Master of Audiology

1. To equip students with the necessary critical insight, maturity, judgement, and experience to undertake independent research in a specialised field of knowledge in the profession of Audiology.
2. To deepen the knowledge base of the chosen field of specialisation by generating new knowledge or insight.
3. To enable students to participate in or contribute to the pursuit of knowledge and is doing to advance and develop the profession of Audiology nationally and internationally.
4. To contribute towards the development of a culture of continuous learning in the profession in South Africa.
5. To develop the practice of the profession in South Africa on a scientific basis and thereby also to contribute to better practice for persons with communication disorders

First degree: BSp-LangTher, BSc(Log), BSp H Th, B Comm Path.

Other qualification(s)

An appropriate Honours degree or qualification approved by the Senate for this purpose. Depending on the chosen field of study, additional work and or proof of competency may be required.

1). GENERIC / CRITICAL CROSS FIELD OUTCOMES

The MAud graduate will

1. Demonstrate an ability to identify relevant research questions and resolve them in a manner consistent with creative and critical thinking.
2. Organise and manage all aspects of the research process in an efficient and responsible manner.
3. Participate effectively and collaborate in team activities for research purposes
4. Use appropriate technology to obtain, analyse and utilise the relevant information.
5. Communicate effectively in a variety of media and disseminate acquired knowledge through appropriate channels
6. Explore further options for ongoing basic and applied research as a means of achieving life long learning
7. Ensure that the outcomes of research contribute to the development of the profession and are implemented in clinical practice in the best interests of persons with communication disorders.

2). GENERAL OUTCOMES

The MAud graduate will be able to

1. Identify problems in the field of hearing and related speech-language disorders and locate them within the conceptual framework of a research question.
2. Review the literature and critically evaluate related research
3. Identify a suitable research design to investigate the research question(s) at issue.
4. Write a research proposal and submit it to the appropriate national bodies for financial and other support
5. Plan and conduct a research project, analyse the data, and correctly interpret the findings
6. Publish the findings in a research report, for submission also to peer reviewed journals.

3). SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

The MAud graduate will be competent to perform the professional function of research into hearing related speech-language disorders

1).

The evidence for the successful achievement of the desired outcomes is derived from the following

1. Theoretical and oral examinations by internal and external examiners
2. Collaboration with researchers nationally
3. Participation in national and international conferences
4. Publications
5. Peer review of suitable activities.

2).

The outcomes will be assessed as follows

1. Written and oral examinations
2. Oral presentations of seminar papers based on in-depth literature surveys of relevant and related areas of communication science and communication disorders.
3. Written analyses of current research questions in relevant and related areas of communication science and communication disorders
4. A thesis

These functions will be measured against the following criteria for competence

1. Recognising local, regional and national research needs
2. Responding to the need for further investigation into a particular area of focus
3. Critically evaluating pertinent literature
4. Selecting a suitable method of investigation for the research purpose
5. Executing the research
6. Recording and analysing the results
7. Publishing findings in peer reviewed journals

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Candidates should submit a thesis that contains the report of the research. The thesis should meet the standards and requirements of research design and reporting through an integration of all of the necessary analyses, arguments and evidence in support of the hypothesis.