ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Improving basic pupil’s performance in digestion using concept mapping as an instructional tool, a case study

The research investigated the influence of concept mapping on basic students’ performance in the concept of digestion. The study was a case study in Junior High School using concept mapping as an intervention teaching strategy. The study used 25 Junior High students at Danbesco Firm Foundation School in the Ashaiman Municipality, Ghana. The students were tested with teacher–constructed pre-intervention tests consisting of twenty (20) multiple–choice and five (5) detailed theory test items. The mean scores of the students were calculated compared and analyzed using descriptive and paired t-test statistics for testing research questions. The concept maps were scored using Novak and Gowin’s scoring system. The results revealed that the performance and concept mapping construction ability of students as well as their content knowledge in digestion improved tremendously. It came out that there exists a significant statistical difference in the achievement in digestion of the post-test after the intervention activity with the use of concept mapping. This showed that concept mapping is an effective instructional technique for improving students’ performance in digestion as an aspect of science concept, students’ ability to construct good concept maps was also reviewed.

Source: UEW
Improving cost control measures in building projects in Ghana a case study of Kumasi metropolis in the Ashanti region

Managing the cost of projects is important to ensure prudent use of project resources that will enable that project budget is not exceeded. Cost control ensures the cost of project activities are effectively and efficiently managed. The aim of the study was to examine cost control measures in building projects in the Kumasi Metropolis and to make recommendations for improving cost control measures on project sites. The specific objectives of the study included; to identify cost control measures adopted for building projects by building contractors in the Kumasi Metropolis, to identify constraints to effective implementation of cost control measures in building projects in the Kumasi Metropolis and to make recommendations for improving cost measures in construction projects in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study adopted a quantitative research approach involving the administration of survey questionnaires to one hundred and eight (108) site managers of construction firms registered with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. The findings of the study revealed that the cost control measures used in building projects were project cost value reconciliation, overall profit or loss strategy, Profit or loss on each contract at valuation dates, unit costing, standard costing and earned value analysis. The software packages used for project cost control measures included Microsoft project software and project costing system (PCS), The key challenges to effective implementation of cost control measures were lack of incentives in contract clauses for contractors implementing effective cost control in building projects, lack of skilled personnel for implementing effective cost control and lack of ICT equipment and software for implementing effective cost control. Based on the findings, the study has made recommendations towards improving cost control practices in the study area.

Source: UEW
Improving cost performance of local government projects perspectives of consultants and contractors

The purpose of the study was to examine the how cost performance of local government projects can be improved from the perspectives of consultant and construction firms. The study adopted a quantitative research design involving the development of survey questionnaires. The specific objective of the study were to identify the factors that influence cost of completion of construction projects and challenges to effective management of project cost with a view to improving the cost management of construction projects. The target population of the study was construction firms registered with the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and consultants operating within the Metropolis. The findings of the study revealed that the key causes of cost overruns included; high rate of inflation, poor procurement practices, unforeseen site conditions, improper planning, fluctuations in prices of raw materials, obsolete or unsuitable construction equipment and methods, insufficient finds and mistakes in design. Also, the findings of the study revealed that the key challenges to effective management of the cost of local government projects included; political influence, lack of cooperation between contractors and local government officials, poor supervision and lack of transparency in contract award. Further findings were that completing projects on schedule, proper project planning, minimizing materials waste, and ensuring value for money in project cost estimates and proper design of facilities will go a long to minimize or prevent cost overruns of local government projects.

Source: UEW
Improving cost performance of public sector construction projects in Ghana. (a case study of greater Accra and Ashanti regions)

Over the years, there have been improvements in the management of construction projects; however, globally, the problem of cost overruns is still a critical issue in the construction industry especially in developing economies which Ghana is no exception. The aim of this study was to examines the critical factors affecting cost performance in construction projects in Ghana. The study adopted a quantitative survey approach. The questionnaires were distributed via email. Out of three hundred and eighty (380) questionnaires distributed, one hundred and ninety four (194) usable questionnaires were retrieved from respondents representing 51 percent. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and multiple regression technique for analyzing relationships between variables. The findings revealed that the underlying construct of the numerous critical factors of cost overruns are directly linked to five (5) main themes; managerial-related issues, financing-related issues, cost estimate-related issues, politicalrelated issues, and market-related issues. The study also revealed that, the main causes of cost overruns are: poor contract management, delayed payment, inaccurate cost estimate, weak government policy, and escalation of materials prices. The study further revealed that the critical factors that can prevent or minimize cost overruns in construction projects, in Ghana are directly linked to five themes: namely; adequate planning-related, financing-related, effective collaboration-related, adequate project team capabilityrelated, and motivation-related. Moreover, the results further revealed that the most significant success factors that can help prevent cost overruns in construction projects, in Ghana are early involvement of the contractor, provision of adequate funds, good project team relations, use of competent managers/supervisors, and provision of incentives/ bonuses to project participants. It is recommended that; training courses and workshops should be conducted to improve managerial skills of project participants.

