ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effect of Measurement Scales on Results of Item Response Theory Models and Multivariate Statistical Techniques

The study investigates the effects of response scales of items on results of item response theory (IRT) models and multivariate statistical techniques. A total of sixty-four datasets have been simulated under various conditions such as item response format, number of dimensions underlying response scales, and sample size using R package MIRT command: simdata (a, d, N, itenitype). Two main statistical techniques - IRT models and Factor Analysis - are employed in analysing the simulated datasets using standard R 3.4.3 codes. We find that there is a direct relationship between parameters of IRT and those of factor models, particularly item discrimination and factor loadings. The results also show that the overall fitness of the item response model increases with increasing scale points for higher dimensionality and sample size 150 and higher. The fitness deteriorates over increasing scale points for small sample sizes for unidimensional IRT model. Again, the number of influential indicators on factors increases with increasing scale-points, which improves the fitness of the model. The results indicate that unrealistic factor solution may be obtained if we attempt to extract higher factor solution than the underlying dimensionality on few scale-points with higher sample sizes. The study suggests that a fivepoint response scale gives most reasonable results among various scales examined. IRT analysis is recommended as a preliminary process to ascertain the observed features of items. The study also finds a sample size of 150 as adequate for a most plausible factor solution, under various conditions.

Source: UCC
Effect of microfinance on small scale businesses in Ghana: The case of Keta Municipality

The study sought to empirically investigate the effects of microfinance on small scale businesses in Ghana using Keta municipality as a case study. An ordinary least squares method was used, based on primary data of 200 small scale business entrepreneurs, 100 of whom have taken loans and 100 without loans. A Cobb-Douglas production function was first estimated to find the effect of microfinance loans on productivity. Afterward, a profit function was used to estimate the effects of microfinance loans on business level profits. For the profit function, it was found out that, the business level profit depends on sales, level of education of entrepreneurs, training of entrepreneurs education interacted with training, and credit received by the entrepreneurs. For the effects of microfinance loans on productivity, it was found out that, assets, business age, business age interacted with assets, training, assets interacted with training, gender, education interacted with training, and credit were significant in explaining productivity of the enterprises. In the estimations, it was found out that, the loans which are to aid increase in both profit and productivity rather reduced this outcome variables. In the light of that relationship, to increase productivity and profit through microfinance loans, it is recommended that, the microfinance institutions educate their clientele on how to use their loans. It is again recommended that, the microfinance institutions step up training of their members on basic business ideals.

Source: UCC
Effect of Mobile Money on Financial Inclusion Among Rural Communities in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District of the Central Region of Ghana

The concept of mobile money has become very relevant tool for promoting financial inclusion (FI) in many rural and hard to reach communities globally. This study examined the effects of mobile money (momo) on FI in rural communities in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District in the Central Region of Ghana. The study used description research design with multistage sampling technique to interview 388 adults from 10 of the 14 rural communities using structured interview guide. The study found very high level of awareness of, access to, preference for, and usage of momo than any other financial service in the study area. The study also found that in terms of access by both distance and ratio of adults to branch or agent, momo is momo is more than twenty times than banks/NBFIs. Mobile money has therefore contributed greatly to financial inclusion in the study area. However, momo interoperability has less patronage with majority using momo mainly for cash-in and out, saving and transfers. Benefits derived from momo include convenience, ease of sign-up, ease of use and affordability. Low income, illiteracy and fear of safety of funds are some factors that hinder respondents from accessing formal financial services. Cyber fraud was found to be the biggest threat to momo. Momo service providers should focus on educating people about the existence of the momo interoperability and possibly reduce the transaction charges to increase it usability. Also, there should be a strong collaboration between mobile telecommunications companies, National Communication Authority and Security Agencies to vigorously fight fraud in the mobile money business.

Source: UCC
The effect of moderation of continuous assessment scores on the performance scores of candidates at the basic education certificate examination level

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of moderation of continuous assessment scores on the overall performance scores of candidates at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The target population was the 278,413 candidates who registered for the 2004 BECE in all subjects. Schools were stratified into high, average and low performance categories depending on the performance of their candidates at the 2004 BECE. A maximum of three schools were selected randomly from each of the ten regions in Ghana to represent each category of schools. Six thousand and thirty-four candidates and seven core subjects constituted the sample for the study. The subjects were English Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Religious and Moral Education, PreTechnical Skills and Agriculture. The main statistical methods used in the analysis of data were the Pearson's product moment correlation and t-tests. The main fmding of the study was that the moderation of continuous assessment scores resulted in the drop in mean performance scores of candidates. The drop in mean performance scores increased from the high to the low performance categories of school for all the subjects investigated. Some recommendations have been made to improve the quality of continuous assessment scores submitted to the West African Examinations Council by school authorities.

