively influence the progress of the creative product and can aid in creating an improved understanding of the intermedial effect of the total creative product. Because the target audience of the picture book is children between the ages of six and eight years, research was done on the developmental psychology of the child in the middle childhood years. In combination with this, cognitive narratology was studied to determine the reception of the creative product, and to assist with the analysis of the existing texts of Peter and the Wolf. Thereafter three existing editions of Peter and the Wolf were studied, based on the theoretical framework, and the intermedial interplay and creative possibilities for different medial combinations were examined (Chapter 4). These texts are: 1) a picture book, translated by Lydia Pienaar (1975); it is an equivalent translation of the original Russian text and has become a classical edition of the work in Afrikaans; 2) a poetic version by Philip de Vos of a performance text with the original music (2003); and 3) an alternative modern edition with musical arrangement, text and illustrations by Gavin Friday and Bono (2003). The latter combination of text, music, illustrations and recitation, was also used for the creative work in this study. Cycles of production and work reflection form part of the creative phase of practice-based research. In Chapter 5, the different phases of the versification process are discussed by analysing different versions of the manuscript. There is also a report on the co-operation with the other artists, and the development of the different media (the illustrations, the music realisation, the recitation and the sound mixing). In the post-project reflection the interplay between the theoretical research and the creative work was examined, as well as the contribution of the different research fields to the final creative project and the intermedial interplay between the different media that were used in the creative work. It was found that practice-based research is a very successful research method for a postgraduate study in which a creative project forms part of the study. The research method is not only advantageous for the development of the creative project, but also for thorough theoretical research. Furthermore, the researcher came to the conclusion that an improved understanding of the complex theoretical approaches develops when they are practically applied. This understanding is not necessarily based on theoretical research, but on the experience that was gained throughout this study. The creative product of this study can expand the horizon of the child in an intermedial way that will benefit the listener. Insight has been obtained on the way in which such a project can be undertaken. Furthermore, other intermedial projects can flow from this project. A translation of the poetic text can make this book and CD accessible to a large number of South African children. / MA (Afrikaans and Dutch), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Industrial-organisational (I-O) Psychology is known for specialising in the study of human behaviour in the workplace (Van Vuuren, 2010). It is clear that the problems associated with individuals in the workplace form the basis for the existence of I-O psychology. Veldsman (2001) stated that it is imperative to reflect upon the future of I-O psychology and that I-O psychology must be repositioned in future. Therefore, it is emphasised that additional roles should be elicited for I-O psychologists in South Africa (Barnard & Fourie, 2007). Moalusi (2001) has recognised the need for I-O psychologists to reposition themselves in future by focusing on significant workplace issues. Upon further investigation it should be noted that many factors that exert an influence upon workplace behaviour do not necessarily derive from the workplace. These factors, such as family responsibilities, cultural influences and traumatic events, suggest that the sphere of influence of the I-O psychologists stretches far beyond the physical borders of the workplace (Landy & Conte, 2004; Van Vuuren, 2010). According to Strümpfer (2007), it is the I-O psychologist who is concerned with the deep-rooted problems of individuals. The objective of the study was therefore to critically review the role I-O psychologists play as counsellors, and to determine whether counselling should form part of the I-O psychologist’ scope of practice. A qualitative research design was utilised in the study following a phenomenology strategy. Convenience and snowball sampling were used to identify (n=22) I-O psychologists across the Gauteng and North West provinces. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, where the participants were asked to reflect upon seven interview questions which were later transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Nine themes were extracted from the data, namely, the meaning of counselling, counselling situations that I-O psychologists face, counselling skills required by I-O psychologists, characteristics displayed by I-O psychologist during counselling, counsellor competencies required of I-O psychologists, post graduate counselling training received by I-O psychologists, additional counselling training received by I-O psychologists, recommendations made for future training of I-O psychology students and lastly the inclusion of counselling in the scope of practice From the results it was clear the I-O psychologists are familiar with the meaning of counselling and that they are faced with a diverse range of counselling situations requiring a unique set of skills and competencies. Participants had divergent experience and opinions with regard to the training received in preparation of their role as counsellor. In relation to their training participants made recommendations for the future training of I-O psychologists. Finally, participants mentioned that it would be in their best interest if counselling is formally included in the scope of practice of the I-O psychologists. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The main focus of this study is to determine if systems development methodologies are being utilised in the development of electronic learning systems in South Africa and if these methodologies are being applied effectively. Essentially this study can be viewed as exploratory research, utilising a conceptual research model to investigate the relationships between the constructs and measurements. Electronic learning, or e-learning, is being employed to educate millions of learners, students and employees around the world and it is a critical component of modern educational systems. E-learning systems, or learning management systems, as it is known in the field, sit at the heart of these educational systems and are used to systematically deliver on-line content and facilitate the learning experience around that content. There is still much confusion and misconceptions surrounding e-learning and learning management systems abound. This study will try and clarify some of these misconceptions. In e-learning systems, the effective use of information systems is especially relevant as it is used to educate the minds of the future. To ensure that e-learning systems of outstanding quality are being developed, it is therefore crucial that systems development methodologies are being used as they can have a significant impact on the development process. There is a dearth of empirical research available on the use and effectiveness of systems development methodologies in South Africa. This study aims, amongst other things to make a contribution to the availability of empirical results. By empirically evaluating the conceptual research model, utilising a survey as the main research method and statistically analysing the dataset, meaningful results were obtained. This study gave some insights into how learning management system procurement and development is being done in South Africa and revealed that the use of open-source systems currently exceeds the use of proprietary systems. The results of the research showed that systems development methodologies (e.g. Object-Oriented Analysis and Rapid Application Development) are being used effectively in the development of e-learning systems. Strong relationships exist between many of the systems development methodology factors identified (e.g. performance expectancy and the perceived support of the methodology) and the quality and productivity of the development process. This in turn has a strong influence on the impact systems development methodologies have on the quality of learning management systems. / MCom (Computer Science & Information Systems), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014