Student Number : 9904331V - MA research report - School of Social Sciences - Faculty of Humanities / The sexual behavioural choices made by adolescents is a salient issue in South Africa. The practice of risky sexual behaviour puts one at risk of unwanted pregnancy, STI and HIV infection. These behaviours affect one not only physically but mentally as well. Adolescence is a “turbulent” time in ones life and risky sexual behaviour makes this period all the more difficult and could result in disastrous consequences. This is due to the fact that sexual health and sexual practices of adolescents has implications for morbidity and mortality rates in South Africa. In order to address the issue of risky sexual behavioural choices made by adolescents, this study has examined the effect of family characteristics on adolescent sexual behavioural choices. The 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey data was used. The data set was a nationally representative data set with a probability sample of 12000 women aged 15-49 taking part in it. Analysis for this study was based on 2373 female adolescent respondents aged 15-19. The association between individual and family background characteristics and risky sexual behavioural choices was examined. Crucial variables were extracted and fitted to logistic regression models. The study found that 47% of the female adolescents were sexually active. Of these, only 15% used a condom at the last sexual encounter despite the fact that 78% had a high degree of knowledge concerning HIV and condom use. South African adolescents are thus engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The family household structures in which adolescents reside was found to be associated with risky sexual behavioural choices. Sexual activity is strongly associated with socioeconomic status of the family. Condom use and HIV & contraceptive (condom) knowledge was found to be less strongly associated with the socio-economic (financial) status of the family but rather the social processes and relationships within the family are speculated to have a greater effect. The need for a more in-depth analysis with reference to family processes and relationships is recommended in order to properly understand the familial effect on sexual behavioural choices. The findings from this study have implications for reproductive health and reproductive rights policies. Appropriate national strategies are needed to reduce risky sexual practices and thus ensure lower morbidity and mortality among South African youth.

O estudo tem como objetivo compreender como se dá o processo de escolha por uma escola de ensino médio técnico federal pelos estudantes de camadas populares. Para tanto, partimos de estudos que abordam a temática da escolha do estabelecimento de ensino e da longevidade escolar em meios populares. Realizamos entrevistas em profundidade com dez estudantes pertencentes às camadas populares, com idades entre 16 e 19 anos, de séries variadas, do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo (IFSP), da região de Ribeirão Preto-SP. A análise das entrevistas destaca alguns aspectos comuns entre os estudantes, como a característica de bons alunos, a valorização da educação e da escola de ensino médio técnico federal, como também o forte desejo por uma escola de melhor qualidade e pela continuidade educacional em detrimento de uma formação para o trabalho. Os dados indicam que a escolha pela escola se deu por um processo socialmente construído, sobretudo no âmbito escolar, no decorrer de toda escolarização dos estudantes. A atividade prática de estudo dos entrevistados possibilitou que o IFSP surgisse como opção de escolha de escola de ensino médio de qualidade e também viabilizou a tomada de consciência e formulação de sentidos referentes à educação. Há forte participação da escola de ensino fundamental, principalmente dos professores, no processo de escolha pela escola de ensino médio técnico federal nas camadas populares. A participação da escola torna-se visível ao propiciar aos bons alunos informações sobre a opção do IFSP como escola de ensino médio de qualidade e, principalmente, ao incentivar esta opção de escolha escolar para esses estudantes. Assim, consideramos que a presença de estudantes de camadas populares em uma escola de ensino médio técnico federal é menos uma escolha por parte deles do que resultado de um processo em que são, muitas vezes, escolhidos. / The study aims to understand how the process of choice by a federal technical high school by students of popular classes. To do so, we start with studies that address the issue of school choice and school longevity in popular settings. We conducted in-depth interviews with ten undergraduate students aged 16 to 19 from the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology (IFSP), from Ribeirão Preto-SP. The analysis of the interviews highlights some common aspects, such as the characteristic of good students, the valorization of Education and the federal secondary school, as well as the strong desire for a better quality school and for the continuity of education to the detriment of a Training for work. The data indicate a process socially constructed mainly in the school environment through the practical activity of these students that made possible the awareness and formulation of meanings. There is strong participation of the school, especially of the teachers in the process of choosing the federal technical high school in the popular classes. The participation of the school becomes visible in providing the good students with information about the option of the IFSP as a high school of quality, but mainly of encouraging that this school could be part of the school choice of these students. Thus, we find that the presence of grass-roots students in a federal technical high school is less a choice on their part than a result of a process in which they are often chosen.

