Thesis (MPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study seeks to document the emergence of programme evaluation in South Africa. The value of the study lies in the fact that no extensive study on the history of programme evaluation in South Africa has been undertaken before. In order to locate the study within an international context, the study commences with a description of how programme evaluation developed as a sub discipline of the social sciences in other countries. In terms of the South African context, the NGO sector, public sector and professionalisation of programme evaluation is considered. Through this study, it is proposed that the emergence of programme evaluation in South Africa is directly linked to donor activities in the NPO sector. This leads to a discussion of the advancement of monitoring and evaluation in the public sector – specifically the role played by government in institutionalising monitoring and evaluation. Finally, the professionalisation of the evaluation field is also included. The study commenced with a thorough document analysis to gather data on both the international context as well as the South African context. In terms of gathering data on South Africa, data on certain aspects of the emergence of programme evaluation was very limited. To augment the limited data on the local front, face to face and telephonic interviews were conducted. Through these conversations, valuable additional non-published resources and archaic documents were discovered and could be included in the study to produce a comprehensive picture of the emergence of programme evaluation in South Africa. A number of salient points emerge from the thesis. Firstly, there are both similarities and differences between the United States and the UK when considering the emergence of programme evaluation internationally. Secondly, South Africa followed a different trajectory to the USA and UK, where programme evaluation originated within government structures and was consequently a top down occurrence. In South Africa, programme evaluation emerged through donor activity and therefore occurred from the bottom up. Thirdly, in comparison to the US and UK, the South African government did not initially play a significant role in the advancement of monitoring and evaluation (M&E). However, it is within this sector that M&E became institutionalised in South Africa. Finally, the professionalisation and development of programme evaluation in South Africa can be attributed to the first generation evaluators of the 1990s. It is the critical thinking and initiative taken by these individuals that stimulated the field. It is hoped that this study will constitute only the first step into the documentation of programme evaluation’s history in South Africa as there are many areas where further investigation is still required. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die opkoms van program evaluering in Suid-Afrika. Die waarde van die studie is gekoppel aan die feit dat daar nog nie vantevore so ‘n uitgebreide studie rondom die geskiedenis van program evaluering onderneem is nie. Ten einde die studie binne ‘n internasionale konteks te plaas, word ‘n beskrywing gegee van hoe program evaluasie as ‘n subdissipline van die sosiale wetenskappe in ander lande ontwikkel het. In terme van die plaaslike konteks word die NPO sektor, die publieke sektor en die professionalisering van program evaluering ondersoek. ‘n Hipotese word voorgelê dat die opkoms van program evaluering in Suid- Afrika direk verwant hou met internasionale skenkerorganisasies se aktiwiteite in Suid-Afrika. Daarna volg ‘n bespreking van die groei van monitering en evaluering in die publieke sektor. Laastens word die professionalisering van die evaluasie domein ook bespreek. Die beginpunt van die studie was ‘n deeglike dokumentêre analise ten einde inligting in te samel oor die internasionale sowel as plaaslike konteks. In die geval van Suid-Afrika was die data baie beperk in sommige areas, veral rondom die geskiedenis van program evaluering. Ten einde die data aan te vul, is telefoniese en persoonlike onderhoude gevoer met sleutelpersone in die betrokke sektore. Deur die gesprekke is toegang verkry tot waardevolle addisionele ongepubliseerde bronne en historiese dokumente. Die ontdekking en insluiting van die dokumente verseker dat ‘n volledige beeld geskets word rondom die opkoms van program evaluering in Suid- Afrika. ‘n Aantal betekenisvolle bevindings volg vanuit die studie. Eerstens, daar is beide ooreenkomste en verskille in die manier wat program evaluering in Amerika en die Verenigde Koninkryk tot stand gekom het. Tweedens, Suid-Afrika volg ‘n verskillende perogatief in vergelyking met Amerika en die Verenigde Koninkryk waar program evaluering sy ontstaan binne die regering gehad het en ook deur die regering “afgedwing is”. In Suid-Afrika, kan program evaluering se opkoms in teenstelling daarmee direk gekoppel word aan die betrokkenheid van ‘n skenker organisasie. Derdens, in vergelyking met Amerika en die Verenigde Koninkryk het die Suid-Afrikaanse regering aanvanklik nie ‘n betekenisvolle rol gespeel in die vooruitgang van monitering en evaluering nie. Dit is egter noemenswaardig dat die publieke sektor die institusionalisering van monitering en evaluering teweegebring het. Laastens, kan die professionalisering en groei van program evaluering in Suid-Afrika grootliks toegeskryf word aan die bydrae van die eerste generasie evalueerders van die 1990s. Dit is grootliks die persone se bydrae in die vorme van kritiese denke en inisiatief wat die veld gestimuleer en bevorder het. Dit is my hoop dat hierdie studie gevolg sal word deur die voortdurende dokumentasie van die geskiedenis en verloop van program evaluering in Suid-Afrika.