Dissertation in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, in the Department of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / Background: Chiropractic in South Africa seems to be gaining acceptance by medicine with increased recognition from the private healthcare sector. This trend is reflected by the recognition of private healthcare providers of chiropractic services. Integration would accelerate the growth of the chiropractic profession in this country. It is therefore important to understand how chiropractic is currently perceived with respect to integration into the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) healthcare system. As well as to determine factors perceived to facilitate or hinder this integration. Objectives: To explore and describe the perceptions of selected stakeholders about the integration of the chiropractic profession into the KZN healthcare system. Method: The sample included ten selected stakeholders within the KZN healthcare sector. Each participant participated in a semi-structured interview. Questions included participants‟ experience of chiropractic, the role and scope of chiropractic practice, and key developmental issues affecting integration. Interviews were captured on a digital voice recorder and transcribed into text. Data was analysed by the use of NVivo software (NVivo 8, developed and designed in Australia, copyright 2008 QSR International Pty Ltd. ABN 47 006 357 213). Results: The majority of participants (n = 7) had a positive experience of chiropractic, but few (n= 2) recognised the diagnostic role of chiropractic. All participants, except two doctors, believed that integrating chiropractic into the public healthcare system would benefit the healthcare fraternity, the chiropractic profession and patients. However, hindering factors perceived by the participants included: chiropractors practicing non-evidence based techniques; chiropractic being registered with a different council and being taught at a different institution to conventional medical professionals; and most importantly a lack of knowledge of the profession. Facilitating factors were III perceived to be: increased education of stakeholders about chiropractic; improved communication between chiropractors and medical doctors; improved marketing strategy; and lastly improved patient management. Conclusions: A positive experience of chiropractic is directly affected by a positive exposure to the profession. The profession itself is responsible for dispelling some of the confusion it has created, by collectively practicing evidence based medicine, and marketing a united message to stakeholders. / M

M.Ed. / The contents of curricula are necessarily exposed to dynamic changes. Development of curricula should be carried out at base level, that is, in the school and in the classroom. If all levels of education and the community are involved, each pupil as well as the community will reap the benefits of curricula and syllabi that keep abreast of the demands of our time. To be able to control reality implies greater control of the computer. Knowledge of the fast growing science of the computer could open many doors for those who are eager to learn, while the same doors will remain closed for those who do not adapt fast enough to the changing demands of the community. The high number of pupils that discontinue Computer Studies (as a 7th subject) and the proposals to combine Computer Studies with other subjects have necessitated an in-depth evaluation of the curricula. The evaluation models of Kruger, Stufflebeam, Pratt and Stake are focalised on the community's contribution to curriculum renewal. The contribution of the school, where the curriculum starts functioning, must not be underestimated. The curriculum becomes especially relevant and of interest to the community at school and classroom level. Contents of curricula must be revised regularly and scientifically on all levels. The revision and updating of contents must be preceded by periodic situation analyses in which all possible changes are monitored...

M.Com. (Business Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Mini-dissertation in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, in the Department of Homoeopathy at the Durban University of Technology, 2008. / Within healthcare, patient satisfaction is a combination of need, expectation and the experience of care being provided. Patient satisfaction is an intermediate outcome, and is an important measure of the quality of the overall care provided. Healthcare which does not satisfy the patient is usually less effective, because less satisfied patients tend not to comply with instructions, they take longer to follow up with appointments and they have a poor understanding of their medical condition (Wilkin, Hallam and Dogget, 1994; AI-Assaf, 1998). The provision of overall quality healthcare for patients is a key motivation for many service providers. Therefore, determining the level of patient satisfaction forms a very important part of managing and fulfilling the patients' healthcare needs (Smith, 2001a). Furthermore, surveys of patient satisfaction form an essential role in assessing public opinion of the service provided. Thus, the evaluation of the service provided by a clinic can be reflected in the degree of satisfaction perceived by individuals receiving the services as elicited by a patient perception survey. This study assess patient’s perception of the service provided at the Homoeopathic Day Clinic (HDC) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). The use of a self-administered questionnaire to establish patient satisfaction was applied. No names were required and all data has been kept strictly confidential. This information will subsequently be used to improve the quality of the service offered at this facility and increase the degree of patient satisfaction experienced. The sample group of the first 100 patients that consulted the HDC at the DUT between July and November 2007 that voluntarily participated in this study were included in the study by means of convenience sampling.In this study there is generally a high degree of satisfaction with the healthcare and services provided. Areas of particularly high satisfaction are related to patients’ arrival to the clinic where they were both promptly and politely greeted, as well as in relationship to the approachability/friendliness of the Homoeopathic student, and the instructions given on how to take the medicine. Areas that revealed lower degrees of satisfaction are advertising, both in media and by signage, as well as the accessibility of the clinic for disabled patients.

