The systems psychodynamic role identity of academic research

Research on the unconscious role behaviour of academic research supervisors is limited. The aim of this research was to study and describe the systems psychodynamic role identity of a group of academic research supervisors. A qualitative in-depth socio-analytic interview was used as the data-gathering instrument. A convenient and purposive sample was drawn consisting of 11 supervisors at a large South African university. Systems psychodynamic role analysis was used as the data analysis method. The findings indicated an experienced difference between the normative, existential and phenomenal roles demonstrating their high levels of anxiety, being introjected and projected onto them. Recommendations for the institution and further research were formulated

The career psychological experiences of academic department chairpersons at a South African university

The existing research on the academic department chairperson focuses on the structure of the position more than on the role in terms of career, psychological functioning, coping and well-being of the incumbent. The objective of this research was to describe the career psychological experiences of academic department chairpersons (ADC) in their organisational role. A qualitative and descriptive research design was chosen for a case study of 24 chairpersons. Data were gathered using a focus group followed by thematic analysis. The manifesting themes were crossing the boundary into the career of an ADC, relationships, experienced confl ict and loss in the role, personal well-being and future career as an ADC. A psychological profi le was constructed, and the data were interpreted on the basis of various stress coping models. It was concluded that these ADCs did not cope well psychologically, which signifi cantly infl uenced their work performance. Research on the depth psychology role analysis of the ADC was recommended, followed by an inter-university investigation into the career dilemmas experienced, resulting in their lack of work satisfaction and productivity.Key words: career, task, role, boundaries, confl ict, loss, work stress, non-coping, job demands, role identit

ALEXANDER DIE GROTE SE LEËR EN DIE OORLOGSTRES-SINDROOM, 326 v.C.

In die somer van 326 v.C. is Alexander die Grote se Asiatiese veroweringsveldtog van sewe jaar onverwags aan die bolope van die Indus-rivier gestuit – nie deur vyandelike aksie nie, maar deur die weiering van sy soldate om verder ooswaarts te trek. ’n Moontlike rede vir sulke drastiese optrede deur ’n leër wat hul koning tot op daardie stadium blindelings gevolg het, is dat erge oorlogstres kon ingetree het. Die oorlogstres-sindroom, soos vandag gedefineer, is goed nagevors, en in hierdie artikel word die moontlikheid ondersoek dat dit by bovermelde geleentheid ’n beslissende rol kon gespeel het. Sou dít dalk die verklaring kon wees vir hierdie dramatiese gebeurtenis waarin Alexander se droom van ’n ryk wat tot aan die einde van die wêreld strek, verpletter is – deur sy eie soldate

THE ERUPTION OF VESUVIUS IN A.D. 79 AND THE DEATH OF GAlUS PLINIUS SECUNDUS

On 24 August A.D. 79 Vesuvius erupted, burying neighbouring Pompeii in ashes, stones and pumice, Herculaneum in volcanic mud, and Stabiae in ashes. Thousands of people lost their lives in this disaster. This was the second recorded eruption, the first being on 5 February A.D. 63.1 In the centuries thereafter Vesuvius has erupted nearly 50 times, most recently during the Allied invasion in 1944. Due to its inactivity the past 53 years, this volcano is at present the primary geological worry of Europe because of its potential explosivity: c. 1,5 million people live in the vicinity of the mountain

The Janus effect: Contradictory demands placed on the academic chairperson

The purpose of this paper is to gain a deeper understanding of the multidimensional nature and complexity of the challenges academic chairpersons appointed at institutions of higher learning experience. A qualitative research approach was chosen to gain a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under investigation by means of a focus group of 24 academic chairpersons. The findings indicate that academic chairpersons are inundated with responsibilities. They have to find a balance between the various roles, responsibilities and tasks originating from two opposing roles – that of scholar versus that of administrator/manager/leader – forced into one, while lacking the necessary administrative/managerial/leadership experience, skills and knowledge for their role as managers. This study provides higher education institutions and role-players responsible for the appointment, support and development of academic chairpersons with the evidence required to substantiate the necessity of redesigning this role

POISONS, POISONING AND THE DRUG TRADE IN ANCIENT ROME

The first recorded instance of poisoning in ancient Rome occurred in 331 BC when, during an epidemic, a large number of women were accused of concerted mass poisoning. Overreaction of the community in times of stress particularly, when scapegoats for unexplained phenomena are sought, might have played an important role in this and many subsequent incidents of suspected poisoning. Rome represented a culture steeped in superstition, fear and mythology with virtually no scientific means of retrospectively proving or disproving alleged poisoning. The drug trade in antiquity is briefly reviewed, from the Marsi and rootcutters who collected materials, and the intermediary herbalists and drug pedlars, to the physicians and other prescribers of drugs. There was a general lack of proper knowledge, which led to much abuse and death of patients. The distinction between these professional groups was often vague and physicians were generally not held in high regard. From authoritative writings of Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Pliny and others it is evident that the Romans were aware of a very large number of toxic (and assumed toxic) substances, of plant, animal and mineral origin, but it is evident that the poisoners of ancient Rome almost exclusively made use of plant (and to lesser extent animal) products, and not mineral poisons. A brief overview of the recorded crimes by poison, and known poison dispensers of the time is given. Poisoning probably reached a maximum during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when the Julio-Claudian emperors in particular achieved great notoriety, and a wide variety of specific and “universal” antidotes came into vogue

Congenital eunuchism and favorinus

Ancient Hebrew literature as well as the New Testament differentiate between castrated eunuchs and congenital eunuchs. Congenital eunuchism is very rare today, and assuming that this was also the case in classical times, we investigated possible reasons why congenital eunuchs feature prominently. We discuss the probability that the concept `congenital eunuchism' might in ancient times have included effeminate men who, according to cultural views on `maleness' and androgyny, were almost equated with eunuchs. The causes of congenital hypogonadism are reviewed in order to attempt clarification of the condition of Favorinus, a congenital eunuch in the second century AD. We suggest that although he might have been a true hermaphrodite, as suggested by some s, it is more likely that he had one of the following conditions: functional prepubertal castrate syndrome, testicular gonadotrophin insensitivity, selective gonadotrophin deficiency or Reifenstein's syndrome. (South African Medical Journal: 2003 93(1): 73-76

Involvement, self-reported knowledge and ways in which clinicians learn about assessment in the clinical years of a medical curriculum

Background. Medical students in their clinical years are assessed by clinician educators (CEs) with different levels of involvement and responsibilities in the assessment process.Objective. To obtain a better understanding from CEs of their involvement in assessment activities in the clinical years of a medical degree programme, their self-reported knowledge of assessment and methods of learning about assessment. This study also explored the potential association between involvement in assessment activities, self-reported knowledge of assessment and employment profile.Methods. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among CEs involved in assessment of an undergraduate medical programme (years 4 - 6) at a South African university.Results. Fifty-four CEs were contacted and 30 responses (56%) were received. Assessment responsibilities included design of assessment instruments, participation in assessment activities and quality assurance of assessments. The top five assessment activities that CEs were involved in were conducting objective structured practical examinations (OSPEs)/objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), designing multiple-choice questions, being a clinical examiner, conducting portfolio-based oral examinations and marking written assessments. CEs (≥80%) reported having some knowledge of formative and summative assessment, and of validity and reliability. Fewer CEs reported knowledge of constructive alignment, standard setting, item analysis and blueprinting. CEs acquired knowledge of assessment predominantly through informal methods such as practical experience and informal discussion rather than through formal education processes such as attending courses.Conclusions. CEs participated extensively in assessment, but their knowledge with regard to assessment concepts varied

Evaluation of collector performance at the bubble-particle scale

Particle attachment and detachment in froth flotation are complex processes and their measurement presents many challenges. Of particular interest is the effect of collectors at the bubble-particle scale, in order to assess the strength or collecting ability of these reagents. However, studies of the effect of collectors on particle attachment at the bubble-particle scale are scarce. In this work, we propose a methodology to characterise collector strength by measuring the attachment rate of particles to a capillary-pinned bubble. An image processing technique was developed to quantify bubble surface coverage over time, which was then used to determine particle attachment kinetics. The image analysis strategy is based on the sessile drop method and uses curve fitting to determine accurately the particle coverage. The methodology was used to assess the collecting ability of three chalcopyrite collectors. Interestingly, although very similar contact angle measurements were found for two of the collectors, they showed distinctly different particle attachment kinetics. It is proposed that this particle-bubble attachment method can be used to gain additional information not currently available from either contact angle measurements or bulk collector performance tests

Qualitatively speaking: Deciding how much data and analysis is enough

As I traverse my (post) doctoral journey, reworking my thesis into publications, I was immersed again in a debate around the utility of the concept of data saturation. I believe this debate to be emblematic of the process of unlearning and relearning that unfolded during my doctoral journey, coming from a biomedical sciences background into qualitative educational research