ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Influence of Social Media Usage on the Academic Performance of Students within the Colleges of Education in the Central Region of Ghana

The study examined the influence of social media usage on the academic performance of students within the Colleges of Education in the Central Region of Ghana. The study employed the descriptive survey design (cross-sectional) with a quantitative approach. The study targeted Colleges of Education students within the Central Region of Ghana who were in levels 200 and 300. A questionnaire on students’ usage of social media was used in the conduct of the study. Through a multi-stage sampling technique, the questionnaire was administered to 331 students. Out of the 331 questionnaires, 267 were completely responded to and returned. This led to a response rate of 81%. Hence all the analysis were based on the 267 respondents. Means and standard deviations, Pearson correlation coefficient as well as one samples t-test were used to analyse the data to answer the research questions. The findings of the study revealed that Colleges of Education students use social media sites for a number of purposes. Among some of these purposes include academic usage of social media, using social media sites for the purpose of socialisation, entertainment usage of social media as well as using social media for the purpose of reading headline news. The study further found a negatively weak correlation between extent of social media usage and students’ academic performance. The study also found a significant difference in the extent of social media usage among male and female students. Based on the findings, it was recommended that counsellors and tutors in the Colleges of Education should guide and educate students on the dangers of being addicted to social media usage, since too much time spent on social media sites could affect students’ academic performance.

Source: UCC
Influence of Social Studies Teachers Exposure to Postqualification Professional Development on the Performance of Senior High School Students in Social Studies: A Case Study of Central Region of Ghana

The performance of Senior High School students in social studies in West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has become a source of worry to stakeholders particularly parents in recent years. Social studies is a core subject that a candidate need to pass by (obtaining grades between A1-C6) before gaining admission into most postsecondary schools in Ghana. The study therefore concerned itself with the influence of Social Studies teachers’ exposure to post-qualification professional development on the performance of Senior High School students in social studies in the Central region of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to find out if social studies teachers’ exposure and nonexposure to post-qualification professional development had any influence on the performance of Senior High School students in social studies. A descriptive survey design was used which involved 75 social studies teachers and 2,253 Senior High School 2 students in 25 schools across the Central region of Ghana as the population for the study. Two researcher designed instruments (Teacher Demographic Data and Variables Questionnaire (TDDVQ) and Performance Test in Social Studies (PTISS)) were used in data collection. Data was analysed with the aid of frequency counts and percentages and t-test statistical techniques. The results showed that students who were taught by teachers exposed to post-qualification professional development performed significantly better than students whose teachers were not exposed to any post-qualification professional development. Based on the finding and conclusion, it is therefore suggested that regular and relevant post-qualification professional development programmes should be organised for social studies teachers.

Source: UCC
Influence of social support and self-esteem on the quality of life of prostate cancer patients.

The study sought to investigate the influence of social support and self-esteem on the quality of life of prostate cancer patients at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in the Central Region of Ghana. The descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. Through the use of simple random sampling procedure, 100 respondents were selected to participate in the study. The questionnaire was used to gather the requisite data for the study. The data were analysed through the computation of frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, multivariate simple linear regression as well as moderation analyses with Hayes PROCESS. The study among other things found that, there was a statistically significant relationship between social support and self-esteem on the quality of life of prostate cancer patients. Again, social support significantly moderated the relationship between self-esteem and the quality of life of prostate cancer patients. The study recommended that, screening for social support and selfesteem at the time of diagnosis should be considered and that health professionals should inculcate interventions designed to enhance social support and self-esteem of prostate cancer patients in their field of practice

Source: UCC
Influence of Socio-cultural and Physical Factors on Use of Skilled Birth Attendants by Pregnant Women at Central Region

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of socio-cultural and physical factors on the use of SBAs in the Central Region of Ghana. Among socio-cultural and physical factors which may influence use of SBAs with current pregnancy were money for transport and health care (65%), distance (58%), knowledge about signs of labor (51%), and need for closer attention from relatives (51%). The differences from the two logistic regression model analysis that were done were statistically significant (𝜒2=7.06, p=0.0079). The odds of SBA utilization for mothers who needed closer attention from relatives were 1.6 times higher (OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.05-2.34, p-value=0.027) than mothers who did not need closer attention. It was recommended that health service providers should ensure client and family-centered care is provided to make the health facilities user-friendly.

