ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Factors that impede the formation of basic scientific concepts in students A case study at the Mankranso Senior High School

This study sought to investigate the factors that impede the formation of basic scientific concepts in students in the Mankranso Senior High School. The simple random selection was done to select one class from departments with multiple classes in Mankranso Senior High School for the study and made available a sample of one hundred and ninety-five (195) respondents for the study. The purposive sampling approach was used to select four (4) science teachers out of accessible population of 122 teachers in the school. Descriptive survey design and a five- point Likert -type scale questionnaire backed by focus group interviews and field observations were used to collect data from respondents. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 20) was used to analyse the data collected. The data were then represented in tables using descriptive statistics. The result showed students have developed poor attitudes towards science and 80.0% of them offer to read science only because it is a compulsory subject, also,75.0 % of science teachers could not employ laboratory experiments at all in their lessons as facilities were so limited and thus reserved for only students reading elective science courses. The attitude of students towards science has been generally poor and could lead to poor concept formation. There is still opportunity to raise students’ interest through the use of laboratory activities to supplement teaching scientific concepts, the adoption of participatory teaching methods and creative pedagogical skills by science teachers; and provision of study materials to students. These could stimulate the interest of students to learn integrated science as a subject and cause them to gear attention towards it. It was therefore recommended that Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service (GES) should provide requisite teaching learning materials to the school to enable teachers to adopt the participatory approach that would foster concept formation in students. Also, it has been recommended that Government of Ghana and its Stakeholders should consider building more laboratories in schools to increase accessibility to non-science students and teachers to help intensify practical activities and improve concept formation in students. University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.

Source: UEW
Factors that influence career choice among high school students the case of international community school

The main purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence high school students’ career choices at International Community School (ICS), Pakyi No. 1. The study employed a quantitative approach using a descriptive survey design. The International Community School (ICS)'s Year 12 and 13 Advanced Level high school students made up the target population. The study's total accessible population is 122. The study used the Krejcie & Morgan (1970) table to determine the sample size which was 92 out of 122. The study employed stratified random sampling. Data were gathered using a self-made questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the instrument were checked. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected (means, percentages, frequencies, and standard deviations). Study showed that school factors of career guidance programme offered, teachers, media reporting, or writing about famous people have a significant positive influence on the high school students making informed career choices. On the contrary, parental factors were not a significant influence in making career choices among high school students of ICS. The study recommended career guidance programme be organized to equip all stakeholders to make career choice-making for high school students efficient and purposeful

Source: UEW
Factors that influence ICT integration in the teaching and learning of integrated science at the senior high school

This study was designed to investigate ICT integration and its use in the teaching and learning of integrated science in selected senior high schools in the Agona East district within the Central Region. A descriptive survey design approach was employed in the study involving four schools. The target population for the study comprised all senior high schools in the Central Region of Ghana. The accessible population however consisted of senior high schools in the Agona East District of the Central Region. One district science coordinator, one hundred and twenty students and sixty science teachers in four senior high schools in the Agona East District formed the research subjects for the study. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview and informal observation as instruments. The teachers’ and students’ questionnaires had reliability indices of 0.87 and 0.91 respectively. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The results gathered from the four schools involved in the study revealed that though a few of the schools have made progress and had some resources to promote ICT use in science teaching and learning most of them were not well equipped with ICT resources. Teachers indicated that the unavailability of ICT resources, lack of training and inadequate support from the stakeholders of education in Ghana were some of the challenges impeding ICT integration in science teaching and learning. The study recommended that the training needs of science teachers must be addressed immediately. Additionally, investments should be made by the districts directorate of education towards equipping schools with ICT resources by addressing the individual needs of schools at the senior high school level to promote ICT integration in pedagogy. The teacher is an important component in ensuring a successful integration of ICT in the teaching and learning of integrated science therefore based on the findings of the study, it was suggested that a study on the ICT training needs of science teachers in the research area should be conducted.

Source: UEW
Factors that influence motivation of primary school teachers, a case study of the Tamale Metropolis

The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that influence the motivation of primary school teachers in the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region of Ghana. A descriptive survey design was employed. A questionnaire was used to gather data. A total of 250 primary school teachers in the Tamale Metropolis were selected for the study by using the probability proportional to size and the simple random sampling techniques. The quantitative data gathered in this research was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics (tables, graphs, frequencies, percentages, etc) in relation to all the research questions. Findings from the study revealed that motivation of the primary school teachers is largely derived from monetary rewards. Also, the female teachers are more motivated than the male teachers in the Tamale Metropolis. The major factors that influence their motivation include availability of Teaching and Learning Materials, adequate infrastructure, attractive nature of classrooms, teachers‟ participation in decision making, support from SMC/PTA and Opportunities for further studies. It is recommended that governments should work hard to make the teaching profession attractive and boost the image of teachers. Some ways of motivating the primary school teacher include increase in salary/wages of teachers, provision of adequate Teaching and Learning Materials and responsibility allowance for teachers with additional roles. Others are provision of decent accommodation for teachers in the rural areas and fair and timely promotion of teachers who are due for it.