Source: UCC
Effect of moisture content on selected physical and mechanical properties of two varieties of tigernut (Cyperus spp)

The effect of moisture content on some physical and mechanical properties of two varieties of tigernuts (Cyperus esculentus) was investigated. These properties include: geometric dimensions, linear dimensions, 1000 tuber weight, bulk density, tuber size, sphericity, angle of repose, porosity, coefficient of static friction and compressive strength. The moisture content levels used were 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% wet basis (wb), and the two tigernut varieties used were yellow and brown types. The linear dimension, geometric diameter, sphericity, 1000- tuber weight, bulk density and angle of repose in both varieties increased with increasing moisture content. The average length, width and thickness of the yellow variety increases more than the brown variety at the determined moisture contents. True density of the yellow variety increased while the brown variety decreased with increase in moisture content. The porosity of the yellow variety reduces with increase in moisture content from 45.95 at 20% mc to 42.4 at 40% mc, while the brown variety decreased from 42.72 at 20% mc to 30.77 at 40% moisture content. The yellow variety had bigger size tubers than the brown variety and this has serious implications in packing, handling and transportation issues

Source: UCC
Effect of moisture content on the physical properties of tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus)

The effect of moisture content on the physical properties of the black variety of tiger nut was investigated using a completely randomized design, for four moisture content levels initially at 320 and sun dried to 27, 22 and 17% (wb) moisture contents. In these moisture contents, the major (length), intermediate (width), minor (thickness) and geometric diameter decreased with decreasing moisture content from 16.16 to 13.71, 14.51 to 12.46, 11.94 to 10.40 and 13.69 to 11.80 mm, respectively. The values of the width were generally the highest, followed by generic mean diameter and thickness. The roots surface area decreased with decreasing moisture content but the sphericity decreased from C).8öö to 0.847 at 32 to 27% moisture content and increased thereafter from 0.847 to 0.864 at 27 to 17% moisture content. The particle density increased from 1.095 to 1.197 g cm s at 32 to 27% moisture content, decreased to 1.134 g cm¯3 at 22% (wb) and increased thereafter to 1.175 g cm at 17% moisture content. The bulk density decreased non-linearly with decreasing moisture content from 570.64 to 545.81 kg m % the 1000-root mass also decreased with decreasing moisture content from 1341.82 to 1087.54 g. The porosity followed a polynomial function from 47.35 to 52.32% with decreasing moisture content at 32 and 17%, respectively. The angle of repose decreased non-linearly with tuber moisture content from 24.7 0 at 32% moisture content to 23.30 at 27% moisture content and increased sharply thereafter to 24.5 0 at 17% moisture content. The coefficient of friction decreased non-linearly from 0.57 to 0.39 at 32 to 17% moisture content, increased non-linearly from 0.52 to 0.58 and 0.30 to 0.38 at 32 to 22% moisture content for plywood, paper and rubber, respectively

Source: UCC
Effect of Monetary Policy Rate on Profitability of Universal Banks in Ghana

The contribution of financial institutions towards the allocation of resources and growth a country cannot be overemphasized. The maintenance of asset quality, efficiency and profitability is a vital requirement for the survival and development of universal banks. One factor that has been identified as affecting universal banks’ profitability is the monetary policy rate. The study therefore sought to determine the effect of monetary policy rate on universal banks profitability. Using annual data spanning 1984 to 2017, the study provided evidence from an autoregressive distributed lag estimation technique to show that the monetary policy rate is significant driver of universal banks’ profitability in Ghana. The study recommends that universal banks revise their lending policy depending on the situation and economic condition of the country as well as minimising their periodic loans targets by not engaging in risky loaning practices.

