Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-43). / This study presents an outcome evaluation of the maternal care manual of the Perinatal Education Programme (PEP) studies by 32 midwives at Mowbray Maternity Hospital, a training facility in Cape Town, South Africa. Pre-and-post course knowledge assessments and a survey of participants were used to evaluate the maternal care manual of the PEP. Knowledge assessment scores achieved by the midwives before and after the course were compared. This was done to measure the knowledge acquisition of midwives who participated in the programme. In addition, a broader survey was administered to the participants in order to map out the perceived gain in knowledge, clinical skills and acceptability of the programme. The study found out that the midwives who attended the course improved their knowledge in maternal care.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-48). / This formative theory evaluation investigated the feasibility of the programme theory underlying a staff reward and recognition intervention within a retail setting. It contained academic literature which discussed the effects of reward and recognition programmes on motivation and turnover. In addition, best practice guidelines for motivational reward and recognition programmes were used as measure of comparison against the programme's theory. The evaluation questions contained in this dissertation covered various programme evaluation elements and assisted in evaluating the programme's theory.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-71). / This dissertation presents an outcome evaluation of a training programme provided to middle managers working in higher education institutions at four universities in the Western Cape. The Success Case Method was used to evaluate the training programme. An electronic questionnaire was sent to seventy five participants that attended the 2006 training to determine whether they could be classified as either a success (i.e. successfully applied the acquired knowledge and skills from the training programme) or a non-success case (i.e. did not successfully apply the knowledge and skills acquired from the training).

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Educational Psychology in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2015. / This dissertation aims to use Appreciative Inquiry to evaluate a grief programme offered in primary schools. A qualitative technique was used to gain information from three groups of stakeholders within the grief programme, namely educators, facilitators and children. Three open-ended questions were asked to ascertain the value and benefits the grief programme held in the participants’ opinions. Participants were also asked to consider improvements which the programme co-ordinators should contemplate for future development. The results of the research will be circulated to all relevant stakeholders in the form of a written report and at a consultation. The final analysis indicated that the grief programme is held in high regard by all the participants. The following nine key themes were identified: healing, insight, relationships, growth, skills, support, enjoyment, collaboration, and value of the programme and enhanced efficacy of the grief programme. All three groups of stakeholders noted the positive outcomes that resulted from participation, both during and after, in the grief programme. Recommendations were also noted so that the programme could be propelled positively into the future as there is a dire need for programmes of this nature to be implemented in schools throughout South Africa.

This study examined the quality of English language programmes at Libyan universities and in particular at Tripoli University, in order to identify the factors that have contributed to the decline in standards of students studying English at degree level. The motivation behind selecting this topic area is that English language programme at Tripoli University is dated and not fit for purpose. Thus English programmes are in need of major changes to improve students’ language skills. There is a broad literature on the need for research on language programme evaluation across many parts of the world. Many educational systems and teaching institutions undertake periodic evaluation of their programmes. Many key authors agree on the importance of evaluation and argue that evaluation is more than just the collection of information and data, it involves making judgements about the worth, merit or value of a programme. Programme evaluation is also a form of validation process to find out if the assessed programme is fit for purpose and meets the students’ needs and expectations. This study adopted a mixed methods approach as relying on one single research approach and strategy would reduce the effectiveness of this study. The rationale for adopting a quantitative and qualitative research approach is related to the purpose of the study, the nature of the problem and research questions. Thus quantitative data were collected through questionnaires involving (300) students at Tripoli