Source: UEW
Factors that influence teacher attrition, a case study of public junior high schools in the Kwadaso Circuit of the Kwadaso Municipality

The study was conducted to examine the factors that influence teacher attrition in public junior high schools in the Kwadaso circuit. Descriptive survey design using quantitative approach was employed for the study. The target population of the study consisted of all the 161 teachers and head teachers in the nine public junior high schools in the Kwadaso circuit. A proportionate random sampling technique was used to select 113 respondents from the nine public junior high schools in the Kwadaso circuit for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The study revealed that some of the causes of teacher attrition in public junior high schools in the Kwadaso circuit included, low salary of teachers, lack of professional development opportunities and long distance of school from home among other factors. Further, the study found out that compensation and other benefits in the school helped to create a supportive environment for teachers to maximize their potential and to remain in the profession and that students achievement are improved due to improved teaching strategies. Again, the study revealed that the provision of conducive and congenial working environment and training and development opportunities. It is therefore recommended that the Ghana Education Service of the Kwadaso Municipality should provide teachers with congenial working environment to enable them have the interest and satisfaction to work and remain in the teaching service.

Source: UEW
Factors that influence the adoption of mobile money transactions A case of UEW Students

The study was conducted to investigate university students’ acceptance of mobile money transactions using students from University of Education, Winneba. The study added trust of service providers, and network services into UTAUT model to investigate the acceptance of mobile money transactions. The study employed survey research design with quantitative approach of data collection. A total number of 536 students from University of Education, Winneba were used for the study. The quantitative data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The research instrument used in the study were adopted from previous studies. The findings revealed that: trust of service providers, network services, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating condition factors have influence on university students’ acceptance of mobile money transactions. Surprisingly, social influence has no influence on the students’ acceptance and trust of service providers, network services were also found to have positive influence on performance expectancy. The findings of this study could inform policy makers of money service customers about readiness to use transaction which might lead to a review of the current transaction provided to students or customers.

Source: UEW
Factors that influence the location of Ghanaian local restaurants in Tamale metropolis

A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drinks to customers in exchange for money, either paid before the meal or after the meal or with an open account. Restaurants play a significant role in our lifestyles, and dining out is a favorite social activity.. The study looked at the factors that influence site selection of restaurant, factors that contribute to growth and expansion of restaurant in the Tamale Metropolis and factors contributing to the collapse of local restaurants. The research design adopted was the descriptive survey. A primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire with a sample of 320 respondents (Employers and Employees). Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used for both descriptive, and correlation matrix. The study revealed that, proximity of restaurant to market, Environment and landscaping, availability of labor and nearness of restaurant to residence were key factors influencing site selection for restaurant in the Tamale Metropolis with high level of statistical significance. The results however, showed that, price of land, influence by friends played minor roles in site selection because they were not statistically significant. The quantity and quality of food, staff cooperation towards customers, sanitation of restaurants, type of meal served, waiting time by customers, special attention to selected customers, skill of staff, record keeping, noise, smell of food and type of meal service had an effect on the collapse of the restaurant. Based on the results, it was recommended that stakeholders and entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry need to pay attention to the predictors recognized in this study as significant in site selection of restaurant. It was also recommended that resources and time should be invested in staff training for quality meals and services, and the assembly and other supervisory agencies should collaborate for effective supervision as well as provide periodic training for employers and employees in the restaurants industry.

Source: UEW
Factors that influence the recruitment and retention of basic school teachers a case study

The purpose of this study is to find out the factors affecting teacher recruitment procedures and retention in the basic schools in Ablekuma North Sub Metro Education Directorate. Descriptive survey design was adopted to collect data to answer research questions concerning the status of the subject of the study. The population for the study comprised all the teachers of the 105 public schools. Stratified random sampling method was employed by the researcher in selecting the schools for his study. Five circuits with an average of 20 teachers per circuit were randomly selected for the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument used in the collection of data for the study. The major finding of the study was that there is a problem with quality of teachers, because the non-professional ones in the district form about 30% of the teacher population. Two major factors that made teachers to stay for long periods of time in the district were that most teachers were indigenes of the district and the low cost of living in the district. Finally, teachers suggested that there should be improved conditions of service for them. Based on the findings, some recommendations were made among which are that, more professional teachers should be posted or transferred to the district. Besides, more indigenous teachers should be sponsored into the Colleges of Education.

Source: UEW
Factors that inhibit the formation of basic scientific concepts by students

This research sought to improve science concept formation of Senior High School students by bringing to light the factors that inhibit science concept formation in Keta Senior High Technical School students and proposing solutions to the factors. The research was conducted using one hundred and ninety three students, four science teachers and two science laboratory technicians all of Keta Senior High Technical School. Questionnaire was administered to the one hundred and ninety three students and the four science teachers and the two science laboratory technicians were interviewed. Observation was made in eight science lessons and tables drawn for results obtained. One of the main findings is that a number of students have negative perception and attitude towards science and this affects their focus and adversely, how they form science concepts. Most of the integrated science lessons are not taught using laboratory experiments and hands on models and this also affects good concept formation. Inflexible teaching methods such as lecturing are also a contributing factor. Inadequate pedagogical content knowledge of the science subject masters is also a major cause. Some other factors include inadequate assessment of students and monitoring of performance by teachers which was as a result of the large population of students and few subject handlers. In-service training is recommended for the science teachers to enhance their pedagogical content knowledge. It is also recommended that enough science teachers be made available for teaching of integrated science in the schooland that the school administration refurbish the science laboratory and equip the laboratory with appropriate teaching aids, apparatus, glassware and chemicals for use during instructions.

