WIReDSpace

Welcome to WIReDSpace (Wits Institutional Repository on DSpace)

For queries relating to content and technical issues, please contact IR specialists via this email address : openscholarship.library@wits.ac.za,
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Communities in WIReDSpace

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 20

Recent Submissions

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    Research Integrity
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
    The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits, or the University), is a research intensive university that strives for excellence in research as part of the broader scope of scholarly endeavour. Research is understood to be the process of thorough investigation, systematic discovery and/or rigorous analysis that aims to uncover the truth, produce a deeper understanding and/or create new knowledge. Importantly, research is inexorably intertwined with the principles of integrity, honesty and reliability. The aim of this policy is to influence the behaviour of individuals and the corporate University, and to get researchers to collectively commit to conducting research with the utmost integrity and ethics. This commitment is made within the context of the full recognition that academic and intellectual freedom enables high quality research. This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Wits Code of Conduct1. It is important to recognise too that breaches of research integrity norms and standards lead inevitably to the harm of participants and damage to the reputations of individuals and the University, which in turn impedes ongoing and future high quality research.
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    FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship
    (GoFair, 2016) GoFair
    In 2016, the ‘FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship’1 were published in Scientific Data. The authors intended to provide guidelines to improve the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability of digital assets. The principles emphasise machine actionability (i.e., the capacity of computational systems to find, access, interoperate, and reuse data with none or minimal human intervention) because humans increasingly rely on computational support to deal with data as a result of the increase in volume, complexity, and creation speed of data.
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    Factors Influencing the Implementation of Termination of Pregnancy Policy in Gauteng Department of Health: A Multi-Method Study
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Tlhabela, Daphney
    Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the factors influencing the implementation of the termination of pregnancy policy in Gauteng Department of Health to recommend how to better align the TOP services with guidelines of the Gauteng province under the CTOP (Act of 1996) as amended by the CTOPA 2008. Method: A multi-method research design included a scoping review, semi-structured interviews with selected stakeholders and an audit of the demand for TOP services and the resources and facilities. The study was conducted in phases, ending with a triangulation of the data derived from the first three phases to answer the research question. Findings: The scoping review revealed that access to abortions remains a problem in many countries, whether there is legal provision for the practice or not. Negative attitudes abound in societies, and poor knowledge of the legislation and processes exists. The ethical considerations, including the conscientious objection clause found in some policies, result in limited provision of services. Cultural and societal influences impact women wishing to seek termination of pregnancy and the providers of the service. Participants in the semi-structured interviews indicated that the working conditions were not ideal. They feel there is a lack of managerial support, and working alone without the support of colleagues makes the work stressful. The audit indicated that most of the equipment listed as requirements in the guidelines is present. Still, the participants in the interviews said that the supply of medications for TOP is intermittent. There is no physical space for providers to offer a confidential service. While providers only assisted an average of one patient an hour, this finding should be seen in the light that they are required to participate in other work in the health establishments. Patients bypass the clinics in their first trimester and choose to attend hospitals meant to provide second-trimester TOP. Recommendations: Specific recommendations were made for the Gauteng Department of Health based on the findings of this study. Recommendations related to: optimisation and expansion of available space for TOP services; Dealing with conscientious objection and stigma; ensuring the constant supply of abortion drugs; vi Management support; the provision of second-trimester abortion services; and reducing complications related to unsafe abortions. In addition, recommendations were made for further research and nursing education. Conclusion: The constrained working environment and negative attitudes in the community and amongst health professionals negatively influence the implementation of the TOP policy. Based on the recommendations of this study, it is hoped that measures will be put in place to improve access to TOP and implementation of the TOP policy.
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    Copyright Act no. 98 of 1978
    (Republic of South Africa, 1978) Republic of South Africa
    N/A
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    Understanding interrelationships between AI and digital public infrastructure (DPI) in India and Brazil
    (2025-07-15) Sengupta, Amrita; Barbosa, Alexandre Costa; Samdub, Mila