University (Libya) and was analysed using SPSS. This was supported by qualitative data using semi-structured interviews involving eight lecturers at Tripoli University using content analysis. The findings revealed that most of the students recognise the need for radical changes to revamp the language programme to address the decline of English language skills. Students are aware of their inadequate English standards, as the findings showed that a majority of students had positive attitudes and were highly motivated to learn the English language. The conclusions indicated that the English language programme has major shortcomings that need to be addressed such as resources, teaching and learning facilities, training workshops for staff development and insufficient library resources. The results also clarified that the English language programme needs to be evaluated on a regular basis in order to assess its effectiveness in order to enhance the quality of education. The study makes suggestions that will have implications for improvement and development for the English language programme. A framework is proposed to reform and revamp the English language programme. This study contributes to raise awareness regarding the importance of evaluating English language programmes, to allow decision-makers to take necessary steps to promote the English language. This study also makes a theoretical contribution by expanding the literature on the research topic which is Quality assessment English language programmes at Libyan Universities. It also raises awareness about the root causes of the decline of English language standards.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the service delivery function of the Itsoseng psychology clinic through investigating the demographic profile of the client population that Itsoseng clinic served in terms of age, gender and presenting problems during the period January 2005 to November 2006. This study took the form of a limited programme evaluation using descriptive statistics as primary method, based on an analysis of archival records from the period January 2005 to November 2006. Community psychology was used as primary theoretical framework to situate this study within the larger local and international debate on client profiles and service delivery of university psychology clinics. The results indicate that most of the clients who attended the Itsoseng psychology clinic during 2005 and 2006 fell between the ages of seven and 30, and presented with the following problems in order of prevalence: learning difficulties, relationship problems, depression, career concerns and HIV-related issues. More women (53.1%) than men (46.9%) attended the clinic over the two years combined. The results of this evaluation could prove to be useful in informing strategic decisions regarding marketing the clinic, offering relevant training content to the students as well as recruiting other professionals for whom a need is indicated. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Psychology / unrestricted

This research evaluates the causes for the failure of DoL training projects to produce a skilled and employable workforce after being trained through the Skills Development Act initiatives. The actual teaching process during training is a focal point in this research, unlike the past Job Placement Verification Studies which ignored this development. The fundamentals of evaluation are discussed with emphasis placed on the purpose of a training programme offered by the DoL. In this study, a qualitative paradigm that in essence entails the systematic noting and recording of events, behaviours and artefacts in the social setting was the design and methodology which underpins my choice of case study and observations. I targeted a particular group in the full knowledge that it does not represent the wider population but simply represented itself, thus I cannot make generalizations from the results. Different theories on programme evaluation, adult learning and learning theories are highlighted and a link between different theories and approaches to training programmes is created. Analysis of data has shown that peripherals and antecedents have been largely ignored by the previous studies, and influenced the actual training programme, trainees and training outcomes adversely. Additionally the enquiry has uncovered several instructional related factors that have contributed to non-delivery. These range from the level of readiness of trainees, the competency of the instructor and adequacy of the learning material to the actual instructional context and learning environment. All revealed that every aspect mentioned has a critical role to play in achieving the training objectives. The research concludes with a brief discussion on recommendations to review the entire process of DoL training programmes. Copyright / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / unrestricted