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The thesis investigates the research methods employed by South African sociological researchers, as published in academic peer-reviewed journals during the period 1990 to 2009. Specific attention was given to the trends in terms of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and related methods employed. Methodological pluralism, the viewpoint that a mature sociology should incorporate explanatory, predictive and humanistic methods, has been the focus of various authors internationally and locally. A concern that has been reiterated in the literature is that an over-emphasis on one methodology or one type of method is unhealthy for the development of the social sciences in a country. No recent review of the methods and methodologies employed in sociology in South Africa has been conducted, and with no clear view of the recent and current situation, no strategy can be formulated to address this potential concern. This thesis aims to address this issue by describing the situation in South Africa from 1990 to 2009. The empirical research presented in this thesis employed a content analysis design and quantitative methodology. Data were obtained from a sample of research articles collected from various online databases. Probability sampling was conducted, by making use of the method of stratified systematic sampling with a random start. Data analysis was both cross-sectional and longitudinal, and made use primarily of descriptive statistics, but bivariate analysis and chi-square tests were also employed. Various aspects of the research reported in the articles were analysed, which included methodology, research design, sampling methods, data collection methods, data analysis methods and author collaboration. The main findings of the thesis are that, during the past two decades both quantitative and qualitative methodologies have been employed to an equal extent, but that the use of non-probability sampling methods was higher than anticipated. Both local and international collaboration has increased over the past 20 years, and a quantitative methodology was significantly more likely if international collaborators were involved in the research. The thesis concludes that research methods in general, and sampling methods in particular, are poorly reported in published sociological research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis ondersoek die navorsingsmetodes wat deur Suid Afrikaanse outeurs gebruik is tydens die tydperk 1990 tot 2009 wanneer hulle sosiologiese artikels in akademiese, eweknie-beoordeelde vaktydskrifte gepubliseer het. Aandag is spesifiek verleen aan metodologiese tendense in terme van kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodologie en gepaardgaande metodes. Verskeie internationale en plaaslike outeurs fokus op metodologiese pluralisme: die standpunt dat ʼn gesonde sosiologie ondersoekende, voorspellende en humanistiese metodes moet gebruik. Die besorgdheid wat herhaaldelik voorkom in die literatuur is dat ʼn oorbeklemtoning op net een metodologie en dié se verwante metodes ongesond is vir die ontwikkeling van die sosiale wetenskappe in ʼn land. Daar is geen onlangse oorsig van die metodes en metodologieë wat in die sosiologie in Suid Afrika gebruik word nie, en sonder hierdie inligting kan daar nie ʼn strategie ontwerp word om die potensiële besorgdheid aan te spreek nie. Hierdie tesis het ten doel om hierdie kwessie aan te spreek deur die situasie in Suid Afrika vanaf 1990 tot 2009 te beskryf. Die empiriese navorsing in die tesis wend ʼn inhouds-analise navorsingontwerp en ʼn kwantitatiewe metodologie aan. Data is ingesamel deur gebruik te maak van ʼn steekproef van navorsings-artikels wat versamel is vanaf verskeie aanlyndatabasisse. ʼn Waarskynlikheidsteekproef is getrek deur gebruik te maak van gestratifiseerde sistematiese steekproefneming met ʼn lukrake beginpunt. Data-ontleding was beide kruissnydend en longitudinaal, en het hoofsaaklik vanbeskrywende statistiek gebruik gemaak, maar tweeveranderlike ontleding en chi-kwadraat toetse is ook aangewend. Verskeie aspekte van die navorsing wat in die artikels geraporteer word, is ontleed, insluitend: metodologie, navorsingsontwerp, streekproefmetodes, data-insamelingsmetodes, en outeursamewerking. Die hoofbevindinge van die tesis was dat beide kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe metodologieë in ’n gelyke mate aangewend word, maar dat nie-ewekansige steekproefmetodes meer gebruik word as wat te verwagte is. Samewerking, beide tussen plaaslike outeurs asook tussen plaaslike en internasionale outeurs, het oor die afgelope 20 jaar toegeneem, en ‘n kwantitatiewe metodologie was beduiend meer waarskynlik as internasionale medewerkers in die navorsing betrokke was. Die tesis kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat navorsingsmetodes oor die algemeen, en steekproefmetodes in besonder, swak gerapporteer word in gepubliseerde sosiologiese navorsing.

