Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1982. / Also available in print.

M.A. / The principle aim of the present study was to uncover the similarities and differences between the National Plan for Family Life (NPFL) and six state-funded programmes of social welfare organisations. A checklist was compiled from the NPFL on the basis of an explorative-descriptive research design with the following categories: "principles", "aim", "objectives", "the identified needs of families", "target groups" and "actions". The content of the said six state-funded programmes of social-welfare organisations were then analysed by means of the said checklist in order to uncover any possible similarities and differences. The latter checklist was also utilised as the framework for the dissemination of the findings and recommendations arrived at and made on account of the study. Of these thirty-five findings, the following deserve to be mentioned: • In the category entitled "principles", no correlation could be drawn, as not one of the programmes documented principles as their basis. • In the category entitled "aim", the concept "marriage and family life" only featured in two programmes, whilst no programme provided for the concept "optimum quality marriage and family life". • The strengthening of marriage and family life featured in the category entitled "objectives" especially as far as significance attribution, interpersonal relations and resilience to overcome adversity were concerned. Similarities in respect of the concept "strengthening" were only uncovered in one programme, whilst three programmes included facets of marriage and family life such as interpersonal relations. The NPFL takes cognisance of the effect and affect of inhuman and inhibitory circumstances in families' physical environment. Only one programme bore partial resemblance to this, thanks to a formulated objective aimed at the improvement of children's physical environment. The privileges, rights, responsibilities and joys associated with parenthood and family life are highlighted in the NPFL, whilst children's rights are only referred to in one programme and the honouring of these responsibilities is referred to in another. No programme, however, make any mention of the joys of parenthood and family life. Preparation for the various life phases in order to prevent dysfunctioning is emphasised in the NPFL, whilst none of the other programmes barring one allow for the word "preparation" in their objectives. The facilitation of therapeutic and supporting services, aimed at the handling of dysfunctions in family life, is emphasised in the NPFL; an aspect which all six programmes share. • The following sub-categories feature in the category entitled 9dentified needs" of the checklist: "marital relations", "family relations", "parent/child relations", "individual factors", "needs relating to the interface between family and community" and "value orientations". With the exception of the interface between family and community, as well as value orientations, a similarity was uncovered between all these sub-categories. • Strong similarities were found between the categories entitled "target groups" and "actions", as contained in the checklist of the NPFL and the six programmes.

M.A. / This study is born from the motivation to empower psychiatric social workers in South Africa with a classification system that compares well to classification systems used by other disciplines in the psychiatric setting. The classification system in question is the Person-in-Environment Classification System (PIE) and therefore this study sets out to investigate and report on the value the PIE might have for psychiatric social work in South Africa. Another objective then is to highlight what problems were experienced in using the PIE which will form the foundation for recommendations on further research and possible adaptations. The first part of this dissertation sets out the motivation and objectives of this study, where the second part gives a thorough description of psychiatric social work, the ecological approach in psychiatric social work, classification systems and the PIE itself. The research process is described whereafter the results of the data are explained. The results are discussed within the framework of three evaluative factors, namely image, applicability and structure which gives an indication of the value the PIE has for psychiatric social work. The conclusion can be drawn from this study that the PIE has definite value in all three evaluative factors. It can be concluded that the PIE can serve as an empowering tool in establishing and defining psychiatric social work's unique contribution to South African psychiatry.

This study uses a descriptive survey design to describe and examine the relationship among school nurses’ level of education, years of experience, knowledge of asthma and identification of the school nurse’s level of proficiency based on Benner’s (1984) model of Novice to Expert. A convenience sample of school nurses employed in public schools within the state of Massachusetts with an RN degree (registered nurse) were sampled. The demographic data revealed that of the 325 participants who participated in the study, the majority of school nurses were female ranging in age from 40 to 50 (M=47.0). The majority of nurses had a bachelor’s degree in nursing and were employed in the nursing profession on an average of twenty-two years and in school nursing for ten years. Since the majority of the school nurses did not have a master’s degree, they were not certified by a national certifying body. The majority of participants indicated that they had received certification through the Board of Education in Massachusetts. Most school nurses worked full time in a public school and were responsible for between six hundred and a thousand students. The majority of nurses indicated that they did not have a school-based clinic on site, nor did they have a school-based health center or clinic to refer students. There was little variability among sample characteristics with school nurses employed in Massachusetts being a fairly homogenous group. Those surveyed were sent a packet containing four questionnaires including one on demographics, as well as an asthma questionnaire, a questionnaire assessing chronic health problems in the schools, and a self-reporting questionnaire based on Benner’s (1984) model. Further results of this study revealed that the majority of the school nurses had an average to above average knowledge of asthma. The three most common interventions performed by school nurses as well as non medical personnel for those students with chronic illness are nebulizations, inhalers, and peak flow meters. Based on the self-report model of Benner’s (1984), these same nurses viewed themselves as expert in their level of practice. Mezirow’s Adult Learning Theory as well as Benner’s (1984) model of Novice to Expert were used to support the nurses level of practice based on experience, intuition and a constellation of meaning schemes developed from previous exemplars. Results of the study indicated that although the nurses surveyed were expert in their knowledge of basic nursing concepts, none had advanced practice level courses in advanced health assessment or clinical decision making in order to effectively manage the complexities of chronic illness such as ADHD, diabetes, and epilepsy, as well as asthma, the most common chronic illness in schools today.

