ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The problem of dangling modifiers and sentence fragments in the writing of students, a case study in Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School

This study sought to investigate the problem of dangling modifiers and sentence fragments in the writing of students. Bolgatanga Senior High School was used as a case study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population was students and teachers of the school. A sample of 188 students and 2 teachers of English were purposely selected for the study. Essay test and Questionnaires were used in data collection. The findings of the study revealed that sentence fragment errors were the most committed errors. Furthermore, students’ language background, motivation, and attitude, failure to practice writing, poor vocabulary and grammar knowledge, complex nature of the rules of the English language, environmental factors, and inadequate skill of writing were the main sources of students' poor performance in writing. Based on these findings, the researcher recommends that teachers should give due attention to the errors their students made and lessen those areas accordingly. Similarly, students should shape their learning strategies to benefit a lot from writing activities and assignments by considering the long-term benefits of the English language in general and writing skills in particular. Furthermore writing tutorial classes should be arranged to help students develop their writing skills.

Source: UEW
Problems associated with composition writing among form one ‘A’ pupils of Senchi-Ferry Methodist Junior High School

This study sought to find out the problems of composition writing among students in the Senchi-Ferry Methodist Junior High School in Ghana. The focus of the research work was on spelling and concord errors that were most common in their written composition. The target population was all students in Senchi-Ferry Methodist Junior High School, numbering 250 students. The sample used was thirty (30) students from Form One „A‟ class. The instruments used for data collection were test, interview and questionnaire. The results from the data collected indicated that the students have problems with spelling, paragraphing, concord, punctuation and tenses. Since the errors were many, and the researcher could not address all these problems in this study, the researcher narrowed his study on spelling and concord errors only. The causes of these errors were identified to be poor teaching methods, inadequate teaching and learning material, and parents‟ engagement of their wards in selling of items after school which made the learners not able to read their notes at home. The researcher came out with some intervention strategies which include the use of language game (mother and children), the substitution table, home visits, Team Teaching and shared writing to help students minimize the amount of errors committed in composition in English. These strategies helped learners to improve on their composition writing skills significantly.

Source: UEW
Problems associated with relative pronoun usage among junior high school students a case study in Adankrono ma jhs

The aim of this study is to identify possible errors students make in using the relative pronouns which include: the use of who, which, whom, whose and that. The study also identifies several causes of the errors which include: interlingual transfer, interlingual transfer, wrong method of teaching, absence of library, inadequate time and context of learning. The study also identifies other approaches which includes: learner-centered approach, strengthening the student’s English knowledge, teaching in a systematic way and increase the students’ language input and output to help improve the student’s performance in English. A qualitative analysis of a gap sentences test answered by 20 students in Adankrono M/A JHS 2 revealed several errors in using the relative pronouns, the result suggest that who is difficult to use by Adankrono M/A JHS 2 students.

Source: UEW
Problems associated with the production of well-fitting garments for females the case of Sunyani municipality of Brong Ahafo region of Ghana

This study sought to bring out the specific problems in the production of well-fitted garments and critically examine the causes of those problems in the fashion industry in order to alleviate customer’s dissatisfaction and designer’s frustration in garment production in the Sunyani Municipality. The study employed a descriptive research approach making use of interviews and a survey as data gathering tools. It was established that the most predominant fitting problems associated with the production of well-fitted garments for females in the Sunyani Municipality are: seam puckering, oversized fit of garment; untrimmed threads, skipped or missing stitches; and seam opening. Again, after critical examination, the causes of the problems were identified as: Lack of proper basic preparations before taking measurement, poor knowledge about the various methods of obtaining measurements; patterns wrongly produced, body measurements taken wrongly; poor knowledge about the various figure types. In light of this, the study recommended that garment producers must establish and enforce quality control measures in their organisations

Source: UEW
Problems associated with the use of concord in English_a case study of Our Lady of Lourdes Junior High School, Navrongo