Source: UEW
Factors which predispose voters to vote for women parliamentary candidates a case study at Manhyia South constituency in Ghana

On gender basis, there is great skewness towards men in the Ghanaian Parliament, such that majority of seats (246) are occupied by men whilst only 29 seats are occupied by women. This research therefore aimed at investigating the factors that the predisposition of voters to vote for women in parliamentary affairs in Ghana, using Manhyia Constituency as a case study. Case study research based on empirical research method was adopted to investigate this contemporary phenomenon within its real – life context. Using the 2010 population census data, 400 eligible voters were selected at random by way of secret ballot based on Yamane (1967) sample size determination formulae. Data were accessed by means of structured questionnaire. Pre-coded response types were grouped into two; demographic and socio – economic factors of the eligible voters. The research instrument was pre-tested at Dichemso and Manhyia with 33 respondents to ascertain its validity and effectiveness. Data were collected between January 2017 and March 2017. The data collection was conducted at Dichemso, Afia Kobi, Manhyia, K.O, Odumase and CPC. Data were coded, entered into the SPSS (version 20) statistical software and cleaned, before commencing data analysis using STATA (version 13). A mathematical model was established for the theoretical model as Qif = f (DF, SE); where Qif = predisposition of voters to vote for women, DF = demographic factors and SE = socio-economic factors. The results of the study showed that 82% of respondent were willing to vote for a female candidate in the parliamentary elections. It was further revealed that at p < 0.01, income level and marital status showed a positive relationship with the tendency to vote for female candidate contesting for parliamentary election. It was concluded that education, marital status, employment status and Income are the main factors that affect the predisposition of voters to vote for women in parliamentary election, and that married eligible voters with high educational level and income status are more likely to vote for a female candidate contesting for parliamentary elections. It is recommended that all stakeholders interested in female parliamentary representations should be at the forefront of endeavouring to make the Ghanaian society an elite society where majority of citizens are well educated and of good financial standing.

Source: UEW
Fake news and media literacy education in tertiary institutions, a case study of Ghana Institute of Journalism

Media literacy and fake news has become an important topic in today’s media and society. Scholars have studied the domain and have attributed the increase in the spread of fake news to the audience inability to distinguish false information from true one, especially in a technological era where citizen journalism is thriving. Several studies have established that a major way to curbing the problem of fake news is equipping the audience with media literacy skills. In Ghana, there is little empirical studies on fake news and media literacy. This study, therefore, seeks to investigate how communication education is integrating the teaching of fake news and media literacy in their curricula, using the Ghana Institute of journalism as its case study. The study is underpinned by the student engagement theory, media literacy theory, and the new media framework. Employing a qualitative approach and case study design, data were collected through interviews, focus group discussion, and document analysis. Thematically analyzed data shows that most lecturers at the institute teach an aspect of media literacy and fake news in class even though it is not on their course outline. Analyzed data also reveals that some students had some level of understanding of media literacy and fake news. The study recommended that media literacy and fake news study should become a required course that all universities offer in Ghana.

Source: UEW
Falling standards of technical and vocational education and training in Ghana_ a case study of mechanical engineering trainees in Anlo, Kpando and have technical and vocational institutes in the volta region

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has emerged as one of the most effective human resource development strategies that the nation needs to embrace in order to train and modernize her technical workforce for rapid industrialization and national development. This was the basis upon which the researcher set out to investigate the falling standards of crafts practice skills in Technical and Vocational Institutions. The study examined the current environment in which the TVET system in the country operates and high-light on how co ordination between practical skills demonstration and teaching of workshop processes can enhance skills acquisition and training; the impact of the fall in students’ performance and the link between training institutions and industries.As a component of this work, questionnaires and interviews were adopted as the main data collection instruments. Students and Tutors of the selected technical and vocational institutes were surveyed using the questionnaires whereas the heads of the institutions were interviewed. The study found that majority of the technical institutes lack infrastructural development which is affecting the quality of teaching and learning in the institutes. Time allocated for workshop practice is not enough. The institutes are also be-devilled with poor monitoring and supervision. It is not compulsory for students to have industrial attachment while at the same time they are not taken on industrial visits by the institutes. The curriculum being used is not industry driven and so TVET graduates find it difficult to get placed on jobs after school. The study found that the current state of technical and vocational institutes is greatly affecting the performance of students in examinations as in the most recent years. Have Technical Institute shows that 15 passed out of a total number of 123 students indicate that 12.2%. Hence it is recommended that the government should invest heavily in the TVET sector and open up for partnerships with industrial. Organizations.

Source: UEW