This thesis focuses on the concept of quality in higher education, more particularly quality of the degree project. The overarching issue is whether an assessment of the quality of a degree project can be used for evaluating the quality of the entire programme where it forms a part. The subject is partly initiated by the design of the quality evaluation system in Sweden introduced in 2011, in which a quality indicator function of the degree projects is vital. The notion of quality in degree projects is analyzed through three perspectives – as articulated in the research literature, as stated in the policy documents and curriculum documents regarding a Swedish engineering programme, and as experienced by the actors – examiners and supervisors – of this same programme. If the three perspectives testify with reasonably equal meaning to the concept of quality, an indicator function of degree projects can be considered appropriate. Different methods have been combined. The policy documents are investigated by a qualitative and quantitative textual analysis, while the perceptions of the examiners and supervisors are explored by in-depth interviews. Results are interpreted by using an arena concept proposed by Lindensjö & Lundgren, and an analysis system suggested by Bernstein. The results show that quality of a degree project is an ambiguous notion, and that different aspects of quality are reflected in the three perspectives. The conclusion is that assuming a quality indicator function of a degree project is problematic and not self-evident. In a formal sense, the degree project course is clearly separated from other modules of the programme, i.e. it is strongly classified. At the same time it is weakly framed and the actors feel near-total freedom in implementing it. Conceivable consequences of the evaluation system used in Sweden since 2011 are also discussed. Uniformity in the design of the degree project course can be expected, as well as undervaluation of the conditions for the programme and the teaching processes of it.

The HIV and Aids pandemic not only has an impact on women but also on men. Young people in their early and late adolescent years, between the ages 12 and 24 years of age, find themselves in a period of exploration and experimentation that can enhance high-risk sexual behaviour. In research done in South Africa it was estimated that half of all young men and woman are sexually active by the age of 16. Unfortunately, we in South Africa live in an era where HIV and AIDS do not allow such behaviours and this situation makes male youths one of the most vulnerable groups in our society to be infected by the HI-virus. This study focused on male youths on ARV therapy (ART). The antiretroviral therapy requires maximum adherence from the people living with HIV and AIDS. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy poses a great challenge to the youth, especially if they are unemployed and have families who depend on them for financial as well as emotional support. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a social group work empowerment programme on male youths undergoing ARV therapy. To achieve the aim of this study the following objectives were set: • To investigate the needs of male youths on ARV therapy in a rural area. This objective was achieved by obtaining a theoretical perspective from the literature as well as undertaking empirical research by means of the interviewing process. According to these findings male youths on ARV therapy have many needs, such as the need for more information on ARV therapy, the role of the Departments of Health and Social Development, the role of social workers, and how to disclose their HIV status to people other than their family members. •To determine the role of social group work in empowering male youths who are on antiretroviral therapy to cope with the illness and ARV therapy by means of a literature study. It was important for the researcher to do a literature study on social group work to enhance her knowledge and skills, because this is a method of social work that she not often implemented in practice. • To develop and implement a social group work programme for male youths on ARV therapy. The social group work empowerment programme for male youth on ARV therapy was implemented over nine group work sessions and tested on 10 respondents who were part of the needs assessment and were willing to be part of the group work programme in the rural area of the Motheo District. The programme consisted of nine group sessions with different topics discussed in each session for the empowerment of the target group. According to the group members, they acquired adequate skills to enable them to act properly in solving their problems. The programme impacted a lot on how they felt about themselves and the circumstances around them. • To evaluate the effectiveness of the social group work empowerment programme on male youths on ARV therapy. This objective was achieved in the sense that the general satisfaction of the young men had increased according to the Generalized Contentment Scale (GCS) of Perspective Training College. The measuring scale was utilized before the first session started, at the end of the fifth session (in the middle measurement phase), and at the end of the last session. The findings from the research indicated that significant personal growth had taken place among the male youth on ARV therapy in a rural area. Scientifically proven research emerged from this study and proved that a well-designed social group work empowerment programme can enhance the social functioning and general contentment of the male youths on ARV therapy. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Being hearing impaired does not only affect a child’s academic performance, but can also influence a child’s overall development and ability to succeed academically. Evidence suggests that the outlay in early childhood has a large impact on a child’s readiness to learn. Neurodevelopmental movement programmes are generally not accepted as evidenced-based practice and their effect on academic performance is often underrated. Movement, however, is regarded by many as essential to learning and there seems to be a positive interchange between the brain and the body. This study reports on the influence of a neurodevelopmental movement programme on the development, behaviour and performance on a neurodevelopmental evaluation scale of four to eight year-old children with hearing impairment children. The study furthermore provides a report of the results of the psychometric assessment in the form of a neurodevelopmental profile for this specific sample. Children were selected from a special needs school in the rural QwaQwa Free State area of South Africa. Two groups of children (an experimental and comparison