Terahertz Desorption Emission Spectroscopy

Enhancing our understanding of the formation and evolution of the Universe is strongly dependent upon the observation of matter that exists between the stars and that forms the interstellar medium (ISM). Using Radio-telescopes based on heterodyne detection (such as ALMA), nearly 200 molecules have been detected. Whilst molecules, such as H2O and CH3OH, can only form in the solid state, the formation of complex organic molecules is not fully known. Moreover many simple species desorb from ices during the star formation process being useful tracers of these astronomical processes, but only if the thermal and non-thermal desorption mechanisms are fully understood. In this thesis, I have designed, developed, built and proven a new experimental technique, namely Terahertz Desorption Emission Spectroscopy (THz-DES). The basis of THz-DES is to recreate the chemical conditions found in interstellar environments by emulating the astronomical detection techniques. The emission spectroscopy is based on the integration of a total-power Schottky-barrier based radiometer operating between 320-350 GHz (overlapping with ALMA band 7), coupled to a vacuum chamber where interstellar ice analogues can be grown on a 77 K cold-finger, then thermally desorbed, enabling the gas-ice synergy to identify molecular spectra and desorption energies. I demonstrate the versatility of the technique observing thermal desorption from pure, layered or mixed ices of nitrous oxide, water and methanol. The results are compared to existing literature values of the desorption energies, and the known spectral features. Finally, there is some evidence that certain energy levels of desorbing species are under-populated relative to the population expected in local thermodynamic equilibrium conditions. This impact of surface constrains on the dynamics and internal energy of desorbing molecules, largely ignored in astronomy, shows interesting promise for the future of the THz-DES technique

Towards the construction of unobtrusive research techniques : critical considerations when conducting a literature analysis

Abstract: This article focuses on specific dimensions and processes when applying unobtrusive research techniques. In general, unobtrusive research techniques study social behaviour to eliminate bias and promote conceptual and contextual analysis. These techniques can be applied to both quantitative and qualitative research. This article advances an understanding of unobtrusive research techniques. It extends guidelines on their uses to facilitate a better conceptual understanding of how unobtrusive research techniques can be intertwined creatively with other qualitative and quantitative research methods to advance scholarship. The article is structured as follows: Firstly, the article provides a brief explanation of methodology and research design. This is followed by an overview of conceptualising specific aspects that are related to the application and outcomes of applying unobtrusive research methods. The applications that are discussed include the literature study, as well as theoretical, conceptual and analytical frameworks. This is followed by an explanation of selective principles of unobtrusive research techniques. Hereafter, a discussion of conceptual, content and historical comparative analysis provides further insight. Furthermore, the article also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of unobtrusive techniques. In conclusion, possible steps to be followed when unobtrusive research techniques are used are also provided

Closing the gap between theory and practice with action research

Abstract: There is a strong belief that both researchers and practitioners have an important role to play in changing and bettering human conditions. However, behind the scenes there are heated debates about how research findings can be turned into practical meaningful information that could be applied in everyday practice. The challenge for researchers is to organise their endeavours in such a way that they produce benefits to practitioners. Even more important is for practitioners and researchers to develop a cumulative body of knowledge for change. Research methods and techniques have become increasingly less useful for solving practical problems. One of the main reasons for this is the huge gap between theory and research. In short research and thus theory, lacks relevance and usefulness when faced with problems in the real world (practice). As is clear from the above the main aims of action research are not only to contribute to the development of theory or to address the practical problems experienced by people, but to develop the self-help competencies of people facing problems. Action research therefore has the potential to help close the gap between theory and practice by bringing both the researcher and the practitioner as equals into the research process. The question is why action research has thus far not had any remarkable success in this regard

The role of ward committees in citizen participation and the socio-economic development of communities

Abstract: Concerning the role of citizens in participative democracy the urgent question is whether the ward committee structure could, as intended, help to develop a bridge between local government and communities? In order to address this prickly question it would fi rst of all be necessary to gain some insight into the nature and problems of the role of ward committees in the development of participative governance. Ward committees function as a representative structure of the communities and form a bridge by coordinating and facilitating effective communication between the municipal council and the citizens they represent. The article aims to determine the most important factors that impact on the role and functions of ward committees in terms of the effectiveness of ward committees as participatory mechanisms in local governance. It provides the legal and policy framework for participation on local government level as well as a discussion of the functioning of ward committees in a democratic government system. The article focuses on the functioning of ward committees within an environment enabling the participation of citizens and socio-economic development. The authors propose that participatory action research can be used as a tool by ward committees to develop participative democracy on local government level

A critical analysis of the approach to local economic development (LED) in South Africa

Abstract: The advent of the new constitutional dispensation in 1994 heralded signifi cant transformational and governance reform in South Africa. In particular the Government White Paper on Local Government of 1998 formally introduced the concepts of local economic development (LED) and of developmental local government into the South African vernacular, consistent with the evolving national zeitgeist of the developmental state. LED therefore had its genesis in, and was from the start in effect largely consigned by statute to the local government sphere – in the South African context arguably the governmental sphere least equipped to deal with it. From the inception the narrative of LED in South Africa was infl uenced less by sound economic prescript than by a complex of ideological and welfare considerations. It has been observed that typically in practice, “…(l)ocal economic development is a highly complex matter, and there is no clear conceptual model available that incorporates all of its potentially important dimensions” (Smoke 1997). There currently is no evidence of the employment in South Africa of systematic methods in the determination of LED goal sets that are informed by coherent theories of change and of action. The article argues for a fundamental re-conceptualisation and demystifi cation of South Africa’s approach to LED based on structured integrative engagement within a value chain approach that harnesses cooperative effort across jurisdictions and governmental spheres in..

Conceptualising qualitative research through a spiral of meaning-making

Abstract: This article emphasises the meaningful interrelationship between practice, experience, concepts and theory in the process of meaning-making in qualitative research. The importance of existing knowledge, the researcher’s background and stance (ontology and epistemology) and the conscious engagement of the researcher with him/herself in a critical refl exive process to develop new knowledge and direction to act upon will be underlined. Moreover, this article attempts to unravel the dynamic spiral of meaningmaking when developing a conceptual framework

A differentiated approach to local government

Abstract: Differentiation can be seen as a tool to try to focus the support from national and provincial government and associated institutions to local government toward ensuring functional, performing municipalities that deliver their services adequately. This article aims to explore what the current policy debate on differentiation entails and to fi nd out why differentiation may be necessary or not. The article pays attention to differentiation as contained in legislation, concepts relevant to differentiation in local government in terms of segmentation and support models, powers and functions, fi nancial resources, the urban-rural divide and institutional systems. The article fi nally provides a proposed approach towards differentiation in local government

Theory and practice of deliberative participation in policy analysis

Abstract: The inclusion of a post-positivist thinking to policy making is a response to criticism raised against the limitations positivists impose on the policy making process. Policy-making and analysis are mainly seen as activities driven by empiricist ideals, quantitative facts, technocrats and experts while citizens’ (deliberative) views are excluded or marginalised. Participatory (or deliberative) public policy analysis is a supporting approach presented by post-positivists to embrace democratic ideals through a better informed public policy process that includes normative and valuative knowledge through mainly qualitative processes. This approach supports the notion of multiple methods of inquiry in the contexts of argumentation, judgment and public debate. In defining policy analysis, post-positivists have opened an opportunity for deliberative approaches. This provides an opportunity specifically to further enhance the policy process through participatory evaluation. In this article a logical qualitative inquiry accompanied by a theoretical analysis by way of a literature analysis was employed as the preferred strategy to determine the questions that are most significant to the topic, context and reliability of the research

Critical considerations for the role of governments in the interface between good governance and sustainable development in developing countries

Abstract: The article explores the interface between good governance and sustainable development by focusing specifically on the role of governments in the global sustainable development agenda. With this context in mind, the purpose of this article is to highlight the role that governments should play in sustainable development in terms of the notions of ‘good’ governance as a prerequisite for a specific country’s ability and capacity to successfully plan and execute development initiatives, to participate in the global economy and to adhere to the imperatives that emanate from international treaties and conventions regarding sustainable development. The article adopted a qualitative observational approach by comparing, contrasting, critically analysing and synthesising relevant documentary and literature sources in terms of recent data, statistics and knowledge pertaining to a historical and regulatory overview directing good governance and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the variables influencing global and African governments in pursuit of these goals. To .

Theoretical and philosophical considerations in the realm of the social sciences for public administration and management emerging researchers

This article aims to provide a conceptual and theoretical analysis of the main theoretical and philosophical perspectives in social science research for researchers doing research in the disciplinary fields of public administration, management and governance. The purpose is to provide clarity for researchers’ own beliefs of how social reality should be viewed to gain the most truthful results and thus, to develop their own ontology. This will enable researchers to have a clear understanding of which research perspective would be appropriate when designing their research in order to develop their own epistemology. The article attempts to clarify what research is and more specifically the relationship between research theories and the empirical world. The conditions necessary for scientific research and the most important concepts (building blocks) of social science research are explained. The difference between ordinary everyday knowledge and information, social science theory, scientific knowledge and the use of the scientific method receive attention. The dimensions of social science research are distinguished in terms of the sociological, teleological, ontological,methodological and axiological dimensions as well as on the disciplinary, practical and project levels. The importance of systematic data gathering by meeting specific criteria of the scientific method is emphasised. The keys necessary to unlock the scientific world and to gain an understanding of the importance of scientific knowledge and reasoning as opposed to how knowledge and information are commonly used, is presented