ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The perceptions of students, teachers, and educational officers in Ghana on the role of computer and the teacher in promoting the first five principles of instruction

This study explored the perceptions of 395 participants (students, teachers, and education officers) in Ghana on the role of the computer and the teacher in promoting the first five principles of instruction for quality teaching and learning. To achieve the intention of the study, five point Likert-type scales based on the first five principles of instruction, with Cronbach alpha of .87, were used for the data collection. Frequency distributions and chisquare tests were employed to analyse the data. The results of the study indicate that there is perception dissimilarities among the participants on the role of a computer and a teacher in implementing the first five principles of instruction. In addition, according to the findings, there is a mismatch of participants' recommendations on training students to acquire computer skills, and training teachers to acquire skills in designing their teaching. The theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed. � The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology.

Source: UEW
Perceptions of teachers on performance appraisal at Kwabre East Municipality

The study was conducted to investigate perception of teachers on performance appraisal in Junior High School at Kwabre East Municipality. This was necessitated by the important role the performance appraisal had played and continues to play in the success of schools. The objectives of the study were to identify performance appraisal methods that exist within junior high schools in Kwabre East Municipality, find out challenges associated with performance appraisal within junior high schools in Kwabre East Municipality and to investigate the effects of performance appraisal feedback on commitment of teachers within junior high schools in Kwabre East Municipality. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The research population comprised 90 junior high school teachers. Census sampling technique was used to include 90 respondents for the study. Questionnaire with closed and opened ended items were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and mean were used to analyse data for the study. The Cronbach alpha coefficient was estimated as 0.78 for the study. The study revealed that heads of schools organized performance appraisal once every year. Most teachers adopted the usage of the modem methods of performance appraisal with ranking and grading. Lack of training and lack of knowledge on the side of appraisers were some of the hindrances of performance appraisal. Performance appraisal feedback ensured a positive attitude towards work. It is recommended that headteachers should engage in frequent evaluation of teachers’ performance. This would help in supporting human resource activities such as promotion, salary administration and identification of strengths and weakness of teachers.

Source: UEW
Perceptions of the general public on second-hand clothing a case of users and sellers in the Greater Accra Metropolis

The purpose of the study was to assess the perceptions of the general public on second-hand clothing with specific reference to users and sellers in the Greater Accra Metropolis. This study used a case study design. Quantitative research approach was used. The total population was 630 second-hand clothes sellers and fashion users in the Greater Accra Metropolis. Rand om sampling method was used to select 242 respondents f or the study. The instrument used in primary data collection was questionnaire. Quantitative data was organized and analyzed statistically using Statistical Package f or Social Science (SPSS) S oft ware. The study results revealed that less than half of the respondents said that because second-hand clothing is relatively cheaper than the made-in-Ghana garments, more people patronize it at the expense of the latter. Moreover, majority of the respondents indicated that because of the l o w demand f or made in Ghana products, Ghanaian clothes cannot compete well with imported second-hand clothes. In addition, more than half of the respondents affirmed that laying- off of workers in the Garment Industry can affect the industry. The study findings show that the majority of the respondents agreed that in Ghana, many people prefer using second hand clothes, as it is the only way they can afford to wear decent clothing, due to the high cost of new clothes, even the locally-made ones. Finally, average number of the respondents agreed that many people prefer second-hand clothes, since they are cheaper and more durable as compared to the ones s old in boutiques. The study recommends enforcement of the ban on the importation of second-hand clothing such as under pants, brassier, to forestall the spread of any contagious disease and there is the need to continue to promote the Friday wear to enhance sales of local clothing.

Source: UEW
Perceptions of the people on “operation vanguard” in the upper Denkyira west district in the central region of Ghana

