ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Adult female learners’ perceptions of and experiences with distance education at University of Ghana

This paper highlights adult female learners’ perception and experiences with blended distance education (DE) program in the University of Ghana. It speci fically investigates female students’ experiences with male and female tutors’ tutoring styles, learner support services, the use of educational technology as well as the extent of the gender-inclusive environment created. It throws light on the positive stories regarding the DE program, potential barriers, and panacea from female lens. The study is guided by feminist theory and Larreamendy-Joerns and Leinhardt goals of DE. A qualitative case study and narrative designs were adopted. Data were conveniently collected from 15 female students enrolled on the DE program at the Accra Learning Center. In-depth face-to-face interviews were employed for data collection. Data were analyzed using interpretivist-evaluative narrative approaches. Findings show that gender gaps still exist in using educational technologies for learning; implying that additional technological and tutoring sup port need to be provided to female students. The paper recommends increasing integration of ICT teaching and learning tools into the curriculum of DE to help in building adult females’ digital skills and confidence to enhance their full participa tion in DE.

Source: UG
Adult learners’ use of social media at the university of Ghana

This study explores adult learners’ use of social media as a complement to the Sakai Learning Management System (E-learning) at the Accra Learning Center of the University of Ghana. E-learning thrives on the use of modern social networking applications, including smartphones, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google. This study ascertained the use of social media platforms by adult learners to acquire rich knowledge and skills. Exploratory and interpretive case study designs were used within the qualitative paradigm. Convenience sampling was employed to select the study area (Accra Learning Center), and a simple random sampling technique was used to select the interview participants for the study. Interviews were conducted to collect insightful experiences from 34 adult learners regarding the use of social media in their studies. The principles of research ethics and data credibility were followed throughout the study. Interpretivist philosophy that asserts idiographic explication was employed to interpret the interview data. It emerged that the application of social media encourages self-directed learning and research among adult learners. The study recommends that regular orientations be held for adult learners to explore the good side of social media more in their lifelong learning drive.

Source: UG
Adult Perceptions of Child Adjustment in Institutional versus Family Care in Ghana

Research on institutional child care consistently has documented detrimental developmental outcomes. However, recent work in Ghana revealed a range in patterns of adjustment among children living in institutional care. The developmental patterns of children living in institutional care often were not significantly different from patterns seen among children living in families. A grounded-theory approach was used to understand Ghanaian adults’ perceptions of adjustment of children living in both institutional care and with families, and their beliefs about contributions to positive functioning. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 caregivers, social workers, and teachers recruited from the Accra region in Ghana. Thematic analysis of responses was used to identify common themes described in the interviews. Interviews with participants revealed beliefs that children may struggle in one or more areas while still having strengths. Having basic needs met, a stable home, and a high level of adult support were the most common factors believed to contribute to positive functioning in both groups of children. Future studies or interventions targeting these areas will likely gain buy-in from stakeholders.

Source: UG
Adult student perspectives toward housing during COVID-19

Precarious housing conditions are on the rise in many developing economies, which has resulted in increasing segmentation between population groups with different socioeconomic backgrounds, and in differentiated access to life chances. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent lockdowns, the relationship between learning and housing conditions have become crucial for understanding an adult student’s learning experience and well-being. However, knowledge about this relationship is limited. This study employs the concept of dwelling to investigate how housing-related precarities may impact the experiences of students during COVID-19-induced stay-at-home orders. The study draws on fifteen in-depth interviews and a Zoom Video Conferencing (ZVC)-aided focus group in the Ashaiman Municipality in Ghana to explore students’ perspectives on precarious housing conditions, well-being and learning. Findings reveal that experiences of precarious housing conditions can be complicated and compromised in diverse ways related to quality learning environment, financial, and personal well-being. Through ZVC-aided focus groups, participants defined housing suitable for learning—not purely in academic terms, but in relation to housing characteristics, the neighbourhood environment, the built environment, and the social relations of learning. The study finds that students perceive an array of economic, social and geographic barriers to learning and that these perspectives deserve attention in adult student housing policy debate.

Source: UG
Adults Pursuing E-Learning in Ghana – Opportunities, Challenges and Expectations

It has been said that the debate over effectiveness of learning online has ended and that several large-scale studies are reporting better learning outcomes for online learning than for some face-to-face courses. In the Central Region of Ghana, a study was carried out to explore opportunities, challenges and expectations confronting adults who learn online. Adult learners‟ completed a survey modeled on a five-point Likert scale. One hundred and fifty respondents from two districts completed the survey. Respondents perceived their greatest opportunity to be earning a degree online while maintaining their job. Their greatest challenge was with interactivity. Respondents expected information in online courses to be communicated clearly and also be provided with feedback on their progress.

