ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Use of ehealth in nursing practice among nurses in Cape Coast

Information and communication technology (ICT) is transforming the delivery of health care at a fast rate. Nurses who form the majority of the health workforce are strategically positioned to champion the transition to digital health care. Ghana is fast adopting eHealth, however there is little evidence on how well nurses are using these technologies. A descriptive cross sectional study using a quantitative approach was conducted aimed at identifying eHealth usage among registered nurses in Cape Coast. A multi stage sampling technique was employed. Data collated from 206 registered nurses in Cape Coast revealed that respondents were predominantly female (61.7%) and 38.3% were males. Knowledge, attitude, practice and resources were generally good. Most of the nurses (65.5%) had good knowledge and more than half of them (67.5%) generally demonstrated good attitudes towards eHealth. The majority (54.9%) of respondents also demonstrated a good skill in the use of ICT in health service delivery. Resources on eHealth were available to most nurses. Most nurses were found to be using electronic platforms which represented an opportunity for use as a channel for continuous professional development. Monitoring and evaluation was either erratic or non-existent. The study proves that the knowledge, attitude, practice as well as resources were good but there is a need for improvement in certain areas. It is recommended that nurses take advantage of electronic platforms and social networks for professional knowledge sharing as well as support research.

Source: UCC
Use of electronic resources by postgraduate students in University of Cape Coast

The study investigates the use of electronic resources by postgraduate students in University of Cape Coast (UCC). It specifically targets first year postgraduate students of UCC. Awareness, usage, training, and access were explored. A survey method was employed and a structured questionnaire was utilized to solicit data. The findings revealed that, though students are aware of electronic resources, they do not fully utilize them to support their academic pursuit due to poor level of information literacy skills. However, few students had not participated in all information literacy skills training organized by the library. Results from the study showed that, significant number of postgraduate students do access electronic resources when on campus and mostly use electronic devices such as laptops, ipad, desktop computers, and mobile phones. The findings indicated that students use the electronic resources to complete assignments, write project work, to update lessons note, for research, and update themselves on new information in their fields of study. It was recommended that a structured curriculum should therefore be established as part of postgraduate students’ normal lecture periods where time is allocated on their time table for electronic resource training, and if possible, credited to their academic performance ratings or grading.

Source: UCC
The Use of Event-Related Potentials for Predicting the Degree of Mental Recovery in Patients with Severe Brain Injury – A Prospective Study

Gradual recovery from a prolonged coma through vegetative state and different types of mutism are detected in one-third of patients with a severe brain injury. Event-related potentials (ERPs) could be used as correlates of mental functions. Aims: We focused on the correlation between ERP within first three months after severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) and the degree of mental recovery one year, and several years later (up to 15 years after sTBI). Place and Duration of Study: Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery, Moscow, Russia. Between 2000 and 2015. Methodology: Dynamic examinations were carried out in 22 patients (53 studies) with sTBI followed up by a prolonged coma. During the first ERP session, patients were in a vegetative statemutism, or had an unstable contact with the environment. The follow-up was up to 15 years after sTBI. ERPs were recorded with and without the instruction to count target tones regardless of conscious recovery or the presence/absence of verbal contact with a patient. The amplitude and latency of components N100, N200 and P300, recorded in reply to both deviant and standard tones, were calculated. The topography of P300 was analysed. Results: The connection between P300 lateralisation in the vegetative state and the outcome was revealed. Mere eliciting P300 recorded without instruction was considered to be a favourable prognostic factor. Although the full deficiency of P300 was unfavourable, it was not a rigorous criterion, as one-third of patients without P300 had mental recovery up to clear consciousness. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the study that the analysis of N100, N200, P300 amplitude/latency and P300 topography recorded with and without instruction could be used for predicting mental recovery in patients in a vegetative state and mutism after sTBI.