The objective of this study was to investigate the challenges associated with the use of concord in English language among the pupils of Our Lady of Lourdes Junior High School. Another objective is to propose an appropriate teaching and techniques to overcome such problems. Another objective is to use the findings of the study to improve the performance of pupils in the use of concord. The researcher adopted qualitative research design method. Random sampling was used to select pupils and teachers. For the test, 30 pupils from form two were picked to write the test while the interview for both teachers were randomly picked. The researcher adopted test, interviews, and observation for data collection. The findings were that errors were committed on the three types of concord that were discussed but most of the errors were committed on grammatical concord. Also another cause of concord errors among the pupils of O.L.L. JHS is over generalisation of rules. The recommendations are learners should be regular at school, and to make sure that English as a medium of communication is used both in the classroom and on the school premises. Finally teachers should teach the pupils the appropriate strategies which would facilitate language learning as their first language can play a vital role in learning a second language. Provision of textbooks should be provided to pupils to enhance effective teaching and learning of concord in the school. If all the recommendations are considered, teaching and learning of concord would be enjoyable.

Source: UEW
Problems associated with the use of relative pronouns, a case study of students of Adanwomase Senior High School 1

This is a qualitative study that investigated the problems associated with the use of relative pronouns among SHS 1B students of Adanwomase Senior High School. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire, observation and test. The researcher conducted a pre-test which enabled her to ascertain the level of the problem. Analysis of data from the study revealed that the use of inappropriate teaching techniques by English teachers, inadequate teaching and learning materials, failure of teachers to make the teaching and learning of grammar student-centered, and lack of qualified English teachers among others contributed immensely to the students’ poor performance in the use of relative pronouns and English in general. Some suggestions were then made to various stakeholders to ensure effective teaching and learning of the English Language in the Senior High Schools.

Source: UEW
Problems in the usage of prepositions in the writings of students. A case study of Ghana Institute of Languages, Kumasi

This research project focuses on the difficulties students’ face in identifying and using prepositions and how to remedy the situation. The analysis of this test revealed the mistakes that students make and the various levels of difficulties they encounter in using prepositions in English. The difficulties identified include the identification and use of prepositions in a sentence or phrase in English language. The prepositions come before the object or the object compliment. The cause of these difficulties have been identified to be related to poor teaching methods, the position of the preposition in the sentence, the confusion between the type of preposition that should come before certain nouns and pronouns in a sentence, the influence of the mother tongue (L1) and their second languages. The nature of English grammar, the learning materials and the teaching methods. After analyzing the pretest results, I realised I had to use practical demonstration to teach prepositions that goes with concrete nouns and pronouns and add a dialogue accompanied with illustrations to explain abstract objects and what prepositions can apply. After the intervention, more than 90% of the students answered the post-test correctly. I therefore recommend the use of practical demonstration and dialogue with illustrations to facilitate the understanding of the concept of prepositions.

Source: UEW
Problems militating against the implementation of social studies curriculum in Senior High Schools in Kwahu East District, Ghana

The study investigated the curriculum implementation challenges of Senior High School Social Studies in Ghana with specific references to senior high schools in the Kwahu East District in the Eastern Region. The study used descriptive survey design because of its relevance to the study. Proportionate sampling technique was used to select 196 students from five senior high schools in the Kwahu East District in the Eastern Region and 24 teachers were also census sampled from the five schools for the study. Two sets of questionnaires were used to collect data from both students and teachers. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics in a form of frequencies, percentages and means with their respective standard deviations. The results of the study indicate that a large number of teachers were academically competent to teach social studies. However, teaching was mostly classroom-centred as there was little opportunity for inquiry and fieldwork activities. The teachers agreed that curriculum implementation is a worthwhile process and an indispensable tool for students’ instruction and achievements in senior high schools. But the teaching and implementation of social studies curriculum was hindered by inadequate instructional materials and in-service training and the deployment of lecture and discussion methods. It is recommended that schools should be provided with required teaching learning materials to make teaching more concrete. Also periodic in-service training in the form of workshops and seminars should be organised for teachers to upgrade their knowledge in the pedagogy of social studies.

