ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Comparative assessment of local farmers’ perceptions of meteorological events and adaptations strategies: two case studies in Niger Republic

Several studies on farmers’ perceptions on climate variability tend to provide bulked information at either regional or national level. Assessing the disparities of skills and the strategies of adaptations among farmers across locations could be the first step towards solutions in adaption to the climate variability and change. The objective of this paper was to assess and compare local farmers’ perceptions on meteorological events, adaptations and access to agricultural extension services in two agro-ecological zones, Diffa and Aguie, in Niger Republic. The results revealed that climate challenges are well distributed in both areas but, there are significant discrepancies in the perceived climate variabilities compared to meteorological observations. Respondents noted an increase in temperature which is in agreement with climatic data evidence. It was found that majority of respondents adopt crop diversification in the sense of mixed cropping as their major adaptation strategy to climate variability. However, the extent to which farmers perceived crop diversification as a climate change adaptation strategy is not a response to the subjectively perceived changes in weather patterns, but rather a traditional strategy to reduce risk and to adapt to the long-standing inter-annual and intra-annual rainfall variability in the area. The lack of sufficient educational knowledge, external support and access to information are the constraints that hindered farmers to adapt effectively and, this leads to low agricultural productivity. It is recommended to empower farmers with information, technological skills, access to heat resistant crop varieties that enable them to adapt to increasing maximum temperatures

Source: UCC
Comparative assessment of mangrove biomass and fish assemblages in an urban and rural mangrove wetlands in Ghana

Mangrove wetlands are one of the most important ecosystems on earth, providing habitats for both marine and terrestrial organisms as well as supporting essential human services. However, high dependence of humans on these systems is leading to significant transformation of mangrove wetlands and reduction in their ecosystem services including fisheries. The objectives of this study were to estimate the biomass of two mangrove wetlands in Ghana within urban and rural contexts and determine the fish fauna assemblages as art of baseline setting. The study used the structural parameters of mangrove species and allometry to estimate the biomass of both forest systems. Fish community structure was determined based on ecological surveys. The findings show that the standing biomass of the mangrove forests were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the rural wetland (394.49 t/ha) compared to the urban wetland (126.29 t/ha). Fish fauna assemblages, referring to species richness and diversity were higher in the urban wetland at 4.21 and 2.64 respectively compared to the rural wet-land at 3.46 and 2.09 respectively. This paper concludes that a well-developed mangrove system with high mangrove biomass may not necessarily imply high fish species richness and diversity.

Source: UCC
Comparative effect of teaching approaches on selected science concepts in integrated science

Studies have shown that students in science courses often have difficulty gaining a robust understanding of physical concepts such as linear momentum and direct current. Almost the same issues have been reported on teacher trainees of Colleges of Education in Ghana, i.e., most teacher trainees of colleges of education in Ghana face performance problems in some science concepts such as direct current, and linear momentum in integrated science. In order to address theses difficulties in teacher trainess, the study went through two phases, i.e., need analysis and intervention phases. With the need analysis, where 100 teacher trainees and 5 integrated science tutors were used, the study showed most teacher trainees faced challenges in direct current and linear momentum concepts. Again, most integrated science tutors employ combination of traditional and computer aided instructional approaches and that integrated science tutors face challenges with usage of computer aided combination of traditional and computer aided instruction approaches. With the intervention phase, where 20 teacher trainees were used in each Colleges of Education through two group non-equivalent quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design. The findings were that any of the three approaches, i.e., traditional, computer aided instruction 1 and computer aided instruction 2, could be used in teaching teacher trainees’ concept of momentum, applications of (momentum, change in momentum, conservation of momentum, collision, current, voltage, resistance in series, current in parallel circuit connection, and resistance in parallel circuit connection).

Source: UCC
Comparative effects of individualised and cooperative learning instructional strategies on senior secondary school students’ academic achievement in organic chemistry

This study compared the effects of Individualised Instructional Strategy (IIS) and Cooperative Learning Instructional Strategy (CLIS) on male and female senior secondary school students’ academic achievement in Organic Chemistry. The study was guided by 2 research questions and 3 null hypotheses. The design was quasi-experimental. The population comprised 3,366 senior secondary class two (SS2) chemistry students. A sample of 602 students from 6 schools (339 males and 263 females) was drawn from the population using balloting technique. The experimental groups were taught with IIS and CLIS while the control groups were taught with Lecture method in each of the sampled schools. Both the experimental and control groups were taught Organic Chemistry by their regular chemistry teachers. The instruments used for the study were Chemistry Achievement Test on Organic Chemistry (CATOC), Cooperative Learning Instructional Manual and Learning Activity Package Manual, which were validated by three experts. The reliability of the CATOC was determined using K R20 with index of 0.82. The research questions were answered using mean with standard deviation while the null hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Covariance. The findings revealed that both IIS and CLIS significantly enhanced students’ achievement in Organic Chemistry better than the Lecture method. However, the CLIS was more effective than the IIS. The researcher recommended among others, that chemistry students should be exposed to student-centred and activity-based teaching strategies such as the Individualised Instructional Strategy and Cooperative Learning Instructional Strategy, for enhanced students’ academic achievement.

