Thesis (M. Com. (Human Resources Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / This study investigated the relationship between organisational culture and workplace bullying among non-academic staff at a South African University. A quantitative research method was adopted and a sample size of 200 non-academic staff was randomly recruited. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire which consisted of questions from the Negative Acts Questionnaire and the Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The hierarchical culture was found to be the dominant organisational culture and that workplace bullying incidences occurred weekly within the organisation. Regression analysis results showed a significant negative relationship between clan culture and workplace bullying while a positive and significant relationship was established between hierarchical culture and workplace bullying. Conversely, the link between adhocracy and market culture with workplace bullying was found to be insignificant. University top management was recommended to design internal policies with clear reporting procedures to eliminate workplace bullying incidences.

Thesis (M.A. (English Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / This study explores written grammar errors committed by UL first entering non-native English language students. The problem is that the standard of English among nonnative English language students does not seem to improve due to the recurrence of errors, and this has always occupied the attention of many L2 researchers. First year English language lecturers participated in the study; they were interviewed by the researcher to better understand issues related to errors committed by the students. The study is underpinned by Error Analysis theory. Content Analysis (CA) was employed to analyse the qualitative data obtained from the 30 students’ assignment scripts to obtain grammatical errors in the following: word classes, sentences, tense, punctuation, and paragraphing. The findings indicate that English non-native students committed errors in punctuation, sentence structure, noun, pronoun, subject-verb agreement– determiner–, spelling-, logical connectors-, contraction-, preposition-, incomplete sentence and wrong topic sentences errors. It recommends that the Department of Languages should introduce an annual English language competency test at the beginning of each year to access students’ English competency level. This will allow the ELLs to revise and develop teaching materials according to the language needs of the first-year students in the university

Thesis (M.Ed. (Community and Continuing Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / This study reports on the exploration of masters students’ experiences of research supervision at the University of Limpopo. The key research question was what are master students’ experiences of research supervision at the University of Limpopo? The study is aligned with an interpretive paradigm to interact with the participants directly in their natural setting. A qualitative research approach was deemed appropriate, using case study design. Participants were purposively sampled from the Faculties of Humanities, and Management and Law. The study sample was composed of twelve master students and twelve supervisors from the three schools in each faculty. The preferred techniques of collecting data were document analysis, semi-structured interviews and observations. The study has revealed that both master students and supervisors are experiencing challenges with regard to research supervision. Most of the schools apply the traditional research supervision model; there is insufficient printers for supervisors in different schools; supervisors are overloaded with teaching and supervision work and as such students get feedback on their research work after a long time; some supervisors do not sign a memorandum of understanding with students; students’ research proposals undergo many levels before they are approved. However, the university supports students financially; workshops and seminars for master students are conducted for knowledge enrichment and skills development and infrastructure for research supervision that includes a library, computer laboratory, a Centre for Academic Excellence and a postgraduate Centre is available. It is recommended that the university introduce a co-supervision model in schools where the traditional model of supervision is still predominant. This will be invaluable in allowing supervisors to share research supervision experiences. Supervisors should be provided with enough printers in their offices. Turfloop Research Ethics Committee should hold regular meetings to approve students’ proposals on time. Approval of research proposals should be at school, faculty and Turfloop Research Ethics Committee levels. Master students should sign a Memorandum of Understanding in the early stages of their studies to enhance students’ commitment. Supervisors should also be allocated less teaching work to allow them enough time to focus on research supervision.

Thesis (M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Research using a cross-sectional survey design was conducted to determine the influence of exercise on the psychological well-being and reported rates of depression on a sample of regular exercisers and non-regular exercisers registered at the University of Limpopo (Turfloop campus). Two standardized questionnaires were used to collect data from a non-proportional quota sample of 60 (30 regular exercisers and 30 non-regular exercisers), male and female (30 females and 30 males) undergraduate students. Data were analyzed using the following statistical measures, descriptive statistics, using frequency tables and figures. The chi square test was used to find out if there were any significant relationships between the regular exercisers and non-regular exercisers and male and female participants in terms of depression and psychological well-being. Students who exercised regularly showed a positive psychological well-being while non-regular exercisers showed a more negative psychological well-being. There were no significant differences in reported feelings of depression across the male and female sample of regular and non-regular exercisers. Female regular and non-regular exercisers however, showed a more positive psychological well-being than males, this was a significant result (p=0.001).

