ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing career choice of Senior High school Students in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to examine factors influencing career choice of senior high school students in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana. The study adopted the descriptive survey design using the quantitative paradigm. A sample of 150 students was selected through stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected through a survey questionnaire instrument. Mean and standard deviations were used to analyse research questions 1, 2 and 3. The independent samples t-test was used to test hypotheses 1, 2 and 3. The findings showed a significant difference between males and females on parental influence on career choice of senior high school students. The study also revealed that peer factors influenced career choice of senior high school students in the Sunyani municipality. Again, prestige of a profession influenced choice of career among students in the Municipality. It was therefore recommended that, Parents should develop appropriate measures and tools in guiding senior high school graduates in choosing their career of interest and passion which will then inform the program of choice to offer. They should be guided on the basis that; every profession is important and hence career may be chosen based on once interest and passion.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing consumers patronage on fast foods in the Kwahu West Municipality

Fast food restaurants are expanding in Ghana and seem to be growing. As a result, the fast food restaurants are becoming competitive throughout the years. The study aimed at exploring the factors influencing consumers to patronize fast food in Ghana. Survey research design was used for this study. The population of the study included all the 11 licensed fast food restaurant operators in Kwahu West Municipality. From a target population of 770 consumers of fast food restaurants in Kwahu West Municipality, 253 consumers were selected conveniently. A structured self-administered questionnaire was utilized to gather the required data. The data collected were coded and analyzed with the help of Microsoft excel and Statistical Package for Service Solutions (SPSS version 23. The study revealed that fried rice, waakye, jollof rice, and banku and tilapia were most frequently fast food in Kwahu West Municipality. Also, least consumed fast food-types were; pizza, french fries, fufu, burgers, and kelewele. It was evident that quality factors mostly influence consumer purchase intention, followed by cost factors and convenience factors on the purchase of fast food products in Kwahu West Municipality. It appeared that the consumers are satisfied with the food presentation, hotness and freshness of food serve, taste and flavor of food serve, and smell of fast food serve to them. It was concluded that consumers are satisfied with fast food product purchased. The study recommended that fast food operators should monitor the trends in the market to aid them in identifying and satisfy the needs and wants of consumers. They should monitor what influence their customers most in making critical decisions to attract more patronage. Also, because the findings indicated that quality factors are the key and major factors that influence consumers on the purchase of fast food products, fast food operators should consider giving particular attention to quality food and service provided to the consumers.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing dropout among rural Junior High School female students in the Effutu municipality

The study was designed to investigate the factors that cause dropouts among junior high school girls in rural schools in the Effutu Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. The study employed the qualitative research approach and adopted a phenomenological design. The purposive sampling technique was adopted to sample the participants for the study. The main instrument used for data collection is the interview guide. The data collected was analysed thematically in line with the research objectives. The study revealed that unconducive learning environment, poor school administration, poor academic achievement, and poor relationship between female learners and teachers were some of the factors that led to girls’ dropout of junior high schools in rural communities in the Municipality. The study also revealed that, parents preferred investing in male ward education because, cultural practices considered the education of a male as good investment and the education of a female child as a poor investment, leading to girls dropout from school. Based on the finding of the study, it was recommended among others that, all stakeholders, including the school, the community, and the government must collaborate efficiently in putting in place proactive interventions aimed at supporting female learners who exhibit the desire to drop-out of school. The public schools in the Municipality should be mandated to organize parents’ association meetings to deliberate on the problems affecting their girls’ education, and then take steps to address them.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing employees’ performance in the Ghanaian private sector, a study of Boakye Dankwah Memorial Hospital, Kumasi

The purpose of the study was to examine factors influencing employee performance in the Ghanaian private sector: A case of the Boakye Dankwah Memorial Hospital (BDMH). The study was guided by the following objectives; to assess the influence of recruitment and selection on employee performance; to establish the influence of training and development on employee performance and to establish the influence of reward management on employee performance. The population of the study was 60 employees from which a sample size of 30 employees was chosen. Stratified random sampling was used in the study with departments forming relevant strata. The study revealed that job description and specification, advertisement as well as selection and appointment exercises were fairly done by the organization. The study further found out that the respondents were of the general opinion that induction, on-job training, career progression and succession training programmes were being well implemented by the organization. The study shows that respondents were contented with the current recognition and appreciation rewards as offered by BDMH. The study recommends that the management team in charge of recruitment planning should set up measures that will fast track the recruitment process once a position is declared vacant. Also, it was recommended that, managers critically address and put more resources to those training and development factors which the employees believe highly influence their performance.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing female pupils‘ dropout from primary schools in the Builsa south district of the Upper East Region, Ghana.