This work is a case study of the opinions of four young people who studied physical science while at a technical high school and then went on either to study in a scientific field at a tertiary institution or went to work in a technical field. The purpose was to try and find out what contribution studying physical science at high school makes to learners who choose a career path in a technical workplace or in a scientific/technical field in tertiary education. The questions asked were firstly ''What is the value of having studied physical science at high school to students entering the workplace and entering higher education?" and then "What skills and knowledge are required for employment in a technical workplace and for tertiary education?" and "What are the views of students, employers and lecturers on the preparation given to physical science students for the world of work and for tertiary studies?" Questions were asked of the young people, their lecturers, and their employers. The idea was to find out whether subject-specific knowledge was important or whether there were certain skills which were considered more valuable. Skills were broadly defined as competencies that would enable a person to cope with the requirements of a new and different learning and work environment after leaving school. Four young people with similar high school backgrounds were interviewed and their opinions noted. Structured interviews were conducted and compared for similarities and differences. The employers and lecturers were given a questionnaire to complete. They were asked what they expected of new employees and new students, and how their ideals matched the actual applicants whom they accepted. These answers were compared to those given by the young people. It was found that although the subject content knowledge that learners received at high school was important, there was a general and definite lack of preparation in terms of critical thinking skills and preparation for coping with unfamiliar problems. It seemed that the current examination-driven school system is not the best preparation for either tertiary education or technical employment, although much did depend on the particular teaching methods experienced by each student. This study opens up a possibility of more detailed research into why so few learners who pass senior certificate physical science are adequately prepared for the fields which are under consideration in this enquiry. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, 2003.

In this study I examine the current alternative forms of assessment that were employed in the foundation year of the Bachelor of Education course at Rhodes University in 1998. Since assessment is concerned with ascertaining the amount, and kind, of learning that has taken place, it links learning and teaching. As my role in the course was academic development, I was interested in the nature ofthe development that the course promoted, for lecturers and students. My main intention was to gain insight into students' experiences of the assessment practices. To this end I selected six students, photocopied all their academic writing for the year and interviewed them. In addition, to provide a holistic picture of assessment and marking, I interviewed the six lecturers who team-taught the course. The data thus included the course assignments of the six students and an interview with each student as well as with the course lecturers. The findings show that though policy documents advocate alternative forms of assessment, implementing such assessment is a complex matter for both teachers and students.

Thesis (DTech (Business)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / The aim of the research is to determine the predictive relationship between mental alertness, personality traits, psychomotor ability and learner performance, in the selection of clothing industry learners. A concurrent validity study is described in which 213 learners were given an assessment battery and assessed on their learning performance and work performance. The psychometric assessment battery measured the domains of mental alertness, personality traits and psychomotor ability in a four-hour session. A combination of paper-and-pencil and practical sewing work assessments were used to assess learner performance. The domain learner performance comprised the assessment scores for the learnership’s theoretical and practical modules. The work performance domain was measured by supervisor appraised work-quality and work-quantity. The assessment domains were then examined for their potential to predict work performance. Linear multiple regression equations reported R2 = 0,3266 for work performance.

M.Ed. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ed. (Curriculum Science) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.A. (Human Resource Management) / Sufficient trained labour is necessary for the economical growth and development of the country, and artisan training is therefore a national priority. The Metal Industry is the largest contributor to apprentice training in South Africa. Continual technological development places a high demand on artisans, and that in turn requires intensive training. This has led to the need for candidates with strong mental abilities and aptitudes to meet the above-mentioned requirements. The selection and classification of apprentices who will be successful in their training and work is not an easy task, since the majority of apprentices are school leavers and do not have previous work experience. It is therefore necessary to assess their trainability and work potential by means of a psychometric test battery. The purpose of this study is to determine whether apprentices can then be classified into specific trades on the basis of their psychometric test results. Should this be possible, apprentices can be placed in specific trades according to their aptitudes, abilities and interests.