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The use of indigenous games in the teaching of geometric patterns in mathematics in the intermediate phase
No full textDissertation (M.Ed.(Education in Mathematics))--University of the Free State, 2023The study investigated the use of indigenous games in teaching geometric patterns in mathematics in the Intermediate Phase. The current research aimed at providing findings to using indigenous games in teaching geometric patterns in the intermediate phase. The Motheo Education District served as the site for this investigation that was guided by a method known as the explanatory sequential approach. Questionnaire were distributed to at least fifty educators during the qualitative stage. The findings were identified and categorised. The second stage of study conducted interviews with five educators. The interviews focused on investigating whether educators apply indigenous games in teaching geometric patterns. During the last stage of the research, the researcher observed the lessons of educators to determine whether educators integrate indigenous games as a teaching strategy. The conclusion of the research discovered that methods currently used by educators in teaching geometric patterns were teacher-centred rather than learner-centred. Conventional practice, known as the chalk and talk (or chalk talk) method, were still embraced in mathematics classrooms to teach and geometric patterns. The prior knowledge of learners was hardly prioritised by the educators’. However, this is problematic and can impede the performance of learners. The study revealed that the participants, when they were informed, enjoyed the use of indigenous games in teaching geometric patterns in the Intermediate Phase. Recommendations of the study were made concerning the above findings, particularly regarding further investigation
Assessing e-government readiness in South African municipalities: a case of the Sol Plaatje Municipality
No full textDissertation(M.A.(Governance and Political Transformation))--University of the Free State, 2023This dissertation examines the e-Government readiness of the Sol Plaatje Municipality in South Africa, aiming to identify factors facilitating or hindering the implementation of e-Government initiatives. Through a comprehensive review of literature, policy documents, and empirical evidence, the study explores the intricate dynamics of e-Government, considering its potential to enhance public service delivery and governance transparency. The research employs theoretical frameworks such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the United Nations E-Government Development Index (UN-EGDI) to assess the Municipality's readiness for digital transformation. Findings reveal persistent challenges in technological infrastructure, digital literacy, and citizen awareness, particularly highlighting disparities between urban and rural areas. The study proposes recommendations for infrastructure enhancement, digital literacy programmes, comprehensive awareness campaigns, collaboration with telecom providers, and mobile optimization to bridge these gaps. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of addressing multi-dimensional challenges to foster effective e-Government implementation, offering insights with broader implications for enhancing governance in South Africa and other developing nations
The impact of government social expenditure on economic growth in South Africa
No full textDissertation (MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2023South Africa has been facing persistent socio-economic challenges, including high levels of unemployment, poverty, and income inequality. To tackle these issues, the government has allocated significant resources towards social spending programmes but socio-economic challenges have persisted. It is against this background that this study aims to examine the impact of different components of government social spending on economic growth in South Africa. The study investigated this relationship for the period 1985 to 2019 before the Covid-19 effects.
To establish the relationship between government social expenditure and economic growth, the study adopted the Johansen Cointegration Analysis and Vector Error Correction Model. This study further employed the Granger Causality test, the Variance Decomposition and the Generalised Impulse Response function to assess the causation, to trace the response of the dependent variable to shocks in the error term and the time path of the variables in numerous shocks. Government social protection, educational expenditure and health expenditure were used as the major components of government social expenditure.
The empirical results obtained in this study indicate that aggregate government expenditure, social protection expenditure and gross fixed capital formation have positive significant effects on the performance of the economy. This implies that an increase in these variables promotes economic growth. Conversely, government health expenditure adversely and significantly affects economic growth. Surprisingly, government educational expenditure was not statistically significant. Moreover, looking at the variance decomposition findings, the results indicate that although the changes in economic growth are influenced by aggregate government expenditure, government education expenditure and gross fixed capital formation shocks, in the long-run, its shocks largely contribute to the fluctuations of economic growth. In other words, the changes in economic growth are largely influenced by changes of the previous economic growth.
