This study focused on exploring and finding the ideal performance management system suitable for the South African Broadcasting Corporation by establishing an understanding of employees’ experiences and perceptions of the previous and a proposed performance management systems and their value to SABC employees. This was done by eliciting how employees see, make sense of and interpret their everyday experiences of performance management systems, in order to develop a more suitable inclusive performance management system. A qualitative study was used to seek answers to the research questions. A focus group interview was selected for data collection. The data was analysed according to guidelines indicated and proposed by Creswell (1998:147-148). The researcher made use of convenience sampling to select 45 participants in 5 groups for the focus groups. One group consisted of managers/supervisors, and the other four groups were employees from four different business units. Participants were guaranteed confidentiality. Credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability were used as the main components in the model, to determine the truth-value of the study. Findings indicated that there was a fair understanding of the previous performance management system but there had been poor implementation of the system. The participants concurred that the previous performance iv management systems in the organisations were not adding any value to their lives. They pointed out that there was no reward in place for high performers and no action taken for non-performers, and this impacted negatively on how implementation was perceived and experienced. The recommendations are that the revised performance management system should have a stronger emphasis on effective management, monitoring, feedback and reward. Furthermore, the system should close the current gaps of reward for high performance and correction of low performance. It was further concluded that for a performance management system to be effective, it should incorporate updated job descriptions, performance measures and standards, as well as evaluator training and guidelines for improvement, employee input, compensation and/or rewards.

Quantitative Techniques is traditionally a subject with a poor pass rate at Walter Sisulu University. In search of a turnaround strategy, the purpose of this study was to determine the level of problem-solving proficiency of Quantitative Techniques students, which is suspected to influence achievement in this subject. A descriptive survey design was used in this research. Second-year ND (Marketing) students (128) took part in the study. A questionnaire and a written test were used to collect data. A profile of participants’ problem-solving was determined. Their weaknesses and strengths in problem-solving were investigated. The problem-solving proficiency of participants with regards to the biographical variables of Gender, Age, Mathematics background and whether they took Data Handling training at school or not were explored. A model, based on Polya’s four stages of problem-solving, was used to measure the students’ level of problem-solving proficiency, which was 59,16%. Findings suggest that the students achieved highest in understanding a problem (72,29%) and making a plan to solve the problem (73,77%). They are weakest at interpreting their results (29,38%). MANOVA results showed no statistical significance for the biographical variables. The univariate results suggest that age, Data Handling training at school and Gender could affect problem-solving proficiency. Since the findings of this study indicate a strong relationship between participants’ problem-solving proficiency and their actual achievement, some intervention is recommended. An intervention could be in the form of a section on problem-solving in the course, supplemental instruction or an introductory course. Course and curriculum content should be revised to address students’ proficiency in problem-solving. / Mathematical Sciences / M. A. (Statistics Education)

This exploratory study investigated the influence of grandparent-headed families on the academic performance of secondary school learners in Port Elizabeth education district. It draws on Family systems theory and Role Theory to allow one to understand the organizational complexity of families, as well as the interactive patterns that guide family interactions.These theories capture the essence of this study which argues that grandparent-headed family is a very important family unit that needs to be supported in order to function well and thereby giving a better parental support and guidance to those learners who are in need. The study was conducted in five secondary schools and also in fifteen grandparent-headed homes. The participants included sixteen learners, 5 Life Orientation educators and sixteen grandparents who are caregivers to these learners. The learners were interviewed at their schools, after obtaining consent from them, the school personnel, their grandparents and the Department of Education in Port Elizabeth. The educators were interviewed at their respective schools after they signed written consent. The grandparents were interviewed in a naturalistic setting, namely at their homes after they have given their written consent. Data was gathered using semi-structured open-ended interviews. Interpretive analysis was used to analyse the audio-taped data. The interviews were voluntarily and anonymity was guaranteed. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

Visual perception is a psychological construct that describes the awareness of visual sensations and arise from the interactions of the individual or observer in the external environment together with the physiology of the observer’s visual system. A variety of theories of the development of visual perception have led to the development of different psychometric measures aimed at quantifying the cognitive construct. The Visual Perceptual Aspects Test was developed by Clutten (2009) to measure nine different constructs of visual perception. The original VPAT was validated using content and construct validity based on a Western Cape sample. However, to the researcher’s knowledge, a factor analysis had not yet been conducted on the VPAT to determine the factor validity of the test. Furthermore, no measures of validity or reliability had been conducted on the VPAT using a sample outside of the Western Cape. The aim of this research is to validate the hypothesised nine factor structure of the Visual Perceptual Aspects Test, using a confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory structural equation model, a bifactor confirmatory factor analysis and a bifactor exploratory structural equation model. The results of the analysis showed marginal model fit of the VPAT with the sample data, with sufficient levels of reliability for certain sub-tests. However, the VPAT did not meet significant levels of validity or reliability of the proposed model structure of the VPAT for the sample group of learners based in the Eastern Cape. / Psychology / M.A. (Research Psychology)

Quantitative Techniques is traditionally a subject with a poor pass rate at Walter Sisulu University. In search of a turnaround strategy, the purpose of this study was to determine the level of problem-solving proficiency of Quantitative Techniques students, which is suspected to influence achievement in this subject. A descriptive survey design was used in this research. Second-year ND (Marketing) students (128) took part in the study. A questionnaire and a written test were used to collect data. A profile of participants’ problem-solving was determined. Their weaknesses and strengths in problem-solving were investigated. The problem-solving proficiency of participants with regards to the biographical variables of Gender, Age, Mathematics background and whether they took Data Handling training at school or not were explored. A model, based on Polya’s four stages of problem-solving, was used to measure the students’ level of problem-solving proficiency, which was 59,16%. Findings suggest that the students achieved highest in understanding a problem (72,29%) and making a plan to solve the problem (73,77%). They are weakest at interpreting their results (29,38%). MANOVA results showed no statistical significance for the biographical variables. The univariate results suggest that age, Data Handling training at school and Gender could affect problem-solving proficiency. Since the findings of this study indicate a strong relationship between participants’ problem-solving proficiency and their actual achievement, some intervention is recommended. An intervention could be in the form of a section on problem-solving in the course, supplemental instruction or an introductory course. Course and curriculum content should be revised to address students’ proficiency in problem-solving. / Mathematical Sciences / M. A. (Statistics Education)

This exploratory study investigated the influence of grandparent-headed families on the academic performance of secondary school learners in Port Elizabeth education district. It draws on Family systems theory and Role Theory to allow one to understand the organizational complexity of families, as well as the interactive patterns that guide family interactions.These theories capture the essence of this study which argues that grandparent-headed family is a very important family unit that needs to be supported in order to function well and thereby giving a better parental support and guidance to those learners who are in need. The study was conducted in five secondary schools and also in fifteen grandparent-headed homes. The participants included sixteen learners, 5 Life Orientation educators and sixteen grandparents who are caregivers to these learners. The learners were interviewed at their schools, after obtaining consent from them, the school personnel, their grandparents and the Department of Education in Port Elizabeth. The educators were interviewed at their respective schools after they signed written consent. The grandparents were interviewed in a naturalistic setting, namely at their homes after they have given their written consent. Data was gathered using semi-structured open-ended interviews. Interpretive analysis was used to analyse the audio-taped data. The interviews were voluntarily and anonymity was guaranteed. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

The purpose of the study was to determine the reasons for student midwives’ absenteeism during midwifery classroom facilitation and clinical placement, and the effects of such absenteeism. A quantitative, descriptive, correlational design was adopted to examine the relationship between absenteeism (independent variable) and student midwives’ performance (dependent variable). Data were collected by means of a three-part questionnaire related to respondents’ demographic data, theory facilitation and clinical placement. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package Microsoft Excell 365 Pro Plus, Version 2019. The study revealed that despite the shortage of staff, the most related factor to absenteeism was the negative staff attitude and lack of clinical accompaniment. These discouraged regular attendance, thus affecting the performance of student midwives. With regards to college resources (classroom facilitation), the study revealed that irrespective of how many days a student midwife missed lectures, academic performance declined. Also, the unavailability of study areas and libraries (after 4 pm), Wi-Fi and internet facilities both in the college grounds and clinical areas contributed to absenteeism. Moreover, health issues, social issues and inadequate transport also contributed to absenteeism to some extent. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

In this research docket analysis is evaluated as an investigative tool in stranger rape cases. Owing to the fact that serial rapists mostly reside within the category of stranger rape cases, the researcher attempted to test the value of docket analysis in the identification of patterns and similarities among such cases which could be indicative of serial rape activity. A rape matrix was used as a docket analysis tool to analyse the content of 184 stranger rape cases which was closed as ‘undetected’. In addition to investigative shortcomings in the case dockets, the researcher identified 15 stranger rape cases which presented six unique patterns among them. These identified patterns could be indicative of serial rape activity. / Criminology / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

In this research docket analysis is evaluated as an investigative tool in stranger rape cases. Owing to the fact that serial rapists mostly reside within the category of stranger rape cases, the researcher attempted to test the value of docket analysis in the identification of patterns and similarities among such cases which could be indicative of serial rape activity. A rape matrix was used as a docket analysis tool to analyse the content of 184 stranger rape cases which was closed as ‘undetected’. In addition to investigative shortcomings in the case dockets, the researcher identified 15 stranger rape cases which presented six unique patterns among them. These identified patterns could be indicative of serial rape activity. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Migration is recognised as an escalating phenomenon of human behaviour worldwide. In the Southern African region African migrations and migrants have remained a focal point of discussion amongst politicians, citizens and migrants themselves in recent years. In South Africa, a major destination of migrants from various African Diasporas, this renewed interest in the topic has occurred in the context of xenophobic related violence aimed at foreigners within the broader economic, political and social arena. These factors extend to South Africa’s relationships with her near neighbours. Thus, Zimbabwe’s political, economic and social crisis has overflowed into South African borders, contributing large numbers of migrants to her population. Previous research has underrepresented the perspectives of migrants and Zimbabwean migrants in particular. Zimbabwean migrants seek economic opportunities to better themselves and maintain the survival of their families who remain in their country of origin. They are transnationals who engage in continuous movement between one place and the next, supporting various livelihoods. Little is understood about migrant adaptation to their complex contexts. In this research project, content analysis was conducted of data gathered during interviews and participant-observation of Zimbabwean migrant traders on the beachfront informal market in Port Elizabeth. The maintenance of the cultural values and identity of the myth of the hero as upholder of household honour was found to be significant in the adaptation of migrants to their multi-faceted lives. The findings indicate that migrant life is indeed uncertain and ever-changing. Their resilience in the face of continual change illustrated both conflict and compromise between “social cohesiveness (and) social flexibility” (Bauman, 1998: 15-16)