Faculty of Accounting and Informatics

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The development of a method to assist in the transformation from procedural languages to object oriented languages with specific reference to COBOL and JAVA
(2002) Wing, Jeanette Wendy
Computer programming has been a science for approximately 50 years. It this time there havebeen two major paradigm shifts that have taken place. The first was from “spaghetti code” to structured programs. The second paradigm shift is from procedural programs to object oriented programs. The change in paradigm involves a change in the way in which a problem is approached, can be solved, as well as a difference in the language that is used. The languages that were chosen to be studied, are COBOL and Java. These programming languages were identified as key languages, and the languages that software development are the most reliant on. COBOL, the procedural language for existing business systems, and Java the object oriented language, the most likely to be used for future development. To complete this study, both languages were studied in detail. The similarities and differences between the programming languages are discussed. Some key issues that a COBOL programmer has to keep in mind when moving to Java were identified.
A systematic framework for the evaluation of rural telecommunications infrastructure
(2002) Nepal, Thiruthlall; Petkov, Doncho
The evaluation of telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas is a complex and messy problem that involves many tangible and intangible factors. Some of them are technical in nature while others are soft, involving social, cultural and political aspects of the problem. The evaluation requires, inter alia, societal intervention, and since societies reflect a multiplicity and diversity of values and goals, the intervention should confront these realities
Never the twain shall meet?: professional and para-professional LIS education and training in a changing information environment
(2003) Raju, Jayarani
This paper reports on aspects of a comparative study of first level library and/or information science (LIS) qualifications offered at South African universities and technikons. The study was conducted in 2002. The qualifications that were the focus of the study included: • the National Diploma: Library and Information Studies (ND: LIS); • the Bachelor of Technology: Library and Information Studies (B.Tech.(LIS)); • the Post-graduate Diploma in Library and/or Information Science; and • the Bachelor of Library and Information Science (B.Bibl.) or equivalent four-year university degree. The study surveyed the views of employers, past students and educators in the LIS field regarding these qualifications and their relevance to the LIS services work environment. It resulted in a number of conclusions some which included: • The study supports the view that general education as provided by a university bachelor’s degree distinguishes between professional and paraprofessional LIS education and training; • The study confirms that the university Post-graduate Diploma in Library and/or Information Science and the B.Bibl. (or equivalent four-year university degree) are established professional LIS qualifications in South Africa; • While the technikon national diploma is generally viewed as a paraprofessional qualification, LIS services employers are not using this qualification in its paraprofessional context with paraprofessional post designations and career progressions separate from designations for clerical staff; • The technikon B.Tech.(LIS) cannot be viewed as a professional LIS qualification as it lacks general education. Furthermore, it is a qualification in the hierarchy of paraprofessional LIS qualifications that runs parallel to the professional LIS career path and thus the B.Tech.(LIS) is not a step in the direction of LIS professionalism. It is part of an alternative career direction; • In view of the traditional purpose of technikon education and training vis-á-vis university education and training, limited general education and not extended general education is necessary in the technikon LIS curriculum. In the time allotted to me this morning, I hope to provide some of the empirical and/or philosophical bases for these conclusions. I hope to do this under the following heads: • General education; • Post-graduate Diploma and the B.Bibl. or equivalent four-year university degree; • National Diploma: Library and Information Studies (ND: LIS); • Bachelor of Technology: Library and Information Studies (B.Tech.(LIS)); • National Qualifications Framework; and • Traditional purpose of university and technikon education and training in South Africa.
Community development through information communication technologies in Ward three of Durban metro
(2004) Majola, Pretty L.
This topic was initiated because of love of community development and information communication application by the researcher. It was further strengthened by taking part during the International Wowen University (Ifu) practice in 2000. The main theme of the study was Information Age. Ifu is well known as the virtual university, which is based in Germany at the University of Hamburg. The researcher, together with eight other women from different countries, designed and developed a model for community development by using ICTs. The model can be used as a basic guide for similar projects. The work, therefore in this thesis is based on personal experiences shared experiences, and research as well as by reading others experiences. This study provides ideas for potential community development by using Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in rural areas with special reference to Ward Three of Durban Metro. The results of the study confirmed the saying “If you can’t beat them join them”. This study reported on research conducted in two different rural areas known as Bamshela and Ward Three. The results from the first area Bamshela, illustrated the way forward for Ward Three. Since the ICTs center exists in Bamshela the author received more information about the centre’s utilisation than its establishment. The focus on the second area emphasises the necessity, awareness and participation in community development. The three specifics focuses on whether there is a need for the ICTs centre for community development. Further more the study focused on areas where ICTs played prominent roles, such as in policy making, education, globalisation, ICTs, community development and participation of community members in community development projects.
