ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Factors militating against the academic growth of females in the Dangme-west district

The main focus of educational management as a discipline is to develop human resources. From cursory observation, Dangme West District was identified as having more females who are not able to further their education beyond the basic level. The study was therefore intended to find out what factors account for females’ inability to study to the highest levels in order to enjoy the needed social status. The sample size of 300 was made up of Head teachers, teachers, parents and the Junior High School (JHS) non-continuing students. Because the study is about them, the JHS noncontinuing students formed 50% of the listed population of the study. The total sample size was selected on proportional basis using the seven circuits of the Dangme West District, namely, Volivo, Asutuare, Doryumu, Dodowa, Prampram, Ningo and Nyigbenya. The main instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire which embodied the Likert-type scale options. The captured data were computed using frequencies and percentages. Findings from the study included some hidden practices against females. It was noted that these females were given over to serve shrines and gods and also to become priestesses. Parents’ inability to afford their children’s education due to high school fees and teenage pregnancy hindered education of the girl child, too. Parents however preferred to educate their sons while their females were retained as traders or farm hands. An intensive awareness creation and education on the effects of socio-cultural factors, counseling and establishment of female education funds or scholarships, would help address the gender imbalance. Nevertheless, the amelioration of socio-cultural and domestic factors that militate against female education in the area needs further in-depth study.

Source: UCC
Factors militating against the participation of women artisans in male dominated occupation

Job opportunities for women in technical fields have remained relatively unexplored. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore and identify the factors considered by women technicians and artisans to be militating against their participation in technical and engineering related occupations which are male dominated. The instruments used in the study were questionnaires and interview schedules. The respondents comprised women employees in technical organisations, self employed women technicians and artisans, female trainees enrolled in technical programmes in polytechnics and technical institutes and women apprentices in local garages and workshops. In all 186 respondents were purposively selected from three metropolitan cities of Ghana, namely Accra, Kumasi, and Sekondi- Takoradi. Data collected were analysed using frequencies, t-test and means. The main factors found to explain the exclusion of women in technical careers include (i) social and organisation barriers, (ii) lack of opportunities for staff development and self development, and (iii) family commitment. The study also revealed that young women are now penetrating into the male dominated technical jobs and they derived job satisfaction from their chosen occupations despite the difficulties posed by the factors they identified. Based on the findings from the study, it was concluded that both sexes (men and women) can equally participate in technical and engineering related occupations, provided equal motivations and opportunities for participation are made available to both sexes. Consequently, a recommendation was made that women affirmative actions need to be stepped up to include job placement in technical and engineering careers.

Source: UCC
Factors motivating doctors and nurses at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital

People occupy a very important place in every meaningful organization. Thaw (2002) has pointed out that without people there is no organization. This therefore requires that personnel be motivated enough to enable relevant organizations achieve their goals. As a result of poor motivation packages, the health sector in Ghana, for example, has recorded a decline in the number of skilled personnel in some metropolis (Ministry of Health, 2014). According to the 2014 annual report of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, 17 nurses and 6 doctors vacated their posts from 2010 to 2013, thereby worsening the already limited staffing strength. The purpose of the study was to find out the various factors influencing worker motivation at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. A descriptive study design was used in this study. The study used both close and open ended structured questionnaire to collect data on motivation from respondents. In all, 131 out of a study population of 277 partook in the study. Data analysis was done with SPSS Version 21.0. Results were presented using graphs, tables and pie chart. While 45.8% of respondents said that they remained in the metropolis because there are prospects for career development, 44.3% said the presence of schools were motivating factors to stay and work in Cape Coast. It is recommended that, since academic pursuits remain the major motivating factor among medical and nursing staff of the hospital, a more friendly policy on further studies must be implemented. Such a policy must consider certificates from studies without leave.