Source: UCC
Effect of Moringa (Moringa olelfera) leaf powder and sweet basil (Oclmum basilicum) leaf paste on sensory and nutritional qualities of beef and ham burgers - Apreliminary study

Moringa leaf powder and sweet basil leaf paste are commonly used In local dishes in Ghana for purposes of flavour enhancement and nutrient supplements. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Moringa (Maringa oleifera) leaf powder (MLP) and Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) leaf paste (SBLP)on the sensory characteristics and nutritional compositions of beef and hamburgers. MLPand SBLPwere incorporated at Og(Control, T1), 2g, 4g and 6g/kg meat (12, 13 and T4 respectively) during the production of the burgers. The burgers were vacuum-packed and frozen for sensory and laboratory analyses. The M. olei/era leaf powder had significant (P<O.OOl)effect on the colour and flavour intensity, but had no effect (P<O.OS) on product acceptability. Results from the proximate analysis indicated that MLPhad no significant (P<O.OS)effect on the nutritional composition of the products. The SBLP significantly enhanced (P>O.01)the crude protein content but no significant effect on sensory characteristics of the products

Source: UCC
Effect of Mortgage Market on Household's Finance in the Cape Coast Metropolis

Guided by the mortgage value theory, this study analysed the impact of mortgage market on household finance, with focus on clients who have obtained mortgage products from Republic Bank within the Cape Coast Metropolitan Area. To address this general objective, two specific research objectives were set, namely to: establish the costs borne by clients of Republic Bank when accessing mortgage finance; and examine the impact of mortgage financing cost on household income. Research approach was quantitative, research design was descriptive, and study design was cross-sectional. All salaried workers who have accessed mortgage products at Republic Bank in the Cape Coast Metropolitan Area, numbering 154 formed the study population. Owing to the size of the population, a census was employed. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were utilised. A semi structured, validated and self-completed questionnaire was employed. 118 out the 154 targeted mortgage clients responded to the questionnaire, leading to a response rate of 76.62%. The non-response rate was 23.38%. One-sample t test was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 23. This study found that mortgage clients were overburdened with high deposit requirements, extortionate interest rate, standard initial down payment of about 20%, payment facility fees, payment of legal/property title search fees, and pay surveyor’s fees. To add, this mortgage financing costs negatively impacted on the income of mortgage clients. The study concluded that fees, charges and payments associated with acquiring residential mortgage was a drain on the income of households in Ghana. Recommendations have been made to improve on the existing situation

Source: UCC
Effect of motivation on employee performance at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GCB)

It is argued that the success of every organisation depends largely on the quality of its employees and that employees are the most vital resources for the achievement of organisation goals and objectives. It was of interest to know how the employees are inspired to commit themselves to the realisation of organisational goals and objectives. Most public sector organisations are bedevilled with poor employee performance. For a variety of reasons, however, the performance and output of most public sector organization leaves much to be desired. This study is to examine the effect of motivation on the performance of employee at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). The study found that the topmost 8 factors or indicators in the motivation of employees of GBC which were ranked as extremely high were (1) good and regular salary; (2) job security; (3) good working conditions; (4) promotion and growth in the organisation; (5) opportunity for personal growth; (6) interesting work; (7) full appreciation of work done and (8) feeling of belongingness. it was also found that the positive impact of employee motivation on an organisation in GBC are (1) quality of work; (2) high productivity; (3) survival/continuity; (4) organisational growth; (5) employee enjoy working; (6) employee job satisfaction; (7) employee loyalty to the organisation; (8) enhance corporate image and (9) boost employee morale. It was recommended that in order to improve the motivational level of the employees for them to give of their best towards achieving organisational goals, it is highly recommended that the management should provide good and regular salary to the employees.

Source: UCC
Effect of Motivation on Performance of Tutors in Colleges of Education in Ashanti Region, Ghana