Source: UG
Adults who learn: Evaluating the social impact of an adult literacy project in rural South Africa

In this phenomenological study, 30 past learners of South Africa’s Kha Ri Gude (KRG) Literacy Project were selected from a rural community to share their experiences on the impact of the programme on their personal and communal lives. The participants had limited literacy skills prior to their participation in the programme which had to some extent adversely affected their livelihood. The study is premised on Mezirow’s transformative learning theory. By explicating the data generated from focus group discussions with the participants, it came to light that the programme had facilitated significant changes in their personal and communal lives as evidenced in an enhancement in their 1. literacy skills; 2. health awareness; 3. community involvement/decision making; and 4. contribution to community development. This study concludes with some recommendations for the design and implementation of future adult literacy programmes.

Source: UG
An advance ensemble classification for object recognition

The quest to improve performance accuracy and prediction speed in machine learning algorithms cannot be overemphasized, as the need for machines to outperform humans continue to grow. Accordingly, several studies have proposed methods to improve prediction performance and speed particularly for spatio-temporal analysis. This study proposes a novel classifier that leverages ensemble techniques to improve prediction performance and speed. The proposed classifier, Ada-AdaSVM uses an AdaBoost feature selection algorithm to select small features of input datasets for a joint support vector machine (SVM)–AdaBoost classifier. The proposition is evaluated against a selection of existing classifiers (SVM, AdaSVM and AdaBoost) using the Jaffe, Yale, Taiwanese facial expression database (TFEID) and CK + 48 datasets with Haar features as the preferred method for feature extraction. The findings indicated that Ada-AdaSVM outperforms SVM, AdaSVM and AdaBoost classifiers in terms of speed and accuracy.

Source: UG
An advance ensemble classification for object recognition

The quest to improve performance accuracy and prediction speed in machine learning algorithms cannot be overemphasized, as the need for machines to outperform humans continue to grow. Accordingly, several studies have proposed methods to improve prediction performance and speed particularly for spatio-temporal analysis. This study proposes a novel classifier that leverages ensemble techniques to improve prediction performance and speed. The proposed classifier, Ada-AdaSVM uses an AdaBoost feature selection algorithm to select small features of input datasets for a joint support vector machine (SVM)–AdaBoost classifier. The proposition is evaluated against a selection of existing classifiers (SVM, AdaSVM and AdaBoost) using the Jaffe, Yale, Taiwanese facial expression database (TFEID) and CK ? 48 datasets with Haar features as the preferred method for feature extraction. The findings indicated that Ada-AdaSVM outperforms SVM, AdaSVM and AdaBoost classifiers in terms of speed and accuracy.

Source: UG
Advanced Analysis Of Soil Pollution In Southwestern Ghana Using Variational Autoencoders (VAE) And Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF).

The study combined the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model with the Variational Autoencoders (VAE) Machine Learning technique and ecological risk indices to study the spatial distribution, sources and patterns of soil pollution in the study area. 719 soil samples were analysed for selected Potentially Toxic Ele ments (PTEs) concentrations. As (9.68 mg/L), and Pb (7.43 mg/L) reported elevated levels across the area linked to mining activities. The PTEs displayed a decreasing trend in the order Ba > Cr > V > Zn > Cu > Ni > As > Pb > Co. The Pearson correlation matrix outlines two main groups of PTEs: (1) moderate correlation (Ba, Cr, Cu, Ni and V) and (2) weak correlation (As, Pb and Zn). These relationships are corroborated by the VAE, which outlined a low contribution by As and a high contribution by V to all the latent dimensions. The PMF revealed three factors: Factor 1 (geogenic): Ba (77.5%), Cu (54.4%), Ni (66.4%), V (54.0) and Cr (46.8%). Factor 2 (mixed) Co (61.6%), Pb (64.8%) and Zn (71.0%). Factor 3 (anthropogenic) As (86.7%). The degree of contamination analysis depicts that 69.03% of the samples are moderately polluted, while 15.14% and 0.28% revealed considerable and very high pollution, respectively. The pollution load index shows that 20% of the samples depict the existence of pollution. The Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI) values showed that most samples (97.08%) suggest low pollution, while 2.92% depict moderate pollution. Integrating chemometric and machine learning techniques provides a dynamic system that can monitor pollution shifts early, to aid remediation efforts in highly affected areas.

