ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An Examination of Curiosity and Academic Self-Concept among Students of Category �A� Senior High Schools in the Central Region of Ghana

Curiosity and academic self-concept as psychological constructs are often mentioned in education and psychology. These constructs are elusive in terms of how they are exhibited or portrayed and measured. Despite their elusive nature, they are highly significant to the success or otherwise of learners. Therefore, the current study explored curiosity and academic self-concept among students of category �A� Senior High schools in the Central Region of Ghana. Using a descriptive-quantitative method, a sample of 400 students was selected through proportionate-stratified and systematic sampling techniques. Adapted curiosity (Kashdan et al., 2018) and academic self-concept (Liu & Wang, 2005) scales were used for the data collection. The data collected were analysed using frequencies, percentages, and structural equation modelling (SEM). The study revealed that the majority of the students possessed low curious abilities and low academic self-concepts. The study further revealed that curiosity of deprivation sensitivity (b=.577, p<.001), the curiosity of stress tolerance (b=.248, p=.007), and curiosity of thrill-seeking (b=.544, p<.001) positively and significantly predicted academic self-concept of students but the curiosity of joyful exploration and social curiosity did not predict academic self-concept of students. It was concluded that students� curious abilities were precursors to their academic self-concept. Thereupon, teachers need to devise new approaches by allowing students to engage in other learning opportunities without much restrictions so that they could hone their natural potentials. � 2022, Ozgen Korkmaz. All rights reserved.

Source: UEW
An examination of factors influencing the teaching of physical education lessons in primary schools in Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District of Central Region, Ghana.

Everyone must have the opportunity to participate in physical education and special reference must be given to pupils in primary school level who deserve the right to a sound physical education experience as part of their fundamental human rights. Teachers at this level of the education system are responsible for providing movement experiences to these children. These movements’ experiences do not only promote skill development and proficiency but also enhance their overall health (NASPE, 2014).The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence the teaching of physical education lessons in Primary Schools. The population for this study consisted of three hundred and sixty-six (366) teachers in all the Primary Schools in the Ajumako–Enyan– Essiam District. The study used the convenience sampling technique based on availability, accessibility and time factors. Descriptive survey method was the research design used to obtain data using a questionnaire with a reliability co-efficient of 0.78 as the research instrument to gather data from one hundred and ten (110) teachers within the district. The research findings showed that, most Primary Schools in the district lack basic teaching and learning materials, sports facilities and equipment as a major challenge in the teaching of physical education. The results also indicated that physical education was not allocated on schools timetables. Other challenges included lack of financial support from School administration as one major challenge that demotivates teachers. It was therefore recommended that teaching and learning materials, facilities and equipment be provided to enhance the teaching and learning of physical education in Basic Schools in the district.

Source: UEW
An examination of impact of microfinancing on the growth of small scale industry. A study of kente weavers at Bonwire, Ashanti Region

The main focus of the research was to examine the impact of Microfinancing on the growth of Small Scale Industries. The study adopted a descriptive design and also concentrated on the collection of quantitative data. However, the target population of the study were Kente Weavers at Ashanti Bonwire area. For this specific reason, relevant data was collected from the owners or operators of the Kente Business, (Kente Weavers), in the Bonwire locality. In all, 60 respondents participated in the study with regards to the answering of questionnaires. Meanwhile, the researcher tried by himself to answer three research questions. The feedbacks and the results that emerged from the respondents demonstrated that, almost all the respondents have had an encounter with the sources of finance available for Small Scale Entrepreneurs. Most of the respondents also confirmed that they were much more familiar with Micro-loan or Credit facilities and personal savings. Finally, it was revealed that most of the Kente Weavers heavily rely on Micro-Credit as their major source of funding for their projects. Also, Pearson’s simple correlation was used to determine the impact of Microfinancing on the various factors that ensures growth of a particular firm. The correlated results proved that Microfinancing has a positive impact on the various growth factors that were assessed. The researcher, however, recommended that Small Scale Entrepreneurs should keep proper books of account, in order that they can have a good standing to access loans/credit from financial providers like the Microfinance institutions, the insurance companies and the others.