Source: UCC
The Influence Of Socio-Economic And Nutritional Characteristics On Child Growth In Kwale District Of Kenya

Child malnutrition remains a serious public health problem in Kwale District of Kenya. Data on the levels and patterns of malnutrition and on the factors perpetuating poor nutritional status in the District is lacking, making it extremely difficult to plan appropriate interventions to help reduce the levels of child malnutrition in Kwale District. A total of 300 households and 300 children aged 12-23 months were surveyed in four locations in the Samburu and Kinango Divisions of Kwale District. Anthropometric methods and structured questionnaires were used to determine the nutritional status of the children. The relative importance of demographic and socio- economic factors, as well as prevailing child health and nutrition practices on the growth and survival of children in the District were also determined. Measuring nutritional status by height-for-age and weight-for-age demonstrated a very high percentage of malnourished children. About 34% of children in the study area were underweight, and 51% stunted. Of the demographic variables studied, child’s age and sex were significant predictors of nutritional status. Boys had worse nutritional status than girls. Age group 20-23 months was found to be the most vulnerable. The household and socio-economic variables strongly associated (p<0.05) with one or more anthropometric deficits were: geographic location; household size; occupation and education level of mothers; and sex, religion and occupation of household heads. Nutritional status of children was also found to be significantly associated with immunization and breastfeeding status. The links with breastfeeding practice was however confounded by age of child. Breast-feeding rate was very high in the area, but the introduction of complementary foods starts much too early. Only 5% of the study children were exclusively breastfed up to the age of 6 months. Demographic and socio-economic factors and improper feeding practices were some of the underlying causes of the poor nutritional status of Kwale children. A range of specific interventions are thus necessary for improving the nutrition and health of children in the area.

Source: UCC
The Influence of Socio-Economic and Nutritional Characteristics on Child Growth in Kwale District of Kenya

Child malnutrition remains a serious public health problem in Kwale District of Kenya. Data on the levels and patterns of malnutrition and on the factors perpetuating poor nutritional status in the District is lacking, making it extremely difficult to plan appropriate interventions to help reduce the levels of child malnutrition in Kwale District. A total of 300 households and 300 children aged 12-23 months were surveyed in four locations in the Samburu and Kinango Divisions of Kwale District. Anthropometric methods and structured questionnaires were used to determine the nutritional status of the children. The relative importance of demographic and socioeconomic factors, as well as prevailing child health and nutrition practices on the growth and survival of children in the District were also determined. Measuring nutritional status by height-for-age and weight-for-age demonstrated a very high percentage of malnourished children. About 34% of children in the study area were underweight, and 51% stunted. Of the demographic variables studied, child’s age and sex were significant predictors of nutritional status. Boys had worse nutritional status than girls. Age group 20-23 months was found to be the most vulnerable. The household and socio-economic variables strongly associated (p<0.05) with one or more anthropometric deficits were: geographic location; household size; occupation and education level of mothers; and sex, religion and occupation of household heads. Nutritional status of children was also found to be significantly associated with immunization and breastfeeding status. The links with breastfeeding practice was however confounded by age of child. Breast-feeding rate was very high in the area, but the introduction of complementary foods starts much too early. Only 5% of the study children were exclusively breastfed up to the age of 6 months. Demographic and socio-economic factors and improper feeding practices were some of the underlying causes of the poor nutritional status of Kwale children. A range of specific interventions are thus necessary for improving the nutrition and health of children in the area.

Source: UCC
Influence of Socio-economic Background on the Self – Esteem of Adolescent Girls in Senior High School in the Ho Municipality

The study sought to investigate the influence of socio-economic background on self-esteem of female adolescent students in the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana. The study employed a descriptive survey design with the quantitative approach. A sample of 400 female adolescent Senior High School students were used for the study. The participants were selected using the simple random and purposive sampling procedures. A close-ended type questionnaire developed by the researcher was used and it comprised three (3) sections (A-C) containing 30 items. Data were analysed using inferential statistics (ANOVA, Chi-square (χ2 ), independent samples t-test) and descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages). The study revealed that female adolescent students in the Ho Municipality had high self-esteem. Furthermore, it was revealed that their self esteem was not different based on their age category. The findings of the study indicated that adolescent girls understood who they were through counselling and parental advice and related positively with their peers which improved their self-esteem. It was therefore recommended that female adolescent students be guided through life irrespective of their background. Again, the adolescents should be helped to build their self-esteem and this may be included in their social studies curriculum