Source: UCC
Use of Geo-Accumulation Index and Enrichment Factor in Assessing Pollution of Some Heavy Metals in KEEA, Ghana Tidal Flat

In environmental pollution studies, assessment of elevated levels of heavy metals as toxic pollutants has significant importance since it has detrimental consequences on the environment, which translates into damaging effects on humans. An evaluation was carried out to determine the concentrations of seven heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn) in soil sediments collected from 12 different stations within the Benya Lagoon in Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem Municipality (KEEA) in Ghana using a fast sequential hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In this study geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and Enrichment Factor (EF) were computed and compared in different sites. The range of the concentration in the sediments areas are as follows: (As: 14.4-105.6 mg/kg), (Cd: 3.6-26.4 mg/kg), (Cr: 30.8-100.8 mg/kg), (Cu: 4.8-217.6 mg/kg), (Hg: 0.4-8.8 mg/kg), (Pb: 40.8-309.2 mg/kg) and (Zn: 2.0-177.2 mg/kg). The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) gave the extent of contamination in the order Cd > Pb > As > Hg > Cu > Cr > Zn with Station 1 as the most polluted. The EF values all show very high human influence. These high levels of heavy metals pose individual potential risks and point to a possible detrimental effect on the health of inhabitants that use resources directly from the lagoon without treatment, and therefore the need for education to curtail any unanticipated disasters

Source: UCC
Use of geogebra computer-assisted instruction for Teaching and learning of rigid motion in some selected Junior high schools in the greater Accra metropolis

The study sought to find out the effects of GeoGebra on the academic achievement of Junior High School (JHS) students in Rigid Motion in some selected schools in the Greater Accra Metropolis. The Solomon four-group design was used as the research design. Students from four comparable schools were purposefully selected as the control and experimental groups for the study. The difference in the performance of students when taught using the traditional method and when taught with GeoGebra was the main objective of the study. The current study used a mixed methods design of qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore the effect of the use of GeoGebra on students’ academic performance. The instruments for data collection were test and questionnaire items. The population was the Junior High School 2 (JHS 2) students in Sunflower School, Saint Theresa’s School, The Rock School and God’s Grace School. The data obtained were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The independent variable in this study was the use of GeoGebra in the teaching of rigid motion, while dependent variable is the achievement of students in rigid motion. The data obtained was analyzed with the help of descriptive and inferential statistics for the uptake of technology. The study found out that GeoGebra would help improve the students’ understanding of rigid motion and hence improve performance. The study recommends that GeoGebra be used in teaching and learning of rigid motion in Junior High Schools. The findings of this study will be useful to Mathematics Education, Mathematics teachers, students and the school’s administration.

Source: UCC
The use of Ghanaian Language as the language of instruction at the Junior High School level

study investigated the rationale behind the adoption of Ghanaian language as instructional language despite the laid down policy for English-only instruction at the Junior High School level. Factors such as the extent to which teachers use Ghanaian language as Language of Instruction (LOI), the effect of Ghanaian language as a medium of instruction on learning, students’ reaction to Ghanaian language instruction, and the association between educational qualification and the choice of language used by teachers were also explored. The study adopted an explanatory case study as the research design. Two cases - that is Odumase Roman Catholic Junior High School and Tainso Roman Catholic Junior High School were selected for the study. In all, 23 participants comprising 18 students and 6 teachers were selected through a purposive sampling procedure. Data were gathered through interviews, observations, focus group discussions, and document analysis. The thematic analysis procedure was used to analyse the data gathered from the respondents. The study revealed that factors that accounted for the use of Ghanaian language as LOI were the low proficiency of students, comprehension of lessons, and teachers’ willingness to deliver their lessons with ease. It was also found that Ghanaian language instruction ensures effective lesson delivery and student learning. Though Ghanaian language was found to be an effective LOI, students advocated for complementary use of English and Ghanaian languages in teaching and learning. Finally, the study revealed that the teachers’ educational qualification does not compel them to adopt English-only as LOI because they believed that for the best interest of the student, instruction in the local language is a necessity.

Source: UCC
The use of grammatical concord and its associated Semantic effects

One of the basic grammatical rules often abused by basic school students is that regarding the use of grammatical concord. Thus, many JHS learners are challenged in the appropriate use of grammatical concord which obstructs communication. In this regard, the study explored students’ use of grammatical concord and the associated semantic effects among JHS students in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The theoretical arguments of this study are grounded in the syntactic theory, the referential theory of meaning and the attribution theory. The qualitative research approach was used in the study. In all, 18 students and six teachers participated in the study. Data collection for the study was done using in-depth interviews, classroom observations and content analysis of the essays of students. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis. The students had very poor knowledge of general basic grammar, especially in the area of agreement (concord). Tenses used were particularly chaotic. The pedagogical treatment of grammatical structures by the teachers has been ineffective. The inappropriate use of grammatical concord among the students has resulted in several semantic effects including expressions that are difficult to make meaning out of. The Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and the Metropolitan Director of Education are advised to frequently organise workshops, seminars and refresher courses that will help enhance the professional skills and knowledge of the teachers. Teachers are advised to use a more creative and simulative approach to the teaching of grammatical concord to build students’ confidence in grammar.