The results of this study underscore the critical role of government social protection expenditure in fostering long-term economic growth in South Africa. Accordingly, the results suggest that the government should prioritise and potentially increase investments in social safety nets and welfare programs, given the positive impact of social protection expenditure on economic growth. On the other hand, the adverse and significant effect of government health expenditure on economic growth warrants careful consideration. The findings suggest a need for a more efficient allocation of health resources or a revaluation of health expenditure policies to ensure that government spending in this sector aligns more effectively to promote and sustain economic growth. This could involve exploring ways to enhance the effectiveness of healthcare spending or identifying areas for improvement in the health sector to mitigate any negative impact on economic growth. The insignificance of government educational expenditure suggests a potential need for targeted reforms or enhanced efficiency in the educational sector to align it more closely with economic growth objectives. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to optimise the impact of social spending on economic growth in South Africa
The value of Technetium-99-Metastable-Ethylenedicysteine-eoxyglucose (⁹⁹ᴹTC-EC-DG) imaging in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Nuclear Medicine))--University of the Free State, 2023Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease that is usually associated with synovitis that can lead to progressive joint damage if not managed appropriately. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment offer a good prognosis in patients with RA. However, treatment monitoring remains challenging for the rheumatologist as it is sometimes difficult to differentiate true remission from subclinical disease. Several modalities are available for assessing disease activity in patients with RA. This usually involves a combination of the clinical assessment of involved joints, laboratory and imaging investigations. Imaging with ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are considered to be among the most sensitive methods of assessing disease activity. However, these modalities are not without shortcomings. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of technetium-99-metastable ethylenedicysteine-deoxyglucose (⁹⁹ ͫ Tc-EC-DG) in the management of patients with RA. Using ⁹⁹ ͫ Tc-EC-DG to identify synovitis and offer prognostic information was investigated. Its usefulness in assessing treatment response compared to US and the diagnostic accuracy of identifying the disease compared to US was also investigated.
A prospective study was conducted at the Department of Nuclear Medicine of the University of the Free State/Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Twenty-two participants seen at the Rheumatology Unit of the Department on Internal Medicine, diagnosed with RA, were enrolled according to the American College of Rheumatology/ European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria. Participants were injected with 20–25 millicurie (mCi) of ⁹⁹ ͫ Tc-EC-DG. Flow, blood pool, whole body, delayed static, and SPECT/CT images were acquired. Known disease sites were qualitatively assessed for the intensity of uptake, and disease severity was graded (Grade 0–3). On the same day, US imaging of the most affected joints was performed in addition to blood samples being obtained from each participant for baseline C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody titre. All imaging and laboratory investigations were performed at baseline, six weeks and six months follow-up after baseline findings in 20 of the participants.
The median (interquartile range) age was 59 (49–68) years, and the majority (n=21; 95.5%) of patients were female. An abnormally increased uptake of ⁹⁹ ͫ Tc-EC-DG was noted in the majority of the sites of known disease, including unknown sites. SPECT/CT imaging localised tracer uptake specifically to the synovial space. Fourteen (63.6%) of the 22 participants had elevated RF and anti-CCP antibody titres. A significant correlation between higher grade uptake and increased levels of RF and anti-CCP antibodies (p=0.031) was observed. A total of 404 joints were evaluated by ⁹⁹ ͫ Tc-EC-DG and US imaging. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy of ⁹⁹ ͫ Tc-EC-DG SPECT/CT imaging were 86%, 60%, 61%, 85% and 73%, respectively, using US as the gold standard. A sensitivity of 100% was noted in the identification of synovitis in the carpal and knee joints. Disease activity in the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints was not observed with either ⁹⁹ ͫ Tc-EC-DG or US imaging. The level of agreement between US and ⁹⁹ ͫ Tc-EC-DG imaging in assessing therapy response was 33.3 %, 11.6 % and 6.67 % for the knees, hands and wrist joints, respectively.
