The importance of a scientifically literate society is currently acknowledged both internationally and South Africa. The notion of scientific literacy in South Africa has emerged largely due to the government’s recognition of the role that science and technology plays in economic growth, employment creation, social redress and social development. However, in light of South Africa’s learner performance on international and national assessments such as TIMMS (2003) and PIRLS (2006), as well as the problems of teaching and learning in a second language, there appears to be a primary and pressing need to develop learners’ fundamental sense of scientific literacy (Norris & Phillips, 2003). Expanding learners’ ability to read, write and communicate in science may provide the necessary framework for engaging learners in the critical principles and foundations of the scientific endeavour (Hand, Prain, & Yore, 2001). As such, this study focuses on equipping and training grade six and seven science teachers to develop scientifically literate learners via professional development workshops with a strategy that supports reading, writing, talking and conducting (‘doing’) science through scientific investigations. The typology of triangulation and the mixed method research approach was supported by a fully mixed, concurrent, and equal status design (Leech & Onwuegbuzi, 2007). Quantitative data were collected from the baseline and post-intervention testing of learners’ problem solving skills, as well as their literacy skills in English and isiXhosa. Qualitative measures were generated through classroom observations, teacher interviews and learners’ science notebooks. The study was conducted in two different milieus in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The first setting, in the rural area of Tyumie Valley near the Hogsback Mountains, was comprised of a sample of grade six and seven (multi-grade classrooms) teachers (n=7) and learners (n=168) from five experimental schools and two comparison schools. The second setting, in the urban townships area east of Port Elizabeth, was comprised of a sample of grade six teachers (n=8) and learners (n=675) from six experimental schools and two comparison schools. Mean differences between the experimental and the comparison groups were computed for the Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) and the literacy tests, and the data generated were treated with an Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The data suggest that the scientific literacy strategy improved the experimental learners’ problem solving skills. Both experimental groups demonstrated greater gains than that of the comparison schools. However, statistically significant improvements were only detected in Port Elizabeth. Improvements in learners’ literacy skills in isiXhosa and English varied according to each milieu. While the teachers initially identified challenges to learners’ reading and writing abilities, the analysis of learners’ science notebooks suggested that they used writings to support their investigations. Some teachers cited difficulties with certain aspects of the model, such as problems with developing an investigable question and argumentation, yet overall, teachers found the strategy useful for developing learners’ language skills, as well for strengthening their pedagogical practices in science. Teachers’ gradual improvements in the use of the model suggest that they were able to use the scientific literacy strategy to support the cognitive and linguistic development of second-language learners.

M.A. (Political Science) / Recent studies in a diversity of social science disciplines indicate the growing importance of cross-cultural attitude surveys; and the central theme of this dissertation is the methodological implications thereof. This study aims (1) to make a contribution to the relatively small number of studies ,in South-Africa on the subject of Political Science research methodology, and' (2) to analyze systematically the methodological problems of cross-cultural research into political attitudes. The research problem was formulated as follows: How should cross-cultural survey research of a political nature be planned, structured and conducted to ensure reliability, validity and objectivity? The focus throughout the dissertation, was on two dimensions of the research process namely (1) research design and (2) data-collection, the latter being further divided in two main categories: instrument construction and instrument implementation. A theoretical framework (Chapter 2) was developed incorporating the different methodological factors to be taken into: account when designing and implementing a research project. This framework was applied to (1) survey research in general (Chapter 3), and (2) cross-cultural political attitude surveys (Chapter 4), Special attention was given to research conducted in South Africa. The last chapter contains (1) a summary of the most important considerations relevant to cross-cultural attitude research, and (2) an overview of the main problems of cross-cultural political attitude research in South Africa. The main finding of the study is that in cross-cultural attitude research in South Africa, too little attention is given to methodological issues - both in designing and implementing research projects. In particular, the explication of methodological issues and procedures in research articles and reports is recommended.