ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Relation Between Religious Perspectives and Views on Sickle Cell Disease Research and Associated Public Health Interventions in Ghana

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is highly prevalent in Africa with a significant public health burden for under-resourced countries. We employed qualitative research methods to understand the ethical, legal, and social implications of conducting genomic research in SCD under the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) initiative. The present study focused on religious and cultural aspects of SCD with the view to identifying beliefs and attitudes relevant to public health interventions in Ghana. Thematic analyses from individual and group interviews revealed six key areas of importance, namely, reliance on a supreme being; religion as a disruptive influence on health behaviors; role of religious leaders in information sharing and decision-making; social, religious, and customary norms; health and religious/supernatural beliefs; and need for social education and support through church and community. Findings suggest that public health programs in Ghana should not only aim at increasing knowledge and awareness about SCD and its management but also create an understanding of the relevance of genomics and alternative technological advancement to diagnosis and ethical decision-making around available options for health seeking. Future research should engage communities to help address the ethical and social implications of a persuasive religious influence on SCD-related health decisions.

Source: UCC
Relational dynamics of the married: Expectations before and realities during marriage

This study explores the relational dynamics in marriages as a result of the expectations couples had before marriage. An exploratory qualitative research design was employed. Ten (10) couples, making twenty (20) participants from Madina and Ashiyie were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. From this study, it has been revealed that all couples have expectations for marriage before they get married. These expectations however can either be conscious or unconscious. Couples‟ expectations are mostly conceived through childhood socialization, the influence of media and the influence of religion. Some of such expectations include „having frequent communication with their partners‟, „getting gifts from their partners‟, „getting to spend quality time with their partners‟, „getting all kinds of help and assistances from their partners‟, „expecting a God fearing partner, a humble partner, a submissive partner‟ and many others. The study continually reveals that when couples‟ expectations are met, they breed positive relational dynamics in the form of happy communication, exchanging of gifts, having quality time for each other and many others which brings joy and resultantly, marital stability. On the other hand, unmet expectations in marriage breed negative relational dynamics in the form of silent treatments, quarrels, fights and other negative actions towards each other which causes distress and marital instability. However, the situation of distress and marital instability can be curbed or reduced if couples are educated on the pros and cons of marital expectations prior to marriage.

Source: UCC
Relational Leadership And Employee Creativity: The Role Of Knowledge-Sharing Behaviour And Leaderfollower Dyadic Tenure

The research examined relational leadership’s impact on employee creativity among hotels using knowledge-sharing behaviour and leader-follower dyadic tenure as intervening variables. The study used a stratified sampling technique to draw 400 employees of licensed hotels within the Cape Coast-Elmina conurbation of Ghana using a self-administered questionnaire on the phenomenon. The partial least square structural equation technique was employed to test the study's research assumptions. The study revealed that relational leadership had a substantial positive association with employee creativity and knowledge-sharing behaviour. However, knowledge-sharing behaviour did not correlate with employee creativity. Also, leader-follower dyadic tenure did not moderate the nexus between relational leadership and employee creativity. Finally, the study established that knowledge-sharing behaviour mediates the link between relational leadership and employee creativity. The study highlighted the need for leaders to relate well with their employees to foster creativity in organizations. Studies on the role of relational leadership and employee creativity have been scanty. This may be the first research to construct a model to describe how relational leadership could influence employee creativity by incorporating knowledge-sharing behaviour and leader-follower dyadic tenure. The study recommends that Hoteliers should implement other methods for sharing different types of knowledge, including, know-how work experiences, business official documents, proposals or reports, knowledge obtained from newspapers, magazines, television or the internet, and telling stories of success and failures..

