ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Communicative language teaching approach by esl teachers in shs the case of tamale metropolis

One of the influential theoretical developments in language teaching and learning especially in ESL classroom is communicative competence as it is believed to help in redefining the target of second language (L2) instruction in the classroom. Although most teachers recognize the importance of CLT, many of them do not adhere to its tenets. Thus, this study examines the use of CLT among SHS teachers in the Tamale Metropolis. The study attempts to understand the language practices used by teachers to implement CLT. Next, the study aims to understand the perception of ESL teachers towards the CLT approach. Finally, the study investigates the factors that could deter teachers from the use of CLT. The mixed method approach was used. Questionnaire, interview and observation were used to gather data. The findings revealed that majority of the teachers do not adhere to the tenets of CLT. The study showed that some factors could deter teachers from the use of CLT. The study further reveals that teachers lack understanding of CLT as evidenced in their perceptions towards the approach. It is recommended that English language teachers should try as much as possible to adopt appropriate strategies to teach English Language. The study recommends a reduction on the focus on exams to elevate communicative skills. Continuous teacher training should be strengthened to keep teachers abreast with trends in ESL methodology.

Source: UEW
Communicative strategies in the English language teaching classroom at selected Colleges of Education in the Bono and Ahafo regions of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to investigate the type of communicative strategies usedby tutors and students, its importance and effects. The case study design was employed in this study. The study population comprised tutors of English Language and students from selected Colleges of Education in the Bono and Ahafo Regions of Ghana. Purposive sampling technique was adopted by the researcher to select three (3) tutors of English and five hundred (500) students for the study.A qualitative content analysis research method was employed to analyse the data. The study revealed that students‟ use of communication strategies is not a sign of communication failure, conversely, communication strategies surfaced as they realize that they have problems of expressing their intended meaning and they need to solve the problems. The study further unveiled that the communicative strategies used by students and tutors in the English language classroom in the colleges of education are: questions, pauses, code-switching, message abandonment all-purpose words, restructuring, literal translation, repetition, and appeal for assistance. Finally, the study revealed that the effects of the use of communicative strategies were that: it helps to reduce both tutors and learners‟ level of communication apprehension, helps them to achieve a higher perception of communicative competence and improve their state of communicative self-confidence.The study recommended that Colleges of Education should include communicative strategy knowledge in their teaching training programs to make tutors aware of the importance of communication.

Source: UEW
Community leaders participation in basic school management at Kwadaso Municipality in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region

The study investigated community participation in basic school management at Kwadaso Municipality in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The objectives of the study were to find out areas community leaders’ mostly participate in basic school management, identify factors that impede community leaders participation in basic school management and to find out strategies that could enhance community leaders’ participation in basic schools management at Kwadaso Municipality. The study used descriptive survey design. Simple random sampling was used to select 160 respondents comprising 80 PTA executives excluding teachers and 80 SMC executives. Questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. The reliability test yielded Cronbach Alpha of 0.81. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data. The study found that community leaders participated in the provision of infrastructure and provision of scholarship to the brilliant pupil. Factors that impeded community participation were found to be lack of communication between the school and community members and lack of understanding of educational issues by community members. Based on the findings and conclusions drawn, it is recommended that School authorities must ensure regular meetings involving community members in matters concerning the school for them to participate in the development of the school. The SMCs and P.T.As should be regularly sensitized on their roles in improving access, school infrastructure, performance and management, monitoring and supervision in basic school management through workshops and seminars by the Municipal Education Office.

Source: UEW
Community participation in basic school development at Sekyere central district of the Ashanti Region

The purpose of the study was to investigate community participation in Basic School development at Sekyere Central District of Ashanti Region of Ghana. The objectives of the study were to access areas community leaders are involved in basic schools development, identify factors that impedes community participation in basic schools development and to find out measures to improve community participation in basic school development at Sekyere Central District. Descriptive research design using the quantitative approach was adopted for the study. The target population for the study was all School Management Committee executives, Parent Teacher Association executives at Beposo Circuit of the Sekyere Central District. The accessible population was 122 comprising 68 School Management Committee executives and 54 Parent Teacher Associations executives Purposive sampling technique was used to select all the 122 community leaders for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The reliability test yielded cronbach alpha of 0.82. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, such as, frequencies and percentages. The study found that community leaders were involved in promoting access to education and repairing school facilities. Political interference and loss of interest in community participation impeded community participation. Scheduling of meetings at convenient times, clear roles and responsibilities of local community were measures to improve community participation development of basic schools. It is recommended that the Sekyere Central District Directorate of education should entreat heads of basic schools to adopt the measures that could help to improve community participation in the development of basic schools.