Motivation depicts the needs and wants that direct behaviour towards a set goals likewise productivity and its relation to performance. Though many have researched into this area and many discussions have been done on this topic, this study throws a deeper investigation into the independent variable-motivation and the dependable variable of employee performance in relation to Colleges of Education which is one of less attended to in our educational setting. This study focuses on the Effect of Motivation on Performance of Tutors in Colleges of Education in Ashanti –Ghana. All the Eight (8) Public Colleges of Education were selected to have an entire coverage working area. The objectives are to assess the effect of financial packages, effect of working environment and academic staff level of dissatisfaction with their working environment on Tutors performance. A population size of Three Hundred and Sixty-Seven (367) Male-231 and Female-136 with a sampled Size of One-Hundred Ninety-One (191) was used for the study. The study adopted the use of self-administered questionnaires to gather the required primary data. SPSS 21.0 STATA 13.00 version was used for the analysis. Descriptive and Regression statistical analysis technique were adopted. In conclusion, organisation/managers must know that employees are motivated by monetary rewards. With monetary rewards, all other extrinsic valuables could be fulfilled. It is recommended that though working environment, financial packages and staff working environment satisfaction are vital to tutors, management of the colleges of education must have a comprehensive motivation scheme in all aspect of an institution as it is directly proportional to the outcomes/performance of the employees. Also, all extrinsic factor have positive and significant effects on employees. This study provides good amount of knowledge on the importance of academic staff level of dissatisfaction coupled with working environmental factors for improving employee performance.

Source: UCC
The effect of motivation on staff retention in public second cycle institutions in Cape Coast.

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the effect motivation has on staff retention in public second cycle institutions in Cape Coast Metropolis. The study adopted the explanatory research design using quantitative approach for the data collection and analysis. The study moreover, employed the quota and simple random sampling procedures to select 205 respondents for the study. The statistical tools employed were statistical product and service solutions (SPSS), the chi-square test of association and the logistic regression. Out of the 205 questionnaires, 181 were returned representing 88.2% response rate. The results of the study revealed that, payment of monthly salary is the most agreed practice in the motivation packages of GES while training opportunities for teachers and allowance for purchasing of teaching materials were the least practices in the motivation packages of GES. Moreover the study showed that Politics and other Private businesses were the alternative competitive occupation that are likely to entice employees of GES. The study addition revealed from the logistic regression that at 10% significance level, motivation is positively related to staff retention. To this end the study therefore recommends that GES considers a more comprehensive and competitive motivation package aside the monthly pay or salaries to help retain their best and loyal employees. The researcher suggests that subsequent studies should include private second cycle institutions

Source: UCC
The effect of multimedia courseware in solving common fractions to Junior High School two pupils of Sunyani garrison schools - Ghana

The focus of this study was to investigate the computer proficiency of students and the effect to which its integration will affect instruction. It also determined if there exist significant difference in the mean score between students in the experimental group and control group on the post-test. The study used Technological Pedagogical Knowledge Framework by Mishra and Koehler (2006) as the conceptual base. The population was composed of 120 junior high school pupils of JHS two (2) from three Garrison clusters of schools in the Sunyani Municipality. Using a pre-test and post-test and questionnaire adapted, data was collected to address the research questions. The findings revealed that most of the students had positive attitude towards learning of mathematics. Furthermore, a mean of means of M = 3.41; and SD = 0.71 was obtained to signify that students in the experimental group had interest and satisfaction with the use of an interactive multimedia courseware in learning mathematics. Also, the result from the paired sample t-test showed that there was no statistical significant difference between the mean performance of pupils using post-test by control and experimental groups. The study recommends that Mathematics teachers should be made to attend more professional and refresher course and programmes on the use of interactive courseware for the teaching and learning of Mathematics.

Source: UCC
Effect Of Natural Resource On Financial Development In Africa: The Role Of Economic Freedom

Despite the numerous financial sector alterations carried out in various economies over the past few decades, there is evidence that financial development in Africa remains low. The inability of resource abundance economies to expand their financial sector has been linked in a growing body of literature to natural resource windfalls. This is due to a poor degree of financial growth on the continent as a result of rising corruption and rentseeking brought on by the enormous resources found in Africa. Economic freedom has the ability to establish the economic conditions required to support improvement of the roles of financial market and institutions in an economy, and it is evident from research works that economic freedom is a significant element of financial development in resource rich countries. As a result, this study uses data from 1996 to 2018 and a technique called the "Generalized Method of Moment" to analyse the conditional impact of economic freedom on the effect of natural resources on financial development in African nations. The analysis employed the IMF's Financial Development Index, NRR, and a metrics of economic freedom from Heritage Foundation. The study's findings demonstrate how economic freedom transforms the adverse effect of natural resource into a benefit for the financial sectors of African nations. The report, thus, advises African countries with numerous resource deposit to formulate and implement rules and regulations that empower private individuals to own and control productive resources so as to exploit the windfall that accompany natural resource to support expansion financial sector.

Source: UCC