The study was designed to examine the prospects and challenges of Operation Vanguard in the Upper Denkyira West District. In conducting the study, the case study design was used. A sample size of twenty-two participants was selected for the study using the purposive and convenient sampling techniques. The data were analysed qualitatively. The main findings from the research are that Operation Vanguard has two other parallel operations running alongside it. These are GalamSTOP and the Small-Scale Miners Association Task Force. Operation Vanguard appears militarised involving the use of weapons and force on miners. The operation is faced with challenges, including military limitations, political challenges and economic challenges. There were socio-cultural factors that were also affecting Operation Vanguard. In terms of prospects, the future of Operation Vanguard appears bleak and unpredictable. Based on the findings from the research, it was recommended that community leaders and chiefs should be involved in the fight against illegal mining. In addition, there is the need for Parliament to pass a law to regulate the activities of Operation Vanguard. Moreover, Operation Vanguard should not work in isolation, but rather it should team up with various groups in the District, including traditional and religious authorities, Assembly and Unit Committee members to stop illegal mining in the District. This will offer Operation Vanguard the necessary cooperation from the local people to contribute to its success. The local people must also be introduced to other forms of alternative livelihood methods to reduce their over-dependence on mining for their survival.

Source: UEW
Perceptions of the practices of basic school head teachers’ instructional supervision at the Asokore Mampong Municipality

The purpose of the study was to investigate “perceptions of the practices of basic school head teachers’ instructional supervision at Asokore Mampong Municipality”. The study sort to find out how head teachers perceived instructional supervision, determine their instructional supervisory practices, ascertain the perceived impact of head teachers’ instructional supervisory practices on teachers’ performance and establish the correlation between head teachers’ perceptions and their practices. The descriptive survey design was used for the study with quantitative approach. The target population for the study consisted of all head teachers and assistants in public basic schools in the Asokore Mampong Municipality. Census sampling method was employed to select the accessible population of 110 head teachers for the study and questionnaire was used to collect data. 100 respondents who completely answered all the questionnaire items was used for the analysis of this study. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in tables, frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation and correlation test. Among others, the study found that head teachers perceived instructional supervision to be concerned with commending teachers for improved instructional behaviour, conferencing with teachers to plan for observation of lesson and providing in-service training to teachers to improve their skills. It was recorded that instructional supervision contributes to continuous professional development of teachers. The study found that there was a positive correlation between head teachers’ perception and their practice of instructional supervision.

Source: UEW
Performance evaluation of building contractors on public projects a case study of Bolgatanga municipality

The performance of contractors is essential to the success of construction projects. Enhancing the performance of construction firms will significantly contribute to the productivity of the construction industry. The aim of the study was to examine performance of building contractors on public projects in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The study adopted a descriptive survey approach involving the design and administration of survey questionnaires. The respondents’ for the study was 38 consultants using census approach. The findings of the study revealed that consultants evaluate the performance of contractors on public projects in the municipality. It was revealed that the criteria/factors considered in the performance evaluation of building contractors were quality, time, and cost. The main aspects of quality considered by the consultants included; level of skills of contractor’s personnel, establishing quality audit (inspections), and adequate equipment holding. The critical aspect of time considered by the consultants included; adequate time estimate, project planning and scheduling and the type of project design. The important aspects of cost considered by the consultants included fluctuations and variations in project execution, financial standing, and delay in project execution. Based on the aforementioned findings, the study recommended that building contractors and consultants should consistently organize intensive and effective education and training programmes for their workers to upgrade their technical knowledge and professional expertise to suit modern architectural requirements for quality delivery of projects. There is also the need to ensure timely completion of projects and cost reduction to clients.

Source: UEW
Performance of students with visual impairments in mathematics in Ghana National and St. Joseph Basic Schools in Ghana

This study employed sequential explanatory design to find out the performance of students with visual impairments in mathematics in the Ghana National and St. Joseph Basic Schools in Ghana. Sixty students with visual impairments and two mathematics teachers were purposively sampled for the study. Documentary analysis, questionnaires and one-on-one interview were used to elicit data for the study. The data gathered were analysed using descriptive statistical tools such as simple percentages, frequency, mean and standard deviations. The results of the study revealed that the performance of students with visual impairments in mathematics was below average. The findings also revealed that the students’ performances in multiplication and division were low. The findings further showed that, teachers’ and students’ attitude, teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge in mathematics, class size, non-availability and inadequacy of teaching and learning resources were some of the factors that hampered students with visual impairments’ performance in mathematics. Additionally, the findings showed that, recruitment of more qualified mathematics teachers, verbal descriptions of instructions and adaptation of mathematics materials were some of the strategies that could be adopted to improve the performance of the students. It was recommended that the Ghana Education Service (GES) should collaborate with school heads to organize in-service training, seminars, and workshops for regular education teachers on how to teach mathematics to students with visual impairments.