Thesis (MPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The concern of this study is primarily with insights, either acquired or original, which may be gleaned from the works of Michael Quinn Patton, especially his seminal book, “Utilization-Focused Evaluation” with regards to utilisation of evaluation. The importance of utilisation of evaluation processes and findings cannot be overemphasised. Use is critical to the success of multiple development programmes in South Africa which collectively will ultimately determine the country’s accomplishment of its developmental goals. The study is an analysis of the relevant literature on utilisation of evaluation; comparing and contrasting Patton’s writings with those of other scholars on this topic of utilisation. The process of understanding these insights involves a brief biography of Patton to get a glimpse into the factors which influenced the development of his ideas and to learn from them as well as from his innovative ideas. The major theme of utilization-focused approach to evaluation is utility and actual use of evaluations. The study therefore devotes special attention to these concepts in order to find out how he defines them, his motivation to focus on them and his perceptions of the purposes of evaluation. These determine his conception of the evaluation field; and his success in promoting evaluation utilisation is measured against them. The study also contains a detailed discussion of the so-called “paradigms debate” between the quantitative and qualitative paradigms in the educational and social sciences in the 1960s and 1970s. This debate was necessary to quell the division triggered by the domination of the quantitative paradigm over qualitative one in these fields and to promote understanding of the need to prioritise research questions by designing studies to answer to them instead of research problems being fitted into “onesize- fits-all” readymade designs, the study argues. The role played by Patton in turning evaluation into a profession is also discussed at length. His works on this subject include a contribution towards enhancing quality and credibility of evaluation, major input on the Standards of Excellence for Evaluation as well as assisting in the development of methods for evaluation. The inevitability of politics in evaluation is highlighted together with the importance of their ethical conduct. The debates in the American Evaluation Association are very illuminating and Patton’s involvement in them is detailed in the study. They cover a range of issues which are useful to deepening of understanding of evaluation conduct and particular factors which affect use. The study ends with a critical analysis of Patton’s contribution to utilisation of evaluations by programme decision makers and its significance to South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van dié studie het hoofsaaklik te doen met insigte, hetsy oorspronklik of ontleen aan ander bronne, wat afgelei kan word van die werk van Michael Quinn Patton, veral van sy invloedryke boek, “Utilization-Focused Evaluation,” ten opsigte van die toepassing van program-evaluasie. Die belangrikheid van die toepassing van evalueringsprosesse en -bevindings, kan nie oorbeklemtoon word nie. Toepassing is krities tot die sukses van veelvuldige ontwikkelingsprogramme in Suid-Afrika wat gesamentlik uiteindelik sal bepaal of die land sy ontwikkelingsdoelwitte sal bereik. Die studie is ’n analise van die tersaaklike literatuur oor die toepassing van evaluering; wat Patton se werk met dié van ander skrywers oor die onderwerp van toepassing vergelyk. Die proses om dié insigte te verstaan, behels ’n kort biografie van Patton ten einde ’n vlugtige blik te kry oor die faktore wat tot die ontwikkeling van sy idees aanleiding gegee het en om van hulle, sowel as van sy innoverende idees, te leer. Die hooftema van die toespitsing op die toepassingsbenadering vir evaluering, is sy veelsydigheid en die werklike gebruik van evaluasies. Derhalwe le die studie hom dus veral op dié konsepte toe ten einde vas te stel hoe hy hulle gebruik het, wat sy motivering was om daarop te fokus en sy siening rondom die doelwitte van evaluasie. Dít bepaal sy begrip van die gebied van evaluasie, en sy sukses ten einde die toepassing van evaluasie te bevorder, word hierteenoor gemeet. ’n Uitvoerige bespreking oor die sogenaamde “ paradigma-debat’’ tussen die kwantatiewe en kwalitatiewe paradigmas in die opvoedkundige en sosiale wetenskappe van die 1960’s en 1970’s word ook hierin saamgevat. Verder voer die studie aan dat die debat noodsaaklik was ten einde die verdeeldheid te oorkom wat deur die oorheersing van die kwantitatiewe oor die kwalitatiewe paradigmas op dié terreine veroorsaak is, en om begrip te bevorder betreffende die behoefte om navorsingsvrae voorrang te gee deur studies te ontwerp wat dié vrae beantwoord, in plaas daarvan om navorsingsprobleme in ’n klaargemaakte een-grootte-pas-almal ontwerp te plaas. Patton se rol om program-evaluasie in’n professie te omskep, word breedvoerig bespreek. Sy werk oor die onderwerp sluit ’n bydrae in om die gehalte en geloofwaardigheid van evaluasie te verhef, belangrike insette ten opsigte van die Standaarde van Uitnemenheid vir Evaluasie, sowel as om met die ontwikkeling van evaluasiemetodes te help.