Source: UCC
Relational Leadership And Employee Retention: The Role Of Job Satisfaction And Employee Participation Of Commercial Banks In The Accra Metropolis

The study examined the influence of relational leadership on employee retention by assessing the mediating role of job satisfaction and employee participation of commercial banks in the Accra Metropolis. Specifically, the objectives were to; determine the effect of relational leadership on employee retention; analyse the effect of relational leadership on job satisfaction; determine the effect of relational leadership on employee participation; determine the effect of job satisfaction on employee retention; examine the effect of employee participation on employee retention; examine the mediation role of job satisfaction on the nexus between relational leadership on employee retention; and assess the mediation role of employee participation of the link between relational leadership on employee retention. The study used the positive philosophy which adopts the quantitative approach to research and eventually, applied the explanatory research design. Using responses from 950 employees of commercial banks in the Accra Metropolis, 271 were sampled. In all, using the simple random technique, 271 valid responses were obtained, thus a 98.9% response rate. The partially least square structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data and test hypotheses. The study found that relational leadership has a positive significant effect on job satisfaction and employee participation. Also, relational leadership and job satisfaction are significant predictors of employee retention. Again, the findings also revealed that job satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between relational leadership and employee retention of commercial banks. Moreover, it was established that employee participation does not influence employee orientation, and also employee participation does not mediate the relation between relational leadership and employee retention. The study concluded that the management of commercial banks should involve themselves in maintaining better relationships with their employees. This can be done by providing employees with more empowerment, care and vision, including them in work related activities and decisions and treating them more ethically for enhanced employee retention.

Source: UCC
Relations among Achievement, Self-Concept, and Motivation in Mathematics and Language Arts: A Longitudinal Study

Relations among achievement, self-concept, and motivation in mathematics and language arts were examined in a longitudinal 2-wave, 3-variable panel study. The participants were 3 cohorts of Norwegian elementary and middle school students (N = 1,005). The 1st data collection took place in October and November 1996, when the students in the 3 cohorts attended 3rd, 6th, and 8th grades. The 2nd data collection took place 1 academic year later. LISREL 8 was used in the separate analyses of mathematics and language arts data; the data were analyzed for each cohort by means of 6 path analyses for latent variables. In all cohorts, the results were consistent with a skill-development model of the achievement-self-concept relation, that is, the view that achievement affects subsequent self-concept. No evidence was found that self-concept affects subsequent achievement (self-enhancement model). Moreover, in the 2 oldest cohorts, motivation was affected by previous achievement. However, there was no evidence that self-concept affects subsequent motivation or achievement. Expectations of a developmental change in the achievement- self-concept relation was not supported.

Source: UCC
Relationship among teacher-student interaction, Students’ motivation and academic performance in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship among teacherstudent interaction, motivation and academic performance, of JHS students in the Bibiani – Anhwiaso – Bekwai District in the Western Region of Ghana. The design used in this study was the correlational design. The simple random sampling procedure was used to select 155 teachers and 281 students for the study. Four research questions guided the study. A 48-item teacher and students’ questionnaires respectively were used for teachers and students’ data collection. The statistical tools used for the analysis of data included frequency distributions, means and percentages. Inferential statistics, notably, the Pearson moment correlation coefficient and the independent sample t-test were also used for the data analysis. The results of the study showed that, there was a statistically significant relationship between teacher-student interaction and students’ motivation. It was also found that teacher-student interaction correlated with students’ academic performance. Teachers helped students with academic difficulties. Again, it was found out that there was a statistically significant relationship between students’ motivation and academic performance. However, the study showed no statistically significant difference between male and female students in terms of motivation and academic performance. It is therefore, recommended that the Ghana Education service (GES) and Ministry of Education should make it mandatory for counsellors to organize motivational talks for students on regular basis from the Basic School to Senior High Schools. Additionally, School counsellors and teachers should be motivated and supported by the government in order to have a healthy relationship with students.