Source: UEW
Performance of Stylosanthes hamata in the rangelands of northern Ghana

Stylosanthes hamata (stylo) was introduced into communities in the Northern Savanna Zone of Ghana in 1994 for rangeland improvement through oversowing. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of S. hamata in northern Ghana. The study was carried out in 15 communities in five districts in September 2003. The instruments used to gather data were questionnaires, direct field measurements and field observations. The results of the study indicated that stylo plants were found in places where oversowing was not carried out. The average plant population densities for new and old plants were similar (13.6 vs 13.8 plants m-2) (p ? 0.05). Old plants were found to be significantly (p ? 0.05) taller than new plants but the biomass yield of the latter was significantly (p ? 0.05) better than the former. Old plants had better flowering ability than the new plants (p ? 0.05). Pests of stylo included grasshoppers (Zonocerus variegatus) and black ants (Delichoderus thoracicus). Other plant species were observed to have grown alongside stylo, and some of these were weeds that suppressed the growth of stylo. The study demonstrated that S. hamata was successfully established in community rangelands in northern Ghana. Copyright � NISC Pty Ltd.

Source: UEW
Performance of upper primary pupils who are deaf in the basic mathematical operations at the University Practice Inclusive School, South Campus, Winneba

This study explored performance of upper primary pupils with deafness in basic mathematical operations at the University Practice South Inclusive School in Winneba. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. The approach was qualitative that employed a case study research design. Purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to sample five (5) teachers and seven (7) pupils with deafness from the upper primary. A semi- structured interview guide and work sample analysis of pupils were used to collect data for the study. The interview for the pupils was on their performance in the basic operations and was conducted using sign language whiles the teachers were done in oral language. The instruments were pretested at Cape Coast School for the Deaf to determine a baseline and establish validity. In the actual test, pupils’ class tests and end of term examinations were used to analyze their performance. Data collected were analyzed thematically according to the various themes raised in the four research questions. Findings from the study revealed that mathematics was a difficult subject by the pupils. Again, there were individual, home and school factors such as pupils’ absenteeism, pupils’ lack of intrinsic motivation due to the perception that mathematics was difficult, some teachers’ incompetence in sign language influenced pupils’ performance in the basic operations. Recommendations were that the head and teachers of the school should help eradicate the perception that mathematics is difficult. Again, teachers and pupils with deafness should improve upon their sign language skills to enable effective communication.

Source: UEW
The persistence of truancy among students in the bono east region the case of Hansua Kwaku-Twi Junior High School

Truancy has become a burden in schools plaguing the lives and education of students who fall victim. It is indeed a syndrome that has become deep seated and perpetuating. Various factors contribute to its occurrence. This study therefore was undertaken to investigate the causes of student’s truancy in secondary schools, ascertain its effect on their lives and to determine the measures needed to control it. The study used quantitative research methods. The target population of the study comprised the teachers and students from Kwaku Twi JuniorHigh School. A sample of fifty (50) teachers was selected using the purposive sampling technique. This study used questionnaires as instrument for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used for the study. The study found out that single parenthood arising from broken homes was the likely cause of students’ truancy accounting. Again, it was clear however that, the failure of students to perform respectably in school was mostly attributable to truancy. In the light of this, it was beyond question that truancy has the potential to lead into crook ways of life, social deviants or educational failure. It was also discovered that lack of parental supervision due to broken homes, poor school policies, teachers’ attitudes contribute to the truancy of students, impact of bullying from other students and lack of financial support were contributory factors in varied degrees of impact. Based on the findings, the study recommended that appropriate measures like good relationships between the school, parents and community therefore are needed to control this educational and social challenge.

