ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Developing a framework of core competencies in implementation research for low/middleincome countries

The field of implementation research (IR) is growing. However, there are no recognised IR core competencies in low/middle-income countries (LMICs), nor consistent curriculum across IR training programs globally. The goal of this effort is to develop a framework of IR core competencies for training programs in LMICs. The framework was developed using a mixed-methods approach consisting of two online surveys with IR training coordinators (n = 16) and academics (n = 89) affiliated with seven LMIC institutions, and a modified-Delphi process to evaluate the domains, competencies and proficiency levels included in the framework. The final framework comprised of 11 domains, 59 competencies and 52 sub-competencies, and emphasised competencies for modifying contexts, strengthening health systems, addressing ethical concerns, engaging stakeholders and communication especially for LMIC settings, in addition to competencies on IR theories, methods and designs. The framework highlights the interconnectedness of domains and competencies for IR and practice, and training in IR following the outlined competencies is not a linear process but circular and iterative, and starting points for training may vary widely by the project, institution and challenge being addressed. The framework established the need for a theory-based approach to identifying proficiency levels for IR competencies (ie, to determine proficiency levels for IR based on generalisable educational theories for competency-based education), and the relevance of various IR competencies for LMICs compared with highincome settings. This framework is useful for identifying and evaluating competencies and trainings, and providing direction and support for professional development in IR.

Source: UG
Developing a visionary and supportive leadership culture in academic library: reflections of professional librarians at the University of Ghana

The population of the study included all professional librarians within the University of Ghana Library System (UGLS). The study used a well-structured questionnaire containing 12 items questions designed to elicit information on perceptions of preferred leadership qualities in academic library. Professional librarians at the University of Ghana are very sensitive about their relationship with, and leadership characteristics of the University of Ghana Library System (UGLS). They prefer leadership that is innovative, inspiring, receptive to ideas, forward looking with a sense of direction and well-defined orientation towards the future of the library, as well as enhance their promotion and career progression.

Source: UG
Developing an Academic Community of Practice (COP) in University of Ghana

This study explored the awareness, characteristics, benefits and challenges of the adoption of Community of Practice (CoP) in University of Ghana using some aspects of the grounded theory approach A qualitative design was used for this study.. Twenty-five (25) staff of the College of Education including administrators, lecturers and professors took part in the investigation. An interpretative perspective was therefore adopted to understand the issues from the point of view of the respondents. The awareness of CoP as a concept was not universal. .It is suggested that a sponsored CoP would be ideal for University of Ghana in view of certain anticipated challenges in its implementation. Workshops and seminars ought to be organised to educate management and potential CoP members about the approach.

Source: UG
Developing an information provision strategy for University Libraries in Ghana

This study explores the notion of organisational missions and goals held by the major stakeholders in university libraries in Ghana and assesses these visions for the libraries in relation to the development of a strategic planning process for the libraries. Multiple case studies were used to collect the data and the data were analysed using the multiple case study approach. The primary findings are that the major stakeholders in Ghanaian university libraries have different perceptions of the missions of their libraries. Two main perceptions emerged. The non-library stakeholders preferred a narrower mission for the libraries focused more on the needs of their institutions and emphasising collection development as the method of attaining excellence. The library stakeholders expressed a much broader mission defined in the context of national information provision, emphasising information access while at the same time balancing it with collection development. This multiplicity of strategic visions was found to be the subject of disagreement between decision-makers and the rest of the library staff. The study concludes with some ideas on how to address this situation.

Source: UG
Developing and Evaluating the Social Axioms Survey in Eleven Countries: Its Relationship With the Five-Factor Model of Personality

Based on a deductive, culturally decentered approach, new items were generated to improve the reliability of the original Social Axioms Survey, which measures individuals' general beliefs about the world. In Study 1, results from 11 countries support the original five-factor structure and achieve higher reliability for the axiom dimensions as measured by the new scale. Moreover, moderate but meaningful associations between axiom and Big-Five personality dimensions were found. Temporal change of social axioms at the culture level was examined and found to be moderate. In Study 2, additional new items were generated for social complexity and fate control, then assessed in Hong Kong and the United States. Reliability was further improved for both dimensions. Additionally, two subfactors of fate control were identified: fate determinism and fate alterability. Fate determinism, but not fate alterability, related positively to neuroticism. Other relationships between axiom and personality dimensions were similar to those reported in Study 1. The short forms of the axiom dimensions were generally reliable and correlated highly with the long forms. This research thus provides a stronger foundation for applying the construct of social axioms around the world. © The Author(s) 2012.

Source: UG
Developing and Leveraging Human Capital Resource to Promote Service Quality: Testing a Theory of Performance

Grounded in Vroom’s motivational framework of performance, we examine the interactive influence of collective human capital (ability) and aggregated service orientation (motivation) on the cross-level relationship between high-performance work systems (HPWS) and individual-level service quality. Results of hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) revealed that HPWS related to collective human capital and aggregated service orientation, which in turn related to individual-level service quality. Furthermore, both HLM and ordinary least squares regression analyses revealed a cross-level interaction effect of collective human capital and aggregated service orientation such that high levels of collective human capital and aggregated service orientation influence individual-level service quality.

Source: UG
Developing and testing the EPICC Spiritual Care Competency Self-Assessment Tool for student nurses and midwives

Aims and objectives: To develop and psychometrically test a self-assessment tool that measures undergraduate nursing and midwifery students’ perceptions of spiritual care competence in health care practice.Background: Spiritual care is part of nurses/midwives’ responsibility. There is a need to better benchmark students’ competency development in spiritual care through their education. The EPICC Spiritual Care Education Standard served as groundwork for the development of the EPICC Spiritual Care Competency Self-Assessment Tool.Design: Cross sectional, mixed methods design. A STROBE checklist was used.Methods: The Tool (available in English, Dutch and Norwegian) was developed by an international group. It was tested between July–October 2020 with a convenience sample of 323 nursing/midwifery students at eight universities in five countries. The Tool was tested for validity using Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) test, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, one-way ANOVA and independent samples t test. The reliability was tested by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: The KMO test for sampling adequacy was 0.90. All, but two, items were re-lated to the same factor. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the Tool was 0.91. Students found the Tool easy to use, and they gained new insights by completing it. However, students felt that some questions were repetitive and took time to complete.Conclusions: The Tool has construct and discriminant validity, and high internal con-sistency (is reliable). In addition, students found the Tool useful, especially in early stages of education.Relevance to clinical practice: The Tool affords student nurses and midwives the op-portunity to self-evaluate their knowledge, skills and attitudes about spirituality and spiritual care. The Tool offers students, educators and preceptors in clinical practice a tangible way of discussing and evaluating spiritual care competency.

Source: UG
Developing capacity for impactful use of Earth Observation data: Lessons from the AfriCultuReS project

An increasing number of products and services based on satellite Earth Observation (EO) data are being developed for use by decision-makers in African agricultural contexts, providing information such as weather and climate forecasts, crop yields and water availability. Capacity development Supporting the impactful use of EO data is a key component of many EO-for-development initiatives, but there is little consensus over where or how capacity should be developed. Our goal in this piece is to provide a critical perspective on the capacity development required to support the creation of of more impactful EO data services. Drawing on a capacity needs assessment carried out as part of the AfriCultuReS project (a major EO-for-development initiative), we identify proximate factors which inhibit the success of EO data services, such as flawed communication strategies, low relevance in African agricultural contexts, duplication of existing products, and lack of financial sustainability. We link these proxies challenges to deeper issues such as unequal access to funding and resources, fragmentation in the EO field, and relational asymmetries of power, all of which combine to exclude important forms of knowledge from decision-making. Based on this needs assessment, we argue that capacitydevelopment requires broader systems-based approaches which develop the capacities of all actors (including those in the Global North) to respect different forms of knowledge, use and participate in co-design approaches, and recognise and challenge the asymmetries of power which currently limit the involvement of certain groups in processes of EO data service design.

Source: UG
Developing home cleaning intervention through community engagement to reduce infections and antimicrobial resistance inGhanaian homes

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Developing key competencies, skills and character of the youth for transformational leadership in Ghana

Leadership has become a critical domain in developing countries as individuals and governments have realized that without the harnessing the critical resource of the youth as future leaders, accelerated development will be a mirage. Crises such as unemployment, civic disengagement, youth riots, fraud, robbery with violence and the threat of HIV/AIDS have reinforced the need for a different pedagogy and content of leadership development programmes for Ghanaian youth to be able to compete with their contemporaries in the development and some developing countries in the 21st century. The paper argues that leadership development programmes of the youth must go beyond training them to be good managers. Curriculum of schools, universities and leadership development programme must include topics such as visioning, critical thinking, communication, and empowerment skills to imbue in the youth skills such as emotional intelligence, inspiration, compassion, encouragement, motivation, shared vision, empowerment, coaching, and vision, which are key characteristics of transformational leadership.

Source: UG
Developing library leaders in Ghana

This study explores various leadership approaches i n the context of Ghanaian university libraries. Twenty-six senior librarians and faculty from the U niversity of Ghana were interviewed to determine their views on leadership styles, skills, training and barriers to developing library leaders. Finding s revealed that leaders can be developed through shor t courses, workshops, seminars and formal training. The biggest barrier to library leadership development in Ghana is attributed to shortage of funds for training. The study is limited to the Uni versity of Ghana librarians and faculty of the Department of Information Studies. Therefore, gener alizing to other library staff may be overstretching the conclusions. Nevertheless, there are important lessons to be learnt by all. The study recommends the need for training to be taken seriously in Ghan aian libraries. Additionally, the Department of Information Studies which is the only training scho ol for librarians and archivists was tasked to crea te specific leadership programmes in the curriculum.

Source: UG
Developing Rural Markets for Solar Products: Lessons from Ghana

This paper assesses market development as a sustainable approach to increasing the use of renewable energy, specifically solar, using the case of Ghana's Solar Project. This strategy is intended to overcome some weaknesses of donor-driven and fee-for-service models in sustaining gains beyond the end of projects. The literature shows that developing a sustainable market for solar products in under-served rural areas requires an integrated approach addressing demand, supply, financing, quality, and facilitation. The Ghana Solar Project was well designed to overcome constraints in all of these areas. Results were positive in terms of numbers of systems purchased and impact on perceived benefits and willingness to pay. Benefits were documented with respect to education, information, mobile phone charging, income generation, and health and fire risks. Competition increased, and system costs fell. Financial institutions expanded their products and outreach, and inmost cases had good recovery rates. Nevertheless, sustained market growth may be constrained by the lack of local technicians and spare parts and by possible withdrawal of some local Rural and Community Banks from providing financing and Solar Project Officers to facilitate the process, in the absence of a line of credit and results-based bonuses.

Source: UG
Developing teachers’ information literacy capabilities in secondary schools in Ghana: A comparative study of two best schools in the central region

This study examines the information literacy capabilities of teachers in two of the oldest secondary schools in the Central Region of Ghana. The study assesses the availability, accessibility and use of the schools’ library and internet facilities as well as in-service training programmes in relation to the acquisition of information literacy skills. The survey method was adopted and questionnaire was administered to all 211 teaching staff in the two schools. Questionnaire design was based on the literature review and research objectives. The findings confirmed the availability of fairly well-equipped libraries with internet facilities; the ability of most teachers to use these facilities to satisfy their information needs such as supplementing their teaching notes and keeping abreast with current information in their subject areas. The results also show that teachers prefer electronic sources to print sources and that there was also no in-service training in information literacy skills for teachers. The study recommends that the Ghana Education Service introduces in-service training on IL skills for teachers and that the Heads of schools should make available relevant library materials and stable internet facilities for their schools since these are important in developing teachers IL skills. Additionally, policies for incorporating IL into the curriculum were also recommended. IL among teachers in secondary schools is among the least explored topics in the field of library and information studies in Ghana.

Source: UG
Developing tools for community-based environmental education for migrant children and youth in Ghana

This case study presents a detailed description of how community-based environmental education can be used to increase environment awareness and knowledge among migrant children and youth. Data was collected primarily from interviews and learning activities with 454 participants aged 11 to 19 years. The results show that children and youth are aware of environmental problems in their local communities. Environmental problems identified include open defecation, pollution, poor waste management and the use of unsustainable fishing methods. They are also capable of recommending solutions to some of these problems. Solutions recommended include planting more trees, providing waste bins in schools and public places, arresting and prosecuting people who practise open defecation, and public education on the need to stop practices that degrade the environment. The most popular tools recommended for educating children and youth on proper environmental practices and behaviour were dramas and plays. Children and youth thus prefer methods of teaching and communication that are audiovisual, encourage interaction and that keep participants actively involved in the process.

Source: UG
Development alternatives for a post-crisis world: An African Perspective

Dzodzi Tsikata explains that debates about development are cyclical and coincide with various economic crises that have punctuated Africa's post-colonial history. While there is no shortage of Africa-generated responses that have also included the voices of African feminists, these have lacked traction. In a new world order where economic liberalization is losing its legitimacy as the most commonsensical approach to development, African states and civil societies have to redouble their efforts to gain policy sovereignty to secure land rights, decent work and sustainable livelihoods for all.

Source: UG
Development and characterization of dehydrated peanut–cowpea milk powder for use as a dairy milk substitute in chocolate manufacture.

This study explored the feasibility of producing peanut–cowpea milk for use in vegetable milk chocolates. Development of the vegetable milk followed a 3x 2 factorial design, with peanut–cowpea ratio (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) and treatment with enzyme (i.e. enzyme hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed milk) as the factors. The milk was dehydrated and then milled using a hammer mill (mesh size 40). It was then used in recipes to produce chocolates and evaluated sensorially based on ranking for preference. Skimmed milk powder was used to produce the control chocolate. The ratio of cowpea to peanut affected the chemical and functional characteristics of the vegetable milk. Vegetable milk made from 1:2 ratios of peanuts: cowpea produced the most preferred chocolates. The successful application of this by industry will improve the utilization of the legume crops and enhance their market value.

Source: UG
Development and comparative analysis of aluminosilicate based ceramic filters for ground water defluoridation

Low levels of fluoride in drinking water is healthy for the teeth enamel, however, higher concentrations result in dental fluorosis with prolonged exposures leading to skeletal fluorosis. Fluoride removal capacities of ceramic filters using aluminosilicates (Anfoega clay, Kibi kaolin, Laterite soil and Termitaria earth) samples from Ghana Geological Survey Department have been investigated and analysed for possible application in the Bongo District of Ghana noted for having high fluoride concentration in its ground water. Batch sorption studies conducted revealed that the amount of fluoride ions removed increased proportionally with increasing filter thickness, temperature and contact time to an optimum value. Using particle size ranges of <355μm and 1cm filter thickness at room temperature, the percentage of fluoride removed by the samples reached an optimum value after 70mins. Increases in filter thickness, contact time or temperature increased the amount of fluoride ions removed and the time required to reach the optimum value reduced significantly.

Source: UG
Development and evaluation of a multiplex screening assay for Plasmodium falciparum exposure

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Development and evaluation of antibody-capture immunoassays for detection of Lassa virus nucleoprotein-specific immunoglobulin M and G

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
Development and implementation of guidelines in allergic rhinitis - an ARIA-GA2LEN paper

The main research focus of the Electron Microscopy and Histopathology Department in the past 20 years has been in the areas of enteric diarrhoeas with special emphasis on rotavirus. Through its diarrhoea surveillance studies, the Department has helped to firmly establish rotaviruses as a major cause of diarrhoea in children, and document the circulation of unusual rotavirus genotypes in Ghana. The Department has also recently expanded its diagnostic repertoire to include the identification and characterization of noroviruses, astroviruses, and other enteric viruses.

Source: UG
Development and quality characteristics of shelf-stable soy-agushie: a residual by-product of soymilk production

A process was developed for the production of a high-protein food ingredient, soy-agushie, from the residual by-product of soymilk production. The product, with a moisture content of about 6%, was evaluated for its quality characteristics and performance in traditional dishes. The protein content was about 26% with similar amino acids content as that of the whole soybean. Lysine remained high in the dehydrated product (6.57 g/16 g N). While over 60% of the original B vitamins content in the beans was extracted with the milk, high proportions of the minerals were found to be retained in the residual by-product. The process adequately reduced the trypsin inhibitor levels in the beans from 25 to 1.5 mg/g. High sensory scores were obtained for recipes developed with soy-agushie in traditional dishes. The scope of utilization of the soy-agushie could be widened to include several traditional foods and bakery products for maximum nutritional benefits. © 2015 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Source: UG