Source: UEW
Community participation in education provision in Bontrase Circuit, Awutu Senya District

The study sought to explore community participation in the provision of education at the Junior High School level in the Bontrase Circuit in Awutu Senya District in the Central Region of Ghana. Qualitative approach with case study design was adopted in carrying out the study. A sample of twenty-two (24) participants were purposively selected for the study. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview guide and focus group discussions. Four (4) research questions guided the study. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results indicated that the nature of community participation was through monitoring and supervision, Infrastructure provision, and Planning and Implementation of Policies. Results on research question two indicated that participants had various experiences as barriers to community participation. Barriers identified were captured as Student Related, Teacher Related, Management Related, Community related, Infrastructure development and market day related. Results showed that Participants experienced multiple barriers such as Student Related, Teacher Related, Management Related, Community related, Infrastructure development and market day related. The study revealed that some of the strategies that could be employed to promote greater community participation in the administration of the basic schools in Bontrase Circuit included; organizing games at the school level and inviting parents to come and witness the occasion, provision of teaching and learning resources by government and regular visits by parents to check on their ward’s performances. The study concluded that all stakeholders should participate in school development as it offers rich, diverse, chaotic messiness that provide a lasting solution towards school development.

Source: UEW
Community perceptions about the causes and early intervention strategies on high rates of absenteeism and truancy in junior high schools in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal

The study was conducted to find out community perceptions of the causes of high rates of absenteeism and truancy, their prevention and early intervention strategies in Junior High schools in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality. The objectives of the study were University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh xi to determine community perceptions of the causes of high rates of absenteeism and truancy in Junior High schools, ascertain perceived dominant causes of high rates of absenteeism and truancy in Junior High schools and to establish the prevention and early intervention strategies to mitigate high rates of absenteeism and truancy in the Adoagyiri Circuit of the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality. Cross sectional survey design was used for the study. The target population for the study consisted of all the teachers, parents and stakeholders such as NGO, CBO, Religious bodies, Traditional rulers, Educationist. The accessible population consisted of 280 teachers, 60 parents and 30 stakeholders. Convenience sampling was used to select a sample size of 185 for the study. Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data for the study. The study found among others that the child’s lack of motivation to achieve academically at school is a community’s view on the cause of truancy. Parental neglect of child in the educational process is a domestic factor that contributes to students’ truancy. All the prevention and early intervention strategies found, when implemented very well could help to improve students’ school attendance to reduce truancy if not to avert truancy. It is recommended based on the findings and conclusions that the Ghana Education Service should organize regular training workshops for head teachers and teachers on how to avoid the school factors that cause students truancy in school to improve academic performance.

Source: UEW
Community perspectives on women empowerment programmes on radio peace - Winneba.

This study investigated the perspectives of community members on two women empowerment programmes on Radio Peace. The study used the qualitative method approach. A purposive sampling technique was used to sample twenty-five respondents in total. Through key-informant interviews, focus group discussions and anchored on participatory communication and the game theory of participation, the study revealed that the women-empowerment programmes are centered on community participation, just like many other studies done on other community radio stations have shown. It was also found that the two women-empowerment programmes have strengthened the psychological and economic empowerment of women audiences of Radio Peace in the community. Furthermore, the study found out that there were other exclusionary factors that did not motivate women in the communities to fully participate in the empowerment programmes. The study concludes that when it comes to Radio Peace programmes on women empowerment, the focus of the station is anchored on the development of the communities through the dissemination of relevant information.