The thesis reports on the evaluation of a digital information literacy program (DILP) to determine the program’s effectiveness in enhancing students’ digital information literacy skills. The program was originally designed and developed for the South African student, as member of Generation Y, but was adapted to suit the demographics and characteristics of Generation Z. New learning technologies were incorporated to enhance students’ learning experience. One of the characteristics of information literacy programs that illustrate best practice is the evaluation of the program itself to judge it’s effectiveness and validate the program as a learning tool. A review of the literature confirmed the paucity of the evaluation of such programs using assessment of student learning through outcomes assessment instruments, based on information literacy competency standards, designed with proven validity and reliability. The literature review found no evidence of the evaluation of the effectiveness of such programs through meaningful assessment of student learning using outcomes assessment in South Africa. For these reasons, the evaluation of the DILP was undertaken. To evaluate the effectiveness of the DILP, a non-randomised quasi-experimental research design, focusing on a single-group pre-test/post-test design which incorporated a combined quantitative and qualitative research approach was used. The primary research instrument was a pre- and post-test. A group of students, belonging to Generation Y and Z, completed a pre-test, worked through the DILP and completed a post-test. Telephonic and e-mail interviews were used to collect further data. The statistical analysis is presented by using descriptive statistics (stacked bar charts for the quantitative data and pie charts for the qualitative data). Inferential statistics were used to reach conclusions beyond the immediate data presented in the charts. The final step was to judge the overall effectiveness of the DILP. The difference between the means was statistically significant, indicating that the DILP was effective in enhancing the digital information literacy skills of students. Based on this research, additional research could be the evaluation of a DILP designed specifically for “digital natives”; the development of online outcomes assessment instruments for web-based tutorials with proven validity and reliability and research in the area of integrating emerging learning technologies with such programs, evaluating their effectiveness. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

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.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Department of Occupational Therapy of the University of Stellenbosch has been involved in the development of the Volcano Community Project in the Ravensmead area since 1994. A needs assessment conducted in the area has led to the indentification of the following problems: • there are no after school care services in the area; • limited opportunities for individual attention to learners because of a high learner educator ratio; • high incidence of substance abuse amongst the youth; • children loitering in the streets in the afternoon; and • a quarter of all grade one learners in the area repeat their basis year of school. In order to address the abovementioned problems it was decided to recruit unemployed youth within the community as voluntary workers. This group of volunteers received training in the execution of pre-planned developmental stimulation lessons that they then present to grade one and two learners who have problems. The volunteers undergo a training programme in order to equip them to handle the learners. This project is still in progress and it needs to be evaluated in order to gain information which would help to improve the programme as well as the management thereof. The aim of the research was to establish the impact of programme participation on the voluntary workers and that was done by looking at the following: • what the strengths of the project are; • what the weaknesses of the project are; and • which suggestions there are to improve the project. Qualitative formative evaluation research was the paradigm within which the research was executed. Interviews were conducted with the voluntary workers and the following themes/patterns emerged from the data: Strengths of the project: Turnabout in the lives of the voluntary workers; improvement of self-knowledge; development of skills; work satisfaction; and guidance by the students. Weaknesses of the project: Schools where this project is in progress and facilities available at these schools; management of the project; and the group of voluntary workers. Suggestions regarding the project: Encouragement; management; and other logistics. The researcher took each of these main themes and with the help of process/impact rubrics data was interpreted. From these rubrics factors were identified and recommendations made which may contribute to the improvement of the project for example feedback after completion of the task is very important and should be very specific for an individual. Possibilities for the broader application of findings are also suggested. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Departement Arbeidsterapie van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, is sedert 1994 betrokke by die ontwikkeling van die Volcano gemeenskapsprojek in die Ravensmeadarea. In Behoeftebepaling in die area het gelei tot die identifisering van die volgende probleme: • geen naskoolse dienste is in die area beskikbaar nie; • beperkte geleenthede vir individuele aandag aan leerders as gevolg van 'n te hoë leerdertoedeling per onderwyser; • hoë voorkoms van substansmisbruik onder die jeug; • kinders wat in die middag in die straat rondslenter; en • In kwart van alle graad een leerders in die area herhaal hul basisjaar van skool. Daar is besluit om bogenoemde probleme aan te spreek deur werklose jeugdiges in die gemeenskap te werf as vrywillige werkers. Die groep vrywillige werkers is dan opgelei om vooraf opgestelde ontwikkelingstimulasielesse aan te bied aan graad een en twee leerders wat probleme ervaar. Die vrywillige werkers deurloop In opleidingsprogram om hulle beter toe te rus om die leerders optimaal te kan hanteer. Die program is nog lopend en evaluering is nodig ten einde inligting te verkry wat kan lei tot die verbetering van die program en die bestuur van die projek oor die algemeen. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om die impak wat programdeelname op die vrywillige werkers het te ondersoek deur te kyk na: • wat die sterkpunte van die projek is; • wat die swakpunte van die projek is; en • watter voorstelle daar is om die program te verbeter. Kwalitatiewe formatiewe evaluasienavorsing is die paradigma wat in hierdie navorsing gebruik is om die data in te samel en te analiseer. Onderhoude is met vrywillige werkers gevoer en die volgende hooftemas het uit die data na vore gekom: Sterkpunte van die projek: Ommeswaai in vrywillige werkers se lewens; bevordering van selfkennis; ontwikkeling van vaardighede; werksbevrediging; en leiding deur die studente. Swakpunte van die projek: Skole waar die program aangebied word en die fasiliteite beskikbaar by die skole; bestuur van die projek; en die groep vrywillige werkers. Voorstelle ten opsigte van die projek: Aansporing; bestuur en ander logistieke. Die navorser het elk van hierdie hooftemas geneem en met behulp van proses/impakmatrikse is die data geïnterpreteer vir hierdie projek. Uit hierdie matrikse is faktore geïdentifiseer en aanbevelings gemaak wat mag bydra tot die verbetering van die projek, byvoorbeeld terugvoer na afloop van die uitvoering van take is belangrik en moet spesifiek en individueel gerig wees. Wyer toepassingsmoontlikhede van die bevindinge word ook voorgestel.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Magister Bibliothecologiae - MBibl / This study investigates the effectiveness of the information literacy education that Master of Business Administration (MBA) students receive at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB). The literature reveals that there is a growing trend worldwide to extend information literacy education to include graduate students. The study uses the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Information Literacy Standards for Higher Education Competencies as the theoretical framework together with Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process. Both process and formative evaluation was used in the study. A mixed method approach was applied to gather data for the study using a pre- and post-information literacy questionnaire, interviews with the information literacy facilitator and the research methodology lecturer and a rubric assessment of students’ group assignment. The information literacy intervention focuses mainly on ACRL Standard 1, with more emphasis on ACRL Standard 2. ACRL Standards 3, 4 and 5 were briefly mentioned as it was difficult to cover all the ACRL Standards adequately within a once-off information literacy session.The results of the study show that the information literacy intervention was successful in introducing students to some of the electronic resources which is one of the major objectives of the intervention. Students’ scores in the pre- and post-information literacy questionnaire and the group assignment were high. This could be an indication that the information literacy intervention was a success. The interviews with the information literacy facilitator and the research methodology lecturer reveal that little collaboration between the library and business academics is taking place. This lack of collaboration affects the quality of the information literacy education in terms of business academics input in the information literacy intervention and in terms of reinforcing information literacy outcomes in students’ assignments. One of the recommendations is that collaborative relationships should be developed between the library and business academics in order to develop an information literacy plan that will fully integrate information literacy within Masters’ courses.

This report presents research into policy implications in the Hex River Valley in the Western Cape Province. The research aims to understand how key policy interventions introduced by the democratic national government have performed over the past 20 years in this specific geographic area. The policy examined relate specifically to of agriculture, labour, housing, land reform, black economic empowerment, and substance abuse. The findings show mixed results. Some policy has gone a long way in improving the lives of people in the valley. In other instances it has been woefully inadequate. Often, policy is simply unable to keep up with the changing landscape and the new problems that continue to develop. All the while the table grape industry at the heart of this settlement has proved to be incredibly flexible in adapting. This report consists of two sections. The first is a long-form journalistic piece presenting the research and its findings in a narrative writing style which is intended to engage the reader. The second section is the scholarly methods document sets out the academic research supporting this work. It also analyses on the manner in which the research was conducted and the reasons therefore. / GR2017