Thesis (PhD (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this metamethodological study was to construct a typology of designs for social research in the built environment, i.e., architecture, urban design and planning. Currently there is no such typology, while the notion of “research design” is relatively unknown in methodological literature in the built environment field. An outline of the dimensions of social research provided a theoretical lens for methodological analysis, and identified six methodological considerations as classification criteria, including (1) research context, (2) research aim, (3) research purpose, (4) methodological paradigm, (5) methodological approach, and (6) source of data. Exploratory interviews and a survey and methodological content analysis of built environment theses provided a better understanding of methodological issues in conducting social research in the built environment and the potential relevance of a typology of designs. A review of methodological literature identified 25 research design subtypes that can be clustered into 10 prototypical designs for inclusion in the typology, namely: (1) surveys, (2) experiments, (3) modelling, simulation, mapping and visualization, (4) textual and narrative studies, (5) field studies, (6) case studies, (7) intervention research, (8) evaluation research, (9) participatory action research, and (10) metaresearch. A survey and methodological content analysis of journal articles determined the extent to which these designs feature in social research in the built environment. Although all the designs and subtypes feature, metaresearch, case studies, evaluation research and surveys predominate. An initial typology classified the 10 prototypical designs in terms of the six methodological considerations. The typology was tested to see how well it classified the designs of actual studies and revised accordingly. Possible benefits of the typology include greater clarification, improved teaching and decision-making, and methodological reflection. Thus, the typology may support lecturers, students, supervisors, researchers, peer-reviewers and practitioners to have a more articulate, reflexive, and critical orientation with regard to research design to maximize the validity of findings and advance theory, methodology and practice in built environment disciplines. The study concludes that the typology may also mitigate post-modern criticisms against social research in the built environment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie metametodologiese studie was om `n tipologie van ontwerpe vir sosiale navorsing in die bou-omgewing (d.w.s. argitektuur, stadsontwerp en beplanning) te konstrueer. Tans is daar geen so tipologie nie, terwyl die nosie van “navorsingsontwerp” relatief onbekend is in metodologiese literatuur in die bou-omgewing veld. `n Uiteensetting van die dimensies van sosiale navorsing het `n teoretiese lens vir metodologiese analises verskaf en ses metodologiese konsiderasies as klassifikasie kriteria geïdentifiseer, insluitend (1) navorsingskonteks, (2) navorsingsoogmerk, (3) navorsingsdoelwit, (4) metodologiese paradigma, (5) metodologiese benadering, en (6) data bron. Verkennende onderhoude en `n opname en metodologiese inhoudsanalise van bou-omgewing tesisse het `n beter begrip van metodologiese kwessies in sosiale navorsing in die bou-omgewing en die moontlike relevansie van `n tipologie van ontwerpe verskaf. `n Oorsig van metodologiese literatuur het 25 navorsingsontwerp subtipes geïdentifiseer wat in 10 prototipe ontwerpe gegroepeer kan word vir insluiting in die tipologie, naamlik (1) opnames, (2) eksperimente, (3) modellering, simulasie, kartering en visualisering, (4) tekstuele en narratiewe studies, (5) veldstudies, (6) gevallestudies, (7) intervensie navorsing, (8) evaluasie navorsing, (9) deelnemende aksie navorsing, en (10) metanavorsing. `n Opname en metodologiese inhoudsanalise van joernaal artikels het die mate waartoe hierdie ontwerpe in sosiale navorsing in die bou-omgewing voorkom bepaal. Alhoewel al die ontwerpe en subtipes voorkom, is metanavorsing, gevallestudies, evaluasie navorsing en opnames predominant. `n Aanvanklike tipologie het die 10 prototipe ontwerpe in terme van die ses metodologiese konsiderasies geklassifiseer. Die tipologie is getoets om te sien hoe goed dit die ontwerpe van werklike studies klassifiseer en dienooreenkomstig gewysig. Moontlike voordele van die tipologie sluit in verbeterde klarifikasie, onderrig, besluitneming en metodologiese refleksie. Die tipologie kan dus dosente, studente, studieleiers, navorsers, beoordelaars en praktisyns ondersteun om `n meer geartikuleerde, refleksiewe en kritiese oriëntasie ten opsigte van navorsingsontwerp te hê om die geldigheid van bevindinge te maksimeer en teorie, metodologie en praktyk in bou-omgewing dissiplines te bevorder. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat die tipologie ook postmoderne kritiek teen sosiale navorsing in die bou-omgewing kan mitigeer.

Thesis (MPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / In the TIMMS-R report, which compared the performance of a South African cohort of learners with international peers in Science (and Mathematics), Howie (1999) highlighted that: • The biographical information of the South African cohort who performed below par in comparison with international peers indicated that they wrote the TIMMS literacy test in a second or third language. • Non-primary language learners spend considerably more time on homework compared to primary language learners. • There is no linear relationship between the amount of time spent on homework in Science and the average literacy level in the learning area amongst South African learners. Leveraging on the TIMMS report cited above, this study sought to establish the interrelationship between learning and being assessed in a non-primary language on one the hand and related performance on the other. Specifically, this study sought to establish the performance of non-primary language learners compared to primary language learners in the Natural Sciences Common Task for Assessment (CTA). There is a groundswell of evidence mounting that tends to suggest that primary language learners outperform their non-primary language counterparts in batteries of assessment instruments. This, however, is always clouded by other extraneous factors, chief amongst which, in the South African context at least, is the strong correlation between studying in a non-primary language and family socio-economic status (SES). SES has been identified elsewhere as a determinant of scholastic achievements(Blignaut, 1981; HCDS –WC, 2006).

Thesis (MPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Qualitative and quantitative research implies different meta-theoretical approaches to knowledge production. The former maintains a constructivist and interpretative perspective, as opposed to the latter, which exists within a realist and even positivist paradigm. Within the field of research methodology, the dominant conceptualisation of validity is based on a positivist discourse, which suggests that (social) scientific research should strive to attain an ultimate truth. This understanding of validity is difficult to achieve within a research paradigm that values the idiosyncratic world views of the participants under investigation. The introduction of CAQDAS (Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software), however, brought with it the hope that its application would confer upon qualitative research the rigour associated with validity in a mainly positivist interpretation of the research process. The ultimate goal of this thesis is to determine whether CAQDAS can make a significant contribution to efforts aimed at validating qualitative research. The research design employed in the present study is that of a descriptive content analysis, focussing on scientific articles that not only report qualitative studies, but also make explicit reference to the use of CAQDAS, and describe validation techniques applied during the research process. Purposive sampling was applied to select 108 articles, published from 1996 to 2009, that meet the sampling criteria and that were identified through online searches of various bibliographic databases and search engines. The study investigates three predominant research questions concerned with the following: (1) the most commonly used software programmes; (2) trends in CAQDAS use over time; as well as (3) the validation techniques reported in examined scientific articles, distinguishing between techniques that are performed with and without the use of CAQDAS. With regard to the first two research questions, it was found that the three most commonly used software programmes are QSR N programmes (including NUD.IST, NVivo, N4, N5 and N6), followed by Atlas.ti and MAXqda (including the earlier version winMAX), and that there has been a general increase over iv the past 13 years (1996-2009) in the number of qualitative research articles reporting CAQDAS use. The exploration of validation techniques