Source: UEW
An examination of Junior High School Social Studies teachers’ professional identity in Central Region, Ghana

The main focus of the study was to examine the opinion of JHS Social Studies teachers’ professional identity in four randomly selected districts in Central Region, Ghana. To arrive at this objective, five research questions were posed and two hypotheses formulated. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting four districts in Central Region and 171 schools from which 171 Social Studies teachers in public junior high schools were purposively selected for the study. A four-point Likert type scale questionnaire was used to gather data from 171 JHS Social Studies teachers. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was ascertained using the Cronbach’s alpha which generated a reliability coefficient of 0.73. The design adopted for this study was descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Data collected was analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and the t-test and ANOVA were used in analysing the two hypotheses formulated. From the analyses of the data it was evident that, JHS Social Studies teachers in Central Region, had a high opinion of professional knowledge, professional values, professional skills and professional reflective practice as indicators of Social Studies teachers’ professional identity. They, however, perceived inadequate resources, difficulty in teaching integrated subjects and the low regard for Social Studies teachers as challenges that influenced the identity of Social Studies teachers. The study also revealed significant differences between males and female JHS Social Studies teachers’ professional values; significant differences in professional values on the bases of their teaching experiences was also evident. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other things that the district education directorate and Social Studies teachers themselves identify opportunities to acquaint themselves with current knowledge, values, skills and constantly reflect on their practices to enable them demonstrate attributes that would set them apart from teachers of other subjects. Besides, social studies teachers should be creative in developing resources themselves and use more internet resources to make teaching more interactive.

Source: UEW
An examination of non specialist supervisors in the supervision of physical education students in the colleges of education

This study examined the participation of non-specialist supervisors in the supervision of physical education students in the colleges of education. The study sought to find out, difference that may exist between specialist mentors and non-specialist supervisors in supervising. The impact of the teaching practice supervision on student-teachers and the challenges faced by student-teachers during the teaching practice supervision. The study adopted an interpretive phenomenological methodology using a case study approach. Purposive sampling was used to select fifty respondents. A questionnaire was used to collect data which were analysed into themes by the researcher. The study revealed that student-teachers generally were dissatisfied with the teaching practice supervision due to the inconsistencies and discriminations they perceived in it and also the general pedagogy employed. Again, on the issues of impact of the supervision, respondents expressed mixed feelings. Finally, the study revealed that student-teachers faced a number of difficulties one of which was the difficulty in getting the actual supervisors to assess them considering subject area. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the teaching practice unit should see to it that the right strategies for supervision were to be used by supervisor s. Regarding the issue of being supervised by non-subject-specialists, the teaching practice unit should ensure that supervisors who are sent for supervisions have enough knowledge of the subject-matter of the field of study.

Source: UEW
An examination of Senior High School Social Studies teachers’ instructional practices in the west Mamprusi municipality

The study sought to investigate the instructional techniques used by Senior High School Social Studies teachers in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North-East Region of Ghana. A sample of eleven (11) teachers was selected for the study using the purposive sampling technique. As a qualitative study, open-ended (unstructured) interview guide and observational (direct) guide were designed to elicit information from the respondents. The study focused on the teachers’ knowledge of Social Studies general objectives, knowledge of Social Studies instructional techniques and how the teachers use these instructional techniques to teach the subject in the Senior High School to achieve the general objectives of the subject. The study revealed among other thing that: (i) teachers’ knowledge of the general objectives of Social Studies fall short of the expectation of effective Social Studies teachers, especially trained to teach the subject; (ii) teachers also had limited knowledge of the instructional techniques of teaching Social Studies and (iii) lessons observed were mostly done by the use of lecture and discussion techniques; Projects, simulations and games, problem-solving, inquiry and Fieldtrip techniques were virtually absent in the teaching of Social Studies. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended among others that: recruitments of teachers by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to teach Social Studies should be strictly based on professional qualifications in the subject; on-campus and off-campus teaching practices in various Universities should be intensified by allowing in-field lecturers to supervise the teacher-trainees to ensure the best practices in Social Studies.

