Application for acceptance as a Master or Doctoral student Department of Geography

Transcription

1 Application for acceptance as a Master or Doctoral student Department of Geography You will be evaluated on the following: Part A (with appendix A and B): - Completeness and extent of information supplied in the application and accompanying documentation. Part B: - Suitability and viability of the intended research - Writing skills and the use of scientific language - The focus area of your intended research - Supervision capacity in the Department - For students outside the borders of South Africa, the suitability and availability of an external supervisor in the country that the research is undertaken Part C: Additional criteria which may be applied to rank students: - Correction of any bias (race, gender, nationality) that might exist in the cohort of existing students. - Supervision capacity in the Department - For students outside the borders of South Africa, the suitability and availability of an external supervisor in the country that the research is undertaken Instructions: - Submit this application with completed Section A, B, Appendix A, Appendix B. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered. - Your proposal document (Section B) may not exceed the number of words for each section as specified in the prescribed template. Type the document using Arial 12pt and single line spacing.

2 P a g e 2 Evaluation rubric that will be used Criteria Section A: Applicant information (Part A) 1. General information (CV, qualifications, references, field of interest) All information not supplied Most information supplied Completed with all relevant information 2. Experience No experience in the field Some exposure in the field Relevant experience in the field of study 3. Previous research exposure No research experience Some exposure Evidence of research experience 4. Academic performance in 50-55% average 56-60% average 61% or more highest qualification 5. Referee reports No referees supplied. Positive referee reports received Part B: Intended research (please note this is not a draft proposal) however, the document will provide us with information we need to evaluate if we can accommodate you as a student in the Department of Geography. You will complete the proposal once you have been registered. Criteria Relevance of the research to the discipline of Geography 2. Writing skills and use of scientific language Not relevant and not suitable for a postgraduate study in Geography Poor use of language 3. Focus area in terms of the research groupings in the Department of Geography Not relevant 4. Concept document Not an acceptable standard 5. Referencing techniques Not an acceptable standard Part C: Departmental evaluation Mostly relevant to the discipline of Geography, although some changes should be affected before accepted Acceptable, but should be addressed Might be related to focus area Acceptable with revision Might need some development and assistance Relevant to the discipline of Geography Acceptable level Fit well within research focus area Acceptable Acceptable Criteria Supervision capacity of the Department of Geography No capacity internally and externally External capacity Internal capacity 2. Students outside the borders of South Africa Name of potential external supervisor is not supplied Only an external supervisor can be identified Comments in terms of additional requirements as specified in Section C: An external and an internal supervisor can be identified Signature of the Post Graduate Coordinator: Date of evaluation:

3 P a g e 3 Section A: Applicant information Personal details and contact information Title Surname First Names Gender Nationality Ethnic Group Identity/Passport Number Address Contact telephone number Current city of residence Current country of residence Employment detail Company Years of employment Job title City and Country of employment Curriculum Vitae Please insert Curriculum Vitae as Appendix A Certified Copies of full academic record Please insert certified copies of all previous qualifications AND academic record (subjects and results) as Appendix B Field of Interest Research Focus Area (see next page) Choose only 1 or 2 Human and Social Dynamics Research Group Roots- Driven Sustainable Socio-Economic Change in Rural South Africa, including migration studies Geomorphology-Process and Landform Investigation Research Group Teaching and Learning in Geography Research Group Geo-information research group Other (please indicate your specific research interest if it does not fit into one of the above groups)

4 P a g e 4 Present Research Groups in the Department of Geography Geo-Information Research Group Background and rationale In recent years, the technology of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has to a large extent been democratized. According to Yeung and Hall (2007) the availability of spatial data and a growing awareness (across a broad spectrum of society) of the importance of spatial information have contributed to the popularization of GIS. As a further driving force, one can perhaps also add the increasing availability and sophistication of open source GIS software. The reality is that spatial data and especially spatial analyses no longer appeals to Geographers only. Focus The following initial focuses were identified: Applying and teaching of Geo-Information technology Investigating the use of Open Source GIS packages in a South African context. Participatory GIS Spatial and temporal understanding of crime Geomorphology-Process and Landform Investigation Research Group Background and Rationale This group focusses on investigating earth surface processes and landforms in a changing world. Focus The focus of this group is to improve our understanding of geomorphic processes and landforms in predominantly the high-lying areas of southern Africa and sub-antarctic Marion Island. This will be done in the context of climate change. Current Projects or Research Questions Aeolian processes and landforms on Marion Island Needle-ice growth on sub-antarctic Marion Island: environmental triggers Sub-marine geomorphology of sub-antarctic Marion Island: implications for terrestrial glacial reconstructions Pronival ramparts in southern Africa: palaeo-environmental significance for the Late Quaternary Aeolian processes and landforms on Round Island, Mauritius Rock weathering rates at Vesleskarvet, Antarctica: a 5-year rock mass loss experiment. Human and Social Dynamics Research Group Background and Rationale: Research activities focuses on diverse issues of social and human settlement geography including seeking to identify innovative ways to address: Challenges of Urban Social Integration, Urban Governance and delivery of public urban services, Urban Development and Urban Growth and Urban Space. The purpose is to identify and propose new innovative ways to address Social and Human Settlement challenges in the context of urban and rural environments. Focus The Social and Human Settlement Research Group focuses on Social and Human Settlement dynamics in the context of urban environments. Current Projects or Research questions: Challenges and Innovative approaches to achieve social integration in urban environments. Geography of service delivery in urban environments. Contested urban space and urban development approaches Challenges and opportunities in Urban Development and Urban Planning. Teaching and Learning in Geography Research Group Background and Rationale The research within this group is educational in nature, with scientific methods being employed in pursuit of credible evidence to specify connections between models (theories), experiences (data), interpretation and development related to teaching and learning in the discipline of Geography. This research can be fundamental, i.e. on ideas reflecting the social, educational, and political developments impacting on teaching and learning in Geography and related fields. At the same time it can also be applied research, evaluative research and action research, which can inform the current educational situation, with specific reference to and application in the ODL context. Focus Common theme of projects within this research group: Exploration of the nature of teaching and learning (including ODL) in Geography and related fields, with a view to improve teaching practices and learning experiences. This is in order to strengthen Geography, including its relationship with other fields and its supporting role on various levels in societal and environmental transformation. Roots- Driven Sustainable Socio-Economic Change in the Global South including rural South Africa Orientation and context of the research project Although overall world population growth appears to becoming more stable, the uneven pace of population growth is significant demographically. The largest portion of the global population growth takes place in the Global South, while the country s in the

5 P a g e 5 Global North have static (or negative) population growth. The demographic contrast of population growth results in a number of significant spatial challenges. The failure to provide for populations in the various countries of the Global South has led to global poverty and inequality. There are a number of strategies in place to try an eliminate poverty and reduce the levels of inequality across the globe. The most important of these strategies has been the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that aim to free humanity from extreme poverty, inequality, hunger, illiteracy, and disease. The post 2015 agenda is the introduction of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include 19 focus areas that form the present focus of this group. In an attempt to address the high levels of poverty and inequality in South Africa, the National Planning Commission launched a National Development Plan. This Plan has as its aim to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by the Year The National Development Plan (NDP) can only be realized by drawing on the energies of the South African people, a growing and inclusive economy, by building on the capabilities of its citizens, by enhancing the capacity of the state, by providing leaderships and partnerships throughout society. The project embraces a reversal of the basic needs approach of many development agents that focuses on the problems and needs of a community. The asset-based community development approach focuses on the strengths and assets of the community. The fundamental assumption of the asset-based approach is that if communities focus on the positive aspects of the community, the overall achievement of wealth creation would be more successful. It is important to realize that this approach does not ignore the problems that do exist in communities; however, it chooses to focus on the strengths and small triumphs with the hope that there is a cognitive shift in the community over time that will equip them with the necessary skills to deal with their inherent challenges. The asset-based approach to community development is closely related to the sustainable livelihoods approach which brings together a number of individual approaches to achieve sustainable change. Present research areas Participatory rural appraisal in rural areas Application of a community asset mapping programme with the specific intention of reducing poverty and inequality. Water management and conservation in rural areas Empowering rural communities through community based tourism development HIV/AIDS advocacy and de-stigmatisation in rural areas Sustainable food security Post development theory and its link to human and social capital Land Reform Environmental awareness and responsibility in rural areas Sustainable livelihoods approach Health and population dynamics Gender and women empowerment Global partnerships for sustainable change. Migration studies

6 P a g e 6 Section B: Concept document draft Type over this text and insert the title of your research Type over this text and insert your name Draft topic for application for acceptance into MPGGR90/DPGGR00 (delete whichever code above is not applicable) in the subject GEOGRAPHY at the University of South Africa

7 I declare that Insert the title of your intended research is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. P a g e Signature Date Insert your name

8 P a g e 8 Table of Contents List of Figures... 9 List of Tables Introduction Motivation Preliminary literature search Formulation of aims/objectives/hypothesis Research methodology to be used Proposed framework of the research Relevance of this topic to the discipline of Geography References... 10

9 P a g e 9 List of Figures Page Number You must include a true to scale map of the area (remember the scale and the north arrow) List of Tables Page number Only if applicable delete if not required

10 P a g e Introduction Emphasise the importance of the proposed research and describe the research topic. No more than one 100 words. 2. Motivation Motivate why the topic requires research. Indicate what is proposed with the research. Provide an indication of what makes this research Geography. No more than 300 words. 3. Preliminary literature search A summary of the literature with a lead up to the problem description or statement is required. No more than 1000 words. 4. Problem description/statement Give a clear and concise description of the intended research problem or question. You should denote exactly what you intend to do and what you want to achieve with the research. This should link to the wording of the title of the intended research. Identify the population/geographical area. No more than 300 words. Provide a true to scale map of the area. 5. Formulation of draft aims/objectives/hypothesis These must be formulated in very clearly, and make use of bullets or numbers to present the aims/objectives/hypothesis. This is draft and will probably change. It is however important that you show in your aims and objectives a clear understanding of how a geographer would address the problem stated No more than 200 words. 6. Research methodology to be used Identify your population in terms of a description and size. Clearly indicate the intended method of data collection whether within quantitative or qualitative methodology, as well as the techniques of data collection. Indicate whether field workers will be used and what computer programmes will be used to analyse data. Indicate which strategies will be followed (i.e. the actions and their sequence). No more than 300 words. 7. Proposed framework of the research Provide a schematic diagram of the framework of your proposed research. 8. Relevance of this topic to the discipline of Geography Explain the relevance of your proposed topic to the discipline of Geography vs other related disciplines such as environmental management, environmental sciences, development studies and others. As this is research for a degree in Geography you need to be very clear on what makes this Geography? In the case of doctoral applications, please provide in detail the contribution your research will make to the discipline of Geography. No more than 300 words. 9. References Aim to provide at least 5 scholarly, academic and peer reviewed resources, please note the use of popular resources will be penalised in the final evaluation of the application. Please ensure that at least 60% of your references were published after 2010.

11 P a g e 11 Appendix A: Full CV Please insert your full CV

12 P a g e 12 Appendix B: Full academic record Please insert your full academic record, ie certified copies of all previous qualifications AND certified copies of your full academic record (subjects and results).