Thesis (M.Inf) --University of Limpopo, 2019. / The use of social media (SM) tools in both public and private institutions is growing remarkably. Academic libraries, in particular are confronted with serious challenges of becoming the leader in adopting various SM platforms to enhance the delivery of library and information services to their users. This study investigated the extent and ways in which librarians attached to the University of Limpopo library use SM platforms in the provision of library and information services to their patrons. The study examined types of SM tools used, purposes that SM tools are used for in academic libraries, factors that determine and impede the use of SM, as well as the attitudes of the library staff towards the use of SM in providing library and information services. The study adopted a qualitative research approach through the use of a semi-structured interview (administered face-to-face) with 10 academic librarians at the University of Limpopo (UL) as a data collection method. The findings of the study show that UL library staff largely use SM platforms such as Facebook to market and promote library services as well as Library-Blog to liaise with the schools or faculties. The study further revealed that librarians at UL are not in charge of SM applications. Instead the Marketing and Communication Department administrator is responsible for the management of SM in the university. The study notes that library personnel are aware of various SM platforms. Therefore, it has a direct influence on their use in work-related tasks. Moreover, the ease of use, low cost, high demand and usefulness of SM applications are contributory factors which motivated the librarians to want to use it. The study further reveals factors that inhibit the effective use of these applications and recommends that library management should create SM policies to boost the effective use of SM for the benefit of library patrons.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Chemistry)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The present research work deals with the study of some of the important physicochemical parameters of restaurant wastewater effluents collected from Mankweng business centre along the University of Limpopo road. Studies revealed that restaurants, food preparation facilities, engineering, paper mill, fine chemical, dyes, paint, pharmaceutical, petrochemical and textile industries are some of the major industries responsible for polluting the aquatic environments. This research attempts to review the physical, chemical, and microbial analysis of wastewater from food service establishments (FSEs) and extraction of fats, oil, and grease (FOG) and its characterization using different analytical techniques. The elemental analysis revealed that the concentration of elements such as zinc, lead and manganese were 6.44 mg/L, 0.02 mg/L and 0.53 mg/L, respectively. The concentration of these elements was above the required South African National Standards 241 (SANS241) limit, that is, ≤5mg/L, ≤0.01mg/L and ≤0.4mg/L for Zn, Pb and Mn, respectively. The elevated concentrations may be due to corrosion, acidic pH found in some samples and high organic load. High organic content in wastewater influenced the production of oxygen by microorganisms in-order to degrade the amount of waste in the wastewater and this has led to high chemical oxygen demand (COD) level ranging from 1784-7196 mg/L and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) from 1101.32 to 3222.32 mg/L. The study has demonstrated that the wastewater samples are contaminated with faecal coliforms because the concentration of microbes Escherichia Coli (E.coli) with a Most Probable Number (MPN) >200.5 in most samples, P. aeruginosa, Pseudomonas spp. were too numerous to count (TNC) and total coliforms at the highest concentration of 9.1x103 CFU/ml which was influenced by change in pH of the wastewater, the FOG content consists of both triglycerides and acrolein. The overall results highlight the discharge of highly polluted wastewater effluent, these FSE have resulted in pollution of nearby rivers thereby affecting the growth of vegetation and aquatic life. The results of the present investigation point out the need to implement common objectives, compatible policies, and programmes for improvement in the FSEs wastewater treatment methods. / National Research Foundation and Sasol-Inzalo Foundation

Thesis (M. A. (Media Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Social networking became a common international trend which has spreads and reached almost every corner of the world. The use of social media platform has developed and exploded into an online platform where individuals can generate content, share it, bookmark it and network at an enormous rate. Amongst the users of social media, students and youth are the main users of social media sites. The research explored Facebook as a tool for improving marketing services at University of Limpopo. Institution of higher learning utilise Facebook for various reasons such getting more followers, maintain existing relationship between the university and its audience and also to communicate with the university audience. Social media can have a great impact on the university and its audience depending on the usage as a two-way communication platform. The main objectives of the study are to identify the manner in which institutions of higher learning use Facebook for marking purposes; examine the performance of Facebook for marketing; and establish the challenges and opportunities of using Facebook as a marking tool. The study employed Nick Couldry’s practice theory and Marketing communication mix theory which are highlighting the relationship between the media, people and organisations. The study also analysed other literature that supports the aim and objectives of the study. A qualitative method was used in the study and results obtained through the use of online observation and semi-structured interview. Content and thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data collected. The population used as a sample were marketing and communication department employees at the University of Limpopo who are working with the university social media pages. With online observation of the University of Limpopo’s Facebook page the findings show that the university’s social media portray specifically Facebook as a one-way communication which they convey messages on the platform without taking into consideration the comments, criticism and queries of the students or audience at large. The empirical findings of the study indicate that Facebook is the most used social media platform at the University of Limpopo. Moreover, participants have highlighted that the purpose of all social media platforms are used to market the institution and as platforms to convey messages to their followers, staff members and university community. v The findings expose the various opportunities and challenges in using social media. However, it is proved that the opportunities outweigh the threats. Some institutions of higher learning use more than one social media platform. However, Facebook was proven to be the most widely used social media followed by YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.

