Researchers often benefit from gathering data from participants without any regard for the participants’ needs. In other words, the data gathering process is often not reciprocal in nature, as the researcher is often the only beneficiary. The Mmogo-method® is proposed as a data gathering method that also benefits participants. Three distinct phases are distinguished in applying the Mmogo-method®. During the first phase the researcher gains entry into the research context an ethically sensitive manner. Participants are asked to arrange themselves into groups (not more than eight to ten people participate in a session). They are duly informed of the nature of the research topic and what it entails; namely that they will be requested to make visual representations of specific experiences by using unstructured materials such as malleable clay, dried straw and different colours and sizes of beads. The participants are also informed that only partial confidentially of the information that they share can be ensured because of the group context in which the data are obtained. The participants are, however, asked to treat all shared information as confidential. The Mmogo-method® is usually applied in a group context to allows the dynamics of group processes to inform and enrich the research context. The second phase is introduced by an open-ended prompt that requests the participants to use the unstructured material to visually represent their experiences. In this study, mental health workers were asked to visually represent their coping strategies. On completion of the visual representations, the third phase is initiated. A team of researchers (including counsellors and if needed interpreters) engage in a process of individual and group discussions. Individual participants explain the meaning of each object and action(s); the relationship between the objects and the relevance of the objects in relation to the research prompt; and finally the symbolic value of the objects. After the individual participant has explained the visual representation, the rest of the group is asked to complement the individual participant’s explanation with their perceptions or experiences. Little or no literature is available on how participants experience a visual research method (Mmogo-method®). In this study, the researcher used the Mmogo-method® to elicit mental health workers' coping strategies from a positive participatory perspective and to describe the participants’ experiences of participating in the Mmogo-method® as a data gathering method to elicit the coping strategies of the mental health workers. Mental health workers (telephone counsellors, trauma counsellors, social workers, social auxiliary workers and other professionals) are required to engage with the challenges their clients face and to assist them by means of psycho-social interventions on a daily basis. The mental health workers from Childline who work with children deal with clients who undergo various traumatic experiences, such as severe violence and neglect; physical, emotional and sexual abuse; abduction, homelessness and prostitution. The coping of these mental health workers is important because violence against children is one of the most prominent manifestations of violence in South Africa. More than half of the reported cases against children during the financial year of 2010 were sexual offences. There is a significant shortage of mental health workers to address children’s psycho-social needs in South Africa. Due to the traumatic nature of the mental health workers’ work, they often experience burnout, vicarious traumatisation and compassion fatigue. The management of Childline requested an investigation into the coping strategies of their mental health workers. Childline is a non-governmental organisation that provides a 24-hour toll-free helpline, as well as online counselling services to children and their families. Permission to conduct the research was obtained from the North-West University’s ethical committee, as well as from the heads of departments of the relevant mental health workers. The mental health workers from Childline were invited to participate in the research. The Mmogo-method® was specifically applied from a positive participatory approach and allowed for the positively focused subjective contributions of research participants to the research process. Qualitative research with a case study design was applied. Textual and visual data were gathered and analysed in two phases. First, by the researcher and participants during the research process, and second, by using thematic analysis for the textual data, and visual data analysis of the visual data. Findings revealed themes related to the coping strategies of the mental health workers on an intrapersonal and an interpersonal level, which is not the focus of this study. In terms of the application of the Mmogo-method®, the mental health workers experienced the research context of unconditional positive regard and acceptance as a therapeutic intervention. The applied method supported the mental health workers in making a positive appraisal of their coping strategies and environment. They gained insight into their level of appreciation for their current occupation and interpersonal relationships. They also became more aware of their coping strategies in these contexts. The positive and supportive research context, the material used in applying the method and the group processes experienced were identified as factors contributing to the therapeutic experience of the process. These aspects lead the mental health workers to awareness, maintaining their focus and allowing for shared experience. The findings highlighted that research is not only