Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The viability of a research programme is dependent on its sustainability. The life span of a programme is determined by the sustainability achieved as a result of its activities. Within any successful research initiative, there is a progression from the research findings to the implementation of those findings. This study examines the effect that the implementation of research findings has on the initiation of new research projects within a research programme. The distinctions between academic research programmes and the implementation of the research findings were identified. By unobtrusively applying these definitions to a process of self-evaluation, a theoretical model was identified for the evaluation of the University of the Witwatersrand Refugee Research Programme and one of its projects. Advocacy research, which focused on policy intervention, was not seen as being sustainable as a programme output, as it is dependent on funding. Sustainability in advocacy is linked to research skills enabling pilot intervention. Pilot intervention in tum requires funding that research programmes sometimes use for their basic survival. This should not be interpreted as contributing to the sustainability of the research programme as funding activities are driven by the needs of the pilot intervention. This is significant as these needs can through demands from the funders of pilot intervention, contribute to changes in policies, goals and objectives of the research programme. It was found that the progression to implementation within a rural academic research programme does limit the initiation of new research proposals. Research initiatives tend to become tools of funding agencies with the focus being placed on the implementation of the research findings. This study recommends that the implementation of research findings should be limited to pilot projects, that there should be defined time frames for pilot implementation and, that there should be a clear division of responsibility between research activity and pilot implementation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Om lewensvatbaar te wees moet 'n navorsingsprogram gehandhaaf kan word. Die lewensduur van 'n program word bepaal deur sy handhawing as gevolg van sy aktiwiteite. Binne enige suksesvolle navorsingsinisiatief is daar 'n progressie van navorsingsbevindings tot die implementering van daardie bevindings. In hierdie studie word die effek van implementering van navorsingsbevindings op inisieëring van nuwe navorsingsprojekte binne 'n navorsingsprogram ondersoek. Die verskil tussen akademiese navorsingsprogramme en die implementering van navorsingsbevindings is geïdentifiseer. Deur op 'n onopvallende wyse hierdie definisies toe te pas op 'n proses van selfevaluasie is 'n teoretiese model geïdentifiseer wat gebruik is om die Universiteit van die Witwatersrand se Vlugteling Navorsingsprogram en een van sy projekte te evalueer. Voorspraaknavorsing wat fokus op beleidsintervensie is nie gesien as handhaafbaar in terme van programopbrengs nie aangesien dit afhanklik is van befondsing. Handhawing van voorspraak is gekoppel aan navorsingsbekwaamheid wat dit moontlik sal maak om intervensie te loods. Intervensie loodsing op sy beurt benodig befondsing wat soms deur navorsingsprogramme gebruik word vir hul eie oorlewing. Dit moet nie gesien word as bydraend tot die handhawing van die navorsingsprojek nie, want befondsingsaktiwiteite word gedryf deur die benodighede van die intervensie. Dit is belangrik aangesien hierdie behoeftes deur die eise van die befondsers van die intervensie kan bydra tot veranderinge in beleid en doelwitte van die navorsingsprogram. Dit is bevind dat die progressie tot implementering binne 'n landelik akademiese navorsingsprogram inisieëring van nuwe navorsingsvoorstelle beperk. Navorsingsinisiatiewe neig om middels van befondsingsagentskappe te word met die plasing van die fokus op die implementering van die navorsingsbevindings. Hierdie studie beveel aan dat die implementering van navorsingsbevindings tot loods projekte beperk moet word, dat daar 'n gedefinieerde tydraamwerk vir implementering van loodsprojekte moet wees en dat daar 'n duidelike verdeling van verantwoordelikheid tussen navorsingaktiwiteite en loodsprojek implementasie moet wees.

The number of students with learning disabilities entering the higher education system in South Africa is increasing dramatically. At the same time, the misconceptions about disabilities can have distressing consequences for disabled students. A thorough understanding of current staff attitudes and knowledge of learning disabilities will assist when setting up interventions aimed at improving perceptions. This qualitative, phenomenological case study uses the bio-psycho-social model of disability to explore staff perceptions at the University of the Witwatersrand. Interviews with staff members showed that a wide range of opinions and attitudes exist. Although perceptions varied between participants, the main findings indicated that they presented a poor understanding of what disability, and in particular, learning disability means. The conclusion was drawn that Wits University should be proactive in empowering their staff by providing them with opportunities to learn about disabilities. This investment in staff development should ultimately lead to a richer campus life where all students feel welcome. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

The number of students with learning disabilities entering the higher education system in South Africa is increasing dramatically. At the same time, the misconceptions about disabilities can have distressing consequences for disabled students. A thorough understanding of current staff attitudes and knowledge of learning disabilities will assist when setting up interventions aimed at improving perceptions. This qualitative, phenomenological case study uses the bio-psycho-social model of disability to explore staff perceptions at the University of the Witwatersrand. Interviews with staff members showed that a wide range of opinions and attitudes exist. Although perceptions varied between participants, the main findings indicated that they presented a poor understanding of what disability, and in particular, learning disability means. The conclusion was drawn that Wits University should be proactive in empowering their staff by providing them with opportunities to learn about disabilities. This investment in staff development should ultimately lead to a richer campus life where all students feel welcome. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

This dissertation is a study of academic freedom, an issue which is regarded as a precondition for the university's successful execution of its task, namely the advancement and dissemination of knowledge. To understand what academic freedom really implies and entails, a historical review was undertaken of the various interpretations of academic freedom in the Medieval Italy and France, Imperial Germany, the late 19th century and the 20th century American and South African universities. As an ideal, academic freedom implies the free but responsible search for knowledge and truth. The historical review revealed, however, that academic freedom has at times been misunderstood and abused. The realisation of true academic freedom in South African universities was the motivating force behind this study. Therefore, this study is concluded with guidelines and recommendations grounded in the historical review that will hopefully promote academic freedom in South African universities. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (History of Education)

This dissertation is a study of academic freedom, an issue which is regarded as a precondition for the university's successful execution of its task, namely the advancement and dissemination of knowledge. To understand what academic freedom really implies and entails, a historical review was undertaken of the various interpretations of academic freedom in the Medieval Italy and France, Imperial Germany, the late 19th century and the 20th century American and South African universities. As an ideal, academic freedom implies the free but responsible search for knowledge and truth. The historical review revealed, however, that academic freedom has at times been misunderstood and abused. The realisation of true academic freedom in South African universities was the motivating force behind this study. Therefore, this study is concluded with guidelines and recommendations grounded in the historical review that will hopefully promote academic freedom in South African universities. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (History of Education)