ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Perceived Safety of Learning Environment and Associated Anxiety Factors during COVID-19 in Ghana: Evidence from Physical Education Practical-Oriented Program

The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the swift migration to alternate instructional delivery models and pedagogical practices in educational institutions. This study examined the perceived safety of the learning environment and associated anxiety factors among physical education students amidst COVID-19. Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of 638 students drawn purposively and conveniently from a public university in Ghana completed a self-developed questionnaire. Frequency counts, percentages, and ordered logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Findings of the study showed that students perceived the practical lesson environment as unsafe, with self-reported moderate to high levels of anxiety during their practical lessons. The ordered logistic regression results revealed that varied factors such as age, COVID-19 information platforms, certainty about personal safety, and adequacy of preparation to manage COVID-19 cases were associated with anxiety. The study concluded that an unsafe practical physical education learning environment increases the anxiety levels of students. Academic departments/units should provide periodic interventions (e.g., positive self-talk, mental rehearsal, cognitive restructuring) and counseling services for students amidst the ongoing pandemic to help moderate situational-specific anxiety. In addition, key to the management of students� anxiety is the provision of a safe and supportive school environment, including the provision of adequate personal protective equipment for practical lessons by school authorities. � 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Source: UEW
Perceived school factors affecting the implementation of inclusive education in two schools in the Effutu

This study investigated on the perceived school factors affecting implementation of inclusive education in two schools in the Effutu Municipality, Winneba. It employed a case study, qualitative research designs, grounded in the interpretivist paradigm. A semistructured interview guide and a focus group discussion guide were used to collect data from 10 purposively selected participants, comprising 2 headteachers and 8 teachers from the two selected schools. Data collected was analysed thematically. Among others, the study revealed that the teachers understood what inclusive education policy was about but teachers tend to develop negative attitudes towards the implementation of Inclusive Education due to the child‟s condition, limited knowledge and skills as well the school environmental factors. Also, the study revealed that the school environment was not accessible for children with special needs and disabilities. The schools also had limited resources (assistive device and human resources) to support the implementation of Inclusive Education. The study concluded that although teachers were aware of the Inclusive Education Policies in Ghana, they tend to find it difficult to comply. The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Education and the Special Education Division (SPED) should make school environment accessible to all persons including those with special educational needs and disabilities and also provide schools practicing inclusive education the needed resources (assistive device and human resources) that will help teachers develop positive attitudes towards children with special education needs in the implementation on inclusive education. Also, in-service training, seminars and workshop should be organized for teachers on regular basis to help teachers develop their social, personal, academic and professional competency on inclusive education.

Source: UEW
The perceived service satisfaction of Accounting students in UEW in using online learning in the era of Covid -19

This mixed method study investigated the determinants of students’ satisfaction with their online learning experience at the University of Education Winneba during the era of COVID-19 pandemic. The data was collected from 294 undergraduates enrolled in Business Administration with the concentration being in students in accounting. The results of the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) revealed that the independent variables of the model, including: perceived learner motivation, perceived challenges of e-learning, and interaction significantly affected students’ satisfaction with their new online learning experience. Out of the three constructs, perceived challenges of online learning have the strongest effect on students’ satisfaction. Among the challenges faced by the online learner network problems were crucial followed by technical challenges which did not only affect student’s motivation level but also affected the motivation in self-regulating their learning environments. The study has several implications for both creating and ensuring the long-term sustainability of productive and student-friendly online learning spaces in higher education.

Source: UEW
Perception among female junior high school pupils towards the study of mathematics in Upper Denkyira West, Ghana

The purpose of the study was to find the perception among female Junior High School pupils towards the study of Mathematics in the Upper Denkyira West District in the Central Region of Ghana. A descriptive qualitative design was employed to explore the study. An interview session was used to provide data used for the study. The study involved 13 purposely selected female junior high school pupils in Nkronua D/A JHS in the Upper Denkyira West of Central Region. The data was in the form of recording through interviews were transcribed. The final output was presented in the form of texts and direct quotes from the respondents. The findings of the study showed that female junior high school pupils perceive mathematics as a difficult subject. Some of the factors that accounted for this were poor teaching methods, perception, and attitudes of mathematics teachers. The study also revealed that lack of parental support, lack of practice of concept taught, and lack of motivation were the major challenges female Junior High School pupils faced towards the study of mathematics. It was recommended that modern teaching and learning of mathematics be used to increase the interest of female Junior High School pupils in studying mathematics. It was also suggested that future researchers should extend their research to both male and female Junior High School pupils to help also find out some of the problems male pupils also face in mathematics.

