ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploring the factors that contribute to truancy among junior high school students in the Bantama Circuit

Truancy has become a burden in schools plaguing the lives and education of students who fall victim. It is indeed a syndrome that has become deep seated and perpetuating. Various factors contribute to its occurrence. This study therefore was undertaken to investigate the causes of student’s truancy in junior high schools, ascertain its effect on their lives and to determine the measures needed to control it. The study used quantitative research methods. The target population of the study comprised the teachers and students from junior high schools in the Bantama Circuit of the Kumasi Metropolis. Samples of 50 teachers were selected using the purposive sampling technique. This study used questionnaires as instrument for data collection. The study revealed that primarily, single parenthood arising from broken homes was the likely cause of students’ truancy. It was clear however that, the failure of students to perform respectably in school was mostly attributable to truancy. In the light of this, it was beyond question that truancy has the potential to lead into crook ways of life, social deviants or educational failure. Appropriate measures like good relationships between the school, parents and community therefore are needed to control this educational and social challenge. The study recommended that, effective monitoring and control team must be constituted on campus by the school authorities to check truancy. This will put some fear in students who intend to misbehave. Again, good relationships must be established between the school, parents and community such that collaborative efforts can be garnered to fight truancy, both in the school and at home.

Source: UEW
Exploring the factors that influence junior high school students decision to dropout and return to school, a study in Jirapa Municipality in the North west of Ghana

This present study investigates the factors that influence high school students’ decision to drop out of school, and why they return to school in the Jirapa Municipal in the Upper West Region. The study employed mixed methods approach comprising both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Within the study sample, the researcher sought to explore how different social groups (i.e. sex) were affected by the menace of school dropout. The semi-structured questionnaire was used, where the researcher used the snowball sampling technique to reach 50 participants to respond to the questionnaire. Based on the responses to the questionnaire, a focus group discussion was organized. Two groups of six students and five teachers were recorded during the focus group discussion, transcribed and used for the study. The results findings revealed that high school students’ drop out of school is still rampant in the Jirapa Municipality, with the female high school students being at more risk of dropping out of school than their male counterparts. Also, results revealed that drop out as a result of family issues is more in the district followed by dropout as a result of school issues and finally, issues of the society had fewer occurrences. Based on the research findings, it is clear that high school dropout is still a canker in Ghana hence there is the need for more pragmatic governmental and non-governmental policies like provision of school uniform and books for high school students and establishing needy students’ fund for high school students who are really very needy and that will enhance the retention of students in school. On the aspect of school dropouts returning to school, the NGOs can use the snowball technique to identify these dropouts, help them solve their problems and encourage them to return to school.

Source: UEW
Exploring the impact of job satisfaction on service delivery among workers in the hospitality industries in the Wa Municipality, Ghana

The study was carried out to assess the impact of job satisfaction on service delivery among workers in the hospitality industry in the Wa Municipality as no known study had been undertaken on relationship between employee satisfaction and service quality in hospitality industries in Wa. The study sought to fill this gap by answering the question of the relationship between worker satisfaction and quality of service delivery in hospitality industries in Wa. The study adopted a case study design in which 15 respondents were purposively sampled. A self-developed structured interview guide was used to collect data which was analyzed thematically. The outcome of the study were that, the strategy managers in the hospitality industry develop and implement to increase employees’ job satisfaction in the hospitality industry is award scheme for their employees and through this employees develop positive attitude to work, the strategies managers in the hospitality industry develop and implement help employees to develop themselves, thereby deriving satisfaction from it, and employees’ job satisfaction ensures provision of quality service. Following the outcome of the study, it was recommended that managers in the hospitality industry should institute award scheme like “star of the month”, health insurance, certificate of honour among others for their employees so that they develop positive attitude towards work, managers in the hospitality industry should develop fair but firm policies to create opportunities for employees develop themselves to improve on their service delivery, and since the provision of quality service mainly depends on employee’s job satisfaction, managers should routinely engage their employees to resolve any grievances they may harbour.