An investigation of the management and maintenance of an online subject directory with particular reference to the South African Literature Online resource
(2004) Rakoma, Pamela Portia Thembeka
The aim of the study was to investigate management and maintenance procedures that were used by other sites and how these could be used as a basis for formulating management and maintenance procedures for the SALO subject directory.
An investigation into the factors that affect change in the attitudes of managers in higher educational institutions on reaching positions of authority
(2004) Naidoo, Tigambery
This study aimed to identify the factors that affect change in attitudes of managers reaching positions of authority in Higher Educational Institutions. Traditionally, managers sat in their office and managed organizations. Today the market place demands something different and there is greater emphasis on leadership qualities for those in positions of authority. Today, leaders are needed who have sound principles, ethics, sound values, integrity, human and communication skills. Individuals in leadership positions who lack the skills listed, experience problems leading and managing a modern organization.
A modelling approach to elephant and tree population dynamics for a small game farm
(2005) Stretch, Anne-Marie
Throughout Africa, growing human populations and resulting loss of wildlife habitat is a critical issue for most animal species. It is more and more common for privately owned small or medium sized farms to reintroduce wildlife on their land and such protected areas are fast becoming the only refuges available to wild animals. However a comprehensive understanding of the complex ecological processes taking place is vital for the effective management of restricted areas and the conservation of biodiversity. Due to the enormous complexity of an ecological system and the long periods of the related dynamics, it is very difficult to analyse the interaction between animals and plant populations without suitable computer models. In this thesis, the dynamics between elephant and trees (a major food source) are considered using computer simulations.
An investigation into performance testing for e-commerce web-based applications
(2005) Mhlabane, Michael J.; Petkov, Doncho
This thesis investigates the applicability of certain software testing methodologies as the basis from which the new field of Web-based application testing can arise. In particular, it concentrates on performance testing issues and Web application testing, as these are responsible for ensuring the survival of a business organization in the new global competitive age presented by the Web and Internet technology.
First level library and/or information science education and training at South African universities and technikons: developments in specialisation
(2005) Raju, Jayarani
The literature of the early 1990s observed a general lack of differentiation and specialisation at the basic qualification level in library and/or information science education and training in South Africa. This paper draws from an empirical study on first level LIS qualifications at South African universities and technikons to examine developments in specialisation in LIS education and training. This is particularly relevant in the context of the government’s current drive toward rationalisation of the higher education sector. There seems to have been significant developments in South Africa since the early 1990s regarding specialisation in LIS education and training among the various universities and technikons offering LIS qualifications. It is recommended that LIS departments further develop this trend and also consider possible collaboration with other LIS departments especially on a regional basis, with a view to accommodating regionally based imperatives.
LIS education and training in South Africa: a historical review
(2005) Raju, Jayarani
The article aims to provide a more complete historical review of LIS education and training in South Africa, particularly the involvement of technikons as well as how changes in the post-1990 era in South African society generally and in the higher education sector specifically, have impacted on LIS education and training.
A guide to improving the e-commerce user interface design
(2005) Singh, Alveen
This study examines the efficiency, ease of use and ease of understanding of user interface designs implemented in current e-commerce websites. Four South African based e-commerce websites formed the test cases of this study. Selection of the test cases was based on the results and conclusions of previous surveys conducted by an independent research institution. The outcome of that survey identified the most popular e-commerce websites among South African internet users.
A modelling approach to elephant and tree population dynamics for a small game farm
(2005) Stretch, Anne-Marie
Throughout Africa, growing human populations and resulting loss of wildlife habitat is a critical issue for most animal species. It is more and more common for privately owned small or medium sized farms to reintroduce wildlife on their land and such protected areas are fast becoming the only refuges available to wild animals. However a comprehensive understanding of the complex ecological processes taking place is vital for the effective management of restricted areas and the conservation of biodiversity. Due to the enormous complexity of an ecological system and the long periods of the related dynamics, it is very difficult to analyse the interaction between animals and plant populations without suitable computer models. In this thesis, the dynamics between elephant and trees (a major food source) are considered using computer simulations.
A careful blend of general and vocational education: is this still necessary in the education and training of the modern LIS professional?
(2006) Raju, Jayarani
In the context of a rapidly evolving discipline almost completely dominated by digital technology, this paper revisits the long-standing debate on the value of general education in higher education in which professional information and library science (ILS) education and training is located. In doing so it reviews the literature to draw out the dominant discourses on general education as well as refers to findings on the subject in a recent study of library and information services (LIS) employers, employees and ILS educators in South Africa. The purpose of the paper is to examine whether general education is still necessary for the modern information context. The paper concludes that general education is as essential as vocational preparation for the current LIS work environment. It recommends that the modern ILS curriculum must capture a careful blend of general and vocational education.
An investigation into the digital scanning of photographs in archival collections
(2006) Somers, Nellayselviekumarie Subramany
This study was aimed at investigating the digital scanning of photographs in archival collections with a view to highlighting some of the key issues in the provision of a digital imaging service.
The historical evolution of university and technikon education and training in South Africa and its implications for articulation between the two types of higher educational institutions with particular reference to LIS education and training
(2006) Raju, Jayarani
The paper provides discussions on articulation between university and technikon LIS education and training in the context of: the historical evolution and traditional purposes of university and technikon education and training; major similarities and differences between university and technikon LIS education and training; and current changes in higher education in South Africa to effect a new ethos of transformation, equity and efficiency. In doing this the paper highlights issues that are critical to deliberations on the matter of articulation between LIS programmes at universities and technikons. This, the paper claims, is important because increasingly higher education institutions are faced with the articulation dilemma as students seek greater mobility within a transforming higher education sector.
ILS: towards an alternative qualification model for information and libraries in the African context
(2007) Raju, Jayarani
It is important for Africa to blaze its own unique path in terms of developing ILS qualification models that would be realistic and relevant to the African context and, importantly, add value to African library and information services which have a crucial role to play in the growth and development of the continent. Towards this end, a research project is currently being undertaken in South Africa where, as part of the project, work environments in other disciplines such as journalism, health care and engineering are being empirically investigated and compared with LIS services in terms of job functions and higher education qualification types required to fulfill these job functions. The intention is to see if perhaps there are any innovations, lessons or best practices that the ILS profession can draw from these disciplines in terms of staff structures in LIS services, job functions of incumbents, and qualification requirements defining these structures and functions. The purpose of this paper is to report on some of the preliminary findings in an initial and novel comparison involving public, academic and special libraries, and engineering firms, newspaper houses and health care services in an African city. The findings, in the main, reveal that other disciplines seem to embrace vocational institutions, such as universities of technology, in the work place much more than the LIS work environment. The paper recommends that African models in ILS education and training should break the traditional alignment with western grown qualification models. It needs to draw lessons from work place practices in other disciplines and from innovative work place behavior within the ILS discipline evident in the preliminary findings presented in this paper, and more fully utilize qualification products from non traditional university institutions which often are the only tertiary level institutions many African school leavers are able to access. At the same time African ILS qualification models should afford articulation means that provide opportunities for further education and development of these individuals. In reporting these initial findings the paper also interrogates issues such as vocational higher education institutions like the emerging universities of technology and the value and role of their ILS qualifications in the African context vis á vis those of the traditional universities, the role and contribution of the ILS paraprofessional to African LIS services, and the issue of articulation between higher education qualification types and the relevance of this for ILS education in Africa.
Membership of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) among library and information service workers in KwaZulu-Natal
(2007) Khomo, Musawenkosi Phumelelo
The objectives of the study were: 1) to investigate the extent to which workers in library and information services in KwaZulu-Natal are members of LIASA; and 2) if there are substantial numbers of LIS workers who are not currently members, then what are the possible reasons for this? The study surveyed three types of library services in KwaZulu-Natal, namely, academic, public and special libraries with 330 LIS workers participating in the study. A census was done of LIS workers in special libraries and in academic libraries of public higher education institutions in KZN. Simple random sampling was used in selecting public libraries in KZN for participation in the study. All staff in the selected sample of public libraries were surveyed. The research instrument used was a self-administered questionnaire. It was established that a significant number of LIS workers in all three types of libraries surveyed in KZN are currently not members of LIASA for various reasons. LIASA has been unable to draw significant membership from the support staff category in LIS services despite its constitution claiming to embrace all LIS workers. The study recommends that LIASA market itself more aggressively to increase membership levels particularly in the public library sector and among support staff in all LIS services. It also recommends that LIASA should consider involving itself in the industrial concerns of the LIS sector.