a matter of obtaining data from participants, but should also allow participants to benefit from the process. Further research is recommended to explore other methodologies that could serve a dual purpose of addressing the needs of both the researcher and participant. / MSc (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Researchers often benefit from gathering data from participants without any regard for the participants’ needs. In other words, the data gathering process is often not reciprocal in nature, as the researcher is often the only beneficiary. The Mmogo-method® is proposed as a data gathering method that also benefits participants. Three distinct phases are distinguished in applying the Mmogo-method®. During the first phase the researcher gains entry into the research context an ethically sensitive manner. Participants are asked to arrange themselves into groups (not more than eight to ten people participate in a session). They are duly informed of the nature of the research topic and what it entails; namely that they will be requested to make visual representations of specific experiences by using unstructured materials such as malleable clay, dried straw and different colours and sizes of beads. The participants are also informed that only partial confidentially of the information that they share can be ensured because of the group context in which the data are obtained. The participants are, however, asked to treat all shared information as confidential. The Mmogo-method® is usually applied in a group context to allows the dynamics of group processes to inform and enrich the research context. The second phase is introduced by an open-ended prompt that requests the participants to use the unstructured material to visually represent their experiences. In this study, mental health workers were asked to visually represent their coping strategies. On completion of the visual representations, the third phase is initiated. A team of researchers (including counsellors and if needed interpreters) engage in a process of individual and group discussions. Individual participants explain the meaning of each object and action(s); the relationship between the objects and the relevance of the objects in relation to the research prompt; and finally the symbolic value of the objects. After the individual participant has explained the visual representation, the rest of the group is asked to complement the individual participant’s explanation with their perceptions or experiences. Little or no literature is available on how participants experience a visual research method (Mmogo-method®). In this study, the researcher used the Mmogo-method® to elicit mental health workers' coping strategies from a positive participatory perspective and to describe the participants’ experiences of participating in the Mmogo-method® as a data gathering method to elicit the coping strategies of the mental health workers. Mental health workers (telephone counsellors, trauma counsellors, social workers, social auxiliary workers and other professionals) are required to engage with the challenges their clients face and to assist them by means of psycho-social interventions on a daily basis. The mental health workers from Childline who work with children deal with clients who undergo various traumatic experiences, such as severe violence and neglect; physical, emotional and sexual abuse; abduction, homelessness and prostitution. The coping of these mental health workers is important because violence against children is one of the most prominent manifestations of violence in South Africa. More than half of the reported cases against children during the financial year of 2010 were sexual offences. There is a significant shortage of mental health workers to address children’s psycho-social needs in South Africa. Due to the traumatic nature of the mental health workers’ work, they often experience burnout, vicarious traumatisation and compassion fatigue. The management of Childline requested an investigation into the coping strategies of their mental health workers. Childline is a non-governmental organisation that provides a 24-hour toll-free helpline, as well as online counselling services to children and their families. Permission to conduct the research was obtained from the North-West University’s ethical committee, as well as from the heads of departments of the relevant mental health workers. The mental health workers from Childline were invited to participate in the research. The Mmogo-method® was specifically applied from a positive participatory approach and allowed for the positively focused subjective contributions of research participants to the research process. Qualitative research with a case study design was applied. Textual and visual data were gathered and analysed in two phases. First, by the researcher and participants during the research process, and second, by using thematic analysis for the textual data, and visual data analysis of the visual data. Findings revealed themes related to the coping strategies of the mental health workers on an intrapersonal and an interpersonal level, which is not the focus of this study. In terms of the application of the Mmogo-method®, the mental health workers experienced the research context of unconditional positive regard and acceptance as a therapeutic intervention. The applied method supported the mental health workers in making a positive appraisal of their coping strategies and environment. They gained insight into their level of appreciation for their current occupation and interpersonal relationships. They also became more aware of their coping strategies in these contexts. The positive and supportive research context, the