utilised in qualitative research, as reported in the examined scientific articles, demonstrated that the techniques are in most cases performed manually. Although CAQDAS offers many benefits, the predominant validation techniques reported can be, and still are, performed without CAQDAS. Techniques that would have been impossible without CAQDAS are based on the data display features of CAQDAS, as well as on the accuracy and consistency offered by CAQDAS in the execution of certain actions. The findings generated by this study seem to support the hypothesis that CAQDAS per se does not enhance validity, since it is predominantly utilised as merely a research tool. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsing is gegrond op verskillende meta-teoretiese benaderings tot die lewering van inligting. Eersgenoemde handhaaf ‘n konstruktivistiese en interpretatiewe perspektief, teenoor laasgenoemde, wat binne ‘n paradigma bestaan wat gegrond is op realisme en positivisme. Binne die veld van navorsingsmetodologie, is die oorwegende konseptualisering van geldigheid, gebaseer op ‘n positivistiese diskoers, wat voorstel dat (sosiale) wetenskaplike navorsing daarna moet streef om ‘n absolute waarheid te bereik. Hierdie begrip van geldigheid word moeilik verwesenlik binne ‘n navorsingsparadigma wat waarde heg aan die ideosinkratiese wêreldbeskouinge van die navorsingsdeelnemers. CAQDAS (Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software), is bekend gestel met die hoop dat die gebruik daarvan kwalitatiewe navorsing sal verleen met stiptheid wat met geldigheid geassosieer word, oorwegend binne ‘n positivistiese interpretasie van die navorsingsproses. Die oorkoepelende doelwit van hierdie tesis is om vas te stel of CAQDAS enige betekenisvolle bydrae kan maak tot pogings om die geldigheid van kwalitatiewe navorsing te verbeter. Die navorsingsontwerp van die huidige studie is die van ‘n beskrywende inhoudsanalise, wat fokus op wetenskaplike artikels wat nie net berig oor kwalitatiwe studies nie, maar ook verwys na die gebruik van CAQDAS, en die geldigheidstegnieke wat tydens die navorsingsproses toegepas is, bespreek. Doelgerigte steekproeftrekking is toegepas en 108 artikels, wat gepubliseer is vanaf 1996-2009, was geselekteer op grond van die feit dat hulle aan die seleksie kriteria voldoen. Die artikels was geïdentifiseer deur aanlyn soektogte van verskeie bibliografiese databasisse en soekenjins. Die studie ondersoek drie oorwegende navorsingsvrae met betrekking tot die volgende: (1) die sagteware programme wat die meeste gebruik word; (2) neigings in die gebruik van CAQDAS oor verloop van ‘n tydperk; sowel as (3) die geldigheidstegnieke wat in die ondersoekte wetenskaplike artikels vi gerapporteer word, deur onderskeid te tref tussen tegnieke wat met of sonder die gebruik van CAQDAS uitgevoer word. Met verwysing na die eerste twee navorsingsvrae, was dit gevind dat die drie algemeenste sagteware programme wat gebruik is, QSR N programme (insluitend NUD.IST, NVivo, N4, N5 en N6), gevolg deur Atlas.ti en MAXqda (insluitend die vroëere weergawe winMAX) is, en dat daar oor die algemeen ‘n toename is in die getal kwalitatiewe navorsingsartikels oor die afgelope 13 jaar (1996-2009), wat die gebruik van CAQDAS rapporteer. Die ondersoek na geldigheidstegnieke wat in kwalitatiewe navorsing gebruik word, soos berig in die ondersoekte wetenskaplike artikels, het getoon dat die tegnieke in die meeste gevalle sonder die gebruik van CAQDAS uitgevoer is. Ten spyte van die feit dat die gebruik van CAQDAS voordele inhou, word die meerderheid geldigheidstegnieke wat gerapporteeer word, steeds sonder die gebruik van CAQDAS uitgevoer. Tegnieke wat nie sonder die hulp van CAQDAS uitegevoer kon word nie, is gebaseer op die data vertoningsvermoë van CAQDAS, sowel as op die akkuraatheid en konsekwentheid waarmee CAQDAS sekere opdragte uitvoer. Die bevindinge wat gegenereer is deur hierdie studie blyk asof dit die hipotese ondersteun dat CAQDAS nie opsig self die geldigheid versterk nie, aangesien dit oorwegend bloot as ‘n navorsingsinstrument gebruik word.