Source: UG
Advanced pharmacy practice of a doctor of pharmacy student at an allied surgical ward in a hospital in Africa

Introduction: The pharmacy profession is undergoing transformational change in Ghana. The role of pharmacists has become more patient-focused with increased accountability and responsibility. Aim: This study is aimed at reporting the experiential learning on the clinical interventions made and documented at the Allied Surgical Wards of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). This involves a review of patient’s medical records during the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) learning. One case each from Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat, (ENT) and Dental units’ subspecialty were reviewed from October 7, 2019 to November 15, 2019 b y a Pharm D student. Conclusion: The student was able to make prompt clinical interventions that contributed to patient care in clinical wards assigned during her clinical clerkship.

Source: UG
Advanced pharmacy practice of a doctor of pharmacy student at an allied surgical ward in a hospital in Africa

A B S T R A C T Introduction: The pharmacy profession is undergoing transformational change in Ghana. The role of pharmacists has become more patient-focused with increased accountability and responsibility. Aim: This study is aimed at reporting the experiential learning on the clinical interventions made and documented at the Allied Surgical Wards of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). This involves a review of patient’s medical records during the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) learning. One case each from Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat, (ENT) and Dental units’ subspecialty were reviewed from October 7, 2019 to November 15, 2019 b y a Pharm D student. Conclusion: The student was able to make prompt clinical interventions that contributed to patient care in clinical wards assigned during her clinical clerkship.

Source: UG
Advanced treatment of food processing effluent by indigenous microalgae-bacteria consortia: Population dynamics and enhanced nitrogen uptake

The potential of indigenous microalgae-bacteria consortia (IMBC) to recover nutrients from food processing effluents (FPE) supports the basis for advanced effluent polishing and value-added biomass generation. In this study, the effluent polishing potential of an FPE-borne IMBC treating FPE and synthetic wastewater (SWW) was investigated regarding nutrient, coliform bacteria, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal as well as the IMBC species evolution, and pigment production. Species evolution and diversity of the IMBC in FPE and SWW were influenced by nitrogen levels (3.83 mg/L and 32.61 mg/L NH4 +, respectively). More blue-green microalgae were observed in SWW (0.96 mg/L phycocyanin) whilst diatoms dominated in FPE (0.05 mg/L phycocyanin). Total coliform bacteria removal influenced COD reduction and this had a significant effect on dissolved oxygen production. The study offers new insights into the feasibility of using IMBC biofilm for advanced FPE polishing and nutrient recovery (0.98 mg/L NH4 +, 0.85 mg/L PO4 3− , 0.84 mg/L COD, 3.2 g/L protein, and 2.8 g/L carbo hydrates), demonstrating that it is possible to use IMBC biofilm for post-treatment of FPE, removing the residual N and P to prevent eutrophication.

Source: UG
Advancement of neuroscience and the assessment of mental state at the time of offense

Neuroscience has the benefit of illuminating the neural correlates of behaviors that are of interest to the legal system. This raises the optimism that neuroscience will be able to considerably and appropriately address some perennial problems besetting the legal system. Notable among them are the determination of: (1) criminal responsibility; (2) mental states at the time of offense; (3) competence to stand trial (also known as fitness to plead or adjudicative competence); and (4) whether a defendant is telling the truth. Whereas previous discussions have focused mainly on criminal responsibility, the present review is limited to the assessment of mental states at the time of offense as a legal pre-requisite for determining criminal responsibility in trials involving defendants claiming mental incapacitation (insanity defense). This is one of the challenging forensic assessment endeavors, attracting public criticisms following acquittals based on the insanity defense. We canvas the relevant neuroscientific evidence to elucidate how neuroscientific advances can be applied to help improve upon the assessment of mental states at the time of offense examinations. We examine neuroscience assessments of intention, knowledge of the nature and quality of an act, knowledge of wrongness of an act, as well as decision-making. We conclude that neuroscience assessments would be useful as a complementary data source in insanity evaluations. Clinical opinion based on neuroscientific findings as well as psychosocial data (biopsychosocial assessment) would help to improve upon assessment results.