Source: UEW
Perception and adoption of competency-based training by academics in Ghana

Background: With the rise in graduate unemployment and the poor linkage between university education and industry, competency-based training (CBT) is gaining popularity in Ghana�s universities as a way of producing business-oriented and well-grounded graduates for industry who are ready to make use of knowledge acquired in university education to establish businesses that will help reduce unemployment in the country as well as working effectively in the nation�s industry and service sectors. With CBT yet to be introduced in most Ghanaian tertiary institutions, information about academics� perception and willingness to adopt the methodology is crucial. This study examined the perception and adoption of CBT by academics in Ghana using cross-sectional data collected from 300 faculty members of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, 5-point Likert scale, perception index, and the logit model were the methods of analysis employed. Results: The results of the survey showed that the overall perception index was 0.49, indicating that generally faculty members of KNUST agreed and had a positive perception of the potential of CBT in instilling in students employable skills. The logit results also showed that the probability of adoption of CBT is positively influenced by participation in CBT workshops, effective supervision of faculty members by university authorities, availability of teaching aids, and availability of incentives. Conversely, adoption was found to be negatively influenced by teaching load and number of undergraduate students per class. Conclusions: We conclude that provision of appropriate teaching and learning resources that complement adoption of CBT, incentives, and competency-based education training for academics by university authorities and stakeholders in Ghana�s tertiary education will enhance the adoption of CBT methodologies. � 2018, The Author(s).

Source: UEW
Perception of Abetifi College of Education pre-service teachers on mentoring for developing effective primary science teaching

This study was aimed at finding out the importance of mentoring practices on Pre service teachers for developing effective primary science teaching. The main purpose for this study therefore, was to identify and describe the perception of the final year pre-service teachers of Abetifi College of Education (ABETICOE) on their mentoring in primary science education and the extent to which they received the range of mentoring practices that would assist them in developing their primary science teaching based on five factors (i.e., Personal Attribute, System Requirement, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Modeling and Feedback). The design used to conduct this study was a descriptive survey. The main data collection instrument for the study was questionnaire for pre–service teachers (mentees) adapted from the Mentoring for Effective Primary Science Teaching (MEPST) instrument. Data was collected from 20 basic schools in the Kwahu East, Kwahu South and Birim North of the Eastern Region of Ghana. One hundred (100) mentees were sampled for this study comprising 65 males and 35 females. Descriptive statistics (i.e. percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations) were derived using SPSS for each variable. It was found out among other things that majority of mentees perceived that their mentors did not provide mentoring practices associated with the System Requirements items and that the mentees were mentored using the five-factor model . It was recommended that adequate mentoring in primary science teaching should be included in mentors’ practices. The study argues that mentors may require further education to learn how to mentor specifically in primary science teaching and proposed a specific mentoring intervention as a way forward for developing the mentors’ mentoring skills in the teaching of primary science.

Source: UEW
Perception of basic school teachers on implementation of inclusive education in Offinso North District

This study explored perceptions of basic school teachers on the implementation of inclusive education in the Offinso North District of Ashanti Region. Data was collected using questionnaires. A sample of 276 teachers randomly selected from basic schools in the Offinso North District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana was used for the study. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used in analysing the quantitative data. The study revealed that majority of teachers in the Offinso North District have theoretical understanding of inclusive education but lack professional training in inclusive techniques and practices. The study shows that majority of teachers do not believe inclusive education would be implemented successfully in the Offinso North District. They cited perceived challenges of inclusive education such as poor infrastructure, inadequate teacher preparation, lack of support services, rigid general curriculum, discrimination and stigmatization of children with special pupils, attitudes of teachers and other stakeholders towards special needs children, lack of commitment to implement the policy (political will) and attitudes of teachers towards pupils with disabilities. It was recommended that school environment, the curriculum, and teacher preparation must be looked at by stakeholders such as the government and its agencies to ensure the successful implementation of the policy.