Source: UCC
The use of grammatical elements to achieve persuasion in advertising in the print media in Ghana

Advertising is a type of communication whose ultimate goal is to persuade potential customers of the good qualities of products and services. There are various strategies that advertisers employ in order to persuade their customers to take purchasing decisions. One of them is the designing of an advertisement in which the pictorial images and other graphic designs are prominent. Another persuasive technique is the use of language to transmit the advertising message. In this regard, copywriters employ language in an attractive way to achieve persuasion in advertisements. It is worth postulating that although a number of persuasive strategies are available in advertising, language is integral in the communication of information. The focus of the current study was the use of grammatical elements in the English of advertisements by copywriters in the newspapers in Ghana for persuasive effect. The qualitative research design was employed and the study was underpinned by the Standard Theory of Generative Grammar. The current study proved that copywriters in the print media in Ghana employed imperative and declarative sentences, nominal phrases, the second person personal pronoun and modifiers such as adjectives and adverbs for persuasive effect

Source: UCC
The use of ICT in training teachers at the pre-service level: A study of three Teacher Education Institutions in Southern Ghana

The main purpose of this study was to ascertain the contention that first cycle school teachers in Ghana were not proficient in ICT and that was because their training in ICT in the colleges of education was not effective. The study was conducted in two colleges of education and one of the University of Cape Coast Distance Education Centres. The colleges of education were Accra College of Education in Accra, OLA College of Education in Cape Coast and the University of Cape Coast Distance Education programme for teachers that is centred at Accra High School in Accra. The survey was conducted by using questionnaires. Items in the questionnaires were of relevance to the purpose of the survey. They were administered in the three teacher training institutions. Data were collected, organized and analyzed using frequencies and percentages. It came to light that students’ ICT literacy in the teacher training institutions in Ghana was low. Again the study revealed that students in teacher training institutions in Ghana had a negative perception of ICT. It was concluded that the challenges of using ICT included resistance to change from tutors and other authorities, lack of skills to operate the computers where some could be found and lack of technical support. In effect, educational use of ICT was not significant.Based on the findings it was recommended that ICT should be taught effectively in teacher training institutions in the country, and structured in-service ICT training should be given to on-field teachers. Also, ICT resources should be made available in schools and colleges for the use teachers and pupils.

Source: UCC
The Use of Indigenous Green Leafy Vegetables in the Preparation of Ghanaian Dishes

The study assessed uses of Indigenous Green Leafy Vegetables (IGLV’s) in the preparation of Ghanaian dishes. Expensive exotic vegetables are patronized more than cheaper indigenous ones. Providing adequate nutritional information on IGLV’s together with recipe formulation could encourage consumption. The objectives were to highlight health benefits of IGLV’s, develop recipes from selected IGLV’s and determine their acceptability. Materials and methods: A self-developed questionnaire was administered to 40 randomly selected individuals to assess uses of IGLV’s in food preparation. Fifteen individuals (10 males and 5 females) out of the 40 were purposively selected to sensorily evaluate 10 recipes developed from 4 selected (IGLV’s) to ascertain their overall acceptability. Panelists’ scores were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey’s test at α ≤ 0.05. Results: Out of 10 (IGLV’s) identified by participants, only 4 were often used. Among the 4, Corchorusalitorius L. commonly called “Bush okra” was the most used and Dandelion was the least used. Recipes prepared with vegetables included stews, soups, salads and drinks and the soups were the most accepted by panel members who tasted. For overall acceptability, Ayoyo soup was judged the best followed by Dandefam and Dande pine swizzle the least. Flavor of the products differed significantly at α ≤ 0.05. Conclusions: IGLV’s could augment exotic vegetables in Ghanaian dishes if new tasty recipes are developed from hygienic vegetables and accepted by consumers. This will help keep the health value of the vegetables and promote the associated good health when eaten.