Source: UEW
Improving energy efficiency and management systems in Ghana’s industries_ a case study in the Accra metropolitan area-greater Accra region

The judicious use of energy by industries is a key measures for ensuring a sustainable industrial development. The cost effective application of energy management and energy efficiency measures offers industries with an effective means of gaining both economic and social dividend, also reducing the negative environmental effects of energy use. Unfortunately, industries in developing countries are lagging behind in the adoption of energy efficiency and management measures; as such missing the benefits of implementation. This study aims at enhancing the knowledge of industrial energy efficiency and management strategies in Ghana, by investigating the present level of energy efficiency and management practices in industries in the Accra metropolitan area of Ghana. The study is incorporated in the investigations barriers and driving forces for the implementation of energy efficiency measures; to shed light on the rationale for both the adoption and non-adoption of cost effective industrial energy efficient technologies in Ghana. The study was carried out using a semi-structure interview due to the explorative nature of the study. The interviews were conducted in sessions, in the first session, respondents were asked to describe the energy efficiency management strategies in used in their respective companies. The second session, respondents were asked to fill a structured questionnaire covering the various aspects of the study. The results reveal that energy is poorly managed in the industrial area and there is an energy efficiency gap resulting from the low implementation of energy efficiency measures. In addition, it reveals that the important barriers impeding the implementation of cost effective energy efficiency technologies or measures in the surveyed firms principally stems from rational behavior economic barriers, which are deeply linked to University of Education, Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh vii the lack of government frameworks and policies for industrial energy efficiency. The study also finds that economic gains related to cost reductions resulting from lowered energy use and threats of rising energy and oil prices are the most important drivers for implementing energy efficiency measures or technologies in Ghana.

Source: UEW
Improving English reading habits skills of primary six pupils a case study of St. Paul‟s rc Primary b School

This study investigates the poor reading skills among pupils of St. Paul‟s R/C Primary School „B‟. The purpose of the study is to find out the causes of poor reading skills, the effects of poor reading skills on the pupils and the strategies that can be adopted to improve upon them. This was done through data collection tools interview, observation and questionnaire. The sample size used was thirty-eight (38) class six pupils and six (6) teachers of St. Paul‟s R/C Primary School. The study confirmed that students of the school had difficulty in reading and that it had dire consequences on the pupils‟ academic performance, communication skills and their competence level in reading. It was discovered that this causes were as a result of inappropriate teaching methodologies, inadequate time allocated to reading and inadequate use of TLMs on the part of the teachers while the causes ascribed to the pupils were inadequate reading after school, pupils‟ perception of reading, inadequate library visitation and the types of books they read. The study therefore proposed that increasing the time allocation on the timetable, usage of modern strategies like the Syllabic and Phonics methods in teaching reading among others. Pupils should also be encouraged to read after school and make good use of the library. They should also change their perception of reading. The study has contributed to the existing literature on improving reading skills.

Source: UEW
Improving maintenance management within the local government sector in Ghana perspective of design consultants

The value of public infrastructures have economic life span that can only be sustained through proper building pathology. Deterioration of infrastructure is inevitable as materials and components have finite life span. For this reason, regular attention is required to keep them in good state so that they can continue to perform their required functions and also sustain the level of utility and value derived from the facility. The aim of the study was to explore the maintenance practices of local government in the building standard of perspective of design consultants in Ghana. Quantitative research strategy was adopted through a descriptive survey research design to the target population of the study was consultant. A sample size of sixty four (64) were randomly selected. The findings suggest that a combination of planned maintenance are adopted in the maintenance process. The findings further revealed lapses in procedures for procurement of maintenance work. The lapses included, excessive bureaucracy, fraud and lack of critical evaluation of contractors at the prequalification and post qualification stage. Also, the findings of the study revealed that the key challenges to maintenance, included, lack of regular maintenance audit surveys, inadequate funds for maintenance works, poor maintenance culture as well as the aforementioned lapses in the process of maintenance works. Based on the findings, the study recommended that regular inspection programmer and planned approach to maintenance should be adopted by stakeholders including consultants in line with building standards in Ghana. Additionally, procurement of maintenance works in the public sector need to be regularly monitored by Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and more stringent internal audit system adopted.

Source: UEW
Improving overarm throwing skill among kindergarten pupils through selected traditional games in Esau Ofori Preschool of Akuapem North District, Ghana

The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of selected traditional games on overarm throwing skill performance among kindergarten two pupils. A single group pretest posttest, quasi experimental design was used. Target schools for the study were 119 public preschools in the Akuapem North District in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The Sample size for the study was made up of 37 kindergarten two pupils from one public preschool which was selected using purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using Test of Gross Motor Development -2 (TGMD-2) instrument designed by Ulrich in the year 2000. It is a norm-reference test designed to assess the fundamental motor skills of children between the ages of 3 to 10. The process and product measure of overarm throwing skill was assessed by observation (video recording) and coded with the TGMD-2 instrument. A dependent t–test statistical method was used to analyze the overhand throw performance at both the pretest and posttest stages with alpha level set at 0.05 for two tailed test. Also, a two sample t-test assuming unequal variance was used to analyze the gender difference in pupils overarm throwing performance at both pretest and posttest stages. The results of the study revealed that traditional games have a significant effect on kindergarten two pupils’ overarm throwing skill performance. Also, the findings of this research indicated that traditional games help improve upon pupils overarm throwing skill performance with a moderate effect of 4.59. It is therefore recommended that traditional games should be incorporated into the teaching of fundamental motor skills in the early childhood years of schooling in Ghanaian schools.