Source: UEW
Perception of body weight, its management practices and nutritional status of young adults in Agona Nkwanta, Ghana

This study assessed perception of body weight, its management practices and nutritional status of young adults in Agona Nkwanta. The need for this study was due to the fact that many young adults are concerned about their physical appearance and engage in certain practices in order to attain the desired body ideals. The sample size was 237. Quantitative method involving correlation and cross-sectional designs were used. Findings showed that 61% females and 78% males do perceived their body weight to be normal. 36% females and 20% males perceived themselves to be underweight, whilst 3% females and 2% males of perceived themselves to be overweight. But with the use of anthropometric measurements 73% were within the healthy weight range of (>18.50 – 24.99), 17% were underweight (<18.50), whilst 10% were overweight (>25 – 29.9). Weight management practices; 20% engages in exercise to lose weight, 8%-diet to lose weight, 13% -laxatives/pills to lose weight. 3%-eating more food to gain weight, 12%-pills only to gain weight, 21% combine exercise and dieting to lose weight, 15%-both dieting and pills to lose weight whilst 8% combine dieting and pills to gain weight. For nutritional status; 45% eat locally available food groups “1-2 times per week”, 47% eat it “3 or more times per week”, whilst 8% do not take sugary foods. There was a strongly significant positive correlation between weight perception and weight management practices r(237) = 0.799, p<0.05; weight perception and nutritional status- r(237) = 0.702, p<0.05, of the study respondents. Based on the finding, the study recommends the eating of home-cooked food as my findings showed that home-cooked food are more balanced in terms of quality, quantity and hygiene than fast foods and street vendors and respondents should calculate their BMI and consult qualified persons before engaging in any weight management practices.

Source: UEW
Perception of colleges of education students attitude towards the teaching and learning of social studies in some selected colleges of education in Ashanti Region

The purpose of the study was to examine the perception of Colleges of Education students’ attitudes towards the teaching and learning of Social Studies in the Ashanti region. The pragmatist paradigm, concurrent nested mixed method and descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 292 respondents for the study. Quantitative data from the study was analyzed using descriptive statistics from SPSS version 26.0 software in which mean, standard deviation, percentages, frequencies and tables were used while qualitative data obtained were analyzed under emergent themes. Findings revealed that majority of 92.4 percent of students have positive perceptions towards the teaching and learning of Social Studies. The study also revealed that 90.1 percent of students have positive attitudes toward student-centred techniques of teaching but 9.9 percent of them have negative attitudes toward teacher centred techniques of teaching. Research further revealed that factors like inadequate teaching and learning resources, inadequate textbooks negatively affect teaching and learning while tutors use of variety of teaching techniques improve learning. Moreover, it was revealed that Colleges of Education students rank Social Studies first above other subjects. Based on the findings, it was recommended that T-TEL and Universities, to which Colleges of Education are affiliated, should continue to provide seminars to tutors in areas of material resource development and research. Collaboration should be deepened among the Ministry of Education, T-TEL and other non-governmental educational organizations to provide the needed teaching and learning materials for the teaching and learning of Social Studies at the Colleges of Education in Ghana.

Source: UEW
Perception of community members on mass media and the promotion of child rights in Effutu municipality.

This study investigated community perceptions of mass media's role in promoting and protecting children's rights in the Effutu Municipality in the Central region of Ghana. Employing a mixed-method approach with an explanatory sequential design, the research surveyed 400 participants from four communities and conducted in-depth interviews. The study revealed significant gaps in media coverage of child rights issues, characterized by limited, sporadic, and often sensationalized reporting. Key findings indicated that the media has not effectively created public awareness of its role in child rights protection, and coverage usually fails to translate awareness into concrete action. Most respondents perceived media reporting on child rights as eventdriven rather than consistent. Challenges identified included insufficient resources for media organizations, lack of specialized training for journalists, and cultural norms that hinder coverage. Despite these limitations, the study found that media coverage has led to some positive changes in child protection policies. The study concludes that a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach is needed to enhance the media's role in child rights promotion. Recommendations include developing guidelines for media houses to allocate specific content to child rights issues, establishing dedicated child rights desks in local media organizations, and implementing comprehensive training programs for journalists.

Source: UEW
Perception of community members on the impact of logging on medicinal plants; a case on Bobiri forest reserve

Many Ghanaian rural communities depend on forest medicinal plants for health and income, but logging threatens the sustainability of these ecologically and medicinal valuable species. This research study examined community members’ perceptions about the effect of logging on medicinal plants in the Bobiri Forest Reserve. The study also explored perceptions about policies and programmes for the reduction of logging on medicinal plants. The study adopted the pragmatic research philosophy and used a mixed-method approach. Questionnaire was used to collect data from household living in distant to the forest reserve. Also, interview was conducted with Ghana Forestry Commission, opinion leaders, herbalists, and loggers. Data was processed and analyzed using percentages and frequencies. Results indicated that logging has resulted in job losses in the medicinal plants' value chain, affecting negatively on the livelihoods, cultural practices and rituals, growth, distribution and availability of medicinal plants. Also, community members who rely on medicinal plants for treatment have experienced adverse health effects. The study recommends developing educational and awareness campaigns highlighting the usefulness and ecological significance of medicinal plants in Ghana as a whole and in Bobiri Forest Reserve in particular. Regulations, and policies should be established to protect endangered medicinal plant species.

Source: UEW
The Perception of Engineers on the Use of Offsite Construction Methods in Ghana

Off-site construction methods have played an important role in the construction sector the world over in the past few decades, having been touted as offering a more sustainable solution to the building industry especially in areas of cost, safety, meeting time lines, and waste reduction. But developing countries still rely on vernacular practices for design and construction. In the Ghanaian construction industry, most contractors are still used to the traditional system of building construction. This attempt is to find out the perception of engineers on the use of offsite construction methods in Ghana. To achieve this, the objectives were to find out engineers knowledge on offsite construction methods, the readiness to use offsite construction methods and the associated cost benefits in using offsite construction method. Survey research design was used for this study. In determining the sample size, purposive sampling technique was used to select 12 engineers of registered construction firms undertaking active projects in the Kumasi Metropolis. Data was collected through interview and the themes analyzed. The study showed that the engineers know that reduction of overall construction costs, shortened construction time, increased efficiency and improved health and safety of workers are benefits of applying off-site construction methods. The dominant challenges were capital-related issues, low level of expertise and negative perception. It was recommended that professional bodies such as Ghana Institute of Architecture and Ghana Institute of Engineers should expose members to the innovation and other new technological advancements. Government on its part must also play a leading role in the training of artisans and the promotion of off-site construction as that is the way forward for any construction industry that aspires to meet the housing challenge of its populace.

Source: UEW
The perception of Ghanaian senior high school teachers and students on the integration of information and communication technology into mathematics teaching and learning

The purpose of the study was to find teachers and students perceptions on the integration of ICT into Mathematics teaching and learning in the Ghanaian Senior High Schools and discover the potential barriers hindering effective ICT integration. The population comprised all teachers and students in the Greater Accra Region. A simple random sampling was used to select the teachers and the students. Two public mixed and one private mixed school from the Ga South Municipality were purposefully selected. A total of twenty five (25) teachers and sixty (60) students were selected from the three schools. The research design for the study was mixed method research design. Questionnaires were administered personally to both the teacher and the students as well interview. SPSS version 16 was used in generating the various outputs for analysis. The findings revealed that 95.8% of the teachers have not been using computers in their classroom instruction even though they have access to computers in their schools. It was also discovered that 83.3% of the schools do not have specialized software for teaching Mathematics installed on the computers in their laboratories. However, it was found out that most of the students had good perception concerning the use of computers and graphic calculators and were convinced that are good tools for learning Mathematics. It is therefore recommended that specialized software for teaching and learning Mathematics be installed on the computers in the various Senior High Schools laboratories to enable the Mathematics teachers in the SHS have access to them and use them in their teaching.

Source: UEW