Source: UEW
Problems of clause subordination among senior high students_ a case study in Opoku Ware Senior High School (SHS 2 students)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the problems of clause subordination among students of Opoku Ware Senior High School in the Kumasi Municipality of the Ashanti Region. The study specifically investigated some prevalent errors and mistakes committed by students and the source(s) of problems for the errors and mistakes. To address the objectives of the study, the descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. One hundred and two (102) participants were selected through stratified and systematic sampling techniques. Itemized tests constituted the main instrument for data collection while the study further interviewed five (5) underperformers in the test. The results revealed that some of the common errors and mistakes committed by students were misapplication of rules, misidentification of types of adverbial clause and misidentification of subordinators. The findings also indicated that lack of students’ attention in class and after lessons on the subject matter, lack of revision, bad learning style through adoptability to one format of multiple choice questions on a subject and less recognition and attention given to English as subject as some of the major sources of problems for students’ poor performance in clause subordination. The findings further revealed a strong and positive correlation between the scores of students and their mistakes and errors in identifying subordinators and misapplication of rule. The study concluded that the correct identification of subordinators, impact positively on the academic performance of students (scores in test). The study recommends that Opoku Ware School provide students with textbooks that have practical examples of clause subordination to complement teachers’ and students’ efforts. The study also recommends a collaboration between curriculum designers and classroom teachers in structuring the syllabus to meet the educational needs of students.

Source: UEW
Process evaluation of the social studies curriculum in colleges of education in the Eastern and Greater Accra regions of Ghana

The study focused on the process evaluation of the current Social Studies curriculum of the Colleges of Education in the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions of Ghana. The descriptive survey was used for the study. Purposive sampling was used to select twelve (12) Social Studies tutors, ten (10) subject specialists and four (4) curriculum experts from CRDD and a multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample 480 teacher-trainees for the study. Self-developed questionnaire and semi-structured interview guides were used for data collection. The descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data including means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages. The results revealed that the majority of the respondents agreed that the objectives of the Social Studies curriculum of the Colleges of Education in Ghana were being achieved. The study also revealed that there was a relationship between the selected content of Social Studies and curriculum objectives. Additionally, the results revealed that most of the tutors used appropriate pedagogical approaches to the effective teaching and learning of Social Studies. Furthermore, the pedagogical content knowledge of Social Studies teachers and teachers’ teaching-learning strategies significantly enhanced the Social Studies instructional process in classroom. It is recommended that Social Studies tutors should try as much as possible to integrate the use of different teaching and learning methods in teaching to improve the quality of instruction given in schools.

Source: UEW
The processing, packaging, and acceptability of yam strips for use as convenient food

Yam is one of the most important food commodities cultivated in Ghana. Nevertheless, majority of those yams go waste due to interrelated factors such as post-harvest losses, deterioration, and weight loss in stored yams. The aim of the study was to process and package yam into strips to enhance its use and marketability to non-producing countries just like Irish potato. Two cultivars of white yam (Discorea rotundata), were used for the study. They were processed into strips and packaged in a 1.5kg polyethylene bag which was designed and labelled for the purpose. The packaged product was frozen using an Ocean freezer at a temperature of -18oC for storage studies over a period of four weeks. The frozen yam strips were fried and presented to respondents on a weekly basis for four weeks to assess them in order of preference with respect to their sensory attributes (size, colour, aroma, taste, moistness, hardness, crispiness, sogginess and overall acceptability). Chemical analysis was also conducted on the frozen yam samples every one week for four weeks to determine the level of moisture, sugars (sucrose, reducing sugars, and total sugars) and free fatty acids. The result of the sensory evaluation showed that fried yam strips were found to be acceptable as most of the participants indicated that they were satisfied. On the other hand, the results of the chemical analysis obtained had no significant change from the first week to the fourth week of analyses. Hence, the yam samples after storage in the freezer for a month (4 weeks) had no chemical change and could therefore be further preserved. It was recommended that the yam strips should be thawed before frying, for this gives a uniform texture as compared to direct frying from the frozen state.

