ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An assessment of the usage of direct cutting for garment construction by trainees in the formal and informal institutions in Ghana. A case of Wa municipality in the upper west region

Most of the fashion design students after completing their programme in their schools are found in the informal sector for practical orientation in the Wa Municipality. It is observed that the trainees in the informal sector are conversant with direct cutting method and seems to be practically inclined than those in the formal training sector in the Municipality. The study therefore assesses the usage of direct cutting for garment construction by trainees in the formal and informal institutions in the Wa Municipality. The study used data collected from the trainees and trainers in the formal and informal institutions in the Wa Municipality. Two hundred and forty (240) students from the formal institutions, 120 trainees from the informal institutions, 18 formal trainers (teachers) and 60 informal trainers were sampled for the study. The results of the study show that the teachers and students in the formal institutions are not conversant with the direct cutting method. The trainers and trainees in the informal institutions are conversant with both direct and pattern drafting. The trainees in the formal institutions are faced with inadequate practice periods, teacher reluctance to teach them direct cutting, and lack of textbooks. The general perception among the trainees in the formal institutions is that direct cutting is a ‘roadside’ method, and also waste fabric and time. The study recommends that, the Ghana Education Service, and the Ministry of Education should review the TVET curriculum. More periods should be allocated for practical subjects to enable trainees improve their practical knowledge and skills.

Source: UEW
An assessment of the use of learning management system by academic staff of the University of Education, Winneba during the covid-19 pandemic

Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, people living in regions with recorded cases resorted to live socially distant from one another. This caused school to close temporarily. For a drive to ensure the continuity of school business, the internet offered a means to realize school continuity through online educational media. The University of Education, Winneba was not immune to this tendency and adopted the Learning Management System (LMS) to host academic activities. This study sought to assess the use of the LMS by the academic staff of the University. The study assumed the pragmatic philosophical worldview with mixed methods backing, employing convenience and cluster sampling approaches to sample academic staff of the University. A total of 231 academic staff responded to the electronic instrument (questionnaire) the study administered. The study used SPSS v.20 to run descriptive and inferential statistics, making use of means and independent sample t-test. The study found that the use of the LMS has enhanced staff problem skills, stimulated staff interest on its usage, yielded timely feedback and the interactive nature of the system. The study further observed statistically significant differences in the experiences of academic staff based on their gender, rank, level of IT skill, training in the use of the LMS, and their class size. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the University through the Department for Continuing Professional Development should build the digital competence of academic staff.

Source: UEW
Assessment of Value Engineering Implementation in the Ghanaian Construction Sector

One of the contemporary management techniques aimed at eliminating unnecessary cost and waste while optimizing full benefit of projects, especially in the building and construction sector, is value engineering. This study assesses the implementation of value engineering in the Ghanaian construction sector. The study adopted cross-sectional survey with stakeholders consisting of architects, contractors, project managers, civil and structural engineers, and consultants of construction and consulting firms. Snowball sampling technique was used through its nucleus to reach construction firms and respondents who practice value engineering but are difficult to trace. Questionnaire was used to collect data using a five-point Likert scale. Quality control and renewal of old ideas emerged as the meaning of value engineering regarding construction professionals� understanding of the concept. The factors that encourage values engineering implementation identified by the respondents include: reduced wastage of resources, quality improvements, reduced conflict and risks, efficient labour, creation of a climate of shared understanding, definition of programme objectives, early improvement, understanding of the needs and function, savings that can be redirected to add value, improved communication between the parties, and local material usage. Five main components identified as responsible for non-adoption of value engineering include: knowledge barrier, demand barrier, awareness barrier, readiness barrier, and human resource barrier. The study therefore concludes that value engineering stands feasible for implementation in the Ghanaian construction sector if the identified factors to the non-adoption are eliminated while adopting appropriate strategies to promote the factors that encourage its implementation. � 2019, The Institution of Engineers (India).

Source: UEW
Assessment of VLAN for the implementation or expansion of a LAN using cisco packet tracer the case of Sefwi Bekwai Senior High School

In today's technological environment, the internet is the most resourceful repository of knowledge. Students at all stages of school may use the internet to obtain a wide range of information. That is, there is direct relationship between internet access and instructional resources. Using Cisco packet tracer, this research assesses VLAN for the establishment or extension of LAN at Sefwi Bekwai Senior High School (SEBESS). The study first established a link between internet and students’ learning by examining network availability and accessibility at the SHS. The investigation was carried out utilising a cross-sectional design, a questionnaire, and interview methodologies on a sample of 263 people. The Pearson Correlation analysis approach was performed by the researcher to determine if pupils' learning was linearly connected with online resources. The study determined that availability and accessibility to online resources are desired since the computer laboratory with internet access is timetabled and the majority of the PCs are also malfunctioning. The VLAN was then investigated in order to establish or expand the internet to reach the entire school. The study found that internet availability and accessibility impact SEBESS students' learning, and so there is a need to expand the current internet or network from the computer laboratory to include the entire school.

Source: UEW
Assessment of water pollution and biodiversity change of the Muni-Pomadze lagoon and its catchment in Winneba, Ghana

The study sought to investigate water pollution and biodiversity change of the muni- Pomadze lagoon and its catchment in Winneba, Ghana. This is an onsite study hence much of the data were taken in the form of water samples. This notwithstanding, the views of the residents in and around the lagoon and the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission were sought hence purposive sampling technique was used to select fifteen (15) participants. Content analysis were also done to validate the responses obtained from the field. The research instruments used for the study were in-depth interview guide, field observations, content analysis, field measurements of physical parameters in-situ, as well as photographs taken on the field. All the parameters tested in the Muni catchment were within the threshold provided by WHO and USEPA with the catchment having WQI range of (51-70) all of fair water quality in the wet season. For the dry season, the WQI values for Muni lagoon and Ntakofa were within (26-50) being good water quality with Pratu having an excellent water quality. It was revealed that, there have been great decline in biodiversity which has affected the socio-economic lives of people who depend on the lagoon. Radio, community and outreach programs. are carried out on routine basis to ensure effective management. It can be concluded that, anthropogenic activities determined greatly the water quality index and status of pollution in the study area more than nature does. It is recommended that, there should be a thorough and continuous monthly water quality assessment of the Muni catchment as well as continuous collaborative governance model bringing all stakeholders together to manage the Muni catchment.

Source: UEW
Assessment of water quality from selected boreholes in Asesewa - Ghana

An assessment of borehole water quality in the Asesewa-Ghana was carried out at three sampling sites at Asesewa in the Upper Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Samples were collected in May, 2022 for wet season and January and February, 2023 for the dry season. Analysis of various physicochemical parameters including Electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, salinity, alkalinity, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, chloride, sulphate, fluoride, silica, cyanide, ammonia, chromium, hardness, arsenic, metals microbial presence were made. Metals analysed were Zinc, calcium, copper, potassium, sodium, manganese, magnesium and iron. Concentrations of the metals were determined using DR 6000 Spectrophotometer, alkalinity, chloride and hardness were analysed using EDTA titration, electrical conductivity using conductivity meter, pH and colour using colour DR 6000 Spectrophotometer, salinity total dissolved solids, total suspended solids using conductivity meter and turbidity using turbidimeter. The result of the study revealed that, the values are: the pH value 4.60 pH unit, 4.93 pH unit and 4.95 pH unit for dry season and 6.40 pH unit, 6.40 pH unit and 6.30 pH unit for wet season and 5.50 pH unit, 5.67 pH unit and 5.63 pH unit for their means at sites G, N and O respectively making it acidic. The Silica value 10.14 mg/L and 12.71 mg/L for wet season at sites G and N respectively. Bicarbonate values 13.40 mg/L, 29.80 mg/L and 19.87 mg/L for dry season and 26.84 mg/L, 43.92 mg/L and 21.96 mg/L for wet season and 20.12 mg/L, 36.86 mg/L and 20.92 mg/L for the means at sites G, N and O. Phosphate values 0.44 mg/L at site O for dry season and 1.70 mg/L, 2.40 mg/L and 1.30 mg/L for wet season and 0.88 mg/L, 1.24 mg/L and 0.87 mg/L means at sites G, N and O respectively. Potassium content 20.90 mg/L, 13.95 mg/L and 21.65 mg/L at sites G, N and O for dry season and 15.97 mg/L, 14.29 mg/L for wet season at sites G, and O and finally Magnesium hardness value at site G was found to be 66.30 mg/L. The water quality index for dry season was found to be 25.73 and wet season 210.94 at site G, at N for dry season was found to be 15.13 and wet season 267.14 and finally, at O for dry season was found to be 59.82 and wet season 157.23. The study clearly indicates that, the selected borehole water sites at Asesewa in the Upper Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region of Ghana should be monitored to ensure the parameters that were within permissible limit are and those above should be brought within by means of treatment so that it can therefore be used for human consumption and domestic use.

