1,720,959 research outputs found
An Exploratory Study of Crime Among High School Learners in Nzhelele East Circuit, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province
Get PDFMA (Youth in Development)Institute for Gender and Youth StudiesHigh school crime has become a major problem all over the world including South Africa. The
aim of this study was to explore the nature, causes and effects of youth crime amongst learners in
high schools in Nzhelele East Circuit. Three high schools known for high crime rate were
purposefully selected. A mixed method approach was adopted. Focus groups were conducted
among the Life Orientation teachers in the selected schools to collect qualitative data, and
questionnaires were administered to learners to collect quantitative data. Purposive sampling was
used to sample Life Orientation teachers for the focus groups. Stratified random sampling was
used to survey 40 grade 10 and 40 grade 11 learners from each of the three high schools (240
learners). Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and the quantitative data was analyzed using
descriptive statistics methods. Consequently, the results from the two methods were compared and
triangulated. Ethical precautionary measures were taken to avoid harm to the research participants.
The study found that a variety of family, economic and environmental factors contribute to crime
in schools. Findings of this study assist the teachers, learners, parents and the Department of
Education authorities in the Vhembe District to gain a better understanding of the nature, causes
and effects of crime among high school learners. Only a multi-pronged strategy can be effective
in overcoming crime which is plaguing many high schools in South Africa.NR
Family factors contributing to high school crime at Nzhelele East Circuit, Vhembe District
Get PDFCrime in high schools has become a major concern all over the world. High schools in Nzhelele East Circuit, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa also experience waves of youth crime perpetrated by learners. The aim of this study was to explore family factors which contribute to youth crime amongst learners in high schools in Nzhelele East Circuit. Three high schools (i.e. Mushaathoni, Nndweleni and Mphephu) known for high rate of crime were selected. Quantitative research approach was used. Survey questionnaires were administered among learners in order to collect quantitative data. Stratified random sampling was used to survey 40 grade 10 and 40 grade 11 learners from each of the three high schools. In total, 240 learners participated in this study. Data was analyzed using the SPSS instrument. Appropriate ethical principals were applied to ensure that research participants were not harmed. The study found that youth crime in high schools was attributed to family factors such as absence of parents, poor parenting style, abuse and domestic violence, poverty, divorce, single parenting and family size. The study recommended the need for a multi-pronged strategy through mobilization of relevant stakeholders (families, community leaders, education authorities, law enforcement agencies and other relevant government department to curb youth crime in high schools.
Key words: Crime, Learners, Bullying; Offenders; Victims; Violence; Youth crime, High schoo
An in-depth exploration of e-learning experiences at the University of Venda amid the pandemic
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic necessitated significant adjustments across various sectors globally, and the education sector was no exception. To adhere to social distancing requirements and ensure continuity in education, E-learning emerged as a viable solution, offering a glimmer of hope in these challenging times. However, this strategy brought its own set of challenges. This study aimed to explore the experiences of students with E-learning, particularly focusing on the obstacles and benefits encountered. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing an exploratory research design to gather comprehensive insights. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, focusing on five University of Venda students registered for the 2021 academic year. Data collection was conducted via one-to-one semi-structured interviews, which allowed for detailed and nuanced responses. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data, identifying key themes and patterns in the students\u27 experiences. The findings highlighted various challenges, such as limited access to reliable internet, lack of digital devices, and difficulties in maintaining motivation and engagement in a virtual learning environment. Despite these challenges, some students appreciated the flexibility and convenience offered by E-learning, highlighting its potential. The study underscores the need for improved infrastructure and support systems to enhance the E-learning experience. These insights can inform policymakers and educational institutions in developing more effective strategies to support students in a digital learning landscape, ensuring that the benefits of E-learning are maximized while minimizing its drawbacks. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on the adaptation of education systems in response to global crises, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability in educational practices
Mapping sustainable gender-based violence accountability ecosystems in rural communities: cases of Vhembe District
Get PDFRural communities have tremendous difficulties in social justice and sustainable development due to the prevalent and ongoing nature of gender-based violence (GBV). This study aims to map sustainable GBV accountability ecosystems in the rural communities of the Vhembe district. The study seeks to discover the contextual elements, institutional mechanisms, and community dynamics that support long-lasting and sustainable response to GBV within the Vhembe District. Through in-depth interviews, the study gathered qualitative data using a qualitative research approach. The study engaged different stakeholders, including survivors, community leaders, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and government representatives, in order to get an in-depth understanding of the current GBV accountability structures and their sustainability. While a non-probability purposive sampling was adopted for the selection of the participants. Data was analysed using the Thematic analysis, with the assistance of Atlas TI Data software. The results of this study brought to light the complex issues that rural communities face in preventing GBV, which includes resource access issues, cultural norms, and weak institutional support. Moreover, the research has revealed the potential practices and community-driven initiatives that support sustainable accountability, including launching community-based support teams, establishing capacity-building programs, and stakeholders’ collaboration. The study findings will significantly assist the policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to develop targeted interventions and strengthen sustainable responses to GBV in rural communities of Vhembe district. Additionally, the ethical considerations were followed to protect the participants from any harm
Exploring the job search journey: unemployed graduates in Vleifontein, Makhado Municipality
Get PDFThe study explored the experiences of unemployed graduates at Vleifontein Village Elim in Makhado Local Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. To achieve the mandate of the study, the researcher adopted a unique qualitative research approach, which gathered in-depth data from the participants. This approach, distinct in its focus on understanding the experiences of unemployed graduates, aided in the elevated understanding of the research problem. The study adopted an exploratory qualitative research design to gather or collect data from the participants, and the researcher used semi-structured interviews consisting of open-ended questions administered face-to-face to observe gestures, emotions, feelings, or even how they react to the questions. Furthermore, purposive sampling was used to select the sample that formed part of the interviews. Additionally, the study adopted the Conflict theory by Karl Marx to integrate with the study. Therefore, the findings of the study deduced that most of the participants understood the meaning of unemployment as their current socio-economic state, both from a financial and psychological perspective. Moreover, on the issue of the challenges, the findings deduced that they are not experienced and skilled enough for the jobs they are applying for. In that light, the study emphasizes the need for increased employment opportunities to minimize the negative impacts faced by unemployed graduates, which includes specialized training of graduates to render services that would make it easier for the graduates to find employment
Effects of uninhabitable off-campus residences on students’ mental health at the University of Venda, Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa
Get PDFThis study aimed to explore the effects of uninhabitable off-campus residences on students’ health at the University of Venda. A qualitative approach was used for an in-depth subject approach. The phenomenological research design was used to understand the meanings of human experience regarding the research problem. Non-probability sampling methods and convenience sampling techniques were used to solicit participants. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Thematic analysis was then used to analyse the data. The study discovered that some students who live in off-campus accommodation are subjected to unhealthy conditions, unsafe environments, and non-study conducive surroundings. The findings also revealed that these students end up being affected by both physical and mental illness. The unpleasant conditions in these facilities are perpetuated by the landlords’ ignorance and unwillingness to invest. Recommended means to deal with the uninhabitable residences include sufficient investment and regular monitoring of the facilities by the facilities’ owners, as well as ensuring cooperation between students, their representatives, and the landlords. Lastly, there is a need to orchestrate policy and interventions to ensure continuous consideration of students’ health, safety, and comfort of off-campus residing students
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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