Source: UEW
The persistence of truancy among students in the Bono East Region, the case of Hansua Kwaku Twi Junior High School

Truancy has become a burden in schools plaguing the lives and education of students who fall victim. It is indeed a syndrome that has become deep seated and perpetuating. Various factors contribute to its occurrence. This study therefore was undertaken to investigate the causes of student’s truancy in secondary schools, ascertain its effect on their lives and to determine the measures needed to control it. The study used quantitative research methods. The target population of the study comprised the teachers and students from Kwaku Twi JuniorHigh School. A sample of fifty (50) teachers was selected using the purposive sampling technique. This study used questionnaires as instrument for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used for the study. The study found out that single parenthood arising from broken homes was the likely cause of students’ truancy accounting. Again, it was clear however that, the failure of students to perform respectably in school was mostly attributable to truancy. In the light of this, it was beyond question that truancy has the potential to lead into crook ways of life, social deviants or educational failure. It was also discovered that lack of parental supervision due to broken homes, poor school policies, teachers’ attitudes contribute to the truancy of students, impact of bullying from other students and lack of financial support were contributory factors in varied degrees of impact. Based on the findings, the study recommended that appropriate measures like good relationships between the school, parents and community therefore are needed to control this educational and social challenge.

Source: UEW
The persistence of truancy in the mist of adequate resources among junior high school students in Prempeh basic school at Kwadaso municipality in the Kumasi Metropolis

The purpose of the study was to explore the persistence of truancy in the mist of adequate resources among junior high school students of Prempeh College Basic School at the Kwadaso Municipality. The objectives of the study were to find out parent-related factors causing truancy among junior high school students, determine teacher-related factors causing truancy among junior high school students and to establish media-related factors causing truancy among junior high school students of Prempeh Basic School in Kwadaso Municipality. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The target population for the study was truant Junior High School students, teachers and parents. of the Prempeh Basic School. Multi-stage sampling was used to select truant Junior High School students, teachers and parents for the study. Purposive sampling was used to select truant students for the study while simple random sampling was used to select 14 teachers and 9 parents to participate in the interview section of the study. A total of 78 respondents consisting of 55 truants, 14 teachers and 9 parents formed the sample for the study. Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data for the study. The reliability test yielded Cronbach Alpha of 0.85. Data from the questionnaire were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics while constant comparative method was used to analysis the data from the interview. The study found among others that parents inability to provide children the basic needs like uniforms and textbooks and poor socio economic status of parents made them skip school. Also, autocratic attitude of teachers and lack of interest of teachers in truants compelled students to exhibit truancy. Again, students who used electronic media negatively affected students’ studies and made them truant. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that parents should monitor their children on the use of electronic media to avoid its negative impact on the students’ studies leading to truancy among students.

Source: UEW
The persistent use of corporal punishment contrary to GES policy on corporal punishment, a case of Ejisu-Juaben municipality

The Purpose of the study was to find out the extent to which Teachers are aware of Ghana Education Service policy banning corporal punishment and the reasons why corporal punishment persists in schools in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality. The study was a Cross-Sectional Survey, which used descriptive survey (structured questionnaire) to gather the data from 340 respondents (100 teachers and 240 students). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results. The results of the study revealed that majority of teachers and students are aware of the GES policy banning corporal punishment. In addition, according to the findings, some teachers still use corporal punishment during teaching but do so without recourse to cultural and religious values. The study also revealed that majority of teachers and students want corporal punishment to be abolished but those teachers who still use corporal punishment consider it as an effective learning imperative and a moral imperative. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommends an intensive media education to be organize by the Ministry of Education to help conscientise teachers on the negative effects of corporal punishment.

Source: UEW
Personal and organisational resources on electronic health usage intentions in an emerging economy

Electronic health (e-health) systems are considered a critical health deployment strategy with the potential to improve the medical personnel-patient ratio in healthcare delivery. However, emerging evidence suggests disaffection toward e-health systems. There is an urgency to narrow down on factors that can improve intentions to use e-health apps/platforms that drive e-health systems to feed into the design and implementation of health management interventions. This paper contributes in this regard by exploring how resources of individuals' (value systems and information technology traits (i.e., microcomputer playfulness and IT innovativeness) and firms' (i.e., Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR]) influence e-health apps/platforms usage intentions. Using dispositional traits and human values theories, we tested the research hypotheses with data (N = 604) from users and prospective users of e-health platforms/apps in Ghana. The results supported a positive relationship between openness to change values and e-health usage intentions, and partial mediation effects of IT-specific traits in this relation. Additionally, the results supported moderated-mediation of CSR on the link between openness to change values, IT innovativeness, and e-health usage intentions but that of microcomputer playfulness was not supported. Implications of these results are discussed. � 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Source: UEW