Source: UCC
Factors of work-family conflict in the hospitality industry in Ghana

Work-family conflict, a common problem faced by employees in all sectors of the economy, is more intense in the hospitality industry due to the nature of the ob. Satisfying hotel guests at all times, maintaining the job, and attending to family are but a few of everyday thoughts of a hotel employee. The occurrence of work-family conflict has been linked to various factors both work-related and family-related. This study profiled hotel employees, identified factors influencing work-family conflict and examined their relative importance. Data gathered from 177 hotel employees were used. The results suggest that young workers, less than 35 years old who are fairly educated dominate the industry. It is also noted that employees work almost all days of the week and the jobs are mainly countercyclical. The exploratory factor analysis also suggests that five factors, including the type of job, time commitment, spousal support, and family demands influence the occurrence of work-family conflict. However, job type and spousal support best predict the occurrence of work-family conflict. Implications of the results are further deliberated and future research suggestions are presented in the study

Source: UCC
Factors Responsible for Low School Attendance and their Effects on the Academic Performance of Junior High School Students in Elmina Circuit of Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem Municipality

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors responsible for low school attendance among Junior High School Students and their effects on Academic Performance in Elmina Circuit in the Central Region of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was adopted to examine the factors that could lead to low school attendance. The sample comprised 39 teachers, 13 head teachers, 39 parents and 39 students. Purposive sampling was employed to select the students and their parents as well as the teachers and the head teachers. Three sets of self-structured questionnaires were used to elicit data from the teachers, head teachers and students whiles an interview guide was used to elicit information from the parents. Reliability co-efficient of 0.81, 0.79 and 0.71, were obtained for the Teachers’ Questionnaire, Headteachers’ Questionnaire and students Questionnaire respectively. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the data and Pearson correlation to examine the effect of low school attendance on the academic performance of the students. The study revealed that several factors account for low school attendance among junior high school students. These are poverty on the part of parents, corporal punishment, poor facilities in schools, students’ involvement in fishing and petty trading, bullying in schools and poor academic performance. It was recommended that parents should be helped to acquire some skills such as bread baking, batik production, bead making, to make them financially sound. The concept of credit unions should also be instilled in parents to enable them access funds to earn additional money for trading. Government should make a policy banning students’ involvement in petty trading and fishing during school hours.

Source: UCC
Factors responsible for the consistently good performance of University of Cape Coast(UCCs) cross country compettions from 2002-2008

The purpose of this study was to obtain information on factors related to the consistently good performances of the University of Cape Coast (UCCs) cross country teams from 2002 - 2008. The population of the study was made up of students and staff of UCC while the accessible population was sports administrators, coaches, cross country athletes and sportsmen and women in other sporting disciplines. Two hundred and fifty respondents were purposely selected for the study. Sports administrators, coaches, cross country athletes and athletes in other sporting disciplines who were present within the period 2002 - 2008 were used for the study. The questionnaire was used for data collection. Frequencies, percentages and means were used to analyze the data. The results of the study portrayed that, the factors related to the consistently good performances of UCCs cross country teams were motivation (both intrinsic and extrinsic) recruitment and selection, technical attachment to the teams, sponsorship, facilities and equipment, financial support and other administrative policies and leadership employed by various leaders. It was recommended that the university should make more sponsorship packages available and increase allowances and other external rewards for university sportsmen and women.

Source: UCC
Factors Responsible for the Youth Leaving fhe Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana: A Study of the Obuasi District of the Ashanti Presbytery

The goal of the study was to identify the causes of the drop in young membership in the Obuasi District of the Ashanti Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. Employing a mixed methods design, 25 youth members were recruited conveniently from E.P. church at Obuasi District for the quantitative data collection. Additionally, purposive sampling strategy was used to collect data from eighteen E.P church officials with interviews until data saturation. A questionnaire from self-structured instruments and semi-structured interview guide were used for data collections. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were employed for quantitative data analysis while Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used for qualitative data. The lack of employment prospects within the E.P. church (72%) and financial uncertainty of the youths (62%) were cited as the main reason for the drop in church youth participation. Hence, the study recommend that the E.P. church should create policies that address the demand for youth employment while concentrating on its primary mission of spreading the gospel.