Source: UCC
Relationship among Test Anxiety, Study Skills and Academic Performance of Senior High School Students in the Wa Municipality

The major aim of this study was to explore the relationship among test anxiety, study skills and academic performance of Senior High School students in the Wa Municipality. A correlational research design, through the use of quantitative approach, was adopted for the study. A sample size of 284 Public Senior High School students within the Wa Municipality was selected to participate in the study. Data were collected using the adapted versions of the Test Anxiety Scale and Study Skills Inventory. Also, test scores of students’ final mock examination in mathematics, English and Science were obtained from the selected schools and used to measure students’ academic performance. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Pearson product moment correlation coefficient-PPMCC and independent samples t-test) were used to analyse the data. The study found a significant strong negative correlation between Test Anxiety and Academic Performance of SHS students in Mathematics, English Language and Science. Also, a significant strong positive correlation was found between Study Skills and academic performance. It was concluded from the study findings that test anxiety and study skills have an influence on students’ academic performance. It was therefore recommended that school authorities should introduce and, or intensify test anxiety prevention and intervention programmes as well as organise study skills training workshops and seminars for students to help them cope with anxiety and also adopt good study skills in order to improve their academic performance.

Source: UCC
Relationship Between Accounting Students’ Level Of Professional Competence Development And Academic Performance: Moderating Role Of Gender

Graduates who are professionally competent in a particular field of specialization are in high demand due to advancements in the economic market. The study assessed the relationship between accounting students’ level of professional competence development and academic performance and the moderating role of gender. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was used. A simple random technique helped to select 122 students in total. These students were level 400 bachelor of education (accounting) students. In the study, both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data came from surveys on a 5-point Likert scale, while the secondary data came from the university's academic records. The tools utilised to evaluate the data included mean, standard deviation, independent sample t-test, and PLS-SEM. The study found that students had significant development in technical competence and professional skills. Also, there was no significant relationship between accounting students’ level of professional competence development and academic performance, with gender not moderating this insignificant relationship. There was a significant relationship between accounting students’ level of technical competence and professional skills. Then there was no significant difference between the gender of students and professional competence development. It was recommended that the Department of Business and Social Sciences Education within the University of Cape Coast should continue to prioritise and enhance the technical accounting curriculum and also collaborate with the student leadership (SRC) to expand their offerings of professional development workshops and networking events. This will help in the continuous development of students’ professional competence.

Source: UCC
Relationship Between Assessment Formats Used by Mathematics Tutors and Students Learning Approaches

The study examined the relationship between the assessment formats used by Colleges of Education Mathematics tutors and students learning approaches among Colleges of Education students in the Western-North Region of Ghana. The study employed a quantitative methodology embedded with a correlation research design. The purposive sampling techniques were used to sample 265 student-teachers in all the three Colleges of Education. The questionnaire collected data on the two research questions and three hypotheses to guide the study. Frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation were utilized to answer research questions, Chi-square, Independent sample t-test and ANOVA were employed to test the hypotheses. The results showed that among the five assessment formats, four were predominantly used by mathematics tutors in assessing their students. These include; multiple-choice, essay, short-answers and true/false and with this multiple-choice item formats is mostly used among the four. However matching type is not used to assesses their students. The student-teachers used all the learning approaches but the most used learning approach is strategic learning approach. Tutors of the Colleges of Education mostly use multiple-choice item and short- answers whiles the student-teachers use strategic approach when being assessed with those formats. Female students tend to adopt the surface learning approach than their male counterparts. The age of students did not influence the learning approaches adopted by student teachers. The study concluded that mathematics tutors in the three selected Colleges often used multiple-choice test format while student-teachers were more interested in the use of the strategic learning approach due to its multi purpose nature

Source: UCC
The relationship between capital structure measures and financial performance: Evidence from Ghana

One of the areas that has been a focus of intense debate when it comes to capital structure research is whether to use the book value or market value of capital structure as the accurate measure of financial leverage (Salehi & Biglar, 2009). Various arguments have been raised in favour of which of the measures researcher should use in capital structure studies. However, much has not been done to determine which of the measures has a more significant relationship with financial performance. Therefore the thrust of this paper was to establish the relationship between capital structure measures and financial performance so to determine which of the capital structure measures has a stronger association with financial performance. Two definitions of capital structure measures (book value & market value) and six financial performance measures were used. For this study, fifteen companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) were selected over a 6-year time period (2002–2007). The outcome of the study established that the capital structure of firms influences their performance. Many measures of firm performance were negatively correlated with financial leverage. Meaning, companies with less debt in Ghana have high profit margins and good financial performance. The study established that the market value of capital structure has a stronger relation with financial performance as compared to the book value. Researchers should therefore consider first, the use of market value in any studies on capital structure

