The shortage of specialist Physics teachers in senior secondary schools in Swaziland has, for years, been one of the nagging issues for the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET). This led MoET to exploiting the services of non-specialists, thus undermining the quality of learners who graduate from the system. Therefore, the study ascertained the causes of the shortage of specialist Physics teachers in senior secondary schools in Swaziland, how they could be retained and how their number could be increased. A positivist-interpretive quantitative research approach was utilised to obtain reliable and valid results in this study. The quantitative research was a survey consisting of a questionnaire that was completed by Physics teachers in senior secondary schools. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study, based on the findings, concluded with some recommendations that could be used to retain and increase the number of Physics teachers in senior secondary schools. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Thesis (Master of Strategic Studies) -- Army War College, 2006. / Title from title screen (viewed , 2008). "March 8, 2006". "ADA448999"--URL.. Includes bibliographical references. Also issued in paper format.

DNUR / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / See the attached abstract below

MAAS / Centre for African Studies / The study sought to explore the use of traditional healing modalities in the provision of mental illness in the Vhembe district of Limpopo province. Traditional medicine has been used for thousands of years by indigenous people in South Africa and Africa as a whole, and demonstrated efficacy in treating a wide range of health issue. Many of the medicines in contemporary biomedical treatment are derived from plants and herbs used by indigenous people throughout the world. The objectives of the study were to describe the profile of the clients that visit the traditional healers, to explain traditional healers’ diagnostic strategies of mental illness, to explain the traditional healing treatment modalities in the treatment of various forms of mental illness and to discuss traditional healers’ prevention methods of mental illness. The study was guided by indigenous theory of health and illness as a theoretical framework, and for supporting the literature, a theory of African perspective theory was used. A qualitative research approach was used in order to have an in-depth understanding of the modalities of traditional healing in the provision of mental health care. Case study approach was used. Participants were selected purposively around Vhembe district in Limpopo province and snowball sampling technique was applied in order to identify and recruit relevant participants. The researcher conducted semi -structured interviews to gather the relevant data. Data analysis was based on the interpretative philosophy that aimed at examining meaning and symbolic content of qualitative data. Thematic analysis method was employed. The findings of the study confirmed that traditional healing is still widely used in the communities in the provision of mental illness and that there are a variety of diagnostic, treatment and prevention methods in the provision of mental illness. The findings also show that as much as there are challenges facing traditional healing in treatment of mental illness, there is a need to introduce their modalities in the healthcare system of South Africa, Africa and the whole world. Programs that aim to educate the communities about traditional healing modalities should also be established by the Department of Health and the relevant stakeholders such as traditional healers’ organizations. / NRF

This dissertation was completed at 97 sheets of typewritten text (excluding attachments). Number of tables – 11 (excluding attachments). Number of drawings – 5 (excluding attachments). The introduction discusses the relevance, purpose, problems to be solved in the course of this dissertation research, object, subject of study and theoretical basis of the thesis. In Chapter 1, "Theoretical foundations of socio-psychological technologies of formation of professionalism MTC’s students" is a characteristic of professionalism of the students as a category of youth work, socio-psychological technologies is considered as a method of youth work, the peculiarities of students of the educational military centers as a special group of students, the formation of the professionalism of students is a process-driven socio-psychological technologies. In Chapter 2, "experimental work on the implementation of socio-psychological technologies of formation of professionalism of the students of MTC UFU" analyzes the activities of MTC under this University with students, the results of the research of professionalism of the students of MTC UFU and presented the project of formation of professionalism of MTC under this University. In conclusion, the conclusion about the state of preparation of students of military educational centers under this University and the level of development of their professionalism, the characteristic of the used measures, the conclusion about possibility of implementation of the developed set of measures in the educational process of MTC under this University. / Данная диссертация выполнена на 97 листах машинописного текста (без учета приложений). Количество таблиц – 11 (без учета приложений). Количество рисунков – 5 (без учета приложений). Во введении рассматриваются актуальность работы, цель, задач, решаемые в ходе выполнения диссертационного исследования, объект, предмет исследования и теоретический базис диссертации. В главе 1 «Теоретические основы социально-психологических технологий формирования профессионализма студентов УВЦ» дается характеристика профессионализма студентов как категории работы с молодежью, социально-психологические технологии рассмотрены в качестве метода работы с молодежью, рассмотрена специфика студентов учебных военных центров как особой группы студенческой молодежи, также формирование профессионализма студентов рассматривается как процесс, управляемый социально-психологическими технологиями. В главе 2 «Опытно-экспериментальная работа по внедрению социально-психологических технологий формирования профессионализма студентов УВЦ УрФУ» дается анализ деятельности УВЦ при УрФУ со студентами, приводятся результаты исследований профессионализма студентов УВЦ УрФУ, а также представлен проект формирования профессионализма УВЦ при УрФУ. В заключении сделан вывод о состоянии подготовки студентов УВЦ при УрФУ и уровне сформированности их профессионализма, дана характеристика использованному комплексу мероприятий, сделан вывод о возможности внедрения разработанного комплекса мероприятий в учебно-воспитательный процесс УВЦ при УрФУ.

Umweltveränderungen durch natürliche und/oder menschliche Einflüsse (insbesondere der Verlust und die Fragmentierung von Lebensraum) sind wichtige Faktoren, die zum weltweiten Artenschwund beitragen. Einer der entscheidendsten Beiträge zum weltweiten Rückgang der biologischen Vielfalt, ist der kommerzielle Holzeinschlag. Insbesondere in tropischen Regenwäldern, etwa in Westafrika, ist dies besonders besorgniserregend, da wenig untersuchte, diverse Wirbeltiergemeinschaften von einem starken kommerziellen Holzeinschlag betroffen sind. Frühere Studien haben bereits die negativen Auswirkungen großflächiger Abholzung auf die taxonomische und funktionale Vielfalt von Amphibiengemeinschaften, aber auch auf die Gesundheit von Individuen identifiziert. Umweltveränderungen können sich also auch nachteilig auf eine Wirts- Parasit-Beziehung auswirken, was nicht zuletzt zu einer verringerten Überlebensfähigkeit der Wirtsarten führen kann. Die Untersuchung der Auswirkungen von Störungen Abholzung und Umweltveränderungen auf Amphibien, sowie auf bestehende Wirts-Parasiten-Beziehungen sind daher von größter Bedeutung um nachhaltige Waldwirtschaft und zukünftige Naturschutzmaßnahmen planen zu können. In dieser Arbeit möchte ich mittels eines Regenerationsgradienten nach einer Störung (Abholzung) untersuchen, wie sich die Dynamik einer Amphibiengemeinschaft verschiebt und wie diese Störung die Wirts-Parasit-Beziehung beeinflusst. Ich verwende einen kombinierten Datensatz (Amphibie [Wirt], Milbe [Parasit] und Umweltbedingungen [Habitat]) der über zwei Zeiträumen im Abstand von 15 Jahren (1999-2000 und 2016-2017) an identischen Standorten (vor 45 Jahren abgeholzter Wald und Primärwald) im Taï-Nationalpark (TNP) in der Elfenbeinküste gesammelt wurde, um die Anpassungsfähigkeit von Fröschen und ihren Parasiten an sich ändernde Umgebungen zu untersuchen. In einem ersten Artikel unterstreiche ich die Bedeutung auch kleiner Waldgebiete als potenzielle Quellen für unbeschriebene Biodiversität. In einem kleinen, nie zuvor untersuchten Sumpfwald in der südöstlichen Elfenbeinküste fand ich eine neue Blattstreufroschart der Gattung Phrynobatrachus. Anhand charakteristischer morphologischer Merkmale, einer beträchtlichen, molekulargenetischen Distanz zu anderen westafrikanischen Phrynobatrachus-Arten, sowie eines individuellen, männlichen Anzeigerufes beschreibe ich Phrynobatrachus tanoeensis sp. nov. als eine für die Wissenschaft neue Art. Im zweiten Artikel untersuche ich die Widerstandsfähigkeit westafrikanischer Frösche in Wäldern, die vor über 45 Jahren selektiv abgeholzt wurden. Ich vergleiche die Diversität, Abundanz, Zusammensetzung und den Lebensraum von Amphibiengemeinschaften in abgeholzten und Primärwäldern innerhalt zweier Zeiträume (2000 und 2016- 2017). Ich konnte herausarbeiten, dass sich die Struktur des zuvor abgeholzten Waldes im Laufe von 45 Jahren langsam der des Primärwaldes annäherte, wobei die sichtbarsten Veränderungen in den letzten 15 Jahren auftraten. Während ich 30 Jahre nach dem Holzeinschlag zwar keine Unterscheide mehr in der Diversität und Abundanz der Amphibiengemeinschaft zum Primärwald feststellen konnte, beobachtete ich jedoch eine fortschreitende Konvergenz der Zusammensetzung der Amphibiengesellschaften in beiden Waldtypen. In den zuvor abgeholzten Wäldern erholten sich mehrere waldspezialisierte Arten (FS), während die Zahl mehrerer Generalisten (FG) über den 15-jährigen Probenahmezeitraum stetig abnahm. Diese Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass 45 Jahre nach der Abholzung der gestörte Lebensraum allmählich die Heterogenität des ungestörten Lebensraums annimmt, der in der in der Lage ist die originale Amphibiengemeinschaft aus Waldspezialisten (FS) zu erhalten. Im dritten Artikel untersuche ich die Faktoren, die zu einem erhöhten Milbenbefall in den Amphibiengesellschaften des TNP führen. Ich fand heraus, dass die Wirts-Parasit-Beziehung zwischen Milben der Gattung Endotrombicula sehr spezifisch auf Frösche der Gattung Phrynobatrachus zugeschnitten ist, da offensichtlich nur die vier Arten P. phyllophilus, P. alleni, P. villiersi und P. plicatus befallen werden. Ebenso zeigte sich der Milbenbefall abhängig von der Art (höchste Prävalenz bei P. phyllophilus gefolgt von P. alleni), des Geschlechts (höhere Prävalenz bei Männchen als bei Weibchen, sowohl bei P. alleni und P. phyllophilus), des Alters (höhere Prävalenz bei Erwachsenen als bei Jungtieren in P. alleni) sowie der Jahreszeit (höhere Prävalenz während der Regenzeit im Vergleich zur Trockenzeit bei P. phyllophilus). Ich diskutiere diese Ergebnisse mit Bezug auf die Ökologie der Endotrombicula-Milben, die stark von feuchten Bedingungen abhängig sind, sowie die Überschneidung dieser Bedingungen mit denen der Wirtsfroscharten überschneiden. Des Weiteren beobachtete ich, dass die Prävalenz des Milbenbefalls in den letzten 15 Jahren (1999-2000 bis 2016-2017) abgenommen hat. Dieser steht möglicherweise im Zusammenhang mit den lokalen Auswirkungen des Klimawandels, was die in den letzten Jahren deutlich zurückgegangenen Niederschläge erklären würde. Meine Arbeiten zeigen, dass das Verständnis der Vielfalt westafrikanischer Amphibien noch lange nicht vollständig ist. Es zeigt sich, dass weiterhin Forschungsarbeit geleistet werden muss, um den tatsächlichen Amphibienreichtum besser abschätzen zu können. Darüber hinaus habe ich gezeigt, dass sich Amphibiengemeinschaften in abgeholzten Wälder zurück zum ursprünglicheren Zustand regenerieren können, was die Bedeutung unterstreicht, genutzten Wäldern ausreichend Zeit zu lassen, um sich zu regenerieren. Ob die Milbenprävalenz tatsächlich auf Grund des Klimawandels abnahm, sollte in Zukunft genauer untersucht werden. / Environmental changes due to both natural phenomena and/or human disturbance (i.e. habitat loss, disturbance and fragmentation) are important factors contributing to global species declines. Commercial logging is amongst the greatest contributor to this disturbance resulting in widespread biodiversity declines. In tropical rainforests, particularly those of West Africa, this is particularly troubling as diverse vertebrate assemblages are subject to heavy commercial logging. Previous studies have identified negative impacts of these logging practices on the taxonomic and functional diversity of amphibian communities and species. Furthermore, logging and other environmental changes may affect host-parasite interactions, resulting in exacerbated negative impacts of these pressures and reduced survivability of host species. As such, determining the effects of logging on amphibians, their subsequent recovery following selective logged forest, and the effects of environmental change on host-parasite relationships, will be paramount for informing future conservation action. In this thesis, I aim to determine how amphibian community dynamics shift over a regeneration gradient following disturbance (logging), and how this disturbance influences amphibian-parasite interactions. I use combined data sets (amphibian, parasite and habitat) from two time periods 15 years apart (1999-2000 and 2016-2017) collected in identical sites (logged forest since 45 years and old growth forest) within Taï National Park (TNP) Ivory Coast, in order to examine the adaptive capacities of frogs and their parasites to changing environments. In the first paper, I underline the importance of forest, even small, as potential source of undescribed biodiversity. In that small swamp forest, never survey before located in southeastern Ivory Coast, I found a new leaf-litter species of the Phrynobatrachus genus. Based on morphological characteristics, considerable molecular genetic distance to other West African Phrynobatrachus species, as well as advertisement calls, I describe Phrynobatrachus tanoeensis sp. nov. as a species new to science. In the second paper, I investigate the resilience of West African frogs in forests selectively logged over 45 years ago by comparing data (amphibian diversity, abundance, composition and habitat) from previously logged and old growth forest over two time periods (2000 and 2016-2017). I found that the structure of previously logged forest slowly recovered toward old growth forest states over the course of 45 years, with most visible changes occurring in the last 15 years. I also found no changes in amphibian diversity and abundance in the previously logged forest over time but observed a progressive convergence of amphibian composition in previously logged forests toward that of unlogged forest amphibian communities. In contrast, several forest specialist species (FS) recovered, whilst forest generalist (FG) species declined in the previously logged forest over the 15 years sampling period. These findings suggest that 45 years since logging activities the previously logged forest gradually provides habitat heterogeneity capable of maintaining FS amphibian species and more intact amphibian communities. In paper 3, I investigate the factors leading to increased mite infestation in the amphibian assemblages of TNP. I found that mites of the Endotrombicula genus seem to be specific to Phrynobatrachus frogs and infested only four leaf-litter species (P. phyllophilus, P. alleni, P. villiersi and P. plicatus). I also found that mite infestation was associated with species (highest prevalence in P. phyllophilus followed by P. alleni), sex (higher prevalence in males than females in P. alleni and P. phyllophilus), age (higher adult prevalence than juveniles in P alleni) as well as season (higher prevalence during the wet compared to the dry season in P. phyllophilus). I discuss these findings with reference to the ecology of Endotrombicula mites which rely heavily on humid conditions, conditions which overlap with the reproductive requirements of the host taxa. Additionally, I observed that the prevalence of mite infestation decreased over the last 15 years (1999-2000 to 2016-2017). This decreased mite infestation over time is potentially linked to local climate change, which exhibited distinctly lower rainfall in recent years. These studies show that West African amphibian diversity is far to be complete. Thus, more survey work needs to be done in order to have an idea of amphibian richness. Additionally, I showed that to environmental changes in the context of recovery following logging have a positive impact on amphibian. Forest amphibian community recovers in the previously logged forest, which highlight the importance to leave those forest to regenerate. However, although mite prevalence decreased over time, future research of post logging restoration and climate change impact on mite prevalence need be more investigate.

This study is the product, chiefly, of fieldwork, undertaken in Sierra Leone, which sought to interview and experience contemporary Limba religio-cultural practices. Using a systematic approach, the goal was to provide a broader understanding of Limba religion, as well as to discover the effect of Limba religiosity, and the tenacity with which the Limba hold to their culture and religion, on the National Pentecostal Limba Church (NPLC) over the past three decades. The study begins with an introduction, which outlines its objectives and structure, the research methods, and its general outline. This is followed by a basic introduction to the socio-history of the Limba people, their origin, environment, language, politics, economy and other socio-cultural characteristics, in order to provide an understanding of the background on which their religion is formed. The heart of the study is a detailed examination of Limba religious beliefs and their intersection with Christianity. It includes a definition of Limba religion and its components. This seeks to identify the current state of Limba religion amidst the changes it has experienced and continues to experience as a result of internal and external influences, and to provide a template for this study, an analysis of the Limba belief in a supreme creator God whom they call Kanu Masala, his epithets, attributes and activities, Limba worship and worship methods, the Limba understanding of the spirit world, humankind, sin and salvation, and the roles of sacred specialists. The study concludes with an examination of the causes of the tenacious loyalty with which some Limba Christians hold to their traditional religious beliefs and practices, their reluctance to part with them, and the effects of their dual religiosity on the NPLC, as well as the church's response, and the resulting reciprocal effects over the past three decades in Sierra Leone. This study fills a gap in the extant literature about the ethno-theological landscape of Sierra Leone, and provides a detailed study on the intersection of African Traditional Religion and Christianity. / Systematic Theology & Theological Ethics / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)

The introduction of e-learning in teaching and learning has necessitated the training of staff members in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This study focuses on the challenges that staff members, who are the facilitators of learning, experience when undergoing training in ICT. The research design employed a qualitative methodology which involved focus groups from a public university. Data was collected from the participants through semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that the challenges that staff members experienced during ICT training are related to a lack of computer competence, lack of time, an information overload, the non-involvement of staff in the planning of their training, facilitation limitations, lack of technical support and institutional challenges that involve infrastructure. The study further revealed that the principles of adult learning play a reciprocal role in the staff’s professional developmental challenges. In view of these findings, this study offers recommendations for improving the ICT training of staff members. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

This study is the product, chiefly, of fieldwork, undertaken in Sierra Leone, which sought to interview and experience contemporary Limba religio-cultural practices. Using a systematic approach, the goal was to provide a broader understanding of Limba religion, as well as to discover the effect of Limba religiosity, and the tenacity with which the Limba hold to their culture and religion, on the National Pentecostal Limba Church (NPLC) over the past three decades. The study begins with an introduction, which outlines its objectives and structure, the research methods, and its general outline. This is followed by a basic introduction to the socio-history of the Limba people, their origin, environment, language, politics, economy and other socio-cultural characteristics, in order to provide an understanding of the background on which their religion is formed. The heart of the study is a detailed examination of Limba religious beliefs and their intersection with Christianity. It includes a definition of Limba religion and its components. This seeks to identify the current state of Limba religion amidst the changes it has experienced and continues to experience as a result of internal and external influences, and to provide a template for this study, an analysis of the Limba belief in a supreme creator God whom they call Kanu Masala, his epithets, attributes and activities, Limba worship and worship methods, the Limba understanding of the spirit world, humankind, sin and salvation, and the roles of sacred specialists. The study concludes with an examination of the causes of the tenacious loyalty with which some Limba Christians hold to their traditional religious beliefs and practices, their reluctance to part with them, and the effects of their dual religiosity on the NPLC, as well as the church's response, and the resulting reciprocal effects over the past three decades in Sierra Leone. This study fills a gap in the extant literature about the ethno-theological landscape of Sierra Leone, and provides a detailed study on the intersection of African Traditional Religion and Christianity. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)

The introduction of e-learning in teaching and learning has necessitated the training of staff members in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This study focuses on the challenges that staff members, who are the facilitators of learning, experience when undergoing training in ICT. The research design employed a qualitative methodology which involved focus groups from a public university. Data was collected from the participants through semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that the challenges that staff members experienced during ICT training are related to a lack of computer competence, lack of time, an information overload, the non-involvement of staff in the planning of their training, facilitation limitations, lack of technical support and institutional challenges that involve infrastructure. The study further revealed that the principles of adult learning play a reciprocal role in the staff’s professional developmental challenges. In view of these findings, this study offers recommendations for improving the ICT training of staff members. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Adult Education)