The primary intent of the study was to investigate factors influencing female pupils‘ dropout from primary school in the Builsa South District. Examine the views of participants on female education, ascertain the school factors that influence dropout among females are some of the objectives of the study. The study was conducted using case study research design; hence, qualitative method was used to gain an insight into the perceptions and feelings of the participants. The population of the study comprised of 20 school dropout girls, 5 parents and 5 key informants (one headteacher, one teacher, one Gender Desk Officer in GES, one Circuit Supervisor and one Assembly Member). Semi-structured interview guide was used in collecting data from participants. The results of the study were subjected to thematic analysis as the data collected was mainly qualitative. It was found that participants view that access to education is built on gender lines where males are given extra considerations as compared to females. Moreover, others are also of the view that girls are only good for marriage. On how the school itself contributed to dropout among females, tension in the school such as the use of corporal punishments influenced females to be dropouts. It was concluded that there is still strong belief among persons that the education of girls does not have same importance as boys. Customs and traditions have played their part in influencing some members of the community on these lines. Based on the findings and conclusions, some recommendations included, information and awareness creation campaigns should target community members, school dropouts, parents and encourage them to attach equal importance and investment in girl-child education. Also, the government and non-governmental organizations can establish scholarship and other support schemes to promote girl-child education so as enable them stay and learn in school for a brighter future

Source: UEW
Factors influencing gender differences in mathematics performance in the senior high schools in the Sagnarigu Municipality of the Northern Region of Ghana.

The aim of this study was to assess the factors influencing gender differences in mathematics performance among students of senior high schools in the Sagnarigu Municipality. Descriptive survey design was employed for the study. Two hundred and fifty (250) students and fifty (50) mathematics teachers were purposively sampled from the five senior high schools in the municipality. Questionnaire, inventory and the mathematics achievement test were used as data collection instruments. The data collected were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics. From the data collected, the study observed that there was gender difference in mathematics performance among students in the municipality (p=0.010) with varying factors. The effect of the poor performance of female students in mathematics as indicated in the study could lead to the truncation of their academic career of the students since mathematics is admission requirement in all tertiary institutions in Ghana. The study recommends that mathematics teachers in the municipality need to give female students, the needed attention and special tuition they require to improve their performance.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing implementation of early childhood new curriculum in public schools at Bia-West District

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing the implementation of early childhood curriculum in public basic schools in the Bia-West District. The study adopted quantitative research approach and descriptive survey research design. The study used a sample of 270 early childhood teachers in the district. The population of the study consist of 800 early childhood teachers in Bia-West district. The study employed two-stage sampling techniques procedure. The study first employed cluster sampling where the district was clustered based on the area councils in the district. In the second stage, the study employed a simple random sampling technique to select 45 early childhood teachers from each of the 6 area councils. The study used questionnaire as the main instrument for data collection. Data gathered from the questionnaires were coded, scrutinized and analyzed with the help of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The study used descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, tables relative importance index and percentages to analyze the data collected. The study found that regular teacher training opportunities are perceived as highly effective and are ranked as the most crucial factor in successful curriculum implementation. This aligns with the notion that continuous teacher development is essential for improving curriculum delivery. It was also found that availability of adequate teaching resources and materials ranks second in importance. This highlights the importance of having the necessary materials to make the curriculum accessible and engaging. The study recommends that the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education through the districts should establish a comprehensive and sustainable professional development program for early childhood educators, focusing on continuous training, skill enhancement, and exposure to innovative teaching methods.