Source: UEW
An examination of socio-economic status on obesity rates in adolescents a review of existing literature on the prevalence of obesity among children

This research reviewed the existing literature pertaining to the effect of socioeconomic status on obesity rates in adolescents. Specifically, this research examined whether male and female adolescents of low socioeconomic status were more likely to become obese than male and female adolescents of high socioeconomic status, respectively. The prevalence of obesity among children has almost tripled in the past thirty years, and the associated increase in co-morbidities has produced a need for aggressive weight management interventions (Kirk, Scotland Daniels.2005). Several factors can point to a definitive reason for the increase in obesity rates among adolescents. Lack of community resources such as playgrounds and parks along with lack of recreational programmes and equipment are a few possibilities for the increase in adolescent obesity. Socioeconomic status, a measure of an individual or families wealth, is one of the most likely sources of high obesity rates in adolescents, with underlying factors as well. Eight studies were used for analysis and comparison of socioeconomic status and obesity rates in adolescents. Descriptive statistics and effect size were used to compare the data from the studies. The focus of the research was to determine if there were differences in body mass index among adolescents based on their socioeconomic status. Based on the literature and the data sample examined, it was found that male adolescents from low socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to be obese than males from high socioeconomic backgrounds. In a similar pattern, females from low socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to be obese than females from high socioeconomic backgrounds.

Source: UEW
An examination of the attitudes of traders towards environmental sanitation at the Hohoe Market in the Volta Region

Attitude as a component of human behaviour is the pre-requisite for any action, and plays a dominant role in environmental sanitation. Unsustainable urbanization in Ghana has encouraged the increase in economic activities in various markets in urban settlements resulting in negative behaviours of people towards environmental sanitation in these markets. This study examines the attitudes of traders towards environmental sanitation at the Hohoe main market. It describes the general sanitation situations in the market, which include the facilities in the market, waste creation and waste disposal at the market. The attitudes of the traders towards sanitation in the market is also examined. Qualitative case study was used and the methods used in data collection included semi-structured in-depth interviews and observation. The key findings include: the attitudes of traders towards general sanitation in the Hohoe market were positive; traders were not satisfied with the management of waste in the market as a result of the Municipal Assembly’s lack of capacity in terms of financial, logistical and human resources to deal with the situation; and the Assembly has failed to enforce its bye-laws on sanitation making traders to litter and trade in filthy environment with impunity. Based on these findings, it has been suggested that the Assembly prioritizes the management of waste in the market through the provision of finance, logistics and personnel. It must also promote strict enforcement of the sanitation bye-laws through collaboration with the Ghana Police Service.

Source: UEW
An examination of the influence of role modelling in physical activity at senior high schools in the Ho municipality

The role models who influence children and adolescents tend to change over time. At school students may decide to select any teacher as their role model because of the good behaviour shown by such a teacher or how physique that teacher is. Student always being in the house may also pick a member of their family as a role model due to the physical activity he/she indulges in. Some adolescents’ senior high schools are very close to their peers that anything they do which is good, they tend to copy it. Those who normally take athletes as their role model(s) always want to involved themselves in one or two physical activity. The purpose of the study was to find out whether role models actually influence students participation in physical activity. The study was conducted in some selected senior high schools in the Ho municipality of the Volta Region. Descriptive survey was used for the study. The main idea behind using this type of research is to better define an opinion, attitude, or behaviour held by a group of people on a given subject. Instead, grouping the responses into predetermined choices will provide statistically inferable data. The sample comprised of four hundred students selected from three senior high schools .Snowball sampling was used for the study because they were the targeted group. The validity and reliability of the data was conducted using the Cronbach’s Alpha. The Cronbach’s alpha is generally used to measure the internal consistency of questionnaire. Reliability of 0.7 or higher would indicate that there are no problems regarding the data collected. The test for the University of Education, Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh 12 respondents (students) gave Cronbach’s Alpha value of 0.918 which is greater than 0.7, therefore the questionnaire were correctly piloted. This indicated that 91.8% of the variables were reliably piloted with a strong correlation between them. Established on investigations and the findings on the topic under discussion the researcher recommends that there is the need to introduce some role model programs in our senior high schools which will help more students to involve themselves in more physical activities. As their role models get closer to them, it will motivates more students participate in physical activities which will improve their healthy lifestyle.

Source: UEW
Examination of the role of queen mothers in Talensi traditional area

This research work examined the role of queen mothers in Talensi traditional area. The main objectives of the study were to determine the requirements as well as discover the processes involved in the selection and enskinment of queen mothers and also explore the contributions queen mothers make to the socio-economic development of Talensi traditional area. The work was a case study of 9 purposively selected queen mothers and 9 conveniently selected members of Talensi traditional area. In-depths interview and focus group discussion were the research instruments used and data were analysed thematically. The study found out that queen mothers perform assistive roles to chiefs through installation of Magajias, settlement of matrimonial disputes, protection of women and children interest and initiation of development projects. The study concludes that the requirements for becoming a queen mother are same for a chief and are purely rooted in custom and tradition and there is no prescriptive roles for queen mothers in Talensi traditional area. It is recommended that since the position of queen mothers has been accepted in Talensi traditional area, their roles should be properly prescribed and made known so that their works as queen mothers can be assessed; and the Talensi traditional authority in selecting qualified persons to be enskinned as queen mothers must put premium on those with clout and stature to promote socio-economic development in the traditional area.