⁹⁹ ͫ Tc-EC-DG is a safe radiopharmaceutical that can effectively assess disease activity in the joints of patients with RA, with a strong correlation between high-grade disease on imaging and the presence of RF and anti-CCP antibodies. It has a high sensitivity in detecting synovitis when compared to US imaging. However, it has a poor correlation in the assessment of treatment response in comparison to US findings, which might be attributed to its ability to better detect subclinical disease. Using ⁹⁹ ͫ Tc-EC-DG offers facilities with only SPECT or SPECT/CT cameras an opportunity to investigate patients with RA
Teaching and training experiences within applied master’s in psychology programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic: students’ perspectives
No full textDissertation(M.Soc.Sc.(Psychology))--University of the Free State, 2023The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges to Applied Master’s programmes in Psychology, altering traditional teaching and training methods. While extensive research has explored the pandemic’s broader implications for higher education, insights into its influence
on postgraduate Psychology education remain limited. This study addresses this gap, employing Rønnestad and Skovholt (2003) counselor development model to analyse the impact on students’ developmental paths.
This study uses a qualitative research design to investigate eight distinct cases of Applied Master’s Psychology students across various South African universities. Through semistructured interviews, data were gathered and subsequently analysed through thematic analysis. Five main themes emerged from this exercise: 1) Lose and lost, 2) Not knowing, 3) Going virtual, 4) I am in need, and 5) Rising from the experience. Collectively, these themes highlight the multiple influences of the pandemic on the academic experiences of Applied Master’s in Psychology students.
This research’s significant contribution is how it aligns the identified themes with Rønnestad and Skovholt (2003) model, offering deeper insights into how the transition affected key aspects of counselor/therapist development. Additionally, the study emphasises the
significant role of institutional support and innovative teaching methodologies in enhancing learning experiences amidst a sudden virtual transition. The findings highlight the need for adaptive strategies and reforms within Applied Master’s Psychology programmes, advocating for flexible educational strategies that equip future psychologists to navigate global crises effectively
Heat pulse velocity method for determining water requirements in rainfed sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium L.)
No full textIt is imperative to possess a comprehensive understanding of the water consumption patterns of sweet cherry trees under rainfed conditions. This study investigates the water use of sweet cherry using the heat pulse velocity sap flow method. Tree response to drying soil conditions over two consecutive measurement periods (September 2017 to December 2018) in the eastern Free State, South Africa, is also evaluated. During the post-harvest period (December), there was a continuous increase in daily water consumption by trees, in conjunction with an increase in canopy cover, even though the crop load was reduced. Measured sap flow was positively correlated to net radiation, air temperature, and water vapour pressure deficit. The transpiration rates ranged from 1.2 to 3.5 L d-1 during the flowering stage (day of year, DOY, 244 – 270) and showed an increasing trend as the days progressed. During the ripening stage (DOY 271 – 292), transpiration rates decreased from 4.5 to 1.1 L d-1 over the 2018 season. This decreasing trend from the previous growth stage was due to soil drying and scorching weather conditions that led to trees experiencing water stress. Sap flow measurements, however, showed typical characteristics of the diurnal trend during selected days during varying weather conditions. The fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) threshold varied for different fruit growth stages and approached 1.0 for different stress levels. FTSW exceeded 0.4 when sweet cherry trees utilised stored soil water, while the transpiration rates declined during prolonged hot days. Moreover, the stress coefficient factor ranged between 0.45 – 0.65 for different growth stages. The daily soil water content varied, and soil evaporation was expected to increase during hot and dry days. In the early stage of a dry spell, soil water content did not directly affect the transpiration rate. Sweet cherry trees are susceptible to soil water deficit at different stages of fruit development. More research is required to understand transpiration as an irrigation management and planning indicator.Publisher's versio
Occupational markers and supportive structures in individuals with developmental dyslexia: an occupational therapy perspective
No full textDissertation(M.OccTh.(Occupational Therapy)--University of the Free State, 2023: Early identification leading to appropriate intervention and support for individuals with developmental dyslexia is paramount in the optimal management of this neurodevelopmental disorder. In the absence of clearly defined genetic markers, developmental dyslexia are currently noted through the behavioural signs (in the current study referred to as occupational markers) displayed by an individual with developmental dyslexia. Despite the call of international researchers for the development of a dyslexic profile as opposed to a single deficit in the identification of developmental dyslexia, a gap in research defining a dyslexic profile still exists. This indicated the need for further research to aid in the identification of occupational markers that may contribute to the compilation of a possible dyslexic profile as well as identification of possible supportive structures for individuals with developmental dyslexia. The aim of the study was to identify possible occupational markers for developmental dyslexia as well as supportive structures that may guide intervention.
: The study followed the guidelines provided by Arksey and O’Malley to conduct a scoping study utilizing the 5 Stage framework.
: The first scoping study revealed the presence of possible occupational markers that may be indicative of the presence of developmental dyslexia in an individual. Dyslexic strengths were also noted and may contribute to a possible dyslexic profile. The second scoping study investigated the supportive structures available to individuals with developmental dyslexia, noting social support (as described in the PEOP model) as a major contributor. The results also indicated that early identification served as means of support thus highlighting the importance of timely identification.
: The results of the research may inform the compilation of a dyslexic profile thus enabling early identification of individuals with developmental dyslexia. The use of a profile will also enable identification irrespective of language and culture thus promoting inclusion and occupational justice.
: Further research should be conducted to investigate the use of occupational markers to aid in the compilation of a dyslexic profile as well as supportive structures available to individuals within the South African context. The knowledge of occupational markers could also guide research within the South African context to develop a screening tool. The current research may also inform the development of an interdisciplinary working model to foster interprofessional communication and guide future research
Filamentous fungi for sustainable remediation of pharmaceutical compounds, heavy metal and oil hydrocarbons
No full textThis review presents a comprehensive summary of the latest research in the field of bioremediation with filamentous fungi. The main focus is on the issue of recent progress in remediation of pharmaceutical compounds, heavy metal treatment and oil hydrocarbons mycoremediation that are usually insufficiently represented in other reviews. It encompasses a variety of cellular mechanisms involved in bioremediation used by filamentous fungi, including bio-adsorption, bio-surfactant production, bio-mineralization, bio-precipitation, as well as extracellular and intracellular enzymatic processes. Processes for wastewater treatment accomplished through physical, biological, and chemical processes are briefly described. The species diversity of filamentous fungi used in pollutant removal, including widely studied species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Verticillium, Phanerochaete and other species of Basidiomycota and Zygomycota are summarized. The removal efficiency of filamentous fungi and time of elimination of a wide variety of pollutant compounds and their easy handling make them excellent tools for the bioremediation of emerging contaminants. Various types of beneficial byproducts made by filamentous fungi, such as raw material for feed and food production, chitosan, ethanol, lignocellulolytic enzymes, organic acids, as well as nanoparticles, are discussed. Finally, challenges faced, future prospects, and how innovative technologies can be used to further exploit and enhance the abilities of fungi in wastewater remediation, are mentioned.Publisher's versio
The audit expectation gap: a private company perspective
No full textDissertation (MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2023Differences between what financial statement users expect from external auditors and what the external audit actually delivers, give rise to the widely researched phenomenon of ‘the audit expectation gap’. Most extant research focuses on public, listed companies, the findings of which are not necessarily generalisable to private companies which are subject to audit.
By focusing on the ‘evolution gap’ component of the audit expectation gap, this study aimed to determine to what extent the expectations of the users of audited private company financial statements differ from what is delivered by the audit engagement undertaken in accordance with applicable audit requirements, which includes International Standards on Auditing, International Standards on Quality Management, the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants and relevant legislation, such as the Companies Act of South Africa 2008 and the Auditing Profession Act, 2005..
This qualitative, phenomenological study is positioned in the interpretive, constructivist paradigm, and uses induction as the approach to theory development. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 participants in two financial statement user groups: Management and Shareholders (n=12) and External Stakeholders (n=8), which included participants from banking institutions and the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Data was analysed by using inductive coding to identify codes, which were categorised and synthesised into themes. Four themes emerged from the data.
The theme ‘Users of audited financial statements’ identified the users of private company financial statements as members of executive management, shareholders, providers of finance and SARS. The theme of ‘Audit purpose perceptions’ considered those areas typically identified as contributors to the audit expectation gap in public, listed companies. Private company financial statement users shared the expectations that auditors should verify compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to the company and should verify the effectiveness of all internal controls implemented by the company. Participants also expected auditors to detect all errors when underlying company financial records are transferred to the formal set of financial statements, although they did not expect auditors to detect all errors in the financial records itself.
Participants, furthermore, expected auditors to play an advisory role where doubt exists over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Participants, however, did not expect auditors to detect all fraud, which is the most common expectation in the context of public, listed companies.
‘Audit value perceptions’ addressed factors that participants did not necessarily view as the primary role of the auditor, but which they expected to receive as a consequence of the audit as a value-adding service. This included various forms of advisory services and agency conflict resolution, amongst others. It was also evident from the responses of participants in the Management and Shareholders group that they either misunderstand or have a lower requirement for ‘Auditor independence’ than set by applicable audit requirements.
This study underlined the differences between public, listed companies and private companies, emphasising that findings in research on public, listed companies cannot be generalised to private companies. Various factors known to contribute to the audit expectation gap in public, listed companies, were confirmed as not being present in private companies, while additional contributors in the private company context were identified.
The findings in this study enable registered auditors, professional accountancy bodies and audit regulators to respond appropriately to the contributors to the audit expectation gap in private companies, which could lead to the improved relevance of private company audits
The journey of a versatile singer: an autoethnographic study of preparing and performing five different vocal genres and styles
No full textThesis(Ph.D.(Odeion School of Music))--University of the Free State, 2023This project is an autoethnographic study aimed at developing the vocal–technical versatility required to perform various Western art music styles and genres appropriately while maintaining a singer’s vocal health. Vocal quality is mainly dependent on glottal closure (also known as glottal adduction), which can be categorised into firm and loose glottal adduction. Vocal registration is strongly interrelated with glottal adduction: simply put, firm glottal adduction corresponds to heavy registration and loose glottal adduction to light registration. Furthermore, vocal registration influences the vertical laryngeal position and subglottal pressure and its varying degrees ideally relate directly to different approaches to styles and genres. I came to realise during my professional career that different vocal registrations are appropriate to different vocal styles of Western art music. These considerations led me to my research question: How might a singer develop the vocal–technical versatility needed to meet the demands of performing diverse vocal genres and styles? The existing scholarly literature does not provide singers with concrete advice regarding vocal–technical adjustment for singing across all the major vocal styles and genres of Western art music while at the same time maintaining vocal versatility. Consequently, my goal with this project was to generate these answers through praxis and making explicit the tacit knowledge embedded in my five examination performances, namely: (1) Bach oratorio; (2) verismo opera; (3) Viennese operetta; (4) 19th-century Lied; and (5) 20th- and 21st-century art song. This project resides in the field of artistic or practice-based research in which I, the performer, became the researcher and used my practical experience as a research tool. In order to describe the personal sensory experiences of my singing, I decided to follow an autoethnographic approach within the paradigm of practice-based research.
Central to this investigation was the documentation of the physical processes at play during the preparation period; in producing this documentation, I aimed at describing, in written form, the tacit knowledge of the ways I adapted vocal–technically to the different styles and genres. The data were collected in three ways: (1) by keeping a journal and/or using annotations of my preparation process; (2) informal recordings of my rehearsal period; and (3) video recordings of the actual performances. Critical self-reflection constituted the basis of the data analysis, a process that was conducted as follows: close listening to the examination video recordings in which I analysed the outcomes of my preparation period and compared my findings of the examinations with those of the examiners by consulting their reports. My enquiry revealed that I was able to develop vocal–technical versatility across the five vocal styles and genres by focusing consciously on the appropriate configuration of heavy and light registration. The use of voix mixte played a significant role in the colouration of the voice, which necessitates using light registration (regardless of whether the relevant performance situation gravitates more towards mainstream or historically informed performance). I conclude that my findings suggest that it is possible for singers to adjust their vocal technique convincingly to interpret the different performance practices and styles applicable to the genres which are discussed in this thesis