group) were used in this study, with both groups undergoing a pretest and posttest phase using three test batteries (Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales- Extended Revised, Child Behaviour Checklist, and a neurodevelopmental evaluation scale). The experimental group was subjected to a fourteen-week neurodevelopmental movement programme. The comparison group underwent a placebo intervention. The results indicate that the children in the experimental group showed an improvement in some aspects of specific development following the intervention (locomotor functioning, performance related abilities, and practical reasoning skills). General developmental age showed significant improvement in both the experimental group and the comparison group. No behavioural aspects showed significant improvements following the intervention, whereas some neurodevelopmental aspects, such as the vestibular system (Tandem Walk and One Leg Stand) and the reflex system (TLR – reflex) showed significant improvements. The results of this empirical investigation aid in understanding the impact of movement programmes on a child with hearing disability’s general development and neurodevelopmental development. / Thesis (PhD (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The HIV and Aids pandemic not only has an impact on women but also on men. Young people in their early and late adolescent years, between the ages 12 and 24 years of age, find themselves in a period of exploration and experimentation that can enhance high-risk sexual behaviour. In research done in South Africa it was estimated that half of all young men and woman are sexually active by the age of 16. Unfortunately, we in South Africa live in an era where HIV and AIDS do not allow such behaviours and this situation makes male youths one of the most vulnerable groups in our society to be infected by the HI-virus. This study focused on male youths on ARV therapy (ART). The antiretroviral therapy requires maximum adherence from the people living with HIV and AIDS. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy poses a great challenge to the youth, especially if they are unemployed and have families who depend on them for financial as well as emotional support. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a social group work empowerment programme on male youths undergoing ARV therapy. To achieve the aim of this study the following objectives were set: • To investigate the needs of male youths on ARV therapy in a rural area. This objective was achieved by obtaining a theoretical perspective from the literature as well as undertaking empirical research by means of the interviewing process. According to these findings male youths on ARV therapy have many needs, such as the need for more information on ARV therapy, the role of the Departments of Health and Social Development, the role of social workers, and how to disclose their HIV status to people other than their family members. •To determine the role of social group work in empowering male youths who are on antiretroviral therapy to cope with the illness and ARV therapy by means of a literature study. It was important for the researcher to do a literature study on social group work to enhance her knowledge and skills, because this is a method of social work that she not often implemented in practice. • To develop and implement a social group work programme for male youths on ARV therapy. The social group work empowerment programme for male youth on ARV therapy was implemented over nine group work sessions and tested on 10 respondents who were part of the needs assessment and were willing to be part of the group work programme in the rural area of the Motheo District. The programme consisted of nine group sessions with different topics discussed in each session for the empowerment of the target group. According to the group members, they acquired adequate skills to enable them to act properly in solving their problems. The programme impacted a lot on how they felt about themselves and the circumstances around them. • To evaluate the effectiveness of the social group work empowerment programme on male youths on ARV therapy. This objective was achieved in the sense that the general satisfaction of the young men had increased according to the Generalized Contentment Scale (GCS) of Perspective Training College. The measuring scale was utilized before the first session started, at the end of the fifth session (in the middle measurement phase), and at the end of the last session. The findings from the research indicated that significant personal growth had taken place among the male youth on ARV therapy in a rural area. Scientifically proven research emerged from this study and proved that a well-designed social group work empowerment programme can enhance the social functioning and general contentment of the male youths on ARV therapy. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Being hearing impaired does not only affect a child’s academic performance, but can also influence a child’s overall development and ability to succeed academically. Evidence suggests that the outlay in early childhood has a large impact on a child’s readiness to learn. Neurodevelopmental movement programmes are generally not accepted as evidenced-based practice and their effect on academic performance is often underrated. Movement, however, is regarded by many as essential to learning and there seems to be a positive interchange between the brain and the body. This study reports on the influence of a neurodevelopmental movement programme on the development, behaviour and performance on a neurodevelopmental evaluation scale of four to eight year-old children with hearing impairment children. The study furthermore provides a report of the results of the psychometric assessment in the form of a neurodevelopmental profile for this specific sample. Children were selected from a special needs school in the rural QwaQwa Free State area of South Africa. Two groups of children (an experimental and comparison group) were used in this study, with both groups undergoing a pretest and posttest phase using three test batteries (Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales- Extended Revised, Child Behaviour Checklist, and a neurodevelopmental evaluation scale). The experimental group was subjected to a fourteen-week neurodevelopmental movement programme. The comparison group underwent a placebo intervention. The results indicate that the children in the experimental group showed an improvement in some aspects of specific development following the intervention (locomotor functioning, performance related abilities, and practical reasoning skills). General developmental age showed significant improvement in both the experimental group and the comparison