Source: UEW
Examination of the school feeding programme and school dropout in selected beneficiary schools in the Effutu Municipality

The study examined the school feeding programme and school dropout in selected beneficiary schools in the Effutu Municipality. In achieving the purpose of the study, the qualitative approach with a case study design was employed. Purposive and convenient sampling were used to select a sample of 15 respondents which included 3 head teachers, 3 teachers, 6 dropouts and 3 parents of the three selected beneficiary schools. Data was gathered through the use of interviews and focused group discussion and was analysed according to themes. The results of the study revealed that with the inception of the school feeding programme, truancy and absenteeism has been reduced a bit thereby increasing enrolment. However, it was also revealed that in spite of the implementation of the school feeding programme, there is still school dropouts in the selected beneficiary schools due the pupils’ desire for money, pregnancy, learning difficulties, lack of parental support and care, the educational level of parents and small quantity and poor quality of the food served in the schools. The study concluded that, the factors associated with school dropout should be tackled holistically for the SFP to achieve its goal. The study also recommended that, teachers and other stakeholders in the Municipality should focus more on sex education, while parents also should focus on home monitoring of their children especially the females to avoid pregnancy as it was captured as one of the causes of school dropout in the three selected beneficiary schools, parents’ should strengthen their parental duties by providing for their children's school needs, elders of the community should ensure that the measures put in place to support the SFP are strictly adhered to by members of the community especially the by-laws to help reduce dropout in the selected schools and there should be adequate support from parents, government, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations to help support the SFP to achieve its goal of reducing dropouts.

Source: UEW
Examination of traditional medicine and herbal pharmacology and the implications for teaching and education: A Ghanaian Case Study

This article presents the preliminary findings of a pilot study of the practice, uses, and effectiveness of traditional medicine in Ghana. Based on in-depth interviews with local key practitioners and users of traditional medicine, the article points to some of the educational significance of local cultural knowledge on the environment and the relevance of such knowledge for science education in Ghana. In the discussion the authors briefly highlight general themes relating to local understandings of traditional medicine, the distinctions between traditional and plant medicine, contestations between traditional medicine and orthodox medicine, local conceptions of health and a healthy individual, the economics of health, and the lessons of science and public education. Although the findings of the study are preliminary, the article argues that much is to be gained for educational purposes through the critical study of traditional medicine, particularly in terms of the promotion of science and community education in Ghana.

Source: UEW
Examine factors affecting eating habits and food choices of adolescents living in the Fahiakobo and Kwamekrom rural communities of Bibiani in the Western North Region of Ghana

Adolescents was defined by the United Nations (UNICEF, 2019) as those between ten (10) and nineteen (19) years old. It is a period of physiological stress for the body because of extremely rapid rate of growth. The diet plays a crucial role in promoting growth; hence the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for all nutrients are high during 13-18 years of age. The main nutritional problems which affect adolescents are under nutrition, in terms of stunting, thinness, catch-up growth, and intrauterine growth retardation in pregnant adolescent girls, iron deficiencies and other specific nutrient deficiencies (WHO, 2002). Food choice is a complex process and it may require more or less consideration (Vabø &Hansen, 2019). The purpose of the study is to examine factors affecting eating habits and food choices of adolescents living in the Fahiakobo and Kwamekrom rural communities of Bibiani in the Western North Region of Ghana. The objectives of the study are to examine the factors influencing the eating habits of adolescents in Fahiakobo and Kwamekrom communities of Bibiani, examine the factors influencing food choices of adolescents in Fahiakobo and Kwamekrom rural communities of Bibiani and identify the health effects of eating habits and food choices on adolescents in the Fahiakobo and Kwamekrom rural communities in Bibiani. The research design used for this study was the combined approaches of a cross-sectional survey. In this study, both primary and secondary data were used as methods of data collection. This study used data collection tools which involve observation, interview and questionnaires. As a descriptive survey, statistical tools such as the Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS), Statistical Analysis software, simple measures of central tendencies (that is ratios and percentages) were used together with summarized

Source: UEW