material used in applying the method and the group processes experienced were identified as factors contributing to the therapeutic experience of the process. These aspects lead the mental health workers to awareness, maintaining their focus and allowing for shared experience. The findings highlighted that research is not only a matter of obtaining data from participants, but should also allow participants to benefit from the process. Further research is recommended to explore other methodologies that could serve a dual purpose of addressing the needs of both the researcher and participant. / MSc (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In his monograph on Sepedi/North Sotho, Groenewald (1993:19) describes Moses Josiah Madiba as one of the first authors of didactic or moral tales. He also points out that Madiba’s contribution includes other kinds of works, such as poetry and school readers. Groenewald (1993:19) emphasises Madiba’s pioneering role in the development of literature in Sepedi. Because he was one of the earliest writers in Sepedi, his influence on the development of this literature should not be underestimated. In this study, the focus is therefore on the writing of Madiba as an author, but only his novelette Tsiri (1953) is selected for specific analysis. In the analysis, the content and structure of the work are discussed in detail and they are interpreted against the historical background of Sepedi literature in order to highlight Madiba’s place in this literature. The descriptive model used in this study is an adaptation of the narratological model. It requires a comprehensive definition of the relevant concepts. In this case a distinction is made between the theme and topic as concepts. The elements of the content, namely the characters, the action, the milieu and historical time, are defined precisely. The novelette deals with the difficult life circumstances encountered by the protagonist, which result in his falling into a life of laziness. The relationship that develops between the various characters is highlighted in terms of the topic. The historical course of the facets of the action is described. The various time aspects are closely examined, after which the milieu is discussed. The entire discussion is situated in an historical framework in order to reveal the importance of Madiba in the history of this literature. The structure of the work is discussed in four sections. First, the theme of the story, the narrative strategy, the title and the pillars on which the structure rests are discussed. Second, characterization is explored, with particular emphasis on Tsiri and his father, Madubaduba, who respectively represent the negative and positive poles in the novelette. This includes a discussion of the various narrative techniques which are used to persuade the reader to accept Tsiri after he repents. Third, the milieu is described in as far as it supports the theme. It contributes to the rationale for the turning point in Tsiri’s life. The milieu is functionally incorporated by means of a multitude of techniques. Fourth, the study focuses on the action, which presents the events in terms of an exposition, the development, climax and dénouement. Once the author has indicated the conflict between the main characters, he uses a variety of narrative moments to increase tension. In particular, he uses changes of the point of view and focalisation extensively. As can be expected in the early works in any literature, there are some bothersome structural flaws, and in this case they are related specifically to the use of the different points of view, where there is no clear rationale for the presence of the author’s moralisation. Although this flaw is pointed out, this does not imply a negative critical analysis of the work. The fact remains that Madiba writes in a flowing narrative style and that his Sepedi language usage is impeccable, which makes him an important pioneer in the history of Sepedi literature. His pioneering work in the educational arena positions him as a champion of the Sepedi language. Further studies could evaluate his other novelettes and poems against this background. AFRIKAANS : In sy monografie oor die Sepedi/Noord Sotho letterkunde beskryf Groenewald (1993:19) Moses Josiah Madiba as een van die eerste skrywers van die didaktiese of morele verhaal. Hy wys ook daarop dat Madiba se bydrae ander werke insluit, byvoorbeeld gedigte en skoolleesboeke. Groenewald (1993:19) beklemtoon Madiba se baanbrekerswerk in die Sepedi letterkunde. Omdat hy een van die vroegste skrywers in Sepedi was, mag sy invloed op die ontwikkeling van hierdie letterkunde nie onderskat word nie. In hierdie studie word die ondersoek derhalwe op die skrywerskap van Madiba toegespits, maar slegs die novelle Tsiri (1953) word vir spesifieke ontleding uitgesonder. In die bespreking word die inhoud en die struktuur van die werk indringend beskryf en dit word teen die historiese agtergrond van die Sepedi letterkunde geïnterpreteer om sodoende Madiba se plek in hierdie letterkunde duidelik uit te lig. Die beskrywingsmodel wat in hierdie studie gebruik word, is ‘n aanpassing van die narratologiese model. Dit vereis ‘n volledige omskrywing van die begrippe wat ter sprake kom. In hierdie geval word daar tussen die tema en die onderwerp as begrippe onderskei. Ook die elemente waaruit die inhoud bestaan, naamlik die karakters, die handeling, die milieu en historiese tyd, word presies omskryf. Die novelle handel oor die hooffiguur se moeilike lewensomstandighede, wat daartoe bydra dat hy in luiheid verval. Die verhouding wat tussen die verskillende karakters ontwikkel, word ten opsigte van die onderwerp uitgelig. Die historiese verloop van die fasette