ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Investigating adolescents’ perspectives on traditional gender roles and gender beliefs in the construction of gender role attitudes

The exposure to modernity and feminists’ advocacies have brought about the need to reexamine the traditional gender roles of both men and women or boys and girls. This study investigates the perspectives of adolescents on traditional gender roles and gender beliefs in the construction of gender role attitudes. The study identifies the roles that adolescent girls and boys perform in the construction of gender role attitudes. It also examines the mechanisms through which evolving gender roles and beliefs are communicated to adolescents. The study is grounded in the gender performativity theory and the gender schema theory. Data for the study was qualitatively gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions from purposively selected twenty-six (26) adolescent girls and boys of Accra Grammar School in Oyibi. The data was thematically analysed. The findings indicate that in the construction of gender role attitudes, adolescent girls and boys perform age-appropriate, helping-hand, and gender-specific roles. However, embedded in age-appropriate and helping-hand roles are gender relations. The study further reveals that evolving gender roles and beliefs are communicated to adolescents through family dynamics, the media, empowerment initiatives and peer interactions. The study also reveals that though adolescent girls and boys will love to have a society where gender roles are evened, those adolescents who have one parent away from home observe and internalise a more egalitarian attitude towards the performance of gender roles. The study concludes that by promoting open dialogue, providing education on gender diversity, and challenging harmful stereotypes, adolescent girls and boys can be empowered to shape their own identities and beliefs in the construction of gender role attitudes, fostering a future where gender equality is embraced and celebrated. The study, thus, recommends that Policy makers, most especially the sector in charge of gender and social protection, should take into consideration the formulation of policies and programmes for adolescents that will help shape their perspectives towards achieving gender equality.

Source: UEW
Investigating colleges of education teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs and actual use of ICTs in teaching in the Kumasi Metropolis

This study was conducted to investigate College of education teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs in the use of ICTs in teaching, assess their actual use of ICTs in teaching and to examine the relationships between teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs and their actual use of ICTs in teaching. The study further sought to find out how teachers’ teaching experience affect their actual use of ICTs and their ICTs self-efficacy beliefs in teaching. Descriptive Survey, specifically the mixed method approach was used in the conduct of this study. Quantitative data were gathered through a structured questionnaire and qualitative data collected using an observation checklist. The Simple Random and Convenience sampling techniques were used in sampling out the respondents of the study from a population of 135.The questionnaire was administered to 115 teachers selected from three colleges of education in Ashanti Region. The observation was conducted on the selected thirteen (13) teachers to ascertain their actual use of ICTs. The data collected were analysed using frequencies counts, percentages, One- way Anova and correlational statistics. From the results of the study 44% of teachers agreed that they have SEB in using ICTs in teaching whilst 34% disagreed. In addition, majority (57%) of teachers disagreed to have SEB in the actual use of ICTs in teaching confirmed by the results from observation. The results also revealed that COE teachers who reported to have ICT SEB actually used it and those inconclusive of the response also related to their non-usage. Furthermore, according to the results there was no significant effect of teaching experience on self-efficacy beliefs of COE teachers. Based on these findings, it is recommended that GES should make ICT training an integral aspect in the training of teachers. Again ‘GES should conduct periodic in-service training in ICTs for all COE teachers to boost their actual use of ICTs in teaching. Furthermore as part of the T-Tel program offered for COE teachers should effectively involve the use of ICTs in training activities especially for the more experienced teachers.

Source: UEW
Investigating concord errors among the first - year students of Odumase Akro M.A junior high school

The aim of the study was to investigate the concord errors among the first year students of Odumase Akro M/A Junior High School in the Lower Manya Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The main objectives addressed in the research were to identify and discuss the concord errors and to find out ways of addressing them. The instruments employed in this study included test questionnaire and observation. Data analysed revealed that it is difficult for the first year students to answer concord effectively and this has gone a long way to affect students’ performance in English. It has therefore been recommended that qualified teachers should be made to teach the subject. More so, there is the need to have regular in-service training for English teachers in the junior high school to equip them in modern trends in teaching English.