Source: UEW
The factors influencing indiscipline among basic school students in Bosomtwe District of Ashanti Region

The main purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing indiscipline among Junior High School students in Bosomtwe District of Ashanti Region. The research design that was adopted in the study was descriptive survey. The study used quantitative research approach. The population consisted of all JHS 2 students and teachers in the selected Junior High Schools in the Bosomtwe District of Ashanti Region. The population for the study was 140 participants. Questionnaires were the main instrument used for data collection. The data was computed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). The study results concluded that the factors that causes students disciplinary problems were poor parenting, irresponsible parents, frequent absence of head teachers, broken home, lack of commitment by teachers, teachers lateness and absenteeism, undesired head leadership style, school community, negative attitude of community leaders towards the teachers, lack of good role models in the school community, and community not sharing affectionate, warm relationship with students lead to students indiscipline. The study recommended that the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Education should conduct sensitization campaigns to educate all stakeholders on the need to participate in the discipline of children in and out of school as a measure to ease the increased cases of student indiscipline at the selected schools.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing job satisfaction of teachers in Adiembra circuit of Atwima Mponua district in Ashanti Region

The purpose of this study was to assess factors influencing job satisfaction of teachers in the Adiembra Circuit of the Atwima Mponua District in Ashanti Region of Ghana. A descriptive survey design was employed for the study. A questionnaire was also used to gather data. A total of 108 teachers in Adiembra Circuit in the in Atwima Mponua District were selected for the study by using the proportionate stratified sampling and simple random sampling techniques. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (tables, graphs, frequencies, percentages and charts) in relation to all the research questions. Findings from the study revealed that a teacher is said to be satisfied with his or her job if he or she has a pleasurable feeling about his or her job. Also, female teachers were more satisfied with the teaching profession than their male counterparts in the Adiembra Circuit. With regards to tenure, it was discovered that teachers who have taught for relatively long are more satisfied with the profession. The schools that are found in the urban areas have their teachers being more satisfied with teaching than teachers in rural communities. It emerged from the study that money/salary is an important factor for teacher satisfaction. Therefore, it is recommended that government, policy makers and other stakeholders in education should put in place measures such as increasing teachers‟ salary, giving teachers professional allowance and rent allowance to entice them.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing junior high school teachers’ work commitment at Ejisu in the Ashanti region

Thisstudy investigated factors that affect teachers work commitment in junior high schools at Ejisu. The study employed a mixed method research approach involving questionnaire and interviews. The sample size for the study was 89 teachers at Ejisu, out of which 84 were randomly selected to respond to questionnaire, while five of them were interviewed. Out of the 84 teachers, 75 of them, representing a response rate of 89.3%, completed and returned the questionnaire. The study employed descriptive statistics to analyze the data collected indicating frequencies, percentages and means. Findings indicated that head teachers fairness in the school administration highly influenced teachers work commitment. It was concluded that teachers experienced moderate level of work commitment, again head teachers practice of undesired leadership style as perceived by the teachers lead to the moderate level of work commitment. Based on these findings and conclusions, it was recommended that heads should be fair in their school administration to improve teachers work commitment. In addition, head teachers should always ensure the presence of organizational justice in the workplace so as to improve the average level of teachers work commitment

Source: UEW
Factors influencing learning style preferences of students in public colleges of education in the Central-Western Zone of Ghana

Studies into learning styles for the past three decades have brought about an increasing attention and awareness to the diverse ways through which students prefer to learn. Researchers in education indicate that individuals have different learning styles which are influenced by different factors. This study investigated the factors influencing learning style preferences of students in public Colleges of Education (CoEs) in the Central-Western Zone of Ghana. The study adopted quantitative approach of the cross-sectional survey design. Through random sampling, 1396 respondents were used for the study. The adapted instrument used for the study was pre-tested and its analysis yielded a Cronbach Alpha Co-efficient of 0.87 which was deemed appropriate. The students agreed that instructional factors influenced their learning style preferences but disagreed that their learning style preferences were influenced by personal factors, and environmental factors. There were statistically significant differences in the perception of students on factors that influence their learning style preferences based on sex (male or female), level (Level 100 or Level 200), and nature of College (single-sex or co educational).It was concluded that students’ learning style preferences are affected by different factors which in turn affect their study habits. As such, it was recommended among others that tutors of public CoEs in the Central-Western Zone of Ghana should regularly provide an enabling classroom environment and adopt appropriate and varied teaching methods, techniques and strategies to enhance students’ learning style preferences. Keywords: Learning style, preference, environmental, personal, instructional, factors