Thesis(M.A.(Translation Studies and Linguistics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The aim of this study was to explore the forms of address and terms of reference used by students to address their lecturers at the University of Limpopo. The study discovered that, there were many ways in which forms of address and terms of reference are used. The theory of pronouns of power and solidarity by Brown and Gilman (1960) is implemented. Data are collected using face-to-face and telephone interviews from a sample of fifteen (15) University of Limpopo postgraduate students majoring in languages and linguistics in Turfloop, Limpopo, South Africa, however, ten (10) participants satisfied the notion of data saturation. This is because the participants were giving slightly similar information. The study found that there are two types of forms of address which are used by the University of Limpopo students which are Names and Titles. Addressing lecturers by first name, last name, nickname or title plus first name symbolises closer relationship between student and lecturers whereas, addressing lecturers by title only or title plus last name represents a limited relationship between the lecturer and student. It is found that most of postgraduate students address lecturers depending on the relationship existing between them and the lecturers. It has been found that, the factors that influence choice of forms of address are setting, respect, degree of intimacy, age and culture; and factors that influence the use of terms of reference are setting and respect. The data obtained reveal that undergraduate students, especially first years are not aware of the importance of forms of address. And it has been found that students promote the idea of the implementation of a rule(s) or policy regarding the importance of forms of address.

Thesis (M. A. (Information Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / This study examined whether postgraduate students in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Limpopo are aware of, and are using electronic databases optimally to locate information for their academic research. The study employed a quantitative research design through the use of a questionnaire as a data collection method to determine students’ accessibility and levels of awareness of electronic databases; to measure the extent to which they use electronic databases for academic research; to assess the form of training which they attended on the use of electronic databases; to identify factors that determine their usage and non-usage of electronic databases; and to establish challenges that they encounter in using electronic databases. The accidental sampling method was used to select the participants. The study found that most participants are aware of the existence of electronic databases. Even if they indicated to have used some of these databases at UL library, it appears that they are referring to Google and Google Scholar. This is despite the fact that the majority of them showed to have attended some sort of training on the use of electronic databases. Factors that influence their choice and use of specific electronic databases include familiarity, unlimited access, multidisciplinary as well as their capabilities. Problems and challenges encountered in the use of electronic databases are related to remote access. It becomes difficult for them to access these databases when they are not on campus. Lack of knowledge and skills to search these electronic databases effectively hindered their optimal usage. Other problems identified by postgraduate students include: slow internet connectivity; inadequately networked computers; lack of access to low-cost printing facilities in the library; inability to use advanced search strategies on most databases; and a lack of awareness of most e-resources. It is recommended that studies of this nature should be conducted in other faculties so that the library should identify electronic databases that are not used and to consider cancelling subscriptions to unused electronic databases in order to save costs.

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The study sought to explore the sequel of bereavement on parentally bereaved students at the University of Limpopo. The study was qualitative in nature. Ten bereaved students (4 Males & 6 Females) were purposefully sampled and interviewed. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using a reflexive thematic data analysis method. The major themes that emerged from the data were isolated and outlined. The results showed that post-parental bereavement, students experienced and expressed their loss distinctly. Notably, their grief was expressed both emotionally, cognitively, behaviourally, physically and spiritually. In spite of the grief having been experienced and expressed diversely, the findings revealed that factors such as - a) circumstances surrounding the death of a parent, b) religious beliefs and cultural practices, c) meanings attached to the death, and, d) lack of support post-bereavement, all influenced participating students’ grief trajectory. On the one hand, the results highlighted that students relied on diverse strategies (e.g., bereavement rituals, counselling services) which helped in their processing and coping with the death of a parent. In particular, psychological counselling was found to be beneficial, although it was associated with mental health stigma. The study findings therefore suggest that parental bereavement can result in the experience of grief, which is an emotionally painful experience that can be complicated secondary to a myriad of factors. A complicated grief experience could lead to academic underachievement in the student population. This therefore suggests that complicated bereavement needs to be treated as earliest as possible in order to avert its interference with the academic work of affected students. It is recommended further that higher institutions of learning need to invest more efforts to educate students on bereavement and its potential impact on their studies. Additionally, efforts should be directed at addressing the stigma of mental illness on-campus so as to help improve the user friendliness of on campus student psychological counselling services. The study is concluded by, amongst others, recommending that future research needs to look closely into university students’ meaning making process in bereavement.