Source: UEW
Investigating customer satisfaction levels with self service technology within the banking sector, a case study of automated teller machine’s

The study investigated customer satisfaction level towards self-service technology within the Ghanaian banking industry. Specifically, the aim of the study was to measure customers’ satisfaction level with Technology Based Self-Service, to establish the self service technology quality variable that had the most significant impact on the respondents’ satisfaction levels towards Technology Based Self-Service and finally to establish the challenges customers had with Technology Based Self-Service. This study cross sectional research design hence, quantitative methodology was adopted. The study employed probability sampling specifically simple random sampling to select the study participants. Subsequently, the study used the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling table to determine the sample size for the 7500 population size. Based on the table, the sample size for this study was 365 with a 95% confidence interval and 5% error of margin. Since the study was guided on the principles of quantitative methodology, this study used questionnaires solicit data for the study data analysis. The study distributed 365 questionnaires to the undergraduate students of the University of Education-Winneba, Kumasi campus. From the questionnaires distributed, a total of 175 completed questionnaires were returned to the researcher. Out of these, 135 were usable for analysis, giving a response rate of 41.54%. Data was subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics such as Mean and Standard deviation. Inferential statistics included Pearson correlation, multiple regression (enter method) were used for the relationship analysis. Findings from this study showed that SSTs that ensured functionality, enjoyment, assurance, design and convenience in its setup or operation had the most significant impact on the respondents satisfaction levels towards SSTs, on this score it is recommended that banking institutions should try as much as possible to ensure that all its subsequent SSTs that may be introduced to its market segment are able to meet all these requirement in their operations.

Source: UEW
Investigating delays in Ghana Health Service building projects supervised by metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies a case study of Ashanti region

Ghana Health Service (GHS) is the main parastatal institution responsible for health service delivery in Ghana. The institution relies on a well-functioning physical infrastructure to effectively implement the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals Act 526. Many new projects undertaken by the GHS supervised by Metropolitan/Municipal/District assemblies continue to experience delays. The aim of this study was to examine delays in Ghana Health Service building projects supervised by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). The study adopted a quantitative design involving the administration of survey questionnaires to a sample of 100 respondents made of 30 quantity surveyors, 15 Contractors, 13 Architect, 20 Structural engineers, 17 Estate officers and 5 District accountants. The collected data was analysed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21. The results were presented using percentages and mean values in a Table. The findings of the study suggested that delays in approving design documents, ineffective communication among parties, shortage of materials, mistakes and discrepancies, unreliable sub-contractors, incompetent project team, complexity of the project, unclear details in drawings, equipment unavailability were the key factors causing delay in GHS construction projects in Ashanti Region. Also, the main effects of delays were found to be time overrun, cost overrun, reduced profit, substandard work as well as waste of resources were the most important effects the study found. Based on the findings, the study recommends that sub-contractors should be selected based on their past experience. Contractors should have competent – spot supervisors to ensure persuasive execution of the project in time.

Source: UEW
Investigating demand for senior high school mathematics teachers and their preparedness to implement an inclusive education mathematics curriculum

The study investigated Senior High School (SHS) mathematics teachers’ demand and preparedness to implement an inclusive education mathematics curriculum. The procedure involved a cross sectional survey that used a structured online questionnaire to elicited information on the demand for SHS mathematics teachers and their preparedness to implement an inclusive education mathematics curriculum. A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was employed with a sample of mathematics teachers from 195 senior high schools in then 10 political regions of the country, selected conveniently and purposefully to complete a questionnaire designed using Google Forms (an online survey authoring software). This was followed by interview with 10 mathematics teachers from the 4 GES school placement categories. The study revealed that demand for mathematics teachers in senior high schools exceed supply of mathematics teachers and the existing supply have distributional imbalances because while schools in categories B and C have more mathematics teachers, those in category D have very few mathematics teachers. It was also revealed that mathematics teachers in senior high schools are inadequately prepared to implement inclusive education mathematics curriculum in that most of the teachers’ awareness of inclusive education concepts and practices is low. Approximately 59% of the mathematics teachers sparingly use inclusive education strategies in their mathematics classrooms. It is therefore recommended that various stakeholders of education should put measures in place to organize training on inclusive mathematics education to upgrade in-service mathematics teachers’ knowledge on inclusivity. Also, mathematics teacher education programmes should be reviewed to include inclusive mathematics education concepts and practices so that mathematics teachers from various institutions would be equipped to practice inclusivity in their mathematics classroom.