van die handeling word beskryf. Die verskillende tydsaspekte word onder die loep geneem, waarna die milieu bespreek word. Die hele bespreking word binne ‘n historiese raamwerk geplaas sodat die betekenis van Madiba in die geskiedenis van hierdie letterkunde na vore kom. Die struktuur van die werk word in vier afdelings behandel. Eerstens word die tema, die vertelstrategie, die titel en pilare waarop die struktuur staan, bespreek. Tweedens word karaktertekening nagegaan; en hier val die kollig op Tsiri en sy vader Madubaduba, wat onderskeidelik die negatiewe en positiewe pole in die verhaal verteenwoordig. Dit sluit ‘n bespreking in van die verskillende verteltegnieke waardeur die leser oorgehaal word om Tsiri, na sy berou, te aanvaar. Derdens, word die milieu beskryf en wel in soverre dit die tema ondersteun. Dit dra daarom by dat die keerpunt in Tsiri se lewe gemotiveer word. Deur ‘n veelheid van tegnieke word die milieu funksioneel ingespan. Vierdens val die klem op die handeling wat onder vier hoofde aan die orde kom, te wete die eksposisie, die ontwikkeling, die klimaks en die ontknoping. Nadat die outeur die botsing tussen die hooffigure aangedui het, kom hy met ‘n verskeidenheid vertelgrepe vorendag om die spanning uit te bou. Daar word veral gebruik gemaak van gesigspuntwisseling en fokussering word ekstensief aangewend. Soos te wagte in enige vroeë werk in ‘n letterkunde, kom daar hinderlike struktuurfoute voor, en in dié geval lê dit juis by die aanwending van die gesigspunttegnieke, waar die teenwoordigheid van die outeur se moralisering nie duidelik gemotiveer word nie. Hoewel die gebrek uitgewys word, lei dit nie na ‘n kritiese ontleding van die werk nie. Die saak is dat Madiba ‘n vloeiende vertelmanier het en dat sy taal in onbesproke Sepedi is, wat hom in die geskiedenis van die Sepedi letterkunde ‘n belangrike baanbreker maak. Sy pionierswerk op die gebied van die onderwys plaas hom as taalstryder voorop. In verdere studies sou sy ander novelles en gedigte teen hierdie agtergrond beoordeel kan word. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / African Languages / unrestricted

This study focused on HIV-positive domestic helpers and the constructions of their experiences in their employing families. A literature survey established the primary theoretical assumption for the study that acknowledges the domestic helper as an integral part of the extended family of the employer. The study sought to generate grounded theory through content analysis, qualitative research methods and the constructivist-interpretative paradigm. Semi-structured interviews with open questions were conducted with 14 HIV-positive domestic helpers. Responses captured in audio recordings were transcribed and analysed. The textual data was then analysed and interpreted based on open, axial and selective coding. From this coding process four themes emerged as the ways in which HIV-positive domestic helpers construct their experiences within the families. The results from this study indicate that they construct their experiences around: <ul> <li> the HIV&AIDS diagnosis, </li> <li> their HIV&AIDS status, </li> <li> their emotions and </li> <li> their needs. </li></ul> A particularistic scrutiny of the data and research results indicate that participants experience that visible symptoms of HIV&AIDS may forewarn employers when domestic helpers are HIV-positive. These domestic helpers experience negative attitudes, reduction of job content and retrenchment with concomitant financial repercussions. However, the participants in this study indicated that the attitude of employers' children towards them remain positive after diagnosis. In terms of the way in which they construct their experience around emotion, results indicate that they experience complex emotions including shock, uncertainty, loneliness, unworthiness, guilt, rejection, concern, anger, shamefulness and depression. Yet, they also present high levels of acceptance and spiritual growth. In terms of needs, they indicate the need for HIV-friendly workplaces and medical care. They specifically desire employers to help care for their children when they pass away. A comprehensive appraisal of the research results points towards two key aspects: the lack of agency that is prevalent in this group of participants and the silences that is evident from their narratives. The narratives of the HIV-positive domestic helpers indicate that they easily negate agency of their lives to their employers and concomitantly that the lack of agency hampers their ability to retain a sense of worthiness and responsibility for their lives. The results from this study also ensconce silences in many guises. Silences were reflected: <ul> <li> through semantic values and linguistic nuances,</li> <li> regarding acts or omissions of employers,</li> <li> regarding communications,</li> <li> regarding needs and</li> <li> regarding reduction of job content</li> </ul> In rare instances, the construction of experiences of some participants confirmed the ability of HIV-positive domestic helpers to accept agency of their circumstances. In summary, HIV-positive domestic helpers in this study experienced a lack of agency, they report narratives of silences, but they also reflect elements of healing, growth and spiritual deepening when they construct their experiences of HIV&AIDS in their families of employment. Copyright 2004, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Barnard, JP 2004, MIV-positiewe huiswerksters se konstruering van hul ervarings van MIV en VIGS binne die werkgewersgesin (Afrikaans), PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03112005-080007 / > / Thesis (PhD (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted