Papers by Rembrandt Klopper
Content analysis is a qualitative research method that analyses the content of conversations and ... more Content analysis is a qualitative research method that analyses the content of conversations and other types of text according to principles of categorisation. During content analysis researchers usually pragmatically derive categories from the topic that forms the focus of their research. Similarly, thinkers and communicators choose categories pragmatically, based on the context provided by the scenario that is being thought about or described. Due to the pragmatic basis of content analysis as well as communication, such categories are often context-specific and transient. Categories therefore remain the black box of content analysis and the analysis of ongoing communication interactions. In order to clarify the role of categories during research, including in content analysis, I briefly explain what the term 'categorisation' means. Thereafter I propose an interdisciplinary model in which speech acts form a robust framework to analyse the contents of different types of communicationnonverbal A Framework for Integrating Cognition, Speech Acts and Communication 289 communication, interpersonal verbal and written communication, and intrapersonal communicationused by humans during cooperative, competitive and confrontational forms of communication. Klopper (2005:109) further distinguishes between interpersonal communication and intrapersonal communication:
In this contribution we propose the use of two types of matrices as conceptual scaffolding at the... more In this contribution we propose the use of two types of matrices as conceptual scaffolding at the beginning of a problem-solution oriented research project when solutions to problems under investigation are finite while ignorance about them is more or less infinite. The first type of matrix is the problem-research question alignment matrix used to ensure that the sub-problems that are identified in problem statements are properly aligned with the research questions that the researcher poses to ensure viable empirical results. The second type of matrix is the concept matrix used to present a concept-centric rather than an author-centric literature review, thereby ensuring that one’s literature review does not become a subjective process stitching together a patchwork quilt of references, or the unilateral cherry picking of references that supports a preferred point of view. Finally, we would like to point out that the concept-centric approach to literature review that we propose is firmly rooted in epistemological research philosophy.
Our contribution reports the results of an exploratory investigation into how ready South African... more Our contribution reports the results of an exploratory investigation into how ready South African senior citizens are to adopt electronic banking practices (e-Banking). We base our conclusions on an exploratory survey of 70 senior citizen bank customers that reside in old age centres in Gauteng and North-West provinces, with Gauteng considered to being predominantly urban and North West Province considered to be predominantly peri-urban. Electronic banking (e-Banking), requires that senior citizens have bank accounts and are registered at their banks to access those electronically via ATMs, via landline telephones or smart cell phones. Our findings reveal that senior citizen bank customers who have access to electronic services and products are ready for electronic banking.
Recent national and international reports have shown that South African education is not up to st... more Recent national and international reports have shown that South African education is not up to standard. Some of the problem areas are the low levels of literacy and numeracy among South African learners as listed in the local media. Instead of leaving it to academics and politicians who are not part of everyday educational practice, to find solutions to the literacy and numeracy problems this article suggests that the educational practitioner should become a research protagonist by engaging in classroom-based action research. Consequently, the objective of this article is to show how a pragmatic approach, utilising the attributes of action research, could be a viable option for conducting research from grassroots level, rather than engaging in traditional forms of research. Based on a literature study, a number of aspects of everyday educational practice are identified and matched with action research attributes to demonstrate its viability for pragmatic classroom-based research. It is suggested that educators become the leaders of such a pragmatic research process, with academics acting as associates and advisors.
Management, Informatics and …
The 8th European Conference on E- …, 2008
In this contribution we document the concept matrix method of literature review that could be use... more In this contribution we document the concept matrix method of literature review that could be used as conceptual scaffolding at the beginning of a problem-based research project when the researcher's knowledge about the subject is finite and her/ his ignorance about it is more or less infinite. The concept matrix provides a means t o systematise the process of literature review, thereby ensuring that a literature review does not become a subjective process stitching a patchwork quilt of references, or the unilateral cherry picking of references that supports one's point of view, while ignoring references that present contrary points of view.
This paper deals with the need for educators to provide precise instructional guidelines for stu... more This paper deals with the need for educators to provide precise instructional guidelines for students to use during online information searches to ensure relevant search results. The
efficient use of information is a key factor to successful information retrieval. If educators do not properly specify what information is required, it would affect particularly novice searchers’ perceptions of the perceived ease of information retrieval and therefore their perceptions the usefulness of information searches. The problem goes beyond completing assignments in school or at university, because in the age of knowledge-driven economies many employees have to rely on their online search skills to help solve problems encountered by the organisations that employ them, or to optimise work-place procedures. This would make them not mere searchers, but actual researchers. The authors of this article speculate that educators’ imprecise and inadequate search instructions to students may be due to significant epistemological differences between how information is organised on Internet repositories and educators’ personal understanding of such information. New insights may be gained by extending information searching to educators’ understanding of how online information is organised, can be accessed and translated into knowledge.
AlterNation, Jan 1, 2003
In this contribution, I analyse the metaphor cluster, yesterday is another coun-try… no one has a... more In this contribution, I analyse the metaphor cluster, yesterday is another coun-try… no one has a passport back there. I use the theoretical framework, conceptual blending, developed in way we think: conceptual blending and the mind's hidden complexities. According to Fauconnier & Turner, conceptual blending forms the basis for a variety of forms of every-day thinking, and should therefore not be seen as a form of cognition that is limited to specialised forms of reasoning like analogical thinking, mathematical calculation and metaphor construction. In particular, I look at the role of image schema theory in Fauconnier & Turner's before-mentioned body of work, and how image schemas are said to simplify extremely complex real-world events to fit human scale thinking by compressing some elements of meaning into other elements of meaning during conceptual blending. In the first part of the article, I outline Fauconnier & Turner's theory, and analyse the vital relations that are compressed during blending to achieve human-scale cognition. In the second part, I look at how blending compressions operate in counterfactual blends, humour and metaphor the metaphor, yesterday is another country… no one has a passport back there.
Universities in SA are an example of Semi-Governmental Institutes. They have developed and implem... more Universities in SA are an example of Semi-Governmental Institutes. They have developed and implemented a variety of Information Systems (IS) for the use of their students and lecturers. The problem is that insufficient attention has been paid to the impacts of IS on social communities of organisations. The social impact of IS is rarely taken into account when systems are being designed or implemented, leading to many IS failures. This research report gives an account of issues around the interface between IS and society, and addresses the social impact of IS by investigating the IS and its users at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Particular social impacts of IS will be discussed with the objective of proposing a set of guidelines to help ensure that the potential social impacts of tertiary institutes’ IS are already being considered in their design and implementation phases, thereby increasing the likelihood of their successful implementation. Those who stand to benefit from information contained in this study include various tertiary institutes’ faculties of Information Systems and Technology, the departments responsible for the development of those IS, their users, and encompassing the social community.
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Papers by Rembrandt Klopper
efficient use of information is a key factor to successful information retrieval. If educators do not properly specify what information is required, it would affect particularly novice searchers’ perceptions of the perceived ease of information retrieval and therefore their perceptions the usefulness of information searches. The problem goes beyond completing assignments in school or at university, because in the age of knowledge-driven economies many employees have to rely on their online search skills to help solve problems encountered by the organisations that employ them, or to optimise work-place procedures. This would make them not mere searchers, but actual researchers. The authors of this article speculate that educators’ imprecise and inadequate search instructions to students may be due to significant epistemological differences between how information is organised on Internet repositories and educators’ personal understanding of such information. New insights may be gained by extending information searching to educators’ understanding of how online information is organised, can be accessed and translated into knowledge.
efficient use of information is a key factor to successful information retrieval. If educators do not properly specify what information is required, it would affect particularly novice searchers’ perceptions of the perceived ease of information retrieval and therefore their perceptions the usefulness of information searches. The problem goes beyond completing assignments in school or at university, because in the age of knowledge-driven economies many employees have to rely on their online search skills to help solve problems encountered by the organisations that employ them, or to optimise work-place procedures. This would make them not mere searchers, but actual researchers. The authors of this article speculate that educators’ imprecise and inadequate search instructions to students may be due to significant epistemological differences between how information is organised on Internet repositories and educators’ personal understanding of such information. New insights may be gained by extending information searching to educators’ understanding of how online information is organised, can be accessed and translated into knowledge.