Source: UEW
Investigating errors in english tense and aspect in the writing of Wulugu Senior High

This research sought to find out the problems of tense and aspect usage among the Wulugu Senior High Schools students which are in the West Mamprusi District of the Northern region of Ghana. The study, which focused on the problems of students using appropriate tense and aspect in writing, was conducted on the students in two forms. The instrument used was observation. The study reveals that students in Wulugu Senior High School had serious problems in using correct tense when writing. Regarding when to use simple tense and when not to use these simple tense, when to use simple aspect and when not to use simple aspect was a problem in Wulugu Senior High School. Some of the identified causes of these problems include the wholesale promotion of students by the policy makers irrespective of performance, students’ inability to match perfectives, differentiate between a tense and an aspect and teachers inability to use appropriate method to teach tense and aspects contributed to students poor academic performance in the examination. Suggested strategies to these problems include the communicative approach to language teaching, use of language games, process writing and students centered activities among others will help improve students’ composition writing skills in the classrooms

Source: UEW
Investigating factors affecting bus/minibus accident severity in a developing country for different subgroup datasets characterised by time, pavement, and light conditions

Developing countries are primarily associated with poor roadway and lighting infrastructure challenges, which has a considerable effect on their traffic accident fatality rates. These rates are further increased as bus/minibus drivers indulge in risky driving, mainly during weekends when traffic and police surveillance is low to maximise profits. Although these factors have been mentioned in the literature as key indicators influencing accident severity of buses/minibuses, there is currently no study that explored the complex mechanisms underpinning the simultaneous effect of pavement and light conditions on the generation of accident severity outcomes while considering weekly temporal stability of the accident-risk factors. This study seeks to investigate the variations in the effect of contributing factors on the severity of bus/minibus accidents in Ghana across various combinations of pavement and light conditions and to identify the exact effects of weekdays and weekends on severity outcomes using a random parameter ordered logit model with heterogeneity in the means to account for unobserved heterogeneity in the police-reported data. Preliminary analysis demonstrated that accident-risk factors used in the models were temporally unstable, warranting the division of the data into both weekend and weekday time-periods. A wide variety of factors such as sideswipes, median presence, merging, and overtaking had significantly varying effects on bus/minibus accident severities under different combinations of pavement and light conditions for both weekdays and weekends. Insights drawn from this study, together with the policy recommendations provided, can be employed by engineers and policymakers to improve traffic safety in developing nations. � 2021 Elsevier Ltd

Source: UEW
Investigating factors affecting materials selection for roof covering, home owners perspective (a case study of Keta And Ho Municipalities in the Volta Region of Ghana)

The construction industry plays an imperative role in boosting the economy and fostering infrastructural development in Ghana. Currently, there are several houses with leaking roofs, some are discoloured while some have totally lost their aesthetic value just few months after their construction. This study aimed at understand the decision making process in selection of roof covering material by home owners. One major challenge of this research work is finding relevant research papers and journals to help carry out the study. This research primarily reviewed the literary works of others concerning the subject. After the review of literature, questionnaires were designed to seek the opinions of home owners concerning the subject. The data collected was analysed using Descriptive Statistics and Analysis, Relative Importance Index (RII) and Content Analysis method. From the analysis, it was discovered that certain critical factors needs to be considered before making the final decision on the type of roof covering to used.Quality was ranked highest with uttermost importance in roof material selection. It was discovered that, there are several roof covering materials available to prospective home owners to choose from. It was observed that materials with low cost of maintenance were preferred choices by home owners. It is trusted that the recommendations from this research would be put to practice to help prospective home owners choose a lasting roof covering material. Home owners should always consult expert for good technical advice in the choice of roof covering materials. The wide variety of roofing materials available in the market affords home owners to make informed decision regarding material selection. Prospective home owners should be guided by cost implications of new roof covering materials. Keywords: Construction industry, prospective home owners, roof covering material.

