Appendix D
Sample topics to be considered in emails
The following questions have been developed as a starting point. More questions will be generated in response to the findings of the quantitative survey and in response to participants’
comments as our understanding of participants’ views evolves.
Subject: Quick question Hi Guys
The question for today is:
What is the value of psychology honours?
Any response will be appreciated!
Thanks!
PS: If you want only the researcher to see your replyclick “reply to sender” but if you want your reply to be seen by other participants in the study select “Reply to all”.
Subject: Quick question Hi Guys
The question for today is:
What do your family and friends back home know about honours degrees? What would they think if you decided to do an honours degree?
Any response will be appreciated!
Thanks!
PS: If you want only the researcher to see your reply click “reply to sender” but if you want your reply to be seen by other participants in the study select“Reply to all”.
Subject: Quick question Hi Guys
The question for today is:
What would stop you from wanting to do post-graduate studies in Psychology?
Any response will be appreciated!
Thanks! PS: If you want only the researcher to see your reply click “reply to sender” but if you want your reply to be seen by other participants in the study select “Reply to all”.
Subject: Quick question Hi Guys
The question for today is:
What are the requirements for getting into Psychology honours?
Any response will be appreciated!
Thanks!
PS: If you want only the researcher to see your reply click “reply to sender” but if you want your reply to be seen by other participants in the study select “Reply to all”.
Subject: Quick question Hi Guys
The question for today is:
What is most important for you when you’re looking for a career? (E.g. status & respect, money, job satisfaction etc.)
Any response will be appreciated!
Thanks!
PS: If you want only the researcher to see your reply click “reply to sender” but if you want your reply to be seen by other participants in the study select “Reply to all”.
Subject: Quick question Hi Guys
The question for today is:
Are your friends thinking of doing post-graduate studies? (How many; what are they interested in etc.)
Any response will be appreciated!
Thanks!
PS: If you want only the researcher to see your reply click “reply to sender” but if you want your reply to be seen by other participants in the study select “Reply to all”.
Subject: Quick question Hi Guys
The question for today is:
What careers can you get into with post-graduate degrees in psychology like Psychology honours?
Any response will be appreciated!
Thanks!
PS: If you want only the researcher to see your reply click “reply to sender” but if you want your reply to be seen by other participants in the study select “Reply to all”.
Subject: Quick question Hi Guys
The question for today is:
What do your family and friends back home know about honours degrees?
Any response will be appreciated!
Thanks!
PS: If you want only the researcher to see your reply click “reply to sender” but if you want your reply to be seen by other participants in the study select “Reply to all”.
Appendix E
Topics to be addressed in open-ended interviews The following topics have been developed as a starting point.
Individual Interview
Please tell me about your background. Where are you from, your family and so on.
How did you end up at University?
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
What has University been like for you?
Have there been any major challenges?
What have you got out of studying here for your undergraduate degree? What’s really stood out for you?
How have the finances been?
Can you tell me the story of getting the finances together for University?
In your interactions with different departments, which has been the best and worst?
What has made these departments good or bad?
Tell me about your experiences with the School of Psychology.
Without mentioning names, have you had any bad experiences with lecturers in the School of Psychology?
Have you had any good experiences?
Which Psychology module has been your favourite and why?
What do you expect a Psychology Honours degree would be like?
Do you know anyone who has done a post-graduate psychology degree? What is their relationship to you?
What was their experience like?
Is there anything that attracts you to post-graduate studies in the School of Psychology?
Is there anything that puts you off?
What are the biggest barriers against taking your studies further?
Why do you think we have such low numbers of black African students going on to do honours degrees?
What could the School of Psychology Pietermaritzburg do to make their post-graduate degrees more attractive to black African students?