This study explored the experiences of mature women undertaking Master’s degrees at a Historically Disadvantaged Institution of Higher Learning in South Africa. Attaining a Master’s degree is a significant milestone in education and the process may take from one to three, or more, years. The study aims to describe aspects of the women’s experiences of their research journeys and the goal of the study is to present descriptions of these experiences. The methodology is qualitative and uses a critical feminist approach, appropriate to exploring the research questions. A critical feminist stance holds that women experience the world differently to men given the patriarchal structure of society. Emphasis is placed on the primacy of the co-researcher’s perceptions of their experiences. A single method research design was followed using semi-structured interviews. The analysis resulted in the emergence of a number of central themes. Together these reflect the experiences of the co-researchers, although they did not automatically share all the experiences. The findings show that postgraduate study, in the form of a Master’s degree, was found to be transformative, meaningful and worthwhile, although not without difficulties; mainly the demands required of multiple roles within home, community, work, and the university. This study contributes towards the larger body of research within education, in particular in the understanding the experiences of mature women within the field of postgraduate study.

This study assessed the personal, career and learning skills needs of 196 psychology students (M= 56, F= 103). The preferred means of counselling assistance, preferred experience of counselling and preferred counselling provider were also assessed. The most highly endorsed needs were time management skills (83.5 percent, n=162), learning test-taking strategies (82 percent, n=159), job search strategies (73.6 percent, n=142), increasing self-confidence (70.3 percent, n=135), increasing motivation (72.4 percent, n=134), controlling anxiety and nervousness (68.7 percent, n=134), public speaking anxiety (68.4percent, n=134), understanding career interests and abilities (67.5 percent, n=131), fear of failure (68.1 percent, n=130), and improving study skills (66.5 percent, n=129). Significant sex differences were found for the following, finding a greater purpose in life, controlling weight, job search strategies, concerns about career choice, understanding career interests and abilities in the selection of major subjects and improving study skills. Males highly endorsed the need for finding a greater purpose in life, job search strategies, and concern about career choice, understanding career interest and abilities, selection of major subjects and to improve study skills, whereas females endorsed the need for controlling weight. Respondents indicated individual counselling as being their preferred means of counselling assistance, but lectures were the most prevalent means of assistance previously received by respondents. Most respondents (78.1 percent) found the assistance they had received to be helpful.

M.Ed. / The research question asked in this study is: "In what ways could learners' involvement influence the attainment of learning outcomes in the teaching and learning of Economics?" The answer to the above question will form the basis of the aim of the study. The aim of this study is to explore and describe in a qualitative manner the ways through which learners' involvement could influence the attainment of learning outcomes in the teaching and learning of Economics. To achieve the above aim of the study, the following objectives are stated: A theoretical background will be presented on learners' involvement and the attainment of learning outcomes in order to explore the present practice. Through a qualitative investigation the researcher will determine how Economics teachers presently involve learners in the teaching and learning of Economics. Data will be analysed and interpreted regarding learners' involvement in the teaching and learning of Economics. Data will be described and compared with literature.

M.A. (Psychology) / Career maturity is a dimension of development which have not been researched intensively in South Africa. This study was conducted to prove the usefulness of the Career Maturity Inventory (CMI) for first-year university students in the RSA. The respondents used is the 1986 first-year students of the Rand Afrikaans University of whom had completed the full diagnostic testing program, as well as the Attitude Scale of the CMI...

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

Includes bibliographical references. / While no one impact is identical to the next, the case of the University of Cape Town's purchase and take-over of two local flat complexes; Forest Hills and Liesbeek Gardens; represented a unique opportunity to compare two impacts analogous in all respects but time. Because one impact had already occurred and the other had not yet begun, the accuracy of social impact predictions could thereby be assessed. Through the use of self-administered questionnaires, the local perceptions of Forest Hills and local cognitions of Liesbeek Gardens were drawn out and compared. So doing, this study concludes that perceptions of potential impact show little correspondence to the actuality of such an impact should it occur without intervening mitigatory initiatives. Since pro-active planning procedures rely to a large degree on the accuracy of impact prediction, such findings suggest strategic flaws within the analytical framework of Social Impact Assessment. Included within the qualitative findings of this report are recommendations as to how the conflict stemming from these impacts might be resolved.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Background: Overweight and obesity are abnormal excessive fat accumulations in adipose tissue to the extent that it may have adverse effects on the health and well-being of the individual. Overweight and obesity are important modifiable risk factors for many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type2 diabetes. Food consumed away from home, fast food and sugary food leads to adolescents overweight and obesity. Overweight and obese adolescents tend to buy junk foods because they are cheap. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated to overweight and obesity among adolescents at the Dendron High School, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A quantitative study was conducted among 340 adolescents learners at the Dendron High School. A close ended questionnaire was used to collect data from the 340 adolescents. A stratified random sampling method was used to select learners to participate in the study. This type of sampling was used because learners were in different classes and different grades. The researcher obtained a complete list of all Grade 8 to Grade 12 learners attending the Dendron High School. The researcher took a register in each grade, given every name a code, put their names in a pot and randomly selected the participants. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from the height and the weight of the participants. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23.0, which is a statistical software programme. Results: the study results revealed that the majority of adolescents, at 12 9(37.9%), were overweight, while 171 (50.3%) were obese. The results further revealed that adolescents over consumed sugary food, at 185 (54.4%), starchy food, at 283 (83.2%), fizzy drinks, at 219 (64.4%), and fast food, at 155 (90.0%). In Conclusion: There is a need for nutrition education campaigns targeted at adolescents and educators to reduce overweight and obesity. Nutrition education should be a continuous effort. Efficient and effective school policies must be implemented for provision of quality food.

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / Extensive research on the knowledge and attitudes of students regarding mental illness has been conducted among university students globally. Some of these studies have indicated that students’ attitudes are influenced by a number of factors such as gender, year of study and contact with people with mental illness. In addition, university students’ attitudes towards people with mental illness were found to vary based on the course that they were enrolled in. The present study sought to explore the knowledge and attitudes of university postgraduate students towards mental illness. A survey research design was adopted. Using systematic random sampling, 143 students enrolled for an honours degree in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Limpopo were selected and enlisted to participate in the study. The students completed a self-reported questionnaire including the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS) and Attitude Scale for Mental Illness (ASMI). The results of the study indicate that nearly half of students (49.7%) have adequate knowledge about mental illness. Most students (mean = 38.55) were able to identify mental disorders and were familiar with various treatment modalities. Gender, study course, and previous contact with people with mental illness had no effect on the students’ knowledge of mental illness. A further exploration revealed that 50.3% of the students displayed favourable attitudes towards people with mental illness. 31.5% of the students reported having previous contact with people with mental illness. A majority (60%) of students who had previous contact with someone with mental illness displayed favourable attitudes compared to students (46%) with no previous contact. Lastly, there was no relationship between the students’ knowledge about mental illnesses and their attitudes. The results suggest that educational and awareness campaigns aimed at improving students’ knowledge about mental illness and attitudes should promote contact with the mentally ill. However, the contact should be the type that will cultivate positive attitudes.

Thesis (M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / A study investigating third year psychology students’ attitudes towards the use of marijuana at the University of Limpopo was undertaken. The study was quantitative in nature and used a cross sectional survey design. A random sample of 165 third year psychology students was used. The Health Belief-Model was used as a theoretical framework, which guided the study and the reporting of the research results. The self-report questions were made up of several standardised questionnaires. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics namely, frequency tables and figures as they gave a clear overall picture of the data. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine if there were any significant differences between male and female participants in terms of knowledge and attitudes. The results of the study found that overall respondents had negative attitudes toward marijuana use. The study also indicated that there were no gender differences in attitudes toward marijuana use. In terms of the Pearson correlation coefficient a weak positive relationship was found between self-efficacy and attitudes toward marijuana use amongst third year psychology students. The study recommended that workshops are organised to share knowledge about marijuana and its effects.

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