Source: UEW
Investigating factors influencing garment production processes in small and medium garment production enterprises, a case study of the Central Region of Ghana

The study investigated factors influencing garment production processes in small and medium garment production enterprises in central region. The study sought to examine factors that affect productivity of garment manufacturing in small and medium garment production enterprises, determine the major productivity improvement areas in garment manufacturing small and medium enterprises. The study employed the quantitative research method. A population and a sample was selected through a technique of convince sampling. The study revealed that low productivity makes Small and Medium Enterprise face challenges in market competition. Therefore, using different methods of quality management, personnel, production, energy and other resources in the enterprise can significantly save money and increase productivity. Again, only free hand method was mostly used in the workshop. Therefore, restricting most of sophisticated designs in the sector. It was therefore recommended that the government must ensure that more attention is given to the SMEs in the dressmaking sector, by establishing more training institutions at least in the central region.

Source: UEW
Investigating factors influencing Information Communication Technology (ICT) integration in teaching among second cycle schools in Greater Accra.

Inadequate literature has been written specifically on the factors influencing the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching in second cycle schools of Ghana. This study seeks to investigate the current state of ICT integration process in SHS and to establish factors that influence teaching in second cycle schools in Greater Accra Metropolis in the integration process. The study used cross sectional survey design and a mixed research method approach in addressing the research objectives. The target population was teachers in the second cycle schools (both Public and Private) in the Greater Accra Region with a sample size of 103 teachers using convenient sampling. The main instrument used to collect data for the study is questionnaires (open and closed ended item). Data collected was analysed in both qualitative and quantitative form. Out of 150 questionnaires distributed to the sample size, only 103 were retrieved successfully and used for the data analysis representing 68.67 % responses rate. The result of the study revealed that factors such as Learning styles / learning need (LSLN), ICT infrastructures such as internet connectivity and power (ICTIF), Teachers perceive ease of use (TPEU), Incentives and Motivation for Teachers (IMT) were found to be significantly making impact in the integration of ICT in SHS. The status of ICT integration in second cycle school in greater Accra was at the beginning stage due to certain contextual condition not been met. Challenges such as lack of skills and confidence to navigate and troubleshoot technical issues, shift in the teaching approaches from the traditional method towards more student-centred and interactive learning, nurturing digital citizenship and responsible use of technology and alignment with curriculum and learning were face by teachers during implementation process. Policymakers, educators, and administrators should allocate funding and resources for improving ICT infrastructures, including internet connectivity and power supply, in educational institutions, develop and implement policies that prioritize the integration of ICT tools and resources that cater to diverse learning styles and needs and establish professional development programs and incentives to support educators in enhancing their ICT skills and pedagogical knowledge.

Source: UEW
Investigating factors influencing the integration of technological and pedagogical content knowledge of social studies teachers in the South Dayi District in the Volta Region of Ghana

The place of Technological and Pedagogical Content Knowledge for teachers and students in the teaching and learning process cannot be overemphasized. Researchers have stressed the importance of the effective use of Technological and Pedagogical Content Knowledge in teaching and learning. This triggered the researcher to investigate the factors influencing integration of technological pedagogical content knowledge of Junior High School Social Studies teachers in the South Dayi District in the Volta Region of Ghana. This Study was a descriptive survey. Questionnaire and observations data were collected at the same time and analysed concurrently to validate each other. A total of 79 questionnaires were circulated to the teachers, retrieved and returned for analysis. A self-developed questionnaire and observation guide formed the basis for the data collection. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages). The research instruments were pre-tested and reliability and validity were ensured. Ethical issues were also considered before the actual data collection. At first glance, the teachers claimed to pose, content, pedagogical, technological, Technological Pedagogical and Technological Pedagogical content knowledge (result from the quantitative analysis) but it appears that in the classroom, they are not really practising the knowledge they claim they posed (result from the qualitative analysis i.e. observation checklist). Several recommendations were provided which include the fact that in order to facilitate effective and efficient technological integration among Social Studies teachers, a new course should be developed and mounted within our teacher training institutions. The course must be developed in two parts. The concentration of the first phase must be on the development of technological skills and competencies while the second phase should then focus on helping the Social Studies teacher trainees to blend their technological skills with their pedagogical techniques and subject content. Also, it was recommended that government and other stakeholders (parents, Social Studies teachers, Social Studies international bodies) within the society should ensure that the various Schools are provided with the basic technological tools i.e. computers, projectors and other educational soft wares to enhance effective and efficient integration of technology into the teaching of Social Studies.

Source: UEW