O estudo tem como objetivo compreender como se dá o processo de escolha por uma escola de ensino médio técnico federal pelos estudantes de camadas populares. Para tanto, partimos de estudos que abordam a temática da escolha do estabelecimento de ensino e da longevidade escolar em meios populares. Realizamos entrevistas em profundidade com dez estudantes pertencentes às camadas populares, com idades entre 16 e 19 anos, de séries variadas, do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo (IFSP), da região de Ribeirão Preto-SP. A análise das entrevistas destaca alguns aspectos comuns entre os estudantes, como a característica de bons alunos, a valorização da educação e da escola de ensino médio técnico federal, como também o forte desejo por uma escola de melhor qualidade e pela continuidade educacional em detrimento de uma formação para o trabalho. Os dados indicam que a escolha pela escola se deu por um processo socialmente construído, sobretudo no âmbito escolar, no decorrer de toda escolarização dos estudantes. A atividade prática de estudo dos entrevistados possibilitou que o IFSP surgisse como opção de escolha de escola de ensino médio de qualidade e também viabilizou a tomada de consciência e formulação de sentidos referentes à educação. Há forte participação da escola de ensino fundamental, principalmente dos professores, no processo de escolha pela escola de ensino médio técnico federal nas camadas populares. A participação da escola torna-se visível ao propiciar aos bons alunos informações sobre a opção do IFSP como escola de ensino médio de qualidade e, principalmente, ao incentivar esta opção de escolha escolar para esses estudantes. Assim, consideramos que a presença de estudantes de camadas populares em uma escola de ensino médio técnico federal é menos uma escolha por parte deles do que resultado de um processo em que são, muitas vezes, escolhidos. / The study aims to understand how the process of choice by a federal technical high school by students of popular classes. To do so, we start with studies that address the issue of school choice and school longevity in popular settings. We conducted in-depth interviews with ten undergraduate students aged 16 to 19 from the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology (IFSP), from Ribeirão Preto-SP. The analysis of the interviews highlights some common aspects, such as the characteristic of good students, the valorization of Education and the federal secondary school, as well as the strong desire for a better quality school and for the continuity of education to the detriment of a Training for work. The data indicate a process socially constructed mainly in the school environment through the practical activity of these students that made possible the awareness and formulation of meanings. There is strong participation of the school, especially of the teachers in the process of choosing the federal technical high school in the popular classes. The participation of the school becomes visible in providing the good students with information about the option of the IFSP as a high school of quality, but mainly of encouraging that this school could be part of the school choice of these students. Thus, we find that the presence of grass-roots students in a federal technical high school is less a choice on their part than a result of a process in which they are often chosen.

Magister Artium - MA / The primary aim of the study was to examine factors that influence career choices such as the individual, situational and environmental variables. The study was conducted in the motor retail industry whereby 223 respondents participated in the study by completing the questionnaire. Participants indicated that parents’ or relatives’ advice, association with others in the field, talent, skills and abilities, business opportunities and personal interests as significant influences on their career choices. The participants also identified perceived benefits such as employment security, potential for personal growth and development and opportunity to use skills and abilities as influential factors on career choice. The study also found that in the motor retail industry participants indicated that their gender has influenced their career choice; however educational levels were not seen as an influential factor on career choice. Furthermore, the study also examined participants’ perception of organisational career support with regards to utilisation of career support activities and management’s support for career development purposes. Even though participants indicated that the organisation has exposed them to career support activities, the participants’ use of career support activities were limited to training and mentoring within the organisation or externally to assist them with career development. It is the hope of the researcher that the identified factors influencing career choice and the examination of the organisational career support systems would be helpful to human resources practitioners and career counsellors, in order to assist individuals with career decision making as well as career development within the organisation as well as externally.

