Master of Information Studies

Purpose

The qualification provides a foundation in the Information sector as well as skill sets necessary for emerging leadership roles of information professionals in information centres, the information industry, and other venues. The purpose of this qualification is to train and equip learners with specialised skills and scientific knowledge to be known leaders in such fields as archival centres, digital literacy, school media libraries, digital libraries, classification, reference services, and much more.

The curriculum is designed to support both general and specific educational goals, allowing learners to tailor the qualification to their specific information studies related interests. Learners completing a Master's qualification in Information Studies at the institution will build knowledge and skills to prepare them for a wide variety of employment, research, and publication options throughout their professional careers.

Rationale

In this rapidly changing world, effective Information Management and retrieval is increasingly becoming a requirement for the success. There is a need for in-depth knowledge to deal with the challenges associated with of information production, dissemination and management. The qualification is designed for learners to give them an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience in research. This qualification intends also to equip learners with specialised skills and scientific knowledge to organise information for easy retrieval based on the needs of their users, and came up with new knowledge and innovation. Information is regarded as one of the key resources that can help any society and organisations to develop and compete with the world. Therefore, it is important that just like any other resource, we manage information effectively. This qualification aligns to the national priority of job provision and ensuring sustainable livelihoods through increasing managerial and entrepreneurial capacity in the country but particularly in the regions served by University of Limpopo (UL) in a variety of fields.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned to the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the qualification is possible via RPL as well as indicating advanced standing, provided that it is aligned to the institutional policy and that the learner is evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor in a manner that is free from any form of discrimination. RPL practices also include standard Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) practices of equivalent modules that may have been achieved in the course of the learner's studies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor Honours qualification (in a relevant field, Level 8).

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 10,180 Credits

• Dissertation (Information Studies), 180 Credits.

1. The learner should be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge and be able to critique and evaluate current research or practices.
2. The learner is able to demonstrate a command of and the ability to design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems.
3. Solve problems in the field of chosen specialisation.
4. The learner accesses, manages and produces information ethically in the context of the specialisation practitioner's profession.
5. The learner is sensitive to and understands the contexts and systems of the profession.
6. Manages his or her own learning and takes accountability for his or her own work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The learner drafts a research proposal on an approved topic in the chosen specialisation that demonstrates the knowledge that the learner has integrated in the chosen specialisation.
• The learner reflects on current and recent research in the field in the process of underscoring the process of researching the identified problem.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The learner drafts a research proposal of acceptable stander in line with the faculty guidelines for the chosen specialisation.
• A research dissertation of the required length and complexity is produced that demonstrates the application of the research design to the identified problem.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The learner produces a research dissertation that reflects on current research, problem analysis and implementation of strategies to solve problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The research dissertation contributes to the understanding, analysis and resolution of identified research areas in an ethically appropriate manner.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The research dissertation is properly contextualised and rooted in the specialisation area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• The learner applies him/herself to the researching and writing of the dissertation in the prescribed time frame.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment takes place across all learning outcomes. Integration of exit level outcomes is assessed in the form of a full research dissertation.