Source: UEW
Production d’épenthèse des semi-consonnes en fle contraintes phonémiques et syllabiques le cas des apprenants de la troisième année au département de français à University of Education, winneba

This study delves into the characteristics of three French approximants or semi-consonants, namely [j], [ɥ], and [w]. It was conducted with third-year students during the 2021/2022 academic year in the Department of French Education at the University of Education, Winneba. These students read "French Phonetics and Phonology” as a course whose primary objective was to familiarize students with the production and accurate description of French phonemes within the context of the course. Within this research, we meticulously analyzed these semi-consonant sounds from both articulatory and acoustic perspectives, considered their phonemic and syllabic attributes in the French language. Notably, we observed challenges among students when it came to pronouncing and transcribing words containing these semi-consonants ([j], [ɥ], [w]). Additionally, students faced difficulties in distinguishing these semi-consonants from their corresponding vowel sounds ([i], [y], [u]) when attempting to transcribe words and segment them into appropriate syllables. Our literature review involved an in-depth exploration of French semi-consonants, drawing from various sources. We incorporated key phonological theories, such as Troubetzkoy's phonological theory, Guberina's verbotonal method, the transfer hypothesis, and the Speech learning model. These theories, among others, shed light on the challenges learners encounter when acquiring a new language, particularly when their existing language sounds interfere with the acquisition process, as is the case with French. In the experimental phase of our research, we scrutinized oral production by the students. We analyzed transcriptions and recordings, identifying specific constraints related to the students' phonemic challenges and syllabication of French semi-consonants. Given the understading from our theoretical framework, as well as responses from questionnaires and tests, we found that the French language phonetic rules are the major constraintes. Students also face some interference from their already existing knowledge of English phonetics. Furthermore, we discovered that certain effective pedagogical activities, such as minimal pair exercises, laboratory practices, and active student engagement in oral practice, were not consistently integrated into phonetic lessons. To address this gap, our dissertation proposes a comprehensive system of activities and methods to enhance students' receptive grasp of phonetics in their lessons. Key Words: semi-consonants, transcription, phonemic challenges, syllabication, receptive phonetic skills.

Source: UEW
Profile of selected sculptors and their contributions to arts and culture

It is widely acknowledged that, artists are creative people. They are also key to societal growth and sustenance when it comes to promotion, preservation and protecting societal norms and practices. The study sought to examine the professional or personal philosophies of the selected sculptors that defined their works, challenges faced by the selected sculptors and their major contributions to arts and culture. Through qualitative research, an enquiry was made into the first objective discovering their professional life, challenges faced and contributions to arts and culture. The sculptors were interviewed using unstructured method. The population of the study was all sculpture educators and commercial sculptors in Winneba, Takoradi and Kumasi. For the purpose and nature of the study, respondents in the three selected tertiary institutions which are University of Education Winneba, Takoradi Technical University (Takoradi polytechnic) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology formed the population for sculptor educators in the study whiles commercial sculptors in the respective towns where the institutions selected are located formed the population for the commercial sculptors. The main sample and sampling procedures adopted for the study was purposive sampling. Interview schedule, observation guide and documents were the main instruments used to collect data. The data were collected through personal interviews and observation. These were assembled, discussed and analysed in a descriptive form. However, findings suggest that the identified sculptors techniques of production make them unique from one another based on their varied philosophical foundation or idea behind their works. Also, the study also reveals that a major challenge faced by sculptors was financial problems and combining sculpture with other professions was a major challenge among sculptor educators. Furthermore, the results confirmed that effigies produced by the selected artists are used for religious functions, especially in religious worship. Other sculptures portray the rule of a leader and are used to preserve the memory of very important events and personalities. Finally, other works are used to decorate private homes, public buildings, gardens and parks, which serve recreational resolutions. The study concludes that Ghanaian sculptors are contributing to the society in terms of education, philosophy, religion and culture. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that art teachers should encourage documentations of artists who have contributed greatly to nation‟s development in all aspects of the arts in our society since it helps in shaping our lives and culture. Written records on the artists should be provided with the name, personal information, and photos and description of their works should be made and published. This is not limited to sculpture but all the areas in Ghanaian art sector.

Source: UEW