The extent to which writing can be used to promote learning from laboratory activities has received limited attention in engineering contexts in South Africa. In this study the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH) approach and aspects of academic literacies approach were used to develop laboratory report writing among first year mechanical engineering students. The intervention utilised a modified report writing template for engineering practical sessions which focused on argumentation, conceptual understanding, critical thinking and language literacies. Quantitative and qualitative data were generated via pre-post-analysis of the modified practical report template, Cornell Critical Thinking Test, questionnaires, as well as focus group interviews with students; and individual interviews with staff, on their perceptions of the SWH. The sample (n=56 matched pairs) was divided into three groups through convenience sampling. Group 1 (n=15) utilised an online intervention, Group 2 (n=20) utilised a paper-based intervention and Group 3 (n=21) utilised a standard paper-based laboratory report template. Statistically significant differences with large effect sizes were obtained between group scores from pre- to post-tests in terms of argumentation and language. No differences between the pre-post-test changes in terms of group conceptual scores (n= 91) were found and there was a drop in scores from pre- to post-test in terms of critical thinking (n= 56). Overall, the data indicates that the SWH approach improved students‟ argumentation and language literacies with large effect sizes. Focus group interviews revealed that students believed that the SWH approach made them “think deeper” and that they preferred the intervention (SWH) over the traditional approach. The apparent unawareness of the academics concerned in terms of argument-based inquiry provides a possible answer for their use of assessment strategies focused only on concepts. Focus group interviews revealed that students believed that the SWH approach made them “think deeper” and that they preferred the intervention (SWH) over the traditional approach. The apparent unawareness of the academics concerned in terms of argument-based inquiry provides a possible answer for their use of assessment strategies focused only on concepts.

PhD (English) / Department of English

Thesis(MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: At the end of the previous century the magazine market has established itself as 'n highly specialised field with publications focussing on increasingly smaller and specialised niche groups. The South African market is a good reflection of this with a wide variety of magazines available, each with its own unique readers. However it appears as if architectural reporting fills a very small part of this market. Taking a look at the important role architecture - the built environment - plays in daily life, the question occurs why such an integral part of the human experience and field of reference is getting so little coverage. Across the world the history of architectural reporting goes back for more than a century and, especially in the Developed World it seems to be going from strength to strength. Research into architectural reporting in South Africa shows that the tradition also goes back for nearly one hundred years. Still it has never featured very highly on the content pages of magazines and newspapers. In a country faced with the kind of building and development problems such as those in South Africa, one would expect architecture to be discussed more openly and often. At this stage South Africa has only two magazines which exclusively focuses on architecture. These magazines are not to be found in stores, however. Do they have a responsibility in informing the general public regarding matters surrounding architecture? This study looks at the mentioned magazines and why they operate like they do. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tydskrifmark het die vorige eeu afgesluit as 'n hoogs gespesialiseerde veld met publikasies wat op al hoe kleiner en meer gespesialiseerde nisgroepe fokus. Ook in Suid-Afrika is daar 'n wye verskeidenheid tydskrifte beskikbaar, elkeen met 'n unieke leserssamestelli ng. Tog blyk dit dat argitektuurverslaggewing 'n baie klein deel van hierdie mark uitmaak. Kyk 'n mens kyk die belangrike rol wat argitektuur - die beboude omgewing - in die daaglikse lewe speel, ontstaan die vraag waarom so 'n integrale deel van die mens se ervarings- en verwysingsveld so min aandag kry. Die geskiedenis van argitetkuurverslaggewing wereldwyd is al meer as 'n honderd jaar oud en in sommige oorsese - meesal ontwikkelde -Iande Iyk asof dit gedy. 'n Ondersoek na argitektuurverslaggewing in Suid-Afrika toon dat dit ook hier al byna honderd jaar beoefen word, maar dit het nog nooit enige hoe profiel in die inhoudsopgawes van tydskrifte ingeneem nie. Ook in koerante word dit seide indien ooit bespreek. Veral in 'n land 5005 Suid-Afrika, waar daar groot bouvraagstukke is wat opgelos moet word, sou 'n mens kon verwag dat argitektuur meer prominent bespreek sou word. Daar is op hierdie stadium slegs twee Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrifte wat eksklusief op argitektuur fokus. Tog is hierdie tydskrifte nie op die winkelrakke beskikbaar nie. Het hierdie tydskrifte 'n verantwoordelikheid teenoor die algemene publiek, om hulle meer bewus en ingelig te maak rondom kwessies betreffende argitektuur? Hierdie studie stel ondersoek in na die genoemde tydskrifte en waarom hulle bestuur word 5005 wat wei die geval is.

In this study the main focus of the researcher was to analyse a cheque to identify crime. This study intends to give the forensic investigator a guideline to follow during the analysis of a cheque under investigation. Crimes that could be detected during the analysis of a cheque are fraud, forgery and uttering. Other aspects were also explained to ensure a better understanding of the study, namely: forensic investigation, forensic investigator, identification and crime scenes. Forensic investigation is a systematic search for the truth with the primary purpose of finding a positive solution to a crime. Forensic investigation is not a game of chance, or based on storybook types of coincidences. Therefore, forensic investigators cannot rely on coincidental success to come their way. It is true that luck sometimes plays a role in forensic investigations, but it is the thorough investigator who creates his/her own opportunities and arrives at the right place at the right time. In order for a forensic investigator to strive for excellence, he/she must have a good knowledge of his/her field of work. It is important for the forensic investigator to understand that identification plays an important role in forensic investigation. An additional benefit is derived when one can individualise something because it makes the identification much more valuable. All crime scenes should furthermore be managed in such a way that all physical evidence can be collected in order to ensure successful prosecution and conviction in a court of law. It is the belief of the researcher that because cheques are not acknowledged as crime scenes and therefore not properly handled or protected, many investigations fail in court and the accused are acquitted. / Criminology / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

My goal in this research was to develop a checklist for examining a cheque for information that can be used to identify, individualise and trace the perpetrator of a crime. A further intent was to share and introduce a number of important concepts, namely forensic investigation, identification, individualisation, the Locard principle and crime scene. This research will explain that forensic investigation refers to the using of sophisticated investigation techniques to obtain sufficient information to prove the true facts in a court of law. Further, that identification is the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which an object is definitively recognisable or known, while the individual characteristics establish the individuality of a specific object. To link an individual with a crime scene, many types of evidence may be used and to associate an individual with the performed illegal handling, many types of evidence may be used. These types of evidence are commonly referred to as ”transfer” evidence. This process is also referred to as the ”Locard principle”. Lastly, a crime scene is explained as a place where a crime has occurred. It is also explained to be a ”laboratory of information” and therefore, during a cheque fraud investigation, the cheque is in most cases the only link to information to trace, identify and individualise the perpetrator. Therefore, the cheque should be treated as a crime scene. If forensic investigators use their knowledge of these concepts together with the checklist, it should enhance their investigation skills and empower them to become better equipped for the challenges they face in identifying, individualising and tracing the perpetrators in order to ensure successful prosecution and conviction. I believe all forensic investigators will benefit from what I have discovered through this research and I am very pleased to be able to introduce this checklist to you. / Criminology / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

In this study the main focus of the researcher was to analyse a cheque to identify crime. This study intends to give the forensic investigator a guideline to follow during the analysis of a cheque under investigation. Crimes that could be detected during the analysis of a cheque are fraud, forgery and uttering. Other aspects were also explained to ensure a better understanding of the study, namely: forensic investigation, forensic investigator, identification and crime scenes. Forensic investigation is a systematic search for the truth with the primary purpose of finding a positive solution to a crime. Forensic investigation is not a game of chance, or based on storybook types of coincidences. Therefore, forensic investigators cannot rely on coincidental success to come their way. It is true that luck sometimes plays a role in forensic investigations, but it is the thorough investigator who creates his/her own opportunities and arrives at the right place at the right time. In order for a forensic investigator to strive for excellence, he/she must have a good knowledge of his/her field of work. It is important for the forensic investigator to understand that identification plays an important role in forensic investigation. An additional benefit is derived when one can individualise something because it makes the identification much more valuable. All crime scenes should furthermore be managed in such a way that all physical evidence can be collected in order to ensure successful prosecution and conviction in a court of law. It is the belief of the researcher that because cheques are not acknowledged as crime scenes and therefore not properly handled or protected, many investigations fail in court and the accused are acquitted. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

My goal in this research was to develop a checklist for examining a cheque for information that can be used to identify, individualise and trace the perpetrator of a crime. A further intent was to share and introduce a number of important concepts, namely forensic investigation, identification, individualisation, the Locard principle and crime scene. This research will explain that forensic investigation refers to the using of sophisticated investigation techniques to obtain sufficient information to prove the true facts in a court of law. Further, that identification is the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which an object is definitively recognisable or known, while the individual characteristics establish the individuality of a specific object. To link an individual with a crime scene, many types of evidence may be used and to associate an individual with the performed illegal handling, many types of evidence may be used. These types of evidence are commonly referred to as ”transfer” evidence. This process is also referred to as the ”Locard principle”. Lastly, a crime scene is explained as a place where a crime has occurred. It is also explained to be a ”laboratory of information” and therefore, during a cheque fraud investigation, the cheque is in most cases the only link to information to trace, identify and individualise the perpetrator. Therefore, the cheque should be treated as a crime scene. If forensic investigators use their knowledge of these concepts together with the checklist, it should enhance their investigation skills and empower them to become better equipped for the challenges they face in identifying, individualising and tracing the perpetrators in order to ensure successful prosecution and conviction. I believe all forensic investigators will benefit from what I have discovered through this research and I am very pleased to be able to introduce this checklist to you. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

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