Source: UEW
Community policing and crime prevention in Effutu municipality in the central region of Ghana

Crime is a significant contributor to global insecurity and hampers development. Despite traditional policing efforts, the escalating crime rates have led to a demand for a shift from military-based to democratic-based policing, known as community policing, which aims to prevent crime. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of community policing in preventing crime in the Effutu Municipality of the Central Region of Ghana. Ten participants were selected using purposive sampling, including representatives from the Crime Department of the Effutu Municipal Command, Community Police Assistants, and opinion leaders from three communities: Essuekyir, Winneba, and New Winneba. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather information from these key informants. The data were translated, reviewed, categorized, summarized, and interpreted to draw evidence-based conclusions. The study revealed that community policing officers utilize various strategies, such as evening patrols, to combat crime and ensure community safety. The study found that, the presence of community police has helped alleviate fear and anxiety among residents, fostering a sense of security and enabling smooth business activities. However, challenges such as a lack of public trust in the police, insufficient financial support, and limited resources hinder the operationalization of community policing. This as the study revealed has restrained the community policing program to fully achieve its objective of protecting lives and property in the Effutu Municipality. The study concluded that community policing is significant in ensuring community safety, fostering collaboration, and enhancing trust between the police and the community. The study recommends the development of a security framework that encourages shared decision-making between the police and community members in the Effutu Municipal area, with a focus on peace, security, and development.

Source: UEW
Community radio broadcasting and the sustainable development goals (sdgs) in Ghana the case of Simli and Tawasul community radio stations.

This study investigated community radio broadcasting and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana focusing on two community radio stations in the northern region. The study, anchored on the Development media and the Agenda-Setting theories employed qualitative research to conduct this study. Data were collected from documentary review (programme synopsis), interviews and focus group discussions with purposively selected participants. These participants were purposively sampled from the two community radio stations (Simli and Tawasul CR) and also the listener groups, Simli listener group and Tawasul listener group. Through a thematic analysis of the data, the findings revealed that the selected community radio stations in Ghana broadcast on a wide range of issues such as community development, agriculture, education, health, Indigenous culture, and gender empowerment. The study also revealed that the selected community radio stations are committed to promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their programmes, highlighting their dedication to advancing sustainable development and raising public awareness. The study further revealed that the Community Radio Stations broadcast content on specific SDGs (SDGs 2,3,4,5,6, 13 and 16) because of donor funding attraction, community endorsement, and the quest to improve the livelihood of the people. The study concludes that Community Radio Stations in Ghana are contributing to the attainment of the SDGs through their programming content. The study recommends that to prioritize agriculture-related content, empower marginalized communities, address local and national issues, and promote societal change through diverse programming to enhance SDG attainment, community radio stations in the northern region must receive increased support from the Government and other external stakeholders like NGOs.

Source: UEW
Comparative analysis of concept mapping and traditional methods in teaching selected topics in biology

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of concept mapping and traditional methods on students’ performance in some selected topics in Biology in the Kwaebibirem District in the Eastern Region. Asuom Senior High School was the experimental school while Kade Technical Senior High School was the control school in this study. A pre-test – post-test non-equivalent quasi-experimental design was used for the study. The sample size was 124 students. The experimental group consisted of 60 students while the control group consisted of 64 students. The students in the experimental group were instructed with concept mapping while the control group were instructed with the traditional method. Both groups were taught the same content which was on biological classification and ecology. Three instruments were used for the data collection in this study. These were a biology achievement test (BAT), a questionnaire on students’ perception towards concept mapping (QCM) and a structured interview. Descriptive statistics, paired and unpaired t-test were used to analyse the data for answering the research hypotheses. The results indicated that those instructed with concept mapping did better than those instructed with the traditional method. It was also found that both males and females constructed concept maps alike. It has been recommended that the concept mapping method should be encouraged in science lessons especially biology classes at the Senior High School

Source: UEW
Comparative analysis of the peer tutoring and traditional methods in teaching selected topics in general biology

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of peer tutoring and traditional methods on students’ performance in some selected topics in General Biology in the Colleges of Education in the Ashanti Region. Mampong Technical College of Education was the experimental College while Wesley College of Education was the control College in this study. A pre-test – post-test non-equivalent quasi-experimental design was used for the study. The sample size was 92 students. The experimental group consisted of 52 students while the control group consisted of 40 students. The students in the experimental group were instructed with peer tutoring while the control group were instructed with the traditional method. Both groups were taught the same content which was on supporting system in animals and the excretory system. Three instruments were used for the data collection in this study. These were a general biology achievement test (GBAT), a questionnaire on students’ perception towards peer tutoring (QCM) and a structured interview. Descriptive statistics, paired and unpaired t-test were used to analyse the data for answering the research questions. The results indicated that those instructed with peer tutoring did better than those instructed with the traditional method. It was also found that there was statistical significant difference or effect on the academic achievement with respect to knowledge, comprehension and application levels of cognitive domain of the students of the experimental group. It has been recommended that to enhance the academic achievement of students, it might be a useful practice if low achievers are allotted to students with high achievement rate so that they are provided with guidance and support in low-performing subjects.

Source: UEW
Comparative analysis of the performance evaluation of solar box cooker and conventional method

There is urgent need of switching over to a perennial sourceof energy reserve as a powerful alternative so as to replace all the fastest depleting fossil fuels.The solar box cooker depends on the sun energy whereas gas burner and coal pot depend on gas and charcoal as fuel. The purpose of the study is to design, construct and evaluate the performance of solar box cooker using locally available materials. Moreover, this study aimed to compare the constructed solar box cooker with charcoal and gas in terms of cooking time and energy cost. The constructed solar cooker relatively showed better performance in cooking different food for a large family. The dimension for the sides of the box used was 600mm x 500mm x 590mm representing the top two corners and height of the box. Also, the end part of the box before the base has outer and inner dimensions namely: 500mm and 470mm respectively while the dimension of the absorber plate which was divided into three parts namely; Top, middle, and base because the box is not having equal dimensions. The Top dimension was 500mm x 440mm.The middle has 445mm x 410mm and the base has 410mm x 410mm. Efficiency was noted to have increased with decreasing temperature differences between absorber plate and ambient (air) temperature (TC-Ta). Increase in temperature does not necessarily lead to increase in efficiency. Efficiency decreased with decreasing sunlight. The Solar Box Cooker (SBC) after being constructed and tested has 98.6% efficiency and its energy required to cook food was realized too be 410.849KJ. The energy required for charcoal and gas to cook food ranges from 1.664KJ,1.536KJ,1.6KJ and 906.048KJ,878.592KJ, 878.592KJ respectively were recorded under the various weather conditions. This implies that gas burns faster than charcoal. It is therefore recommended that Solar Box Cooker should be used to combined with modified charcoal stove to cook food.

Source: UEW
A comparative analysis of the rhetorical moves and metadiscourse elements in abstracts of science conferences

An abstract represents the summary of a piece of scholarly writing. It is imperative for academics to include all essential rhetorical moves when writing an academic conference abstract (CA). The aim of this study was to investigate variations in the abstracts of the soft sciences abstracts (SSA) and that of the hard sciences (HSA) with a focus on rhetorical structure, sequence and metadiscourse elements. Two corpora were compiled comprising 30 abstracts from SSA and HSA purposively selected from the 4th International Postgraduate Conference, Cape Coast, Ghana and the Convention of Biomedical Research Ghana (CoBReG) books of abstracts for 2018. Hyland’s (2000) model of rhetorical moves for abstracts comprising introduction (I), purpose (P), method (M), product (Pr) and conclusion (C), as well as Hyland’s (2005) elements of metadiscourse which comprise 64 boosters and 101 hedges were used for the analysis of the selected abstracts. From the results, 43.3% of HSA followed Hyland’s (2000) rhetorical structure whereas only 33.3% of SSA followed the model. Also, purpose, method, product and conclusion were obligatory moves whereas the introduction move was optional in the SSA. On the other hand, only method and product moves were obligatory with the rest being conventional in SSA. The most dominant move sequence for HSA was I-P-M-Pr-C (46.7%) followed by I-M-Pr-C (17%) and I-P-M-Pr (17%) whereas P-M-Pr-C (43.3%) was the most dominant sequence followed by I-P-M-Pr-C (33.3%) for SSA. Also, HSA employed more boosters (37) than SSA which included only 34 boosters. However, HSA included less hedges than SSA which were 58 and 69 respectively. The findings of this study provide a pedagogical support for future conference participants towards writing more successful conference abstracts

Source: UEW