Source: UCC
Factors Teachers, Students and parents perceive as influence Junior high school students’ mathematics learning

The aim of this study was to find out the factors that are perceived to facilitate students’ mathematics learning and their performance at the J.H.S. level. The study was conducted in the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana.Five research questions were raised to guide the study and a descriptive survey design was used. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling were used to select 311 participants for the study comprising 225 students, 30 teachers and 56 parents. Questionnaires were the instruments used for data collection. Frequencies, percentages and correlation were employed in the data analysis.The findings revealed that, best teachers classroom practices such as assigning more mathematics homework and reviewing the given homework, adequate lesson preparation, encouraging students to work in groups, use of interactive approach in teaching mathematics and use of mathematics textbooks and other electronic devices influence students performance in mathematics at the J.H.S level. It was therefore, recommended that mathematics teachers should be equipped with current trend in teaching mathematics to make classes more interesting and relevant to everyday life activities.

Source: UCC
Factors that affect female participation to tertiary education: a case study of Odompo and Ayeldo communities

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors that impede female access and participation in tertiary education, focusing on Odompo and Ayeldo communities in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese (AAK) District of the Central Region. Specifically, the study examined the socio-cultural, school related and economic factors that impede females’ access to and participation towards education at the tertiary levels. The perception citizens have towards female access to and participation in tertiary education was also examined. The study was a case study with a sample of 33. Since the total number of respondents in the two communities was unknown, the snowball sampling technique was used to select the SHS graduates and their parents. However, the purposive sampling procedure was used to select chiefs, assemblymen and the staff of GES. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide and analysed qualitatively. However, frequency and percentage were used to analyse the closed-ended items. The findings from the study show that lack of proper education on the essence of educating females is a major problem hindering the accessibility and participation of females in tertiary education. Furthermore, parents’ negative perception and attitude toward female education also hindered female access and participation in tertiary education. It is therefore, recommended that non-governmental organisations, religious groups, government through the district should organise periodic education and seminars to enlighten people of the two communities on the importance of educating the girl-child up to the tertiary level. Also, women role models should occasionally visit the communities to meet women groups and boost their morale to enhance the idea of educating the girl-child up to the tertiary level of education.

Source: UCC
Factors That Affect The Choice And Selection Of Custom-Made And Ready-Made Garments: A Case On Senior Members In The University Of Cape Coast.

This research was to determine factors that influence senior members in the University of Cape Coast to select garments in terms of custom-made or ready-made garments. The study targeted the University of Cape Coast senior members with a population of 1044, comprising 254 females and 790 males. The sample size was 200 based on the sampling guidelines of Krejcie and Morgan (1970). Stratified and accidental sampling techniques were adopted for the study. Questionnaire was the research instrument employed. It consisted of both closed and open-ended questions. Due to the difference in demographic characteristics, the questionnaire was in two forms, one for males and the other for females. Mean and standard deviation were the analysis tools used for research questions one to five. Research question six: independent t-test and paired sample t-test for question seven. The study found out that garments' physical features influence staff decision in selecting ready-made or custom-made garments. Again, the staff indicated that their glamour and ego are the key psychological factors they consider for custom made. On the other hand, for ready-made garments, attractiveness and pleasing others were the most influential factors. Again, the study found that custom-made is worn to the place of worship the most and ready-made to corporate meetings. Senior members choose more custom-made clothing items than ready-made ones. Concerning the results of the research, it was found that all the physical, psychological and socioeconomic factors were of importance to senior members in the selection of both ready-made and custom-made garments. However, the extent of the importance of the various factors varies. The study recommends that since respondents rated construction and finishing, and the colour as the most influencing physical feature for custom-made choice, it is vital for designers to improve on these attributes to attract more customers. If ready-made designers want to increase their market value, they should use quality fabric, coordinating colour, and fabric design as they primarily influence ready-made choice.

Source: UCC
Factors that Contribute to the Academic Performance of Undergraduate Distance Education Students of University Of Cape Coast

The purpose of the study was to explore factors that contributed to the academic performance of undergraduate distance education students of University of Cape Coast. Survey was used for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse research questions and hypothesis. Three hundred and eighty-one respondents were sampled for the study. Perceived school-related factors that contributed to undergraduate student performance of distance education were qualified and experienced teachers, good class size, supervision to check tutors, constant supply of electricity and provision of instructional materials. Perceived tutor-related factors that contributed to undergraduate student performance of distance education were on time reporting, adequate preparation, effective and varied teaching skills while teaching, tutor qualification, interest, passion and motivation, timely feedback and completion of modules in time. Perceived studentrelated factors that contributed to undergraduate student performance of distance education were positive attitude towards tutors, competency and have great study habits, understand lessons taught, complete assignments in time, motivated to learn in groups, and punctual and attend lectures frequently. Student-related factors predicted high academic performance followed by school- related factors, and tutor-related factors. In view of this, it is recommended that College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast, should be involved in employing qualified and experienced tutors to handle distance education programmes. This would help improve upon the poor performance of College of Distance Education students