Thesis (MPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / The contemporary evaluation literature advocates for and recommends a pluralistic approach to programme evaluation, with some writers contending that the use of multiple and/or mixed methods for the practice is inevitable. The rationale for such an approach encompasses aspects of both the ‘technical’ and the ‘political’ requirements of evaluation practice. A review of evaluation research literature underscores the important role of mixed methods research towards realizing richer evaluation findings, and addressing the pragmatic, democratic and political facets of the evaluation practice. However, it is observed that there is a dearth of literature that focuses on how the use of a mixed methods evaluation approach facilitates the realization of richer conclusions or inferences about programme merit/worth. Thus, the overarching aim of the thesis is to establish how the perception and implementation of mixed methods research among evaluation practitioners influences the nature of inferences they make. This thesis aims at identifying patterns and relationships within and between conceptions and practices of mixed methods evaluation through a descriptive process. The selection of cases is therefore purposive and includes fourteen published evaluation articles on projects/programmes. An analytical framework is developed on the basis of a literature review on mixed methods research and background literature on evaluation research. This framework guides the qualitative content analysis of each case study and the cross-case analysis across the fourteen studies to identify common patterns. The findings reveal two prominent perspectives of mixed methods evaluation prevailing among evaluation practitioners. The first (labeled a ‘strong’ conception) has the intention of and places emphasis on the integration of the qualitative and quantitative components, with the primary objective of obtaining richer evaluation inferences. In this conception, the use of the methods and the data/inferences thereof are synthesized to achieve this goal. This conception is congruent with mixed methods purposes of: - ‘complementarity’ and ‘triangulation’ and is responsive to the ‘technical’ needs of evaluation. The second perspective (labeled a ‘weak’ conception) is silent about the integration of the respective methods or data/findings/inferences, qualifying the use of multiple methods and data in a single study as sufficing for a mixed methods approach. It resonates with justifications of mixed methods research that address issues of: - comprehensiveness, multiple view points, inclusiveness and democracy and seems more tailored to the ‘political’ needs of evaluation. The findings also reveal that the resulting multiple inferences from this ‘weak’ conception can weaken each other when contradicting or inaccurate qualitative and quantitative findings result, especially when the complimentary function of either method is not planned a priori. Therefore within the context of realizing richer and more valid evaluation findings/inferences, it is recommended that the purposes and qualification as mixed methods research of the second perspective be re-considered. It is apparent that in embracing the ‘political’ needs of evaluation practice, this conception seems to eschew the ‘technical’ requirements initially intended for a mixed methods approach. This has implications particularly for the mixed methods purpose of ‘expansion’ and rationales of pluralism, inclusiveness and democracy, which are seemingly popular within programme evaluation practice.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In November 2009, xenophobic violence flared up in De-Doorns, a small rural town which lies in the Breede Valley Municipality of the Western Cape where table grape production is the main economic activity. The De-Doorns violence involved local South African residents as perpetrators and a significant number of migrant workers mostly Zimbabweans as victims. The central purpose of this thesis is to compare the explanations for xenophobic violence given by female victims with explanations drawn from the research community and the mass media covering the De-Doorns incident. The major research question is to find reasons for this De-Doorns violence given by female victims, by the research community and by the print media. The results point to the following motives for xenophobic violence: frustrations that translated into xenophobic violence were driven by labour matters. South Africans believed that Zimbabweans were accepting seasonal farm work from farmers at lower wages than those for locals. The violence was also perceived to have been initiated by labour brokers and by a local ANC councillor. The current investigation indicates that the potential for xenophobia-related violence still exists in South African townships even after the widespread outburst of xenophobic violence of 2008 since refugees and vulnerable migrants remain visible targets. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In November 2009 het xenofobiese geweld opgevlam in De Doorns, ‘n klein landelike dorp in die Breede Vallei munisipaliteit van die Wes Kaap waar die produksie van tafeldruiwe die belangrikste ekonomiese aktiwiteit is. Hierdie geweldadige insident het plaaslike Suid- Afrikaanse inwoners as aanvallers en buitelandse migrante – hoofsaaklik Zimbabweërs – as slagoffers betrek. Die hoofdoel van die tesis is om verklarings vir dié geweld soos gegee deur vroulike slagoffers, deur die navorsingsgemeenskap en deur die koerant-media met mekaar te vergelyk. Die hoof vraag is om redes vir dié geweld in De Doorns soos gestel deur hierdie drie groeperings vas te stel. Die navorsings resultate identifiseer die volgende belangrike motiewe vir xenofobiese geweld: frustrasies omtrent arbeidsaangeleenthede wat aanleiding gegee het tot aggressie. Suid-Afrikaners het geglo dat Zimbabweërs seisoenale arbeidsgeleenthede van boere ontvang het teen laer lone as dié vir plaaslike inwoners. Tweedens, is die belangrike waarneming dat die geweld bevorder is deur arbeidsagente en deur 'n plaaslike ANC raadslid. Hierdie navorsing dui aan dat die potensiaal vir xenofobiesverwante geweld steeds bestaan in Suid-Afrikaanse woongebiede selfs na die reeks geweldadige insidente van 2008 as gevolg van die sigbaarheid van Afrika-migrante in hierdie gebiede.