Source: UEW
An assessment of workplace conflict in the Asokwa Municipal Assembly

The work was designed to examine workplace conflicts at Asokwa Municipal Assembly. The objectives were to analyse the forms of workplace conflict in the Asokwa Municipal Assembly, examine the sources of workplace conflict on the employees in Asokwa Municipal Assembly, explore the consequences of workplace conflict in the Asokwa Municipal Assembly and analyse the preferred workplace conflict management strategies among the staff of the Asokwa Municipal Assembly. The research was mainly designed as a qualitative case study that employed multiple methods of data collection. Data was collected using questionnaire and interviews. A total of 60 participants were involved in the study. They were selected using convenience, multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques. The analysis highlights that there are different kinds of workplace conflicts at the Asokwa Municipal Assembly all of which are counter-productive. The conflicts are caused by human factors such as discrimination or preferential treatment in promotion processes and unfair workloads and disparity over work hours. Politicisation of the management of the Asokwa Municipal Assembly also emerged strongly as one of the major causes of staff-management conflict. The effects of conflict on the Asokwa Municipal Assembly are low morale and loss of quality personnel leading to low productivity and efficiency. The conflicts have created divisions, groups and cliques within the Asokwa Municipal Assembly. Base on the outcome of the study, it is recommended that the Asokwa Municipal Assembly should develop clear, concise and publicly available policy on conflict management. Also, the Assembly should develop workplace conflict resolution protocols to provide guidelines on how grievances should be addressed.

Source: UEW
An assessment on the effect of welding and heat treatment on medium carbon steel

The main aim of this project is to investigate the hardness and impact properties of medium carbon steel treated at different heat treatment processes. Three types of heat treatment were performed including annealing, quenching and tempering. During annealing process, the specimens were heated at 900℃ and soaked for 1 hour in the furnace. The specimens were then quenched in a medium of water and open air, respectively. The treatment was followed by tempering processes which were done at 300, 450℃, and 600℃ with a soaking time of 2 hours for each temperature. After the heat treatment process completed, Rockwell hardness test and Charpy impact test were performed. The fractured surfaces of the samples were also examined by using Scanning Electron Microscope. It was observed that different heat treatment processes gave different hardness value and impact property to the steel. The specimen with the highest hardness was found in samples quenched in water. Besides, the microstructure obtained after tempering provided a good combination of mechanical properties due to the process reduce brittleness by increasing ductility and toughness.

Source: UEW
Assessment practices among early childhood education teachers in the Tema West Metropolis, Ghana

The study examined the assessment practices among Early Childhood Education teachers in the Tema West Metropolis within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study was guided by four specific research objectives which were to assess the training of ECE teachers, examine teachers’ perception about assessment during early years’ education, investigate the assessment practices deployed by teachers in assessing children as well as the gender and professional qualification differences in the assessment practices of teachers and the challenges Early Childhood Education teachers encounter in the use of assessment practices in the Tema West Metropolis, Ghana. Two hypotheses were also formulated to guide the study. The study employed a descriptive survey design within a quantitative enquiry. Data were collected through the use of a self-constructed questionnaire. The study covered 200 ECE teachers within 40 public basic schools in the Tema West metropolis. Census sampling technique was used to obtain the sample for the study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the quantitative data collected. Independent sample T-test and One Way ANOVA were also used to test hypothesis 1 and 2 respectively. The findings of the study revealed that; the teachers in the Tema West Metropolis have some level of training and also have positive perception of early grade education assessment. Though ECE teachers in the municipality engage in the use of formative assessment practices, most of them still engage in the use of pencil and paper test. The study concluded that ECE teachers in the Tema West Metropolis have been trained and possess positive perceptions about the need for assessing children during their early years’ education. The assessment practices of teachers were building of portfolio, the use of observation, informal conversation, self and peer assessment, performance-based assessment among others. The teachers also engage in traditional assessment practices such as pencil and paper test on regular basis. Lack of indoor and outdoor resources for assessing children, lack of understanding of children’s assessment outcomes, overcrowding or large number of children among others were some of the challenges teachers face in assessing children in the municipality. It was recommended among others that there should be periodic in-service training for teachers on current assessment practices and the provision of resources for teaching and assessment of children.