abstract: The purpose of this action research study was to explore the impact instructional choices had on student participation in the classroom learning environment, growth of knowledge in social studies, and self-efficacy in the learning process. The instructional choices implemented through a flipped learning instructional approach were designed to target motivation and participation in the learning process via individualized student-learning opportunities. This action research study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of collaborative student-centered learning environments to traditional instructional style learning environments. This study provided students with opportunities to analyze, think critically of, and apply studied content in a Participation in Government course to their personal lives through experiential out-of-class assignments and collaborative hands-on in-class activities. The theoretical foundations for this study include social cognitive theory, theory of self-efficacy, and social constructivism. Participants included 32 high school seniors from the High School of Fashion Industries in New York, NY. Participants completed a pre-/post-self-efficacy survey, pre/posttest measuring their knowledge of government, and several short interviews. Eight participants, four from the Treatment group and four from the Control group, completed a semi-structured interview at the conclusion of the study. Results showed participants experienced an increase in self-efficacy and participation in the learning process. Participants from the Treatment group outperformed the participants from the Control group with regards to knowledge of government. In the discussion, outcomes related to the theoretical frameworks and the problem of practice were discussed. Finally, limitations and a discussion regarding future iterations of the action research in a larger context were outlined. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Leadership and Innovation 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the phenomenon of the decision making process among secondary school leaders as they engage in an academic file review in order to make decisions regarding academic placement of a newly enrolled student. During a semi-structured interview, secondary school principals were asked to engage in a document analysis using an authentic student profile and describe how they would determine the most appropriate academic program placement for the student. Authentic insights from the perspectives of secondary school principals defined experiences and factors that influence decision making processes. Through a semi-structured, open-ended interview with secondary school principals and a document analysis of a student comprehensive file, the researcher analyzed the responses and described the experiences of secondary school principals engaged in the academic planning process for a student. Findings and recommendations for practice are included.

Motor neurone disease (MND) is an uncommon neurodegenerative disease that is terminal and has an insidious onset. With no known cause or cure, the disease triggers progressive death of motor neurones that causes increasing difficulties with mobility, communication, breathing and nutrition. Most research focuses on the disease process, but little is known of the illness experience from the perspective of those diagnosed with the disease. The aim of this study was to explore what it is like to live with MND and how people with the disease negotiate with others to exercise choice over the way they live. A grounded theory methodology was used to explore the life world of people diagnosed and living with MND. Data were collected via in-depth interviews, their stories and photographs, poems and books participants identified as important and fieldnotes. The textual data were analysed using constant comparative analysis. The majority of participants experienced difficulty with verbal communication. Some invited a third person to interpret their speech and others used assistive technologies such as Lightwriters and computers. Analysis revealed three constructs that, together, told the story of the MND illness experience. First, was the “diagnosis story” that described the devastating process of repeated tests had on the participants, shattering their trust in the competence of the health care system. The second construct revealed the process of living with MND as cyclical and repetitive requiring constant decision-making to adapt to the ongoing changes connected with the disease. The core theme and basic social process of “maintaining personal integrity” evolved as the third construct. This process underpinned and explained participants’ decision-making. Finally a substantive theory was conceptualised as the illness experience: “maintaining personal integrity in the face of ongoing change and adaptation”. This theory illustrates that the basic social process of maintaining personal integrity is central to decision and choice making while living with MND. The findings have implications for people with MND, their carers, health professionals and service providers. Recommendations include improved counselling services for people at the time of diagnosis; the introduction of nurse specialists to support health professionals, people diagnosed with the disease and their families; open, accessible, realistic health and funding policies.

<p><strong><em>Objective:</em></strong> The IFRSs are getting more popularity all over the world. IAS 39 is one of the most sophisticated standards included in the IFRS jurisdiction, which mainly addresses the recognition and measurement of financial instruments and hedge accounting. When these instruments had been <em>off-balance sheet</em> hidden, accounting scandals were the consequences. Capturing these risky instruments in the body of the financial statements, according to IAS 39, implies diverse accounting choices where the selection is tied to managers' judgment.</p><p>The Swedish GAAPs have been criticized in the literature of being less conservative than the US GAAPs. Sweden as an EU member has mandated the adoption of IFRSs in the consolidated financial statements of all listed companies, since 2005. No published research has studied the effect of IAS 39 diverse accounting practices on <em>de facto</em> harmonization and comparability in Sweden. The current study fills this gap in the literature, and goes beyond to investigate whether the selected accounting choices are associated with the industry sectors.</p><p><strong><em>Methods:</em></strong> A sample of 50 companies listed in NASDAQ, Stockholm in the financial and the industrial sectors is selected. Secondary data are obtained from the 2007 annual reports of the selected companies. Six accounting practice categories are detected under the standard. Herfindahl (H) index and Chi- square test are applied on the data.</p><p><strong><em>Results:</em></strong> The results show a relatively low harmonization and comparability in most of the accounting practices, and variation in associations between accounting practices and sectors. This infers to the risk of producing non-comparable financial statements that may distort the value of accounting numbers, the content of financial statements and negatively affect market participants.</p><p><strong><em>Conclusion:</em></strong> Much effort is still needed to enhance <em>de facto</em> harmonization and comparability of financial reporting. Further research is also motivated in order to develop a harmonization theory that support standard setters in revising the existing standard to eliminate inconsistencies in accounting choice selection and enhance comparability.</p><p> </p>

Objective: The IFRSs are getting more popularity all over the world. IAS 39 is one of the most sophisticated standards included in the IFRS jurisdiction, which mainly addresses the recognition and measurement of financial instruments and hedge accounting. When these instruments had been off-balance sheet hidden, accounting scandals were the consequences. Capturing these risky instruments in the body of the financial statements, according to IAS 39, implies diverse accounting choices where the selection is tied to managers' judgment. The Swedish GAAPs have been criticized in the literature of being less conservative than the US GAAPs. Sweden as an EU member has mandated the adoption of IFRSs in the consolidated financial statements of all listed companies, since 2005. No published research has studied the effect of IAS 39 diverse accounting practices on de facto harmonization and comparability in Sweden. The current study fills this gap in the literature, and goes beyond to investigate whether the selected accounting choices are associated with the industry sectors. Methods: A sample of 50 companies listed in NASDAQ, Stockholm in the financial and the industrial sectors is selected. Secondary data are obtained from the 2007 annual reports of the selected companies. Six accounting practice categories are detected under the standard. Herfindahl (H) index and Chi- square test are applied on the data. Results: The results show a relatively low harmonization and comparability in most of the accounting practices, and variation in associations between accounting practices and sectors. This infers to the risk of producing non-comparable financial statements that may distort the value of accounting numbers, the content of financial statements and negatively affect market participants. Conclusion: Much effort is still needed to enhance de facto harmonization and comparability of financial reporting. Further research is also motivated in order to develop a harmonization theory that support standard setters in revising the existing standard to eliminate inconsistencies in accounting choice selection and enhance comparability.

In recent years, changes in government policies, supply and demand fundamentals and price patterns in the cotton market have led to several shifts in how producers market their cotton. This thesis examined producer cash marketing choices, including direct and indirect hedging, in four different periods since 2001. Special emphasis was placed on the 2010 season - a season characterized by historically high prices and volatility. Producer marketing behavior was modeled as a discrete choice between four different cash market outlets: forward contracting with a merchant, post-harvest cash contracting, contracting with a merchant pool and contracting with a cooperative pool. Hedging was characterized as a tool that was used in conjunction with one of the four discrete choices. This thesis employed multinomial logit estimation to determine the influence of factors on producers' choice of primary cash marketing decisions. Data were collected from a mail survey of the population of cotton growers in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. The most important determinants of cotton cash marketing choices were 1) prior participation in cooperative pools, beliefs about the value of pre-harvest pricing, beliefs about the performance of merchant pools, willingness to accept lower prices to reduce risk, and several socio-economic variables.