Thesis advisor: Michael G. Barnett / Elementary science instruction and teacher preparation need improvement for various reasons: 1) preservice teachers lack opportunities to experience (Windschitl, 2003) or observe (Smith, 1999) inquiry science, 2) pre-service teachers have even fewer opportunities to practice teaching science in a classroom settings (Hewson, Tabachnick, Zeichner, & Lemberger, 1999); and 3) methods courses and field experiences fail to provide proper scaffolding and support for science teaching (Crawford, 1999). One way to improve preservice teacher growth and understanding in teaching inquiry science is through supported field based teaching experiences (Eick, Ware, & Williams, 2003). However, research is necessary to examine how innovative field-based science methods courses compare to traditional, university-based science methods course. This mixed methods study compares the experiences of thirty-two preservice teachers with a specific focus on four preservice teachers involved in either a field-based science methods course or a university-based science methods course. It examines the impact of the two courses on preservice teachers' confidence in teaching science content and beliefs regarding the role of inquiry-based science instruction with culturally and linguistically diverse students. Data sources included a pre/post survey that was distributed to preservice teachers in both courses, with additional interviews and final unit reviews for each of the four preservice teacher case studies. Themes were identified and re-examined through an analysis of the data which informed the development of four case studies, two from each class, to investigate specific trends between the two methods courses. Findings indicate that both field- and university-based instruction have strengths and weaknesses. This research suggests that field-based methods have a stronger impact on improving preservice teachers' beliefs and skills in regard to designing inquiry-based instruction for diverse students, while university-based course promotes greater confidence in preservice teachers' ability to teach different science content areas. However, preservice teachers in both courses struggled to create inquiry-based science lessons where students used evidence to support claims or construct explanations. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction.

Cities are composed of multiple interconnected, interdependent infrastructure networks. These networks are expected to continuously operate at near 100\% of their designed service capacities. When the operation of just one of these networks is disrupted the effects are often not contained to a single network. How these networks function and interact is critically important in increasing urban community resilience when subjected to stochastic disruptions. Despite apparent differences in the physical qualities of both infrastructure and cities this work, uses principles of complex network analysis to reveal stunning similarities in the functional topology of infrastructure networks around the globe. Network based models are used to demonstrate how failures cascade between infrastructure networks. The severity of these cascades is shown to be influenced by population, design decisions, and localized variance within the larger infrastructure networks. These results are important for all design, maintenance, retrofitting, and resilience aspects of urban communities.

An increasing trend in both the number of disasters and affected people has been observed, especially during the second half of the 20th century. The physical, economic and social impact that natural hazards have had on a global scale has prompted an increasing interest of governments, international institutions and the academia. This has immensely contributed to improve the knowledge on the subject and has helped multiply the number of initiatives to reduce the negative consequences of natural hazards on people. The scale on which studies supporting disaster risk reduction (DRR) actions are performed is a critical parameter. Given that disasters are recognized to be place-dependent, studying the geographical distribution of disasters on a local scale is essential to make DRR practical and feasible for local authorities, organizations and civilians. However, studying disasters on the local scale is still a challenge due to the constraints posed by scarce data availability. Social vulnerability in many disaster-prone areas is however a pressing issue that needs to be swiftly addressed despite of the many limitations of data for such studies. This thesis explored methodological alternatives to study the geographical distribution of natural disasters and their potential causes in disaster-prone and data-scarce areas. The Samala River catchment in Guatemala was selected as a case study, which is representative of areas with high social vulnerability and data scarcity.  Exploratory methods to derive critical disaster information in such areas were constructed using the geographical and social data available for the study area. The hindrances posed by the available data were evaluated and the use of non-traditional datasets such as nightlights imagery to complement the available data were explored as a way of overcoming the observed limitations. The exploratory methods developed in this thesis aim at (a) deriving information on natural disasters under data-scarce circumstances, (b) exploring the correlation between the spatial distribution of natural disasters and the physical context in order to look for causalities, (c) using open data to study the social context as a potential cause of disasters in data-scarce areas, and (d) mapping vulnerabilities to support actions for disaster risk reduction. Although the available data for the case study was limited in quantity and quality and many sources of uncertainty exist in the proposed methods, this thesis argues that the potential contribution to the development of DRR on a local scale is more important than the identified drawbacks. The use of non-traditional data such as remotely sensed imagery made it possible to derive information on the occurrences of disasters and, in particular, causal relationships between location of disasters and their physical and social context. / El número de desastres y personas afectadas por esos desastres en el mundo han mostrado una tendencia creciente, especialmente en la segunda mitad del siglo veinte. El impacto físico, económico y social que las amenazas naturales han causado a nivel global ha causado que gobiernos, instituciones internacionales y la academia se interesen cada vez más en los desastres causados por esas amenazas. Este interés ha contribuido a mejorar el conocimiento existente sobre desastres y ha contribuido a multiplicar las iniciativas orientadas a reducir sus efectos negativos en las personas. La escala en la cual las iniciativas para la reducción del riesgo de desastres (RRD) se llevan a cabo es un parámetro crítico para su materialización. Hoy en día se reconoce la estrecha relación que existe entre los desastres y los lugares donde éstos se registran. Por esta razón, estudiar la distribución de los desastres en una escala local es esencial para que la RRD sea práctica y factible para autoridades y organizaciones locales, y también para la sociedad civil. Sin embargo, estudiar los desastres en una escala local es aún un problema por resolver debido a las restricciones impuestas por la escasa disponibilidad de datos de alta resolución. A pesar de las dificultades y limitaciones identificadas, la vulnerabilidad social en las regiones propensas a desastres es un problema importante que necesita ser atendido con prontitud. La presente tesis exploró alternativas metodológicas para estudiar la distribución geográfica de los desastres naturales y sus causas potenciales, particularmente en áreas propensas a desastres y en condiciones de información limitada. La cuenca del Río Samalá fue seleccionada como caso de estudio debido a que es un área representativa de áreas propensa a desastres con alta vulnerabilidad social y además escasez de datos. El trabajo de investigación propone métodos exploratorios para extraer información crítica sobre desastres utilizando la información geográfica y social que esté disponible, evaluando los obstáculos impuestos por la reducida disponibilidad de datos. La información existente fue complementada con el uso de fuentes de información no tradicional, e.g. imágenes satelitales de luces nocturnas, como una manera de superar las limitaciones identificadas. Los métodos desarrollados en este trabajo de tesis tuvieron como objetivos (a) obtener información sobre desastres naturales en condiciones de escasez de datos, (b) explorar la correlación entre la distribución espacial de los desastres naturales y su contexto físico para identificar causalidades, (c) utilizar información de libre acceso para estudiar el contexto social de los desastres como causa potencial de los desastres en áreas con escasez de datos, y (d) mapear vulnerabilidades para sustentar acciones para la RRD. Este trabajo de tesis sostiene que la contribución potencial de los métodos propuestos al desarrollo de la RRD en la escala social es más importante que las incertidumbres que implican y las limitaciones creadas por la reducida calidad y cantidad de información para el caso de estudio. El uso de fuentes de información no tradicionales tales como imágenes satelitales hizo posible incrementar la información sobre las incidencias de desastres y, en particular, buscar relación de dependencia entre los lugares particulares en los que los desastres fueron registrados y su contexto físico y social.