Source: UEW
Assessment practices of Kindergarten Teachers at Early Childhood Centres in Agona East District

The study examined the assessment practices of kindergarten teachers in early childhood centres in Agona East District in the Central Region of Ghana. The study employed a concurrent embedded mixed method design within the pragmatism paradigm. Data were collected through the use of self-constructed questionnaire and observation check list. The study covered 102 KG teachers sampled from 51 ECE centres in Agona East District using census sampling and criterion purposive sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics in the form of mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the quantitative data and qualitative data was discussed thematically. The findings of the study revealed that, teachers in Agona East District use assessment in making decisions, predominantly they use play-based as assessment tool, faced with challenges of time constraint and a balance between assessment duties and instructional responsibilities as well as teacher collaboration, continuous professional development and technology integration as effective strategies to enhance assessment at the ECE centres. It was recommended that there should be diversity of assessment strategies, time management and support, continuous professional development programs, collaboration platforms and technology integration to facilitate effective Early Childhood Education assessment practices.

Source: UEW
Assessment practices of teachers in the early childhood centres within the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District

Using the sequential explanatory mixed design, this study was conducted to investigate the assessment practices of teachers in the early childhood centres within the Asikuma Odoben-Brakwa District. The population for the study comprised teachers, headteacher and children in all the public basic schools in the Asikuma Odoben-Brakwa District. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to sample 235 early childhood teachers, headteachers and children from across the district to form the sample for the study. The instruments used for the study were questionnaire, interview guide and observation. Quantitative data for the study was collected using questionnaires while semi-structured interview and observation were used for the qualitative data collection. Descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis approach were used to analyse the quantitative and qualitative data collected for the study respectively. Among the findings from the study were that, majority of the KG teachers used paper and pencil test/ exercises to assess the progress of the children, teachers used more than one method of assessment techniques to assess the children and majority of the teachers do not use peer assessment as the form of assessment techniques to assess the progress of the children. In addition, some factors that influence the choice of assessment techniques they used to assess the performance of the children, the purpose of choosing a particular method assessment, using more than one method to understand the children more were above average. Also, majority of teachers do not have in-service training on the assessment practices that are to be used in the KG centres. They were also of the view that assessment process takes a lot of their time when carrying it out. In view of these findings, it was recommended that the GES should work with other stakeholders and ensure that teachers are sent for in service training or workshops on assessment on a regular basis to make certain that they maintain current classroom assessment skills.

Source: UEW
An assessmet of health-related fitness levels among students of senior high schools in Ada of Greater Accra Region of Ghana

The fitness level of students from three Senior High School in the Dangme East of the Greater Accra Region was checked. The researcher used the test items of the Prudential Fitnessgram to carry out this assignment. Out of a population of 1,050 who were between the ages of 15 and 16 in the three Senior High School, a sample size of sixty was selected through the random sampling technique. Each School was represented by ten boys and ten girls. Each subject was physically tested on each of the five components of fitness. Muscular endurance and strength, cardiovascular endurance, body composition and flexibility. Three days were used in each school for the test. Flexibility and body composition were catered for in day one followed by muscular strength and endurance the second day then one kilometer run completed the test. Quasi-Experiment which learns itself to this kind of research was what the researcher employed. Data collected was analyzed. The mean and the standard deviation for the population and for each health-related component were determined. A fitnessgram was then established according to their performance. The researcher compared the strength and weakness of the students established fitnessgram. It was recommended that students should be encouraged to participate in regular physical education activities and the benefits of participation in such activities made known to them. Health-related fitness assessment should be made a regular feature of the Public School Programme. It was also suggested that other researchers in Ghana be made to research into the topic in other parts of the country so as to build a national Health-Related fitness Norms and HFZ levels for Ghanaian Students.

Source: UEW