Source: UCC
Influence of socio-economic background on the self – Esteem of adolescent girls in senior high school in the Ho municipality

The study sought to investigate the influence of socio-economic background on self-esteem of female adolescent students in the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana. The study employed a descriptive survey design with the quantitative approach. A sample of 400 female adolescent Senior High School students were used for the study. The participants were selected using the simple random and purposive sampling procedures. A close-ended type questionnaire developed by the researcher was used and it comprised three (3) sections (A-C) containing 30 items. Data were analysed using inferential statistics (ANOVA, Chi-square (χ2), independent samples t-test) and descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages). The study revealed that female adolescent students in the Ho Municipality had high self-esteem. Furthermore, it was revealed that their selfesteem was not different based on their age category. The findings of the study indicated that adolescent girls understood who they were through counselling and parental advice and related positively with their peers which improved their self-esteem. It was therefore recommended that female adolescent students be guided through life irrespective of their background. Again, the adolescents should be helped to build their self-esteem and this may be included in their social studies curriculum.

Source: UCC
Influence of Spousal Communication on Marital Stability: Implication for Conducive Home Environment

It is often said that the home is the basic unit of the larger society. Thus when the home is settled, the society is at peace. The main focus of this study was to find out the influence of spousal communication on marital stability: Implications for Conducive Home Environment. A researcher-designed questionnaire titled “Influence of Spousal Communication on Marital Stability Questionnaire” was used to collect necessary data for the study. The questionnaire was administered on 600 stratified randomly selected married adults in Ilorin metropolis. The t-test and ANOVA statistics were used to compare the perception of married adults on the basis of gender and length of marriage. The findings show that most of the respondents agree to the statement that lack of effective communication is the bane to marital stability. It was also found that there was significant difference in the perception of married adults on the influence of spousal communication on marital stability on the basis of gender and length of years in marriage. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended, amongst others, that marriage counselling clinics should be set up in all major establishments in Nigeria so as to educate married men and women of the need for effective communication in marriage for a peaceful and conducive home environment.

Source: UCC
The Influence of Stitch Density on the Strength, Elongation and Efficiency of Plain Seam in a Real Wax Printed Fabric

This paper studied the performance of seams in a real wax printed fabric. The purpose of this research was to find out the impact of three stitch densities on the strength, elongation and efficiency of plain seam in a Real Wax cotton print. Warp seams were used in the investigations. The stitch densities used ranged from 8-12 stitches per inch (SPI). A tensile testing machine (Hounsfield H5K-S) was used in the determination of the strength and elongation of fabric and seams. The thread used for the stitching was a Sunflag brand polyester thread, which is commonly used by Ghanaian seamstresses and tailors. Means, standard deviations and One- Way Analysis of Variance (at 0.05 alpha levels) were used in the analysis of the data. The outcome of the investigations indicated that differences existed between stitch densities used in the making of the plain seams on the Real Wax print chosen with regard to seam efficiency, strength and elongation. In all the parameters investigated, 12 stitches per inch had the highest values with 8 stitches per inch having the least values. It was also noted in the study that the fabric had higher strength than that of the seam stitched in 8 SPI, but for 10 and 12 SPIs the seams were stronger than the fabric. It is recommended that further research be conducted into the performance of threads on the Ghanaian market in seams and also the performance of seams in real wax prints after washing to determine how seams behave in wax prints during use.

Source: UCC
Influence of Strike Action on Employees‟ Performance in Selected Public University in Ghana

The research studied on the effect of strike on employee performance of employees of public universities. The three objectives were established in order to achieve the purpose of the study. The study was centered on social conflict theory and collective bargaining theory. The study employed the quantitative research approach. The study had a population of 22,861 individuals. The simple random sampling technique was used in selecting 365 respondents. Descriptive and Multiple Regression were also used to analyse the data. The results showed that, demand for wage increment, poor handling of employee grievances, unnecessary inferences in the affairs of the public university, poor implementation of the new pay policy and lack of negotiation skills were the main factors that cause employees to embark on strike. The study also found out that, there was a negative relationship between strike and employee performance among employees of selected public universities in Ghana. Also, the study found that, good negotiation skills of all the stakeholders, proper handling of the Ghanaian economy by the government, fulfilment of promises, proper handling of employee grievances in public universities, and proper implementation of new pay policy were the main remedies to reduce the rate at which employees embark on strike. The study recommends that workers should be well paid so that they can meet up with their daily needs and it should not be delayed for any reason at all.