Source: UCC
Factors that differentiate successful and less successful sprinters

The intent of this study was to explore the similarities in the factors that contribute to the performance of the World’s fastest human in the 100-meter race and that of high school sprinters. A total of 46 (male = 19 and female = 27) high school track and field sprinters were tested on their 30-meter spring and fly starts, air times, and ground times. Overall, male and female participants in this study spend more times on the ground reaction time compared with the successful Olympians. Participants in this study had similar times in the 30-meter sprint and fly starts and in the air times compared with the successful Olympians. It is suggested that track coaches improve athletes’ ground reaction times if they want them to be successful.

Source: UCC
Factors that Influence Attitudes of Computer Science Students towards Mathematics and Related Courses at the Tertiary Level of Education

The main purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence the attitudes of computer science students towards the teaching and learning of mathematics and related courses in a public university situated in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. To achieve this, a descriptive survey design was adopted. In addition, a quantitative approach to data collection and analysis was employed for the study. The target population for the study were all Bachelor of Education (Computer Science) and Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) students in the said university. In all, 150 students were randomly sampled and used as the respondents for the study. The main instrument used for data collection process was a structured questionnaire. The study found that instructor or lecturer-student relationship have an influence on the students’ attitudes towards the teaching and learning of mathematics and related courses. Also, the mathematics curricula used at the university have influence on students’ attitude towards the teaching and learning of mathematics and related courses. In addition, institutional factors such as time allocation on time table and the adequacy of teaching and learning resources has some form of influence on students’ attitude. Implications of the findings are further discussed in the study.

Source: UCC
Factors that influence internal auditors fraud detection capabilities in Ghana

With an upsurge of fraud in the current economic scenario experienced, fraud detection have received considerable attention from the investors, academic researchers, media, the financial community and regulators (Sharma & Panigrahi, 2012). This study therefore examines the factors that influence internal auditors‟ fraud detection capabilities in Ghana. To sample the respondents for the study, stratified random sampling technique was adopted and questionnaire was used to solicit information from the 200 internal auditors selected. The study employed binary logistic regression model to examine the factors that influence probability of an internal auditor detecting fraud. The binary logit regression model was used because the dependent variable which is fraud detection is binary. The study found out that experience of the respondent, educational attainment of the respondent, in service training, respondent knowledge of information and technology, organization in which the respondent works and control environment are key predictors of probability of internal auditor detecting fraud. This study strongly recommends that Institute of internal Auditors, Ghana and management of various organizations should increase the number of in-service program they organize and also encourage internal auditors to participate. Also, internal Auditors should be encouraged to enroll on professional courses like certified internal auditor and certified fraud examiner programs. Last but not least, management of various organizations should give maximum support to internal auditors in carrying out their duties

Source: UCC
Factors that Influence Internationalisation of Family Businesses in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana

Internationalisation contributes to market expansion. Nevertheless, family businesses in the Accra Metropolis are fraught with a number of challenges making it difficult for most of them to take advantage of the international market and its associated benefits. It was against this background that the present assessed the factors that influence internationalisation of Ghanaian family businesses within the Accra Metropolis. The explanatory research design was employed. Using stratified random sampling technique, 181 family businesses were sampled for the study; the respondents were the top level management members of these businesses. Descriptive statistical tools, such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation; and inferential statistics, such as the Pearson product-moment correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse the research objectives. Results revealed that family commitment culture has a statistically significant positive effect on degree of internationalisation. Also, it was found that strategic flexibility has a statistically significant positive effect on degree of internationalisation. It was then concluded that family businesses that uphold family values and flexible strategic plans are likely to expand operations abroad. It was, thus, recommended that leadership of family businesses within the Accra Metropolis make more flexible and responsive their strategic plans to new trends. Suggestions were then made for further studies.

Source: UCC