Source: UEW
Exploring the influence of head teachers leadership styles and teacher performance the case of Dunkwa senior technical school

The study focused on teachers in the Dunkwa Senior High Technical School in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality. The main study was to identify the leadership styles and the relationships with teacher performance. The specific objectives were to explore the factors that influence leadership styles, the effects on teacher motivations, to examine the performance of teachers. The mixed methods of research were used as the research design where the data was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 70 teachers in the school. Interview guide was also used collect data from the head master on leadership style and the relationships with teacher performance. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis was used to analyse the data. The analysis of the data indicated that the head master of the school mostly adopt the democratic leadership in his administration. In some instances, the head master adopts autocratic leadership. It was also found that the performance of teachers from the perspective of teachers and the head master is satisfactory. Again, democratic and autocratic leaderships have relationships with teacher motivation. The correlation results showed that democratic leadership has moderate relationship with teacher motivations. Moreover, it was found that age, educational attainment and experience influence leadership styles. The conclusion was that leadership styles of head teacher in Dunkwa Senior Technical School affect the performance of teachers. It was recommended that other factors such as in-service training, incentives, and bonuses should be the focus of head masters in an attempt to enhance teacher performance.

Source: UEW
Exploring the influence of perception and interest in Mathematics on students mathematics achievement in Bole Senior High School

The main purpose of this study was to explore by means of quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and inferential methods of statistical analysis to investigate how students’ achievement in mathematics is affected by students’ perception and students’ interest to learn mathematics. The study further investigated the effect of students’ perception on students’ interest to learn mathematics. The study adopted purposive sampling method in selecting the school and a simple random sampling technique to administer 270 questionnaires to Bole Senior High School students in the Savanna Region of Ghana. A total number of 270 Students were given questionnaires on students’ interest in mathematics, students’ perception of mathematics and students’ achievement test to indicate their responses for the study. However, 232 questionnaires were properly responded, representing 85.9% response rate. The Results from 232 students who responded to the various questionnaire items revealed that students’ interest in mathematics is dependent on the perception and the misconception held by students about mathematics as a subject. Students’ achievement in mathematics was also found to be statistically significant on students’ interest to learn mathematics and perception held by students about mathematics. The findings indicated that when Bole Senior High School students have good perception about mathematics as well as interest to learn mathematics, their achievement in mathematics would improve significantly. Nonetheless, the analysis also revealed that variables such as age, the type of school attended, students’ access to textbooks was found to be independent on the student’s achievement in mathematics. The researcher suggest that further work on the factors and their level of effect on the students’ achievement in mathematics should be undertaken in other parts of the country

Source: UEW
Exploring the influence of personality traits and tax morale on tax evasion intentions

Tax compliance is a critical aspect of revenue generation for governments worldwide, yet achieving high levels of compliance remains a challenge. This study investigates the influence of personality traits on tax morale and its subsequent impact on tax evasion intention. Analyzing data from 407 students using SPSS and SmartPLS 3, the study explores specific personality traits' relationships with tax morale and tax evasion intention. Results indicate that agreeableness and conscientiousness positively correlate with tax morale, suggesting that individuals high in these traits are more likely to fulfill their tax obligations. Furthermore, a negative relationship between tax morale and tax evasion intention is observed, implying that individuals with stronger tax morale exhibit lower intentions to engage in tax evasion. These findings contribute valuable insights to understanding tax compliance behavior and offer practical implications for policymakers aiming to enhance tax morale and mitigate tax evasion. By addressing the psychological factors underlying tax compliance, policymakers can develop targeted strategies to foster sustainable revenue mobilization and economic growth.

Source: UEW
Exploring the influence of work place communication on role clarity among administrative staff in selected Ghanaian public universities. A case study of the University of Education, Winneba

This study sought to assess the impact of workplace communication on role clarity among administrative staff of the University of Education, Winneba. The study examined the effect of downward communication, horizontal communication, formal communication and informal communication on the role clarity. The study employed a descriptive research design. A simple random technique was adopted. A total sample of forty (40) respondents were analysed using statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study revealed that there exists a significant positive relationship between downward, horizontal, formal and informal communication and role clarity. It is recommended that top administrative staff such as the Vice Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Librarian and the likes in UEW should make other administrators aware of whatever is going on within the organization to enable them to appreciate and/or to recognize his/her duty(ies). It further recommends that administrators within UEW who do not work in close range should employ means such as telephone calls, compliant and suggestion boxes to effectively communicate for everyone to benefit.

Source: UEW
Exploring the instructional leadership roles of heads of department of public senior high schools in the Kintampo North District

The purpose of this study was to explore the instructional leadership roles of heads of department in public Senior high schools in the Kintampo North District of the Bono East Region of Ghana. Qualitative approach with case study design were adopted in carrying out the study. The study sought to explore ways by which HODs of public SHSs organize activities at the department level to enable the school achieve their set objective, examine the roles of HODs in training their staff for the development of their schools, find out the curriculum development roles of HODs in the Kintampo North District. Examine the challenges HODs in public schools face in carrying out their instructional leadership roles. A sample of 16 participants were purposively selected for the study out of which a total of 12 HODs views were sampled using One self-designed instrument (semi structured interview guide) to collect primary data. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The major findings indicated that HODs are more competent in vetting of lesson notes than in setting up academic activities within their departments, also it came out that HODs in public SHS are not involved in recommending areas teachers are lacking behind in terms of lesson delivery for training to be organized. Furthermore findings revealed that the curriculum development roles of HODs in public SHS in the Kintampo District are not clearly outlined because most head masters do not delegate instructional roles to HODs. The conclusions drawn were that, if the school would obtain its goals, then there is the need to apply the human relations theory of supervision within which workers are viewed as individuals who can contribute to the development of the school hence the need to apply consultative or collaborated style of supervision. Again, the position of the HOD should be competed for by selective means rather than appointment by management and that, the managerial competence of the prospective HODs should be redesigned to achieve better results, lastly the HODs roles should be properly defined for effective work to be done.

Source: UEW
Exploring the linkage between breakfast intake and students academic performance, evidence from some second cycle schools within the Ashanti region

Although, healthy dietary practices have been identified as very important predictor of children and adolescent’s development however, what continues to remain a puzzle in this discussion is how the continuous consumption of healthy breakfast contributes to student academic performance. This study investigated how breakfast intake influence student’s academic performance at the secondary school level. Specifically, the main objectives of the study were; to examine breakfast consumption habits of Ghanaian second cycle school students, to investigate the specific factors that lead to student’s breakfast skipping behaviours, to explore how the consumption of breakfast affect students’ academic performance and lastly to compare student’s academic achievement between breakfast skippers and breakfast takers. The study population came from all the second cycle schools within the Ashanti Region hence, 50 of these schools within the region were targeted. The study employed a cross-sectional design hence, distributed questionnaire to collect specific information on the students’ breakfast consumption patterns. Again, the academic scores of the respondents on all the core subjects; core mathematics, English language, social studies and integrated science were used as the proxy to assess the sample academic performance. The study employed SPSS tool to analyse the study data on the basis of descriptive (i.e. frequency and percentages) and inferential analysis (probit regression analysis). Results from the study revealed that taking breakfast did not only improve the participants exams score in all the core subjects; core mathematics, English language, social studies and integrated science but it equally reduce the failing rate of breakfast takers. Again, it was established that most of the respondents skipped their breakfast mainly because they dislike most of the meals served to them as breakfast. Since, taking breakfast on a regular basis has been found to have a positive influence on University of Education, Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh xiii students’ academic performance, it equally becomes prudent to have a variety in the meals served to the students or if possible take feedback from the students with regards to the meals they will prefer to be served to them as their breakfast since this approach can in any way increase the students intake of breakfast.

Source: UEW
Exploring the livelihood changes of land dispossessed in Peri urban areas. The case of ‘Jirapa-Dubai’ in Jirapa Municipality of the Upper West Region.

