ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effects of education on corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa

This study investigated the relationship between education and corruption in Sub Saharan Africa using a panel dataset spanning from 2012 to 2019 and covering 27 countries. Controlling for government effectiveness, trade openness, inflation, and GDP per capita, the 2-step system GMM estimator was employed, with panel pooled OLS and fixed effects estimators for robustness check. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between lifelong learning and corruption perception, indicating that comprehensive education is linked to lower corruption levels. Again, the results suggest that secondary school education plays a crucial role in combating corruption. By promoting lifelong learning initiatives and increasing secondary school enrollment, societies can work towards reducing corruption levels and fostering transparency and integrity. Furthermore, GDP per capita exhibits a significant negative relationship with corruption perception, suggesting that higher economic development is associated with lower corruption levels. These results offer valuable insights for policymakers in Sub Saharan Africa, emphasizing the importance of promoting comprehensive education systems by the various ministries of educations, agencies and departments responsible for the implementation of educational policies by governments in the region and economic development to combat corruption effectively. This study contributes to the understanding of the role of education in addressing corruption, providing practical implications for policymakers striving to create more transparent and accountable societies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: UEW
Effects of Ethanolic and Aqueous leaf extracts of soursop (annona muricata l.) on sitophilus zeamais motsch. and callosobruchus maculatