Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Early phase studies'

Shakespeare was formally introduced in Colonial Bengal when Hindu College was established in 1817. This thesis highlights how in the midst of running controversy between Orientalists and Anglicists, amidst intense rivalry between Christian missionaries and orthodox Hindus, Hindu College pioneered Shakespeare studies, keeping it free from religious orthodoxy, and imparting secular ideas of Renaissance humanism. Describing the historical role the leading founders of the college - Raja Rammohan Roy and David Hare - played in creating environment of secularism, this thesis is focussed on the work of three early teachers of English at Hindu College -Henry Derozio, D.L. Richardson, and H.M. Percival - who laid the foundation of Shakespeare studies in colonial Bengal. Derozio's inspiring teaching made his students not only crusaders against orthodoxy but also fighters for freedom thereby igniting the flame of the Bengal Renaissance. A poet like Derozio, Richardson, besides teaching Shakespeare's plays and promoting their performance, emerged as the first major literary critic of Shakespeare and other English poets. Percival, continuing the secular tradition of teaching, also became the first major editor of Shakespeare for Indian students, who edited with long introductions the texts of six plays. This thesis highlights the pioneering role of these three eminent teachers of English at Hindu College who established Shakespeare studies as a secular learning of humanist ideas. This thesis also challenges the sweeping generalisation of postcolonial criticism that English education in colonial India, including Shakespeare teaching, was used to promote the political agenda of the British rulers. It points out that Shakespeare teaching as a component of English education at Hindu College defies that generalisation. Besides, if English education promoted colonial interests, it also inducted ideas of the European Enlightenment that contributed towards the general awakening in colonial Bengal. In the era of postcolonial theory's dominance in English studies, this thesis offers an original contribution to knowledge by putting forth evidence in support of secular Shakespeare studies in colonial Bengal spearheaded by eminent teachers like Derozio, Richardson, and Percival.

Invasive research procedures, such as biopsy for pharmacodynamic study, often have no value for patient-volunteers in terms of diagnosis or clinical management. Accordingly, their burdens are generally justifiable only by appeal to knowledge value (that is, the benefit to future patients) rather than direct benefit. This thesis is an exploration of knowledge value production as a justification for invasive research biopsy in cancer research. The premise of this thesis is that human investigations can only enable knowledge value insofar as they are reported in ways that enable a broader scientific community to use their findings for planning new investigations. We studied the interruption of knowledge value accrual through two empirically evaluable proxies of knowledge value: publication and reporting quality.The focus of this thesis is on the publication and reporting quality of pharmacodynamic (PD) sub-studies embedded within early phase cancer clinical trials. Early phase cancer trials are designed to measure the safety and toxic effects of an investigational agent and tumor response (i.e. tumor shrinkage). PD sub-studies within them investigate the effects of a drug on its 'targets' (i.e. the inhibition of an enzyme or enzymatic pathway). We found that 37% of early phase cancer trials utilizing biopsy for PD study result in the complete publication of all PD data. A survey of study authors revealed that the most commonly cited barriers to publication were "strategic considerations in publication," which included studies where results were dismissed as uninteresting, uninformative, contradictory or difficult to interpret, and where "scientific disagreement" prevented the publication of pharmacodynamic results (59% of respondents). Quality of reporting varied widely within and across studies, with some important quality assurance practices being sporadically reported, including results of all planned tests (78% trials reporting), use of blinded outcome assessment (43% trials reporting), biopsy dimensions (38% trials reporting), and description of patient flow through the PD portion of the trial (62% trials reporting). PD analysis as a primary endpoint and the use of mandatory biopsy were significantly and positively associated with better quality reporting. A preponderance of positive results (61% of the studies described positive PD results) suggests the possibility of publication bias.Based on our research findings, we recommend that study investigators and IRB members critically evaluate targets for patient recruitment, tissue collection, and PD assay validation. Further, IRBs and investigators should ensure that any laboratories proposing the collection and assay of biopsied tissues have the requisite resources (financial, human, and physical) to complete a validated PD study. The major recommendation of this thesis is that a formalized reporting guideline, similar to CONSORT and REMARK, should be developed for PD investigations. We further recommend that study authors and journal editors consider separate PD publication or the inclusion of supplementary materials in order to provide space for richer methodologic description of PD research.
Les procédés de recherche effractifs, tels que la biopsie dans le cadre d'études pharmacodynamiques, n'ont souvent aucun avantage pour le patient-bénévole en ce qui concerne le diagnostic ou la prise en charge clinique. Le recours à ces procédés n'est souvent fondé que sur l'idée de la valeur des connaissances (ce en quoi ils aideront d'éventuels patients futurs) plutôt que sur l'avantage direct pour le patient.Cette thèse propose d'étudier la justification du recours à des procédés de biopsie effractive dans la recherche sur le cancer par la production de connaissances. Nous proposons comme prémisse que la recherche sur les êtres humains ne peut produire de connaissances de valeur que dans la mesure où les résultats de la recherche sont présentés de manière à permettre à la communauté scientifique élargie de les utiliser à des fins de recherches ultérieures. Nous avons étudié l'interruption de l'accumulation de connaissances de valeur selon deux critères empiriques : la publication et la qualité des renseignements. Cette thèse se concentre particulièrement sur la publication et la qualité des renseignements dans les sous-études pharmacodynamiques contenues dans les essais cliniques de premières phases dans le domaine du cancer. Ces essais visent à mesurer l'innocuité et les effets toxiques potentiels d'un nouveau médicament de recherche, ainsi que la réaction de la tumeur. Les sous-études pharmacodynamiques évaluent les effets du médicament sur ses « cibles » (un enzyme ou une voie enzymatique). Nos résultats indiquent que pour 37% des essais cliniques de premières phases qui comprennent des sous-études pharmacodynamiques utilisant la biopsie, toutes les données pharmacodynamiques ont été publiées. À la suite d'une enquête auprès d'auteurs d'études, les obstacles les plus communs sont les « considérations d'ordre stratégique quant à la publication », dans le cas d'études où on juge que les résultats n'apportent rien de nouveau ou sont sans intérêt, contradictoires ou difficiles d'interprétation, et lorsque des « différends d'ordre scientifique » empêchent la publication de résultats pharmacodynamiques (59% des répondants). La qualité des renseignements varie grandement à travers les études et on remarque que certaines données importantes pour le contrôle de la qualité ne sont qu'irrégulièrement signalées, dont les résultats de tous les tests planifiés (78% des essais), l'évaluation des résultats à l'insu (43% des essais), les dimensions des tissus prélevés (38% des essais) et la description du cheminement du patient durant la section pharmacodynamique de l'étude (62% des essais). Lorsque l'analyse pharmacodynamique est le but premier de l'essai ou que celui-ci comprend un recours obligatoire à la biopsie, l'étude tend considérablement à être de meilleure qualité. La prépondérance de résultats positifs (61% des études) suggère peut-être un biais de publication. Compte tenu des résultats de notre recherche, nous proposons que les investigateurs d'études et les membres de comités d'éthique indépendants évaluent de manière critique les objectifs en matière de recrutement des patients, de prélèvement des tissus et de validation des essais pharmacodynamiques. De plus, les comités d'éthique indépendants et les investigateurs doivent s'assurer que tout laboratoire visant le prélèvement et l'analyse de tissus par la biopsie possèdent les ressources financières, humaines et matérielles nécéssaires pour compléter une étude pharmacodynamique validée. La recommandation principale de cette thèse consiste en l'élaboration d'une ligne directrice formalisée, comparable à CONSORT ou REMARK, pour la publication d'études pharmacodynamiques. Nous recommandons également que les auteurs d'études et les éditeurs de revues envisagent de publier indépendamment les résultats pharmacodynamiques ou d'inclure des matériaux supplémentaires afin de permettre une description méthodologique plus riche de la recherche pharmacodynamique.

Abstract Swedish start-ups seem to efficiently develop new products and services but less successful when it comes to taking them to the market and launching them globally. This research aims to address this gap through investigating Swedish start-ups. In light of this problem, the author argues that there is a need for increasing knowledge regarding the financial success factors and challenges facing Swedish start-ups in the go-to-market phase. The research question is thus: What are the significant challenges and success factors affecting the financing of Swedish start-ups during the go-to-market phase? Four major challenges facing start-ups during the go-to-market phase are identified. These are lack ofsufficient capital,lack of support from the banking sector, lack of support from the regional public leveland, finally, regulations and legal issues. On the other hand, four success factors have been identified, which are support from private investors, shared financial private/public risk, efficient internal operationsand non-traditional financing methods. In order to facilitate the go-to-market financing, it is recommended that start-ups be established in a business incubator environment in order to have access to investor networks and other financial support. Besides, having investors with financial experience in the start-up boards increases the chances of success in the go-to-market phase. The banking sector in Sweden should also play a bigger role in the strategic issues in order to accelerate the start-up’s growth. For further studies, more knowledge regarding the underlying motivations of private capitalists, public funders and loan lenders is desirable. Furthermore, the business incubator’s role in facilitating the financing of start-ups and understanding how start-ups in different sectors should act to increase the rate of success are two important areas for future studies.  Keywords: start-ups, go-to-market, financing, growth, early growth, success factors

The introduction of the Foundation Phase gave a unique opportunity to study the interpretation and delivery of a play-based early childhood curriculum. This new curriculum saw the disappearance of Physical Education for pupils under the age of seven in Wales. Physical Education is acknowledged as more than the development of physical competence, being part of a process concerned with lifelong physical, intellectual, social and emotional learning accrued through a range of physical activities, in a variety of contexts (Doherty and Brennan, 2008). As such a goal of Physical Education is physical literacy, (Hardman, 2011; Talbot, 2007). In light of this, this research set out to explore the contribution of the Foundation Phase to the development of children’s physical literacy. In order to achieve this, a three-phase complementarity mixed-methods design (Greene et al., 1989) was used to generate data over two years in selected schools in Wales. The schools were found to be enacting the Foundation Phase with fidelity to the original aims of the policy makers by demonstrating the key features of play-based active learning, focused adult-led sessions, child-initiated learning, and use of the outdoors for learning. In so doing they were deemed to be successful in achieving the aim of the Foundation Phase of developing independent, motivated active learners. The Foundation Phase was also found to be supporting the development of children’s cognitive development with good levels of achievement in literacy and numeracy assessments. The playful pedagogy observed in the schools enabled the pupils to have autonomy in their learning. Pupils were motivated, active and engaged in embodied learning both indoors and outdoors. The findings indicated that the Foundation Phase was making a positive contribution to the development of children’s physical literacy.

This thesis focuses on the design, statistical operating characteristics and interpretation of early phase oncology clinical trials. Anti-cancer drugs are generally highly toxic and it is imperative to deliver a dose to the patient that is low enough to be safe but high enough to produce a clinically meaningful response. Thus, a study of dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) and a determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of a drug that can be used in later phase trials is the focus of most Phase I oncology trials. We first comprehensively compare the statistical operating characteristics of various early phase oncology designs, finding that all the designs examined select the MTD more accurately when there is a clear separation between the true DLT rate at the MTD and the rates at the dose levels immediately above and below. Among the rule-based designs studied, we found that the 3+3 design under-doses a large percentage of patients and is not accurate in selecting the MTD for all the cases considered. The 5+5 a design picks the MTD as accurately as the model based designs for the true DLT rates generated using the chosen log-logistic and linear dose-toxicity curves, but requires enrolling a larger number of patients. The model based designs examined, mTPI, TEQR, BOIN, CRM and EWOC designs, perform well on the whole, assign the maximum percentage of patients to the MTD, and pick the MTD fairly accurately. However, the limited sample size of these Phase I oncology trials makes it difficult to accurately predict the MTD. Hence, we next study the effect of sample size and cohort size on the accuracy of dose selection in early phase oncology designs, finding that an adequate sample size is crucial. We then propose some integrated Phase 1/2 oncology designs, namely the 20+20 accelerated titration design and extensions of the mTPI and TEQR designs, that consider both toxicity and efficacy in dose selection, utilizing a larger sample size. We demonstrate that these designs provide an improvement over the existing early phase designs.
2019-12-01T00:00:00Z

Background Stroke is associated with a significant disease burden across the world (1). Ischaemic stroke accounts for over 80% of the total number of strokes and specifically refers to central nervous system infarction accompanied by overt symptoms (2). Cell therapies (CTs) represent a composite of different cell types being investigated in different phases of stroke, with use of different dose and delivery regimens (2). Preliminary evidence for meaningful clinical translation is now available with CTs in stroke, as early studies have demonstrated safety and a trend towards functional improvement over a longer time window of application (2). Research Aims This research aimed to analyse study design, regulatory policy, ethical and economic considerations, as well as to describe their impact on the quality of execution of early-phase clinical CTs studies in stroke Methods The thesis is a compendium of subprojects that evaluated these considerations for efficient implementation of early phase CTs studies, using a mixed methodology approach. Results Study design considerations: a systematic review of early phase clinical studies with CTs in ischaemic stroke indicated a trend towards improvement across varied domains of functional impairment and reasonable safety and feasibility, in patients with stroke receiving CTs (2). A high level of heterogeneity was observed, in terms of differences in cell types used and route, dose and time of administration, use of randomised control design and selection of trial endpoints. Most studies reported temporal changes in global endpoints such as those measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel Index (BI) or Modified Rankin scale (mRS). Regulatory considerations: a narrative review examined different national regulatory provisions and described standardization of research terminology and access to expertise in manufacturing as the key determinants critical to the execution of early phase studies with CTs in stroke. Ethical considerations: a qualitative study was undertaken to understand the perspective of stroke survivors on the research design of a proposed early phase clinical study with adult human dental pulp stem cells in chronic ischaemic stroke. The study found that patients considered outcomes such as recovery in social participation and decreased dependence on carers as most meaningful to them. Whilst improved motor function was important, the impact on cognition, memory, mood, pain and fatigue were bigger determinants of their perception of benefit. The perception of risk versus benefit was influenced by the time elapsed since stroke. Health economic considerations: a systematic review reported that there is limited evidence for economic evaluation at early stage of research in CTs. Only three studies have been published to date. All studies undertook a cost utility analysis of CTs versus current standard of care using decision analytical modelling and reported that CTs could provide meaningful cost savings in terms of direct costs of disease management accrued to the government (healthcare bodies and social services). Discussion Successful clinical translation of CTs in stroke requires efficient development strategies potentially comprising the use of adaptive trial designs and the use of domain specific endpoints for efficacy evaluation (8, 9). Addressing regulatory requirements and patients’ preferences in research design can significantly improve the eventual clinical relevance of data generated within these trials (11, 12). Collection of data on cost-effectiveness of their use from the early phase of research is critical, as these therapies are likely to be expensive (13). Conclusions Development of a practical framework comprising key elements of study design and regulatory policy, as well as ethical and health economic considerations that is available to different research groups can potentially accelerate clinical translation of CTs in stroke.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Adelaide Medical School, 2019

博士
國立清華大學
天文研究所
104
My thesis project aims at understanding the natures of low mass protostars and proto-brown dwarfs at early evolutionary stage. A new category of Young Stellar Objects (YSOs), Very Low Luminosity Objects (VeLLOs), are newly discovered and defined by their low internal luminosity (Lint<0.1Lsun). The low luminosity infers that VeLLOs host a substellar mass central object at the present time and thus can be interpreted as a very young protostar or low mass protostar. This low luminosity also provides a constraint on their accretion luminosity as well as the accretion rate, suggesting VeLLOs are at a quiescent accretion phase. This thesis consists of four papers: (i) For the first paper, we develop a new identification method of YSOs to identify faint protostars in order to find more VeLLOs. Applying this method to the Spitzer archival data in five nearby molecular clouds, we identify 322 (28%) new YSO toward the lower end of the luminosity function compared with previous works. Based on this method, we further find seven VeLLOs in these molecular clouds. (ii) We study the chemical and dynamical properties of 15 selected Low Luminosity Objects (Lint<0.2Lsun) through molecular line emissions at millimeter/submillimeter wavelengths. We found that LLOs could have wide variety in their parent cores and tend to be at an very early evolutionary stage. (iii) We present a detailed investigation on the protostellar outflow driven by a unique VeLLO, IRAS 16253--2429. Our results suggest that IRAS 16253--2429 is very likely a proto-brown dwarf binary system. (iv) Using CFHT, we make an infrared outflow survey toward 20 LLOs. The outflows are detected in 12 LLOs (including 4 from Spitzer) and the outflow opening angles are widening as the core evolves as expected.

碩士
中國醫藥學院
中國醫學研究所
84
Bronchial asthma is a worldwide intractable disease. The prevalence of bronchial asthma in school children has increased more than four fold inTaipei over the last twenty years. The acute toxic effect, treatment effect, prevention of sensitization and prevention of anti-sensitization of Asthma-Relieving Decoction (Ding Chuan Tang) were screened. This study will be helpful in establishing an optimal model to screen the effect of Chinese medicinals and herbal medicines for allergic asthma, explaining the clinical effect of Asthma-Relieving Decoction (Ding Chuan Tang), and researching the pharmacologic mechanism of Asthma-Relieving Decotion (Ding Chuan Tang). The animals used in this study, 216 male Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were randomized equally into six groups: (1) Experiment group one-treated 30minutes before challenge. (2) Experiment group two-treated 5 hours after challenge. (3) Experiment group three-treated 24 hourst and 2 hours before challenge. (4) Experiment group four- treated once daily, three days before sensitization till the day of challenge. (5) Control group-sensitized and challenged, no treatment. (6) Healthy group- no sensitization, challenge or treatment. Every group consisted of six guinea pigs in six different observational time points. Ovalbumin was inhaled to give guinea pigs asthma. Body plethysmography, bronchoalveolar lavage analysis, pathologic finding in lung (H.E. stain), and one-way ANOVA were applied to evaluate the effect of Asthma-Relieving Decoction (Ding Chuan Tang) on airway resistance, inflammatory cells, and the change in lung tissue. The results revealed that all the P/V ratios (reprensented for airway resistance) in control group significantly increased over than Ŗ". In control group, the neutrophil rates significantly increased in early asthmaticreaction; the eosinophil rates significantly increased in late asthmatic reaction. For pathologic biopsy, the pulmonary inflammatory cell sinfiltration and the constriction of airway smooth muscles were reduced in all experiment groups. The P/V ratios, neutrophil rates, and eosinophil rates of experiment group one and two significantly decreased when compared with control group in the early asthmatic reaction showed the "therapeutic effect" of Asthma-Relieving Decoction (Ding Chuan Tang). The P/V ratios, neutrophil rates, and eosinophil rates of experiment group three significantly decreased when compared with control group in the early and late asthmatic reactions showed the "prevention of sensitization" of Asthma-Relieving Decoction (Ding Chuan Tang). The P/V ratios, neutrophil rates and eosinophil rates of experiment group four also significantly decreased when compared with control group in the early and late asthmatic reactions showed the "prevention of anti-sensitization" of Asthma-Relieving Decoction (Ding Chuan Tang). In summary, Asthma-Relieving Decoction (Ding Chuan Tang) was effective to relieve the early and late asthmatic reactions and reduce the pulmonary inflammatory cells infiltration. The possible efficient mechanisms could be through β2-adrenoceptor agonist, some degree of anti-inflammation, primary effector cells stablization and inhibition of IgE synthesis.

碩士
中國醫藥學院
中國醫學研究所
83
Asthmatic allergy is one of the most common chronic diseases, especially in the field of pediactrics in Taiwan.According to the methods of Hsieh K.H., Hutson et.al, a guinea pig model of asthma has been established. We used this animal model to examine the effects of Ma-Xing-Gan-Shi Tang administered before and after allergen challenge on the EAR and the LAR, and the associated interaction of the airway with leukocytes as well as the histopathological changes. The results showed (1) The experimental guinea pigs showed a decrease in the interaction of the airway between alto 6hr period (p<0.05) on the pulmonary function study. (2) On the BAL study,the neutrophils in the experimental pigs have a lower concentration than the control pigs during the 1~6hrs period(p<0.01); At 48~72hrs, eosinophils have not significantly changed. The neutrophils have no significant difference between the treated and naive groups during the 1~6hrs period, but at times 48~72hrs the eosinophils have significantly increased (p<0.01). (3) On the histopathological studies, we did not find neutrophil infiltration significantly increased in the bronchial area during 1~6hrs time period on the experimental guinea pigs. At time 48~72hrs, the eosinophil infiltration showed a significant increase. At time 1~6hrs, the neutrophil infiltration increased around tracheal and bronchial epithelial cells and mucosa. In the control guinea pigs, at time 48~72 hrs, eosinophil nfiltration was significantly increased. According to the results, the administration of MXGS does have an effect on asthma treatment. The mechanisms of MXGS could provoke theβ2-selective adrenoceptor, relieve the con traction of bronchial smooth muscle,and decrease the degranulation of mast cells. Further investigations will focus on the mechanisms of MXGS.

碩士
中國醫藥學院
中國醫學研究所
84
Allergic asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the field of pediatrics in Taiwan. According to an epidemiology study of asthma in school children in Taipei, the prevalence of asthma increased from 1.30% in 1974 to 10.79% in 1994. More than 90% of children with asthma has positive skin test responses to house dust mite (HDM), and Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus (D.P) was found to be dominant species. The treatment for asthma has been well documented in Chinese Medical history, but it doesn''t proved by the theory of Western Medicines. Hence, integrating western and traditional Chinese Medicines to imporve the efficiency of current treatments and to develop new treatments has rescently become a very importment topic. According to the methods of Tzuen-Ren Hsiue, Kue- Hsiung Hsieh et al, a guinea pig model of asthma has been established. Sixty (SPF) male Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs, weighting 350-450g, were used throughout, thirty guinea pigs were senitized by injection (IP) of 100μg purified D.P protein powere on Day 0 and Day7. The allergic response to the asthma response was induced in thirty experimental guinea pigs by inhalation of 4mg/ml purified D.P protein for 10 mins. By contrast, the control group received saline inhalation for 10 mins. The pulmonary function after induction, at times 5 mins, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 hrs were studied. The bronchoalveolar lavage and the histopathologic changes in guinea pig''s trachea and bronchiole at various time intervals after inhalation were investigated. The results showed: On the pulmonary mechanic function studies, the pressure of the airway during the allergic response was two times higher than before inhalation of purified D.P protein. The treated group had significantly increased neutrophils at 1 and 6 hrs after inhalation (P<0.001); at 24, 48 and 72 hrs, only eosinophils have increased as found in the bronchoalveolar lavage studies (P<0.001). On the histopathological studies, after purified D.P protein inhalation during the 1and 6 hrs period, the neutrophils have significantly increased around the airway smooth muscle and the direction toward the epithelium. From 24, 48 and 72 hrs, eosinophils increased signficantly. A stable animal model for studying asthma was established. We used this animal model to examine the effects of Ma-Xing-Gan-Shi Tang 《Treatise on Febrile Diseases》 administered before and after allergen challenge on the EAR and the LAR, and the associated interaction of the airway with leukocyts as well as the histopathological changes. The results showed: The experimental guinea pigs showed a decrease in the interaction of the airway between 1 and 6 hrs period on the pulmonary study. On the BAL study, the neutrophils in the experimental Guinea pigs have a lower concentration than the control Guinea pigs during the 1 to 6 hrs period (P<0.001); at 24, 48 and 72 hrs eosinophils have not significantly changes. The neu-trophils have no significant difference between the treated and naive groups during 1 and 6 hrs period, but at times 24, 48 and 72 hrs the eosinophils have significantly increased (P<0.001). On the histopathological studies, we did not find neutrophil infiltration significantly increased in the bronchial area during 1 to 6 hrs time period on the experimental guinea pigs, at times 24, 48 and 72 hrs, the eosinophil infiltration showed a significant increase. At time 1 to 6 hrs, the neutrophil infiltration increased around the airway smooth muscle and the direction toward the epithelium on the control guinea pigs, at times 24, 48 and 72 hrs, eosinophil infiltration was significantly increased. There was not any eosinophil and neutrophil infiltration around the airway smooth muscle and the direction toward the epithelium in the naive guinea pigs. According to the results, the administration of M-X-G-S does have an effect on asthma treatment, which could relieve the airway interaction in the early asthmatic guinea pigs, decrease airway inflammation and inhibit the activity of neutrophils around the tertiary brochial walls. The mechanism of M-X-G-S could provoke the β2-selective adrenoceptor, relieve the contraction of bronchial smooth muscle, and decrease the degranulation of mast cells. Further investigations will focus on the mechanism of M-X-G-S.

Inclusive education is a fundamental part of South African Education with policies and initiatives being designed to provide support for learners with barriers to learning. With autism as a growing global phenomenon, South Africa has the additional challenge of providing learning support for learners with autism. This dissertation focuses on how one specialised preschool provides inclusive opportunities for preschool learners with autism through learning support. This setting is unique as it shares the same physical location as a mainstream preschool. The study focuses upon how the preschool teachers support their learners with autism so that they can be included within the adjoining inclusive environment. The research was conducted through participant observation and supporting interviews over a period of six months. All observations were recorded through field notes and reflections. The research produced a number of key findings. The shared physical environment enabled teachers and learners from both preschool settings to work together on a daily basis. This had a positive effect upon peer acceptance, staff and learner relationships and opportunities for staff to communicate and work collaboratively on a daily basis. The specialised preschool teachers provided learning support through the adaptation of learning environment, curriculum, multi sensory learning and language and communicative means. The main conclusions drawn from this research were the importance of a close working relationship between staff members and learners from both settings; the importance of adapting communication, environment and learning expectations; and lastly, the importance of focusing upon each individual when providing inclusive opportunities. The research recommends having a specialist setting physically close to an inclusive environment as this enables learners with high needs such as autism to build up the skills needed to benefit from being included. In addition, the research recommends staff in mainstream and specialist settings to have regular opportunity to work together collaboratively when developing learning strategies. Finally, the research recommends the publication of a guideline, outlining the nature of autism and recommended strategies to use within the classroom, which would serve as a flexible document for teachers to adapt to support their individual learners.
Inclusive Education
M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

This dissertation study, entitled ‘The development of a reading culture in the Foundation Phase through comprehensive parent involvement’, focused on the challenge of developing a reading culture in which a positive change takes place in the learners’ attitudes towards reading and in particular, towards reading for enjoyment, when parents are comprehensively involved in the process. The research is found to be relevant as many of the learners in the participating school showed little to no interest in reading for enjoyment and saw reading merely as a means of studying. The methodology used in the study is qualitative in nature and included a literature review, case studies and semi-structured interviews. The results of the study showed that the implementation of a comprehensive parent involvement model has a positive impact on the creation of a reading culture. The learners were more inclined to read for enjoyment when their parents participated both in reading programmes and in fun reading activities at home. The learners and parents who actively participated in this study all indicated that they had a greater appreciation of reading for enjoyment after the implementation of the programme. Based on the study findings, recommendations were made for improvements to assist in the issue of creating a reading culture in schools.
Die studie getiteld ‘Die ontwikkeling van ‘n lees-kultuur in die Grondslagfase deur omvattende ouerbetrokkenheid’, het gefokus op die uitdaging om ‘n lees-kultuur te ontwikkel waar ‘n positiewe verandering in leerders se gevoel teenoor lees plaasvind, spesifiek lees vir genot, wanneer hulle ouers intensief betrokke is in die proses. Die navorsing is relevant aangesien baie van die leerders in die betrokke skool min tot geen belangstelling getoon het teenoor lees vir genot en het lees bloot as ‘n metode van studie beleef. Die metodologie wat in die studie gebruik was was kwalitatief van aard en het ‘n literatuurstudie, gevallestudies en semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude ingesluit. Die resultate van die studie het getoon dat die implementering van ‘n omvattende ouer-betrokkenheid model ‘n positiewe impak op die ontwikkeling van ‘n lees-kultuur gehad het. Die leerders was meer geneig om vir genot te lees wanneer hulle ouers deelgeneem het aan die lees-program en aan die pret lees-aktiwiteite tuis. Die leerders en hulle ouers wat aktief deelgeneem het aan die studie, het almal aangedui dat hulle ‘n groter waardering vir lees vir genot gehad het na die implementering van die program. Voorstelle om te help met die ontwikkeling van ‘n lees-kultuur is gemaak wat gebaseer was op die bevindings van die studie.
Thuto, e nang le sehlooho se reng 'Ho nts'etsa pele setso sa ho bala ka Sekhahla sa Motheo ka ho kenyeletsa ho kopanyelletsa ha motsoali', ho lebisitse phephetso ea ho hlaolela setso sa ho bala moo phetoho e ntle e etsoang ka maikutlo a barupeluoa ho bala le ka ho khetheha, ho bala bakeng sa thabo, ha batsoali ba ikakhela ka setotsoana mosebetsing ona. Phuputso e fumanoa e le ea bohlokoa ha ba bangata ho baithuti sekolong se kenang sekolo ba sa bontše thahasello ho bala bakeng sa thabo 'me ba bona ho bala feela e le mokhoa oa ho ithuta. Mokhoa o sebelisoang thuputsong ea lipatlisiso e ne e le mokhoa oa boleng bo botle 'me o kenyelelitse tlhahlobo ea lingoliloeng, lipatlisiso tsa liketsahalo le lipuisano tse sa tšoaneng. Liphello tsa phuputso li bontšitse hore ts'ebetso ea kakaretso ea ho kenya letsoho ho motsoali e na le tšusumetso e matla ho thehoa ha setso sa ho bala. Barupeluoa ba ne ba rata ho bala bakeng sa thabo ha batsoali ba bona ba ne ba kopanela ka bobeli mananeong a ho bala le mesebetsing e monate ea ho bala lapeng. Baithuti le batsoali ba ileng ba kenya letsoho thuputsong ena bohle ba bontšitse hore ba ananela haholo ho bala bakeng sa thabo ka mor'a kopo ea ts'ebetso. Ho itšetlehile ka liphuputso tsa lithuto, liphuputso li entsoe bakeng sa ntlafatso ea ho thusa tabeng ea ho theha setso sa ho bala likolong.
Educational Foundations
M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

The purpose of this study was to establish the perception of Grade One teachers regarding the school readiness of Reception Year learners in relation to the new national Curriculum Assessment and Policy Statement (CAPS). The study also provides recommendations on how to implement CAPS in Grade R so that teachers, learners and parents experience the easiest possible transition to Grade One. The research took the form of a case study, building on current trends related to the subject of Reception Year CAPS curriculum implementation, and using the Interpretive approach as its essential, functional paradigm, which focuses on experiences of the world based on the culture and previous experiences of each individual, with an emphasis on mutual understanding. By using this strategy to explore Grade One teacher perceptions regarding the school readiness of the Reception Year learners, this project was centred on an in-depth and detailed analysis of a person, group or situation as a sample of the whole, and involved a systematic collection of data and analysis. This led to a conclusions-based report on the findings, all the while focusing on five Grade One teachers and their Head of Department at a public primary school in Pretoria, Gauteng. Preliminary findings suggested that learners coming into Grade One could in fact be adequately prepared during Grade R for successful assimilation in the CAPS curriculum material, if all stakeholders overcome the challenges they face during this important phase of academic development. This study has shown that varying amounts and levels of training amongst the teachers is a hindrance to proper CAPS curriculum implementation and therefore, the Head of Department, the school and ultimately the Department of Education has to ensure parity in the area of teacher training in terms of CAPS curriculum implementation. The study has shown that, due to the different sites where learners did their Reception Year, the school and the Grade One teachers faced learners who came into their classrooms with differing levels of exposure to the formal schooling system. Some learners may have no CAPS curriculum exposure at all. This means that, if the Department of Education is to succeed in implementing the CAPS curriculum in Grade R, then it needs to assist schools more in the form of providing funds for primary schools to build and add space for the Grade R classrooms. Finally, the study showed that a language backlog remains one of the main challenges learners have to face. Historically, Early Childhood Development Centres were never required to use English as a medium of instruction. In fact, teaching in the preschool classroom, which includes Grade R, is still mostly done in one of many mother tongue languages, depending on the location of the centre. With the move to make Grade R part of formal schooling and moving the Reception Year class to a primary school, CAPS requires careful curriculum implementation from Grade R to Grade Three, although instruction in English is only required from Grade One.
Curriculum and Instructional Studies
M. Ed. (Specialisation in Curriculum Studies)