Source: UCC
The use of indirect strategies among university students in Ghana: A case study of University of Cape Coast

This study aimed at finding out why and how students employ the use of sarcasm. The students of University of Cape Coast served as a case study. It also discussed how the social variables - gender and age influence the employment of sarcasm. The sampled size was eighty undergraduate students representing forty males and forty females with ten males and ten females in level hundred, two hundred, three hundred and four hundred respectively. The study used questionnaires. The study revealed that the aim of using sarcastic comments is to correct and tease. The study also revealed that gender has an influence on the issuing of such indirect strategies. In terms of age, it was revealed that students barely pass sarcastic comments towards people older than them. This shows their respect for the elderly as the culture demands in Ghana

Source: UCC
Use of Information and Communication Technology for Teaching and Learning in Ghanaian Universities: Case of University of Cape Coast

The advent of ICT and its integration into our educational system especially at the tertiary level aims to improve the process of teaching and learning and yet it has been very difficult for lecturers to do this. The current study therefore focuses on the use of ICT in the teaching and learning process in Ghana. This study, employing the case study design, sampled 237 respondents comprising 37 lecturers and 200 undergraduate students using multiple sampling procedures. Survey instruments were used to collect data from the University of Cape Coast to ascertain the use of ICT in the university. The study results showed that the university provides some ICT teaching and learning resources even though these resources are not adequate. It also showed that lecturers‟ prior knowledge and skills in ICT best predicted the extent of ICT integration (by lecturers) in the teaching process (β= .593, p = 0.010). Finally the study revealed that there is a positive significant relationship (r = 0.713; α = 0.05 > p = 0.005) between ICT related courses (ICTRCs) and students‟ competencies in ICT. The findings suggest that on the part of students, ICTRCs are helping them to improve their ICT skills and knowledge even though the relationship between the variables was found not statistically significant. Based on these findings, it was suggested, among other things, that the computer centre of the university of Cape Coast be adequately resourced to develop instructional materials, and provide computer-based tutorials for lecturers and students to equip them effectively to be able to integrate ICT into their teaching

Source: UCC
The Use Of Information Communication Technology For Students‟ Information Management In Accra Technical University Of Ghana.

The study investigated the use of ICT in students‟ information management at the Accra Technical University. Specifically, the study explored the internal guidelines for Accra Technical University in Ghana‟s usage of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) for student information management, examined the types of ICT platforms employed at Accra Technical University for student information management, how ICTs are used to manage student information at Accra Technical University, and the challenges confronting the Accra Technical University of use of ICT for student information management. The qualitative approach and the explanatory-descriptive research designs were employed. A total of 13 participants (Administrative staff) of Accra Technical University participated were sampled for the study. A semi-structured interview guide was used to poll the views of the participants. The data was thematically analysed. The findings of the study revealed that the Accra Technical University adopt several internal guidelines and policies that regulates students‟ information management. Also, the Accra Technical University, utilizes various ICT platforms such as learning management systems, Student Information System, the School Management Information Systems, Electronic Portfolios, and the Student Response System online platform. The findings of the study revealed ICTs plays significant roles in students‟ information management. Notable among them are: it enhances speed and accuracy of collection and management, saves storage time and space, minimizes error in data collection and losses. The study recommends that ATU invests into training of its Administrative staff on ICT usage as well invest more into data security.

Source: UCC
The Use Of Instructional Technology To Facilitate Teaching: A Case Of Accra College Of Education In Ghana

In higher education, technology has the ability to fundamentally alter the nature of teaching and learning. Several studies have emphasized the importance of lecturers in higher education using instructional technology in their classrooms. Tutors at Accra College of Education, Ghana, were examined for their use of instructional technology in the classroom. When it came to collecting data, a questionnaire and interview guide were employed. The research has a sample size of 41 participants. The questionnaire was pre-tested and found significantly reliable (alpha reliability of 0.742). The responses, first to the questionnaire were presented in frequencies and percentages and the interview transcribed, categorized and discussed using emerging themes in line with the research questions. A mixed method, quantitative and qualitative paradigm, was employed in this descriptive survey research design. The study revealed that Interactive whiteboards/SMART Boards; Websites and Blogs; internet/Wi-Fi and projectors are the kind of instructional technology mainly used by tutors in teaching. Also, tools such as videos, podcasts, and online quizzes were used to support the flipped classroom teaching strategy. Findings from the study showed that most tutors did not very often use instructional technology in teaching. Further, it was revealed that unreliable electricity supply and network access, inadequate computer peripherals and poor support from school authorities were the main barriers to the successful use of instructional technology by tutors. It is recommended that school authority installs more computers, internet outlets, projectors and screens to cover all lecture rooms.

Source: UCC