Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to train and equip candidates with skills and knowledge to identify, select, organise, capture and disseminate relevant information to society and the organisations based on their needs. Addressing the national priority of the creation of jobs and sustainable livelihoods, this qualification contributes to Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of national, provincial, and local government structures in successfully implementing basic service delivery programmes.

Upon completion, qualifying learners will be able to

• Identify and acquire information and information source and services.
• Manage library and information services, and manage archival materials and records.
• Provide library and information user services.
• Develop library and information technical and maintenance support services.
• Justify and analyse a range of data collection procedures.
• Manage routine Records and Archives support services.

Rationale

This qualification aimed at providing candidates who hold a Bachelor's Degree in any field, with a career qualification in Library and Information Science. The qualification intends to equip learners with knowledge and skills to deal with the problem of information overload, organise information for easy retrieval based on the needs of their users, and ensure that the right information is made available at the right time for the right purpose. Typically, employment will be found in the public service sector in libraries, but opportunities are available in organisations in various sectors that require research and information handling and retrieval. Information is regarded as one of the key resources that can help any society and organisations to develop and compete with the world.

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 applicant 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 applicant's studies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Information Studies: Education, Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Library and Information Studies, Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• User Services and Marketing in Library & Information Science (Lis), 12 Credits.
• Information Management and Databases, 12 Credits.
• Cataloguing and Classification, 12 Credits.
• Management and Administration of Lis, 12 Credits.
• Information Society and Development, 12 Credits.
• Libraries and Collection Management, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Indexing and Abstracting Services, 12 Credits.
• Information Systems Management and Automation, 12 Credits.
• Research in LIS, 16 Credits.
• Lis Fieldwork, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate knowledge and application of Information Studies.
2. Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in Information Studies and evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
3. Selecting, applying or transferring appropriate standard procedures, processes or techniques in Information Studies.
4. Ability to solve problems in information studies.
5. Demonstrate professional practice and awareness of ethical appropriateness.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Provide library and information user services.
• Explain the factors that contribute to growth of knowledge.
• Show knowledge and skills of the practical application of List of Subject Headings.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify and acquire information and information source and services.
• Manage library and information services, and manage archival materials and records.
• Appreciate the relevance of indigenous knowledge systems in society.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop library and information technical and maintenance support services.
• Manage routine Records and Archives support services.
• Explain the principles and procedures followed in selecting information sources.
• Describe procedures in the publishing industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Justify and analyse a range of data collection procedures.
• Identify problems in IS development, discuss their underlying causes and propose solutions.
• Identify and recognise information problems and needs of the individual/society, in particular those living in developing and underdeveloped countries.
• Propose solutions to information problems faced by impoverished communities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify ethical and legal issues related to information.
• Appraise the wider ethical issues associated with Information Studies (IS) development and discuss their implications for computers and computerised information.

Integrated Assessment.

Integrated assessment practices in this qualification are aligned to the qualification modular and exit level outcomes, and core focus areas. Assessment takes place across exit level outcomes, which include the ability to:

• Identify and acquire information and information source and services.
• Manage library and information services, and manage archival materials and records.
• Provide library and information user services.
• Develop library and information technical and maintenance support services.
• Justify and analyse a range of data collection procedures.
• Manage routine Records and Archives support services.

Both formative and summative assessments are used with a 60:40 weighting respectively. A combination of tests, assignments and presentations are used to prepare the learners formatively while theoretical exams are used summatively. In the case of Research, a research report is assessed and for Work Integrated Learning monthly reports are formatively used while a supervisor report is summatively evaluated.