SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Information Studies

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111498	Master of Information Studies
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language		Information Studies
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Not Applicable	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

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.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

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).

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

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

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.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The University of Toronto in Canada offers a Master of Information qualification that requires a thesis (dissertation) of 21,000 words and can be achieved as supervised research. The University of Glasgow offers postgraduate qualifications in Information Studies either by attaining an MLitt (40,000-70,000 words) or an MPhil (30,000-40,000 words).

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for vertical articulation.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies qualification (NQF Level 10).

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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