group. No behavioural aspects showed significant improvements following the intervention, whereas some neurodevelopmental aspects, such as the vestibular system (Tandem Walk and One Leg Stand) and the reflex system (TLR – reflex) showed significant improvements. The results of this empirical investigation aid in understanding the impact of movement programmes on a child with hearing disability’s general development and neurodevelopmental development. / Thesis (PhD (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The origin of this study is due to research Botma (1999) undertook among Free State farmers in order to determine what the global level of perceived stress was, but also to determine which specific stressors they experienced and what its intensity was. With this study Botma (1999) found that the stressors by which the farmers are confronted, hold negative implications for their quality of life. The purpose of the current study namely to develop a capacity building programme by means of which quality of life can be facilitated, resulted therefore from the abovementioned research. The capacity building programme entailed the following components: stress, psychological well-being, quality of life and subjective well-being. The capacity building programme was also subjected to evaluation in order to determine its effect on the participants. In order to achieve this objective, the following scales were used in the empirical study: Quality of Lie Questionnaire (Evans & Cope, 1989), Sense of Coherence Scale (Antonovsky, 1993), Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, Larsen & Griffen, 1985), Affectometer 2 (Kamman & Flett, 1983), COPE (Carver, Scheier & Weintraub, 1989) and the Spiritual Well- Being Scale (Ellison & Smith, 1991). All these scales showed satisfactory reliability indices. A sample of 60 participants from three districts in the Free State was used. As far as the qualitative component of this research was concerned, focus groups were led with 10 participants, and in-depth interviews were conducted with four respondents. The empirical part of this study indicated that there was no difference between the experimental and control group before the intervention had VII taken place. On conclusion of the program, clear differences could be detected within the experimental group as well as between the experimental and control group. The experimental group showed an improvement in spirituality, subjective well-being and quality of life. These results were also reflected by the focus groups and by the in-depth interviews. It is however interesting to note that the above-mentioned changes that had taken place in the participants are mainly concerned with their affect and not with their behaviour as such. The reason being the fact that the focus of the programme is spiritual and mainly emphasises the improvement of the affective quality of life of the participants. The results of the in-depth interviews indicate the fact that the capacity building programme still has a long-term effect on the participants. Recommendations are made with regard to the capacity building programme in terms of changes to for example the inclusion of behavioural change. This research contributed to the understanding of spirituality, psychological well-being, subjective well-being and quality of life as well as to its application in a capacity building programme for farmers. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

There is a well-documented evidence to confirm that the largest number of people living with the HI-virus is in Africa and especially in South Africa. The prospect of a significant breakthrough in treatment looks uncertain at present and for this reason the impact of HIV and AIDS in South Africa must be taken very seriously. In 1999 surveys estimated about 3,5 million people infected by HIV and 150 000 with AIDS. The figure was expected to rise to 5-7 million HIV-infected people over the next 5 years. Experts calculated that on average 1500 people get infected each day in South Africa! South Africa has one of the most rapidly spreading pandemics in the world. High school learners are a high-risk group. Prevention programmes are important to minimize the infection rate amongst adolescents and young adults. The researcher has therefore concentrated on the prevention of HIV/AIDS among learners at high school level in a rural area between the ages 16-18 years. A survey was undertaken with the purpose of preventing HIV/AIDS among learners from the Thejane Secondary school in a rural area in Thaba Nchu. The aim of this research was: 8 To evaluate the effectiveness of a group work programme for high school learners in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in a rural area. To reach this aim, a prevention programme was designed for these high school learners through which knowledge about the nature of HIV/AIDS as well as knowledge about values and attitudes were given to them. A small group of ten learners were chosen as the research group and ten learners as the control group. Group work as a method of social work was chosen to achieve the aim of the study. The group work programme was successfully presented in 9 sessions of one to one and a half hour each during school time. The programme was in particular suited, not only to improve the knowledge of the learners about the nature of HIV/AIDS, but also to broaden their insight with regard to the important role of a healthy lifestyle as well as the importance of being assertive. The programme was evaluated by measuring at two occasions. The results obtained by this evaluation showed that the group work programme brought about a significant difference in the knowledge, insight, attitudes and beliefs about HIV/AIDS as well as the important role of values. The single system design was used to measure the effect of the programme. The results of the measuring indicated that group work intervention was successful in implementing the desired change. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