Peri-urban areas are characterised by their prime locations and proximity to urban centres. Due to scarcity of prime locations in urban areas; private investors have immense interest in lands in communities that are closer to urban centres and such investors are rapidly acquiring large-scale lands. This often creates distinctive challenges related to land ownership, land use changes and dispossession leading to peri-urban livelihood alterations and its consequences of loss of lands and farm exit. This study explored the factors and the nuanced complexities surrounding the impacts of livelihood changes and its upshot faced by peri-urban Jirapa dwellers of land dispossessed, as there is a persistent denial and indifference of state institutions and investors to the negative impacts of land grabbing. The study used theory of accumulation by dispossession and sustainable livelihood approach. This study employed a qualitative constructivist paradigm design to explore the livelihood changes of land dispossessed residents at peri-urban Jirapa Municipality. Purposive and snowballing techniques were used to select 49 participants at the household levels. They were 33 land dispossessed (men and women), 2 chiefs, 7 opinion leaders, 2 members of Royal Cozy Hill and 5 relevant stakeholders. Data was analysed using thematic analysis with the help of Nnvivo 12 software. Transcribed scripts were uploaded into Nvivo 12 for thematic analysis. All codes and themes were developed in the Nvivo software for analysis. The study's findings revealed that farm exit and farmland sizes reduction, led to low farm production and increased poverty translated into livelihood alterations. It also revealed that, land dispossession happens as a result of land ownership systems, perceived community development, philanthropic support, social and economic pressures. The socio-cultural changes observed in the study areas were due to a development project leading to the transformations of sacred land, economic and tourism development, and shifts in social relationships between families and traditional authorities. The coping strategies adapted by the dispossessed include; on and off-farm supplementation, gardening and migration. The study has shed light on the intricate factors contributing to livelihood changes of land dispossessed in the Jirapa peri-urban area. The study recommends that the private developer should liaise with the Municipal Assembly to provide support for the affected families for sustained alternative income-generating activities.

Source: UEW
Exploring the mentorship activities of UEW mathematics education interns

The study explored mentoring activities experienced by mathematics interns during the internship programme. It further explored interns’ evaluation of mentors' professional competences and how it shapes their conception and vision of teaching and learning of mathematics and how the student internship programme can be improved. The study surveyed 134 mathematics interns from UEW. Data was collected using questionnaire and interviews. Among the interns surveyed, five were selected for interviews. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic narrative approaches. The major findings were that mentoring activities experienced in UEW partnership schools were in consonance with the guidelines of the Student Internship Programmeme (SIP). Interns’ evaluation of their mentors’ revealed that mentoring practices were generally satisfactory. The findings further showed that mentoring practices shaped interns’ conceptions and vision of teaching and learning mathematics. However, interns strongly advocated for an extension of the duration of the Student Internship Programme to one full academic year. This will enable them build enough confidence and be exposed to varied classroom situations geared towards their professional development. Supervision by university lecturers should be more than once.

Source: UEW
Exploring the perceptions of technical students towards the Teaching of Social Studies A case study of Nkoranza Technical Institutes in the Bono East Region

The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions of technical students towards the teaching of Social Studies in the Nkoranza Technical Institute in the Bono East region of Ghana.This study adopted interpretivism paradigm. The researcher used the case study design for the study in the Nkoranza technical Institute in the Bono East Region of Ghana.Qualitative research approach was used in this study. The sample for this study was 15 form two students of which eight were males and seven were females. Convenience sampling technique was used in selecting the sample for the study. The researcher used interview guide in collecting data for the study. The findings showed that technical students often expressed a sense of disconnection between Social Studies and their core technical courses. Theoretical concepts in Social Studies were perceived as unrelated to their technical education, making it challenging to see the subject's relevance. It was therefore, recommended that Social Studies teachers should employ a variety of teaching methods, including hands-on activities, group discussions, and case studies, to cater for the diverse learning preferences of technical students. The Ministry of Education in collaboration with TVET should allocate adequate resources for Social Studies, including updated textbooks, online materials, and access to relevant information sources, to support students' learning and keep them engaged.

Source: UEW