Source: UEW
Improving power maintenance and management systems in electrical transmission networks in Ghana (a case study in Ghana grid company (GRIDCo), Tamale operational area

In Ghana, Ghana Grid Company, GRIDCo has experienced huge power losses due to poor maintenance and management practices. For this reason persistent power outage has plunged the country‟s economy into a huge set back in the last four years. Power quality problems are common in most commercial, industrial and utility networks. The specific objectives of this thesis were to study the role of automation in improving transmission systems, evaluate maintenance performance in transmission systems through benchmarking. It also assessed the performance of substation equipment in improving power quality and reliability, identified the best management practices, procedures and structures in the organization. Remedial Action Scheme (RAS) was employed and has two approaches to mitigate power quality problems. These are load conditioning (Model for composite ac–dc Transmission), which ensures that the equipment is less sensitive to power disturbances, allowing the operation even under significant voltage distortion. The other solution is to install line conditioning systems that suppress or counteracts the power system disturbances (Automation switching control). Simulation using MATLAB program was carried out using signals with and without fault conditions and how the waveform magnitudes for voltage, current, active P and reactive Q powers reacted. The system recovered from its disturbance as the system conditioners (rectifier and inverter) reacted swiftly to stabilize the system. It is recommended that extension of this research work should be to incorporate the views of external stakeholders like researchers, high-tech equipment dealers, financial organizations, government etc. on the barriers and drivers for improving power maintenance and management in Ghana‟s energy sector.

Source: UEW
Improving pre-service teachers performance in selected chemistry topics using hybrid learning approach

The action research design (single group pre-test post-test) was adopted for this study using non-equivalent pre-test and post-test. One group of pre-service teachers (Primary education specialism) took part in the study. Quantitative and qualitative were involved. The qualitative data consisted of responses of the questionnaire from the pre-service teachers with regards to the perceptions on the use of hybrid learning and quantitative data consisted of the pre-test and post-test scores. The group received the pre-test first in the face-to-face session before the use of the hybrid learning as a treatment (hybrid learning). The sample consisted of 89 pre-service teachers (56 males and 33 females) which were purposively selected from the population of Gambaga College of Education pre-service teachers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentages which were used to determine the perceptions of pre-service teachers in the chemical concepts. Analysis from the data depicted that there was a significant differences in the mean scores between the performances of teacher trainees in selected chemistry topics when taught using the traditional method and when taught using the hybrid learning approach. However, there was no significant difference between the mean academic performance of male and female pre-service teachers in some selected chemistry topics when they were taught with the lecture method (that the t-calculated value of 2.0656 is greater than the t-critical value of 1.6706 at p<.05 alpha level). Findings also indicated pre-service teachers‟ positive perceptions towards the use of hybrid learning.

Source: UEW
Improving quality management in the construction industry in the northern region of Ghana

In Ghana, the construction industry has witnessed several quality challenges in recent years, perhaps, heightened by resent collapse of buildings. The aim of this research is to empirically evaluate the quality management practices of construction firms in the Northern region of Ghana. The objectives of the study were; to assess the quality management practices of contractors in the Northern Region of Ghana, to determine key constraints to the adoption of proven quality management practices by contractors in the Northern Region of Ghana, to evaluate the effects (if any) of quality management practices of contractors on construction project variables in the Northern Region of Ghana and to make recommendations for improving the quality performance of construction projects in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design. The target population of the study was construction professionals employed by construction firms registered with the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana in the Northern Region. The study adopted systematic random sampling to select ninety-two (92) of the construction firms and purposive sampling to select one hundred and twenty-four (124) construction professionals. The findings of the study suggest that quality management techniques/practices are barely implemented except for those expressly required by terms of contract. The often implemented practices/techniques included; inspections with a focus on quality of works, carrying out quality audits, designs of experiments for testing concrete, and use of statistical sampling techniques on project sites. Also, the findings of the study suggest that the survey respondents’ firms implement elements of quality management such as; construction project design, supplier management, process management, planning, and client focus, a finding that should be interpreted with caution due to bias. However, quality management efforts such as; teamwork, top management commitment, and employee relations are not implemented. The findings further revealed that the key constraints to implementation of management practices on construction projects in the Northern region of Ghana include; lack of adequate resources, low bid mind set, lack of adequate skilled workers, lack of top management commitment and lack of adequate training of employees. The results of this study also revealed that teamwork, employee relations, top management commitment, client focus and construction project design have significant impact on construction project quality performance. In view of these findings, the study recommends that management of construction firms should be proactive and committed to quality of construction projects and implement proven quality management techniques and tools on construction project sites in the Northern region of Ghana.

Source: UEW