Source: UG
Advancements in Crude Oil Spill Remediation Research after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

An estimated 4.9 million barrels of crude oil and natural gases was released into the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill affected the aquatic species in the Gulf of Mexico, vegetation, and the human population along the coast. To reduce the effect of the spilled oil on the environment, different remediation strategies such as chemical dispersant, and mechanical booms and skimmers were utilized. Over 2.1 million gallons of dispersants was applied to minimize the impact of the spilled oil. However, environmental and human toxicity issues arose due to the perceived toxicity of the dispersant formulations applied. After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, various studies have been conducted to find alternative and environmentally benign oil spill response strategies. The focus of this manuscript is to demonstrate an objective and an overall picture of current research work on oil spill response methods with emphasis on dispersant and oil sorbent applications. Current trends in oil spill sorbent and dispersant formulation research are presented. Furthermore, strategies to formulate environmentally benign dispersants, as well as the possible use of photoremediation, are highlighted. © 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland.

Source: UG
Advances in Malaria Diagnostic Methods in Resource-Limited Settings: A Systematic Review.

Malaria continues to pose a health challenge globally, and its elimination has remained a major topic of public health discussions. A key factor in eliminating malaria is the early and accurate detection of the parasite, especially in asymptomatic individuals, and so the importance of enhanced diagnostic methods cannot be overemphasized. This paper reviewed the advances in malaria diagnostic tools and detection methods over recent years. The use of these advanced diagnostics in lower and lower-middle-income countries as compared to advanced economies has been highlighted. Scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PUBMED, and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), among others, were reviewed. The findings suggest important advancements in malaria detection, ranging from the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and molecular-based technologies to advanced non-invasive detection methods and computerized technologies. Molecular tests, RDTs, and computerized tests were also seen to be in use in resource-limited settings. In all, only twenty-one out of a total of eighty (26%) low and lower-middle-income countries showed evidence of the use of modern malaria diagnostic methods. It is imperative for governments and other agencies to direct efforts toward malaria research to upscale progress towards malaria elimination globally, especially in endemic regions, which usually happen to be resource-limited regions.

Source: UG
Advancing E-commerce Beyond Readiness in a Developing Country: Experiences of Ghanaian Firms

This paper identifies factors affecting the assimilation of electronic commerce in Ghana and the solutions that Ghanaian firms have developed. Drawing from the elements of two electronic commerce readiness frameworks, the study analyzes the readiness of Ghana to support the conduct of electronic commerce at the firm-level. The study covers the government, technology, market and culture readiness factors. Findings suggest that social networks, managerial capabilities and government commitment have an attendant effect on adoption and use of tangible resources like electronic commerce applications. The findings imply that future research and practitioner efforts should focus on developing a broader perspective to address electronic commerce challenges encompassing issues like how firms can advance to more complex forms of e-commerce after initial e-commerce adoption.

Source: UG
Advancing environmental sustainability concepts in medical radiation science education: A document analysis

Introduction: Medical radiation science (MRS) practices contribute significantly to the carbon footprint of healthcare. As the need for environmental sustainability (ES) increases, it is crucial to integrate ES concepts into MRS education curricula to prepare students for environmentally sustainable professional practice. Consequently, this document analysis examined current ES practices in MRS education and identified barriers and improvement strategies. Methods: A qualitative document analysis was conducted following the ‘READ’ (Readying, Extracting, Analysing, Distilling) approach. Data were retrieved from two databases (Scopus and PubMed) and MRS- specific journals and professional websites. Studies and documents published between 2015 to February 2025 that addressed ES practices, barriers, and improvement strategies in MRS education were included. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: A total of 2330 articles and documents were identified, 11 of which met the selection criteria. Three themes emerged: (i) current ES practices in MRS education, (ii) barriers to improving ES practices in MRS education, and (iii) strategies for enhancing ES training. ES practices in MRS education include patient safety education through risk-benefit analysis and fostering research and collaboration, while insufficient knowledge and awareness and limited capacity (funding, resources, and time) were barriers identified. Strategies for improvement included raising ES awareness and adopting environmentally sustainable teaching practices. Conclusion: MRS education and training incorporate ES practices in line with the global call for sus tainable health professions education. Nonetheless, awareness creation and adoption of ES-oriented pedagogies could enhance MRS students’ confidence and attitudes towards planetary health. Implication for practice: To advance ES practices in MRS curricula, educators should practically incor porate them into teaching, learning, and assessment activities. This could be achieved through problem- based learning, case studies, interdisciplinary learning, and including ES concepts in rubrics. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The College of Radiographers. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Source: UG
Advancing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy management: insights from the 5th preeclampsia scientifc symposium in Ghana

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG