Assessment Criteria
Criteria 7: In the case of engagement through research and scholarship,
the information referred to under Assessment Criteria (Criteria 7),
where applicable needs to be provided
The research undertaken was highly participatory in terms of the action research projects, The research on aspects of
teaching and learning, mostly in terms of language, discussion and developing scientific and mathematical literacy,
were empirical studies aimed at problem analysis and solving. As noted earlier, the questions framed in all of the
studies stemmed from understandings gained from similar engagement research projects undertaken just prior to this
particular year of intervention, as well as from literature on the various aspects of the project. The methodological
designs ranged from notions of ‘new scholarship in action research’ framed by identified concerns, while the studies
on teaching and learning issues embraced a mixed method approach which yielded both qualitative and quantitative
data. The quantitative data were rigorously treated statistically and revealed statistically and practically significant
differences for different treatments. The data were largely generated during the intervention process and by teachers
in their schools in general, and in their classrooms in particular. The findings were disseminated via official reports for
donors and stakeholders. Doctoral and master’s theses, conference presentations and proceedings, and articles in
accredited journals were produced from the data generated. All of the studies support the NMMU research themes at
the time and also fall comfortably within the ambit of the newly revised institutional research themes [See links from
main menu].