Source: UCC
Influence of Student-Supervisor Relationship on Thesis Completion In Institute for Educational Planning And Administration, Ucc (Iepa)

This study adopted a concurrent mixed method approach to examine the influence of student-supervisor relationship on thesis completion. The study population, totaling 123, consisted of MPhil cohorts within a 5year period and supervisors of the Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA), UCC. A census of all the student’s population totaling 107 was used whilst 9 MPhil thesis supervisors were purposively sampled. The data from the questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviations), inferential statistics (binary logistic regression and Pearson product-moment correlation) whilst interview responses were transcribed and analysed thematically. The findings indicated that student-supervisor relationship particularly a supportive supervisory relationship was more likely to influence thesis completion on time. The study also revealed that both students and supervisors had some expectations from each other which determined the nature of the supervisory relationship they had. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that a supportive supervisory, clear statement of expectations at the initial stage of the thesis process could enhance thesis completion in IEPA.

Source: UCC
Influence of students’ learning experiences on involvement in alma mater in selected Ghanaian, Kenyan and Rwandan Universities

The study sought to establish the influence of students’ learning experiences on involvement inalma mater. The cross-sectional survey design was employed for the study. The sample size was 1011 respondents comprising 382 from Kenyatta University, 277 from University of Rwanda-College of Education and 352 from University of Cape Coast. Data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using Logistic Regression. The study found that academic services and non-academic learning experiences positively affect students’ willingness to further education in attended institution or participate in further university activities after graduation (p < .05). The study recommends that universities pay attention to students’ learning experiences because these affect the willingness to continuously associate with institutions after graduation.

Source: UCC
Influence of Students’ Perception of Classroom Assessment Practices on Their Learning Approaches at Senior High Schools in Sefwi Wiawso Municipality

The study examined the influence of students’ perception of classroom assessment practices on their learning approaches at senior high schools in Sefwi Wiawso Municipality. Five research questions were explored with two hypotheses. The descriptive survey research design was employed. A total population of 4514 students were identified for the study. The study included a sample size of 357 participants, however only 260 completed replies were used to analyse the data. Questionnaires (i.e., SPAQ and Revised Approaches to Studying Inventory) were adapted for the study. Permissions were sought from the appropriate quarters at every stage of the data collection and all data collected from responses were kept confidential. The data collected were analysed with descriptive statistics (i.e., means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (i.e., MANOVA and multivariate multiple linear regression). It was found that, with the exception of student involvement which was a positive significant predictor of students’ use of surface learning approach, none of students’ perception of assessment practices substantially predicted their use of a learning approach. It was concluded that the students were consulted or involved in assessment task decisions, the more likely they were to employ the surface learning approach. Teachers in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality are encouraged to desist from involving students in assessment task decisions since it leads to the employment of the surface leaning approach or rote learning

Source: UCC
Influence of Students’ Perception of Classroom Social Environment on Academic Performance of Junior High School Students in Berekum Municipality

The study investigated students’ perception of the influence of classroom social environment on academic performance. The descriptive survey design was the used research design for the study. A sample of 341 respondents, consisting 162 males and 179 females was selected using a multistage sampling procedure. An adopted classroom social environment scale with a reliability coefficient of .81 was used for the data collection. The data was analysed using descriptive (means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (independent samples t-test and regression). The study revealed that students held positive perceptions about their classroom social environment (M=2.93>2.50) as it influenced their academic performance. Again, the study revealed that statistically significant differences existed in the performance of students based on gender and school type but no statistically significant difference was identified in perceptions about classroom social environment. It was recommended that public school head teachers should frequently visit classrooms to assess participation and involvement between teachers and students so that those low public-school students could be identified and helped. Again, concerned public school teachers should give special attention to their students in order to bring them closer to their counterparts in the private schools. © University of Cape Coast https://ir.ucc.edu.gh/xmlui Digitized

Source: UCC