Source: UEW
Factors influencing low female students’ participation in science, technology and engineering courses in second cycle institutions in the Bawku municipality

This study explored students’ perceptions of the factors influencing low female students’ participation in science, technology and engineering courses in second cycle schools in the Bawku Municipality. The study also examined the kind and level of support, guidance and information students receive before making stream choices. Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches, data was gathered through questionnaires, document review, focus group discussions and semi – structured interviews from 110 students, 13 science teachers, three heads of schools and one Municipal Educational Officer in municipality. The literature review and research questions guided the analysis of data by organizing the analysis section into several themes. The findings of this study indicate that factors such as students’ examination scores, self-efficacy in science, knowledge of available careers, gender and school resource contexts affect students’ choice of science streams. The results also revealed that a majority of students had relatively little knowledge of available careers and how they are related to subject choices. This study recommends that efforts be made to improve secondary students’ performance in Science, Technology and Engineering since a majority of students perceive performance as a main factor influencing their choice of science subjects. This will help the girl-child to build up a strong ego and confidence to go through school. Finally, special attention should be paid to female performance and participation in Science, Technology and Engineering because findings from this study have indicated this to be a serious problem.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing male teacher trainees’ career choice for early childhood education at Colleges of Education in the Upper West Region

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing male teacher trainees’ career choice for ECE at Colleges of Education in the Upper West Region. The study employed descriptive survey design with quantitative approach. Using census technique, a sample size of 160 male teacher trainees was chosen for the study (with a return rate of 98.7%). A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect data. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages, means and standard deviations). The study’s findings indicated that family, personal, peers, and outcome expectation factors influence the career choice of male teacher trainees for ECE in the Upper West Region. The results also show that if governments and other relevant stakeholders implement strategies like giving young men the opportunity to work with children, giving men who enter the early childhood field a motivational allowance, media campaigns, giving men preference when employing teachers for ECE, teacher education programmes increasing the quota for male applicants for ECE programmes, subsidising the cost of ECE programmes, among others, more young men will enter the field. It was recommended that the government, through the Ministry of Education (MOE), reconsider teacher remuneration and other working conditions in order to recruit and retain more teachers in general, and specifically male ECE instructors.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing mentoring and socialization of girls in leadership in some senior high schools in Sekyere Kumawu District

This study sought to investigate the factors influencing mentorship and socialization of girls in leadership in some selected Senior High Schools in Sekyere Kumawu District of Ashanti Region. Girls were seen to be weak and under-represented in the current practice of leadership in schools and the researcher was interested in examining the influence of mentorship, socialization and socio-demographic characteristics on girls’ leadership qualities. The study employed quantitative study type and cross-sectional study design. The study used sample size of 338 out of 342 female students for the analysis. Structured questionnaire was the main data collection tool used in the study. Descriptive and inferential analyses were made in the data analysis. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0. The findings indicated mentorship supported girls’ leadership qualities. It was also revealed that lack of mentorship demotivate girls for leadership. It was also realized that mentorship led to girls’ empowerment in the schools. Again, majority of the respondent (52.4%) strongly agreed that cultural norms affected girls’ leadership. The following variables had association with girls’ leadership: age (p-value = 0.000), class (p-value = 0.001), parents’ income level (p-value = 0.000), and guidance occupation (p-value = 0.000). The study concluded that improving the leadership qualities of girls through the girls’ empowerment presents enormous potentials for wealth creation and reducing poverty. It is therefore an undeniable fact that local institutions serve as valuable actors for girl child education and promote leadership as a whole in the country. The study recommended that stakeholders like the Municipal Assemblies, Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection should collaborate to empower girls in schools to increase their leadership qualities in the various Senior High Schools and even after completion of Senior High Schools and beyond.

Source: UEW