Understanding the influence of a second language on the academic performance of learners in information technology : a case study of isiZulu-speaking English second language learners in KwaZulu-Natal
(2007) Njobe, Mandisa Purity
Over the years, computers have been introduced to many South African classrooms in an attempt to improve education, and this is true for Previously Technologically Disadvantaged (PTD) schools in Kwazulu-Natal with learners whose first language is isiZulu. However, frameworks of computer learning vary widely and there is a crucial need to understand how specific situational conditions either facilitate or constrain the implementation of computer-supported learning in these schools. This thesis discusses research undertaken to document the process of introducing localised OpenOffice.org.za software with an isiZulu interface into Information Technology education at PTD schools in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The thesis also documents the process of introducing a dual language medium in Information Technology at the Durban University of Technology. The study investigates the English language as one of the possible causes of the lack of understanding of computers by English second language learners.
An investigation of the impact of human cognition on the acquisition of computer programming skills by students at a university
(2008) Ranjeeth, Sanjay
This study aimed to explore the impact of cognitive ability on the understanding of computer programming by students enrolled for a programming course at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The rationale for this study is provided by the general perception held by the academic community that computer programming is a difficult faculty to master. This assertion is corroborated by reports of high failure rates in computer programming courses at tertiary institutes. A literature review was undertaken to investigate the contribution of other factors on the ability to achieve competence in computer programmer. Based on the outcome of the literature review, this study argues that cognitive ability warrants a higher priority relative to the other factors. As a strategy, cognitive science theory was consulted to establish a framework to quantify competency in computer programming. On the basis of this endeavour, two protocols were identified to facilitate the quantification process. The first was the “deep and surface” protocol used in previous studies to ascertain students’ cognitive style of understanding for computer programming. The second was an error analysis framework which was developed as part of the current study. These protocols were used as frameworks to underpin the data collection phase of the study. This study found that at least 50% of the students enrolled in a computer programming course adopt a superficial approach to the understanding of computer programming. In order to explain this phenomenon, a cognitive ability test was administered. Here it was established that at least 39% of these students have not reached a level of cognitive development that will enable the invocation of abstract thought. The study also found that this inability to handle abstractionism, an essential requirement for success in computer programming, is reflected in the severity of errors made in computer programming assessment tasks.
Re-thinking boundaries in the African LIS work place as a contribution to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals: reflections from a South African study
(2008) Raju, Jayarani
Purpose - In the context of the historical influence of British and American trends on the African LIS context, the current knowledge society, as well as Africa’s challenges in terms of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), this paper reports on the work-in-progress in an aspect of a wider study currently being undertaken in South Africa. The aim in this aspect of the study is to interrogate how current technology trends are impacting on LIS work place qualification and competency requirements. The intention is to re-visit traditional boundaries and demarcations in the interest of the growth and development of African LIS workers who in turn may contribute to meeting the Millennium Development Goals in a number of creative and innovative ways. Design/methodology/approach - A qualitative research approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews to collect data from purposively selected managers and staff from a sample of academic, public and special library services in South Africa. Findings - The paper emphasizes the need for LIS in Africa, particularly in the context of the current knowledge-based society and the harsh realities facing African communities, to contribute to the attainment of the MDGs in Africa. In attempting to make this contribution, the paper recommends that the African LIS work place must not allow itself to be constrained by qualification and other work place boundaries that are legacies of the past, as evidenced in the limited study reported in this paper which demonstrates lessons of innovation as well as instances of restriction. Originality/value - The paper calls for a paradigm shift in terms of qualification and other work place boundaries in African LIS work environments so as to allow African LIS services to make a meaningful contribution towards the attainment of the MDGs. In doing this the paper also offers lessons for other developing parts of the world.