Thesis (DPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The aim of the study was to design an alcohol abuse prevention program for the workplace that was based on a sound program theory. Ultimately the study aimed to indicate an approach to the improvement of social service programs by the incorporation of program theory in the design, implementation and evaluation of social service programs. In the first phase of the study the program theory was developed. Literature studies on the prevention of alcohol abuse and on program evaluation were done. This was followed by a survey in the workplace to determine alcohol consumption and abuse, factors contributing to alcohol consumption, workplace factors contributing to abuse and attitudes towards the responsible consumption of alcohol. The survey was complemented by focus group discussions. Eight hundred and fifteen respondents completed the survey. The most important findings were that 46% of respondents indicated that they drink alcohol, nine percent could be classified as alcohol dependent according to the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (Selzer, 1971) and 24% of men and 15 % of women drank at risky levels. The most important factors contributing to alcohol consumption were social problems, social drinking and dependence. Workplace factors contributing to alcohol consumption were the lack of control, availability of alcohol, social pressure to drink and the quality of work. The program theory was formulated from the results of the literature study, the survey and the focus group discussions. The all-inclusive program theory was that life skills training will lead to a reduction in frustration and therefore a reduction in the abuse of alcohol, within a positive work environment. In the following phase the program was implemented and evaluated. The program consisted of life skills training, supervisor training and the revision of the alcohol policy. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to test the program theory and evaluate the program. The life skills program was tested by means of an experimental design. The experimental groups showed an improvement in psychosocial functioning, but the differences were not statistically significant. The intervention had no significant effect on the consumption of alcohol. Respondents’ knowledge about the moderate drinking of alcohol improved significantly, but attitudes towards moderate drinking were not affected. Supervisor training was done to improve relationships at work and to lower frustration. Supervisors improved their knowledge of managing a troubled employee significantly and felt more comfortable in managing troubled employees after the training. The substance abuse policy of the workplace was revised successfully. The study contributes significantly to the methodological improvement of substance abuse prevention programs in the workplace and illustrates the importance of program theory in the design and evaluation of social programs. The study also illustrates how a process of formative evaluation can be used to improve social programs. More specifically the value of a systematic process of program development and program evaluation has been demonstrated, including that an in depth problem analysis has been done, an intensive and collaborative process of theory development has been undertaken and a rigorist evaluation design (with quantitative and qualitative components) has been applied.

The current research study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the basic language skills component (BLSC) in the ELT pre-service programme at a College of Education in Kuwait by eliciting the participants’ views regarding its quality and using the results as a basis for suggesting amendments and improvements. The BLSC comprises three courses, Writing, Reading and Conversation, which must be taken by new student teachers in the first semester of enrolment in order to improve their language proficiency. In view of the exploratory nature of this study and its context-specificity, the naturalistic orientation of interpretive and social constructivism as an epistemological stance were selected. The research design employed a sequential mixed methods case study using an adapted version of Bellon and Handler’s (1982) evaluation model. The participants in the study were three lecturers teaching the BLSC courses and 55 students in their first year at the English Department. The data, both quantitative and qualitative, were collected through course evaluation questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, diaries, and relevant written documents. Data were analysed quantitatively using SPSS descriptive statistics and qualitatively using exploratory content analysis. The findings revealed that the BLSC has some major shortcomings that need to be addressed. Shortcomings related to the physical environment of the college site include old buildings, a limited number of classrooms, shortages in learning and teaching resources and facilities, and insufficient library resources. With regard to the goals and objectives of the BLSC, the findings showed some critical issues and the need for a certain degree of revision. Moreover, the findings reveal students’ dissatisfaction with some aspects of the content and materials of the BLSC, including boring and non-challenging topics, and outdated textbooks. Teaching methods were found to be traditionally oriented, applying a teacher-centred approach. The findings show that students were extremely critical of the traditional assessment philosophy used by their teachers, which depends on a final exam that tests rote-learned materials. The study concludes by making suggestions that will have implications for the improvement and development of the given programme in particular, as well as educational practice in general. In addition, the study proposes a model for evaluation which can be applied and modified depending on the specifications of any given context.