Source: UCC
Relationship between career aspirations and study behaviours among second year distance learners of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between career aspirations and study behaviours among distance learners of the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) who performed poorly during their first year of study. The correlation research design that employed the explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was adopted for the study. Specifically, three hundred and sixty eight (368) participants were purposively selected, out of which 357 were used for analysis. Social Cognitive Career Theory as postulated by Lent et al. (1994) formed the study’s theoretical framework. Data analysis was done using the descriptive statistics and tetrachoric correlation coefficient as well as the Merriam process of analytical coding. The results of the quantitative analysis revealed that the majority of participants had positive career aspirations as well as good study behaviours. However, the correlation coefficient was r(355) = .273, p = .01, meaning the correlation between the two variables was statistically significant but weak. The study recommends that, in order to help boost students’ academic performance, management of the College of Distance Education of the University of Cape Coast should organise periodic career guidance seminars for students, to stimulate their career awareness and nurture their enthusiasm.

Source: UCC
Relationship Between Caregiver Nutritional Knowledge, Eating Habits And Nutritional Status Of Preschool Children In The Mfantseman Municipality

Many children continue to be afflicted by under nutrition and hidden hunger while the numbers who are overweight are rising rapidly. However, studies on nutritional knowledge, eating habits and nutritional status of children aged 24-59 months are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships among caregiver nutritional knowledge, eating habits and nutritional status of children aged 24-59months old in the Mfantseman Municipality of Ghana. The quantitative approach was employed and the correlational design was used. Percentages, frequencies, WHO Child Growth Standard Z – scores and pearson product moment correlation coefficient were employed to analyze the study research questions. A total of 180 child-caregiver pairs were selected for the study using the simple random sampling technique. The results revealed that children aged 24-59 months in the Mfantseman Municipaity practice healthy eating habit and have healthy nutritional status except that they are at risk of becoming overweight. Further, the overall, results indicated that caregivers in the Mfantseman Municipality have a good level of nutritional knowledge. Finally, nutritional knowledge of caregivers was found to correlate positively with children’s eating habits, children’s nutritional status correlated positively with their eating habits and children’s nutritional status showed a positive association with caregiver nutritional knowledge. It was concluded that caregivers with enhanced nutritional knowledge would ensure healthy nutritional status and eating habits of children. Suggestions were then made for future studies.

Source: UCC
Relationship Between Competence In Expanded Core Curriculum And Academic Achievement Of Students With Visual Impairment In Public Universities In Ghana

The main thrust of this study was to explore the competence in the expanded core curriculum and academic achievement of students with visual impairment in public universities in Ghana. The study was guided by the Cambourne's theory and the normalisation theory. The study was a descriptive survey and was steered by seven hypotheses and one research question. The sample comprised 93 students with visual impairment. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of .764. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages) and inferential statistics (linear multiple regression, Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient and one-way between-groups multivariate analysis of variance, MANOY A) were used to analyse the data. The findings showed that all the nine elements of the expanded core curriculum had a positive high correlation with academic achievement of students with visual impairment. Students who were introduced to the elements of the expanded core curriculum at the basic level showed more competence than those who were introduced to it during the SHS level. Students with basic level experience in ECC performed better in academic achievement. Several recommendations were made which included; The Special Education Division of Ghana Education Service should formalize the teaching of the expanded core curriculum in the special and the inclusive schools for the blind. The teaching and learning of the expanded core curriculum should commence at the basic level. Also, Ghana Education Service should train more specialist teachers to handle the various elements of the expanded core curriculum in both the basic and the second cycle schools.

Source: UCC