HIV/AIDS mainly is a health problem, which is accompanied by social and economic implications worldwide and is seen as a pandemic that negatively affects South Africa. The agricultural labour force, specifically the farm worker community, is also negatively affected by it. However, few research reports are available pertaining to this problem in this section of the population Based on the above, the researcher investigated the attitudes and level of knowledge of the farm worker community with regard to HIV/AIDS. During the investigation it was established that knowledge was lacking and a misperception regarding the HI virus prevailed in the farm worker community. A needs assessment was executed in order to establish what information the farm workers wish to receive and whether they would be willing to attend group assemblies. Initially, the farm workers were not familiar with the term 'group work', but once it was explained to them it was established that the farm workers did indeed feel a need for a group work programme. A prevention programme was compiled in accordance with the needs of the farm workers, which included giving information on HIV/AIDS as well as teaching them life skills. An attempt was made to compile the programme in a culture sensitive manner so that information could reach the farm workers at their level of functioning. The aim of the investigation was: To establish the attitudes, convictions and level of knowledge of black farm workers with regard to HIV/AIDS by means of a literature study and empirical investigation; and To compile an HIV/AIDS group work prevention programme based on a literature study and empirical research. In conclusion, it can be said that the research has proved that knowledge pertaining to the virus is lacking among the farm worker community and that it is essential to change their attitudes. Group work, as a method of social work, can be utilised with remarkable success to bring about positive changes regarding HIV/AIDS in this sector. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Limited scientific research regarding the effectiveness of Adventure-Based Experiential Learning (AEL) as an instrument to develop personal effectiveness exists. Furthermore, little attention have been given to factors that influence the effectiveness of these programmes. As a result the purpose of this study was twofold. Firstly the study aimed to determine whether AEL is effective in improving the personal effectiveness of participants scientifically. The Review of Personal Effectiveness with Locus of Control (Richards et al., 2002) was used to determine the personal effectiveness of participants. For the first article 23 adolescents currently enrolled in a post-matric development centre were studied. The study consisted of an experimental (n=12) and control group (n=11). The experimental group participated in a five day low risk AEL programme in an urban setting. Pre-post test effect sizes showed that the experimental group experienced significant (d=0.80) development in four areas and medium (d=0.50) development in nine areas of personal development, compared to one medium effect size for the control group. Secondly, the study investigated whether a processed AEL programme will produce higher short-term outcomes in terms of personal effectiveness than a non-processed programme. For the second article a processed experimental group (n=12), a non-processed experimental group (n=12) and a control group (n=11) were studied. The experimental groups participated in identical Jive day low risk AEL programmes, with one group receiving group processing after each activity while the other experimental group did not. Pre-post test effect sizes for the processed experimental group indicated significant improvements (d=0.80) in four constructs and medium improvements (d=0.50) in nine constructs. The non-processed experimental group achieved significant improvements (d=0.80) in one construct and medium improvements (d=0.50) in two constructs. Results indicate the importance of processing for the attainment of AEL programme outcomes. Research into the effect of AEL design and duration as well as the amount and type of processing on outcomes is recommended. / Thesis (M.A. (Recreation Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

This study was conducted in the Heuningvlei community in the Kgalagadi District Municipality in the Northern Cape Province. This study was part of the "Tshwaragano Project" with the general aim of empowering the disadvantaged communities in rural areas. The aim of this research was to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based disability programme for poverty stricken families in rural areas of the Northern Cape Province. To achieve this aim, the following objectives needed to be attained: w> To study the interrelation between health, poverty and disability? This objective was achieved by means of a critical review and analysis of the relevant literature. It can therefore be concluded that the interrelation between health, poverty and disability is significant. Poverty makes people more vulnerable to disability and disability can lead to isolation, lack of support and lack of resources. Many people still remain ill-fed, ill-housed, under-educated and defenceless to preventable diseases. To establish what the bio-psychosocial needs of the Heuningvlei community with regard to a community-based disability programme are? The researcher also established a profile on the community members with disabilities in the Heuningvlei community. The study showed that the highest prevalence of disabilities involves physical disabilities, with hearing, blindness and mental impairments also represented. The causes of disabilities are mostly illness related causes, substance abuse and natural causes. All three aspects which could, on the whole be prevented through general health awareness and a healthier lifestyle. It was also palpable that crucial disability management- and support services lack in this rural area. Partnership working between government organizations and Non Government Organizations (NGO's) seems a foreign affair and the community members with disabilities and their families an elapsed entity. To design and implement a community-based disability programme for rural areas. This programme was presented successfulfy over a stretch of five group sessions to ten community members with the aim to improve their knowledge regarding disability matters. They also received skills to start their own food garden. By means of this programme the members of the group also enhanced their social functioning and showed great interest in disability awareness and management. To evaluate the effectiveness of this community-based disability programme in empowering community members with disabilities, their care-takers and the wider community to manage disability related matters in a poverty stricken area. The evaluation by utilizing a focus group with the identified key role players in the community. The results obtained through this evaluation indicated that the programme had brought a significant change in the lives of the members. It can therefore be concluded that the programme was very successful and effective in the sense that members felt that there was a transition in their lives. In summary it can be stated that proof has emerged from this research that a scientifically founded, well-planned community-based disability programme can undoubtedly be applied to improve the social functioning of poverty stricken rural families. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.