Source: UCC
Comparative Effects of Individualised and Cooperative Learning Instructional Strategies on Senior Secondary School Students’ Academic Achievement in Organic Chemistry

This study compared the effects of Individualised Instructional Strategy (IIS) and Cooperative Learning Instructional Strategy (CLIS) on male and female senior secondary school students’ academic achievement in Organic Chemistry. The study was guided by 2 research questions and 3 null hypotheses. The design was quasi-experimental. The population comprised 3,366 senior secondary class two (SS2) chemistry students. A sample of 602 students from 6 schools (339 males and 263 females) was drawn from the population using balloting technique. The experimental groups were taught with IIS and CLIS while the control groups were taught with Lecture method in each of the sampled schools. Both the experimental and control groups were taught Organic Chemistry by their regular chemistry teachers. The instruments used for the study were Chemistry Achievement Test on Organic Chemistry (CATOC), Cooperative Learning Instructional Manual and Learning Activity Package Manual, which were validated by three experts. The reliability of the CATOC was determined using K-R20 with index of 0.82. The research questions were answered using mean with standard deviation while the null hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Covariance. The findings revealed that both IIS and CLIS significantly enhanced students’ achievement in Organic Chemistry better than the Lecture method. However, the CLIS was more effective than the IIS. The researcher recommended among others, that chemistry students should be exposed to student-centred and activity-based teaching strategies such as the Individualised Instructional Strategy and Cooperative Learning Instructional Strategy, for enhanced students’ academic achievement.

Source: UCC
Comparative efficacy of phytopesticides in the management of podagrica spp and mosaic disease on okra (abelmoschus esculentus l.)

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of different aqueous plant extracts on the management of flea beetles (Podagrica spp) and mosaic disease on okra Study Design: The treatments applied were 10% (w/v) crude extract each of neem leaf, garlic, mahogany bark, chili pepper fruit, pawpaw leaf, bougainvillea leaf and the control (water), laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications Place and Duration of Study: School of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm, University of Cape Coast, Ghana during the 2012 crop season. Methodology: The treatments were applied weekly starting 21 days after sowing. Data was taken on the population of Podagrica species, severity of pest damage, incidence and severity of okra mosaic disease. Data was subjected to analysis of variance and means separated with least significant difference. Results: All the phytopesticides significantly reduced the flea beetle populations and the corresponding pest damage on the okra plants than the control (P=0.05). However, neem leaf and garlic extracts were significantly better than the other phytopesticides in reducing the pest population and the pest damage (P=0.05) resulting in the highest fruit yield. Incidence and severity of the okra mosaic disease were significantly kept under control by the neem, garlic and bougainvillea extracts as compared to the other treatments. Population of the flea beetle was positively and significantly correlated with pest damage (r=0.821; P=0.05), and severity of okra mosaic disease (r=0.786; P=0.05) but negatively correlated with fruit yield (r=-0.750; P=0.05). Fruit yield was also negatively and highly correlated with pest damage (r=-0.857; P=0.05) and the severity of okra mosaic disease (r=-0.821; P=0.05). Conclusion: Neem leaf and garlic extracts were effective in reducing flea beetle infestation and okra mosaic disease infection, resulting in high fruit yield in okra

Source: UCC
Comparative efficacy of plant extracts in managing whitefly (bemisia tabaci gen) and leaf curl disease in okra (abelmoschus esculentus l)

Okra leaf curl disease (OLCD) is an important disease responsible for yield losses in okra in all okra growing regions in the world. Effective management of the OLCD is very important in order to improve yield. The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different botanicals in the management of the OLCD. The treatments applied were 10% (w/v) crude extract each of neem leaf, garlic, mahogany bark, chili pepper fruit, pawpaw dried leaf, bougainvillea leaf and the control (water), in a randomised complete block design with four replications. The plant extracts significantly reduced the population of whitefly vector, as well as the incidences and severities of OLCD infections and increased fruit yield compared to the control (P< 0.05). Neem leaf extract followed by garlic extract significantly (P< 0.05) reduced the populations of whitefly and the incidences and severities of OLCD but significantly increased ((P < 0.05) fruit yield compared to crude extracts of mahogany, bougainvillea, chili pepper, and pawpaw leaves. The population of whitefly was positively correlated with severity of OLCD (r = 0.679; P> 0.05). Fruit yield was also negatively correlated with the severity of OLCD (r = -0.857; P< 0.05) and whitefly population (r = -0.750; P< 0.05). Farmers can manage OLCD in their okra fields by spraying with neem leaf or garlic extracts in order to improve fruit yields

Source: UCC
Comparative Evaluation of Asymmetric Price Transmission Linear Models Using rMDL, eMDL, nMDL, gMDL, AIC and BIC Across Varying Sample Sizes

The Minimum Description Length (MDL), a less known criterion, is making great strides in model selection as compared to the widely known and used information criteria (AIC, BIC, etc). This study developed the MDL criterion using R-functions to evaluate Asymmetric Price Transmission (APT) models (Complex, Standard and Houck’s) for the first time ever. All six criteria’s ability to recover the true DGP was assessed under the condition of varying sample size. A 1000 Monte Carlo simulation procedure revealed that the MDL criteria on the average points to the true DGP and are comparable (if not better) to both AIC and BIC under study condition. Generally, the performances of all model selection criteria (rMDL, nMDL, gMDL, eMDL, AIC and BIC) improved with increasing sample size in their ability to recover the true DGP for both standard and complex models. This study recommends the use of MDL criterion in model selection and in the light of constraint (financial, time and inadequate resources), a sample size of 150 is sufficient in making sound decisions on asymmetric price models

Source: UCC
Comparative phototransformation of environmental pollutants using metallophthalocyanines supported on electrospun polymer fibers

The fluorescence and photoactivity of a series of Zn and Lu phthalocyanine complexes incorporated in various polymer fibers were investigated for the phototransformation of 4-chlorophenol, 4-nitrophenol, and methyl orange. The phthalocyanine complexes functionalized on polystyrene and polysulfone polymer fibers could be applied in the degradation of 4-chlorophenol, 4-nitrophenol, and methyl orange with 4-chlorophenol being much more susceptible to degradation while methyl orange was the least. lsopolymer fibers of polystyrene were found to be reusable.VC 2012 iley Periodicals, Inc. J. ppl. Polym. Sci. 128: 1131–1142, 2013

Source: UCC
Comparative Studies of Crude Oils From Some Selected oil Fields in Ghana Using Spectroscopic Techniques

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) and Non-destructive Gamma spectroscopic (NDGS) techniques are the modern spectroscopic techniques used in analysing crude oil samples around the world because of their advantages. There is currently no information on the use of these techniques for the characterisation of crude oils from oil fields in Ghana. This study explored the use of these spectroscopic techniques for characterisation of crude oils from Jubilee, Tweneboa Enyenra Ntomme (TEN) and Saltpond oil fields. LIF, ED-XRF and NDGS techniques were applied on four crude oil samples obtained from these oil fields. Fluorescence spectra obtained, using a continuous wave 405 nm laser as the excitation source, revealed five (5) peak wavelengths after deconvolution. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA), and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), the crude oil samples were classified accurately. Using the fluorescence spectra from the ED-XRF sulphur concentrations in the crude oil samples were determined. Based on their Sulphur concentrations, the four crude oil samples were characterised as sweet oils. NDGS was able to identify naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K. Thus, it is feasible to use LIF, EDXRF and NDGS as simple and straightforward spectrochemical techniques to characterise crude oils from Ghana’s oil fields effectively.

Source: UCC
Comparative studies of some heavy metals in the urine of people engaged in mining and non miners

This study is an attempt to do comparative analysis on urinary lead, arsenic, nickel and cadmium levels on mine and non miners within the Golden Star Bogoso / Prestea Mines Samples were taken from the Assay Laboratory and Environmental Laboratory Workers of the Golden Star Bogoso/Prestea Mines Company and also Non-miners (students) from the University of Cape Coast as a control. The samples were digested with HNO3, HCl and H2O2 and the metals analyzed using the Atomic Absorption Spectra (AAS), Varian 220 model. Lead (Pb) and Nickel (Ni) levels were higher than the permissible level, but that of the arsenic was found to be lower than the permissible level. Cadmium was not detected in any of the urine samples of the mine workers. The students (non-miners) however recorded low levels of all the metals except cadmium which was found to be higher than the permissible levels. The levels of the metals Pb, As and Ni, (except Cd) were found to be higher in the mine workers than those in the non-mine workers

Source: UCC
Comparative studies of the physicochemical properties and heavy metals adsorption capacity of chemical activated carbon from palm kernel, coconut and groundnut shells

Comparative studies of the physicochemical properties of chemical activated carbon from palm kernel (PKS), coconut (CNS) and groundnut (GNS) shells were investigated. The properties investigated were pH, moisture content, specific gravity, BET surface area, pore volume, porosity, ash content and metal ions present. From the results obtained, the chemical activated carbon prepared from palm kernel, coconut and groundnut shells shows good physic chemical properties and adsorption capacity. However coconut shell with BET surface area 1177.520 (m2 g), potassium content of 179.33ppm and pH 7.5, having a better advantage to be used as organic fertilizer compare to groundnut shell with BET surface area 950.069 (m2 g), potassium content of 140.00ppm & pH 8.4 and palm kernel shell with BET surface area 717.142(m2 g), potassium content of 128.00ppm and pH 8.7 respectively in that order. Also, coconut shell with pore diameter of 2.840e+00, specific gravity of 1.42 & moisture content of 19.7% makes it a prefer option compare to groundnut shell with pore diameter of 2.920e+00, specific gravity of 148 & moisture content of 19.8% and palm kernel shell with pore diameter of 2.840e+00, specific gravity of 1.61 and moisture content of 20.4% respectively

Source: UCC
A comparative study of challenger-incumbent strategies in Ghanaian presidential campaign: The Case of John Agyekum Kufuor

In recent years, growing research interest in challenger-incumbent campaign communication has provided illuminating insights into the kinds of strategies favoured by challengers and incumbents in presidential elections. However, most of these studies tend to focus on two or more presidential candidates. This has resulted in little knowledge about the rhetorical strategies of the same candidate who contested as a challenger in a previous election, became president and won again as an incumbent in the next election. In this paper, we explore and compare challenger-incumbent strategies as they manifest in the presidential campaign of John Agyekum Kufuor’s (JAK) who won the 2000 presidential elections as a fresh candidate and, for a second term, won in 2004, as an incumbent. A qualitative analysis of four of his campaign speeches in both elections revealed that as a challenger, JAK presented himself as an agent of change and resorted to negative campaigning rooted in bellicose rhetoric. He marketed himself with can-do optimism that portrayed him as the quintessence of the cure-all for Ghana’s socio-economic problems. Conversely, as an incumbent, JAK adopted temperate rhetoric amidst self-promotion on the wings of his accomplishments and personal qualities. He appropriated the methos of traditional rulers to present a viable image of himself as a performing president. The findings of the study have implications for presidential candidates, particularly, for challengers who are eager to win elections and incumbents keen to maintain power

Source: UCC
A comparative study of challenges in integrating Open Source Software and Inner Source Software

Context: Several large software-developing organizations have adopted Open Source Software development (OSSD) practices to develop in-house components that are subsequently integrated into products. This phenomenon is also known as ‘‘Inner Source’’. While there have been several reports of successful cases of this phenomenon, little is known about the challenges that practitioners face when integrating software that is developed in such a setting. Objective: The objective of this study was to shed light on challenges related to building products with components that have been developed within an Inner Source development environment. Method: Following an initial systematic literature review to generate seed category data constructs, we performed an in-depth exploratory case study in an organization that has a significant track record in the implementation of Inner Source. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with participants from a range of divisions across the organization. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques. Results: We have identified a number of challenges and approaches to address them, and compared the findings to challenges related to development with OSS products reported in the literature. We found that many challenges identified in the case study could be mapped to challenges related to integration of OSS. Conclusion: The results provide important insights into common challenges of developing with OSS and Inner Source and may help organizations to understand how to improve their software development practices by adopting certain OSSD practices. The findings also identify the areas that need further research.

Source: UCC
A comparative study of cohesion in English and Ewe: A case study of some written texts

This study investigated how the Ewe language realizes cohesion in comparison with English. The study also sought to find out the extent to which either language in question interferes with the other in the use of cohesive devices among coordinate bilinguals, specifically Ghanaian undergraduate students reading Ewe as a major course of study. The findings revealed that both English and Ewe realize cohesion almost the same way, that is, by means of reference, substitution, ellipsis, conjunction and lexical cohesion. There are, however, some differences when we focus onthe individual cohesive devices, especially reference and ellipsis. The study further revealed that English, the second language of the respondents, had significant influence on Ewe, their first language, while Ewe had no significant influence on English as regards the realization of cohesion. These findings disprove the popular view in contact linguistics thatonly first languages have the capacity to interfere with second languages in the use of language among bilinguals. The findings indicatethat the otherwise is also true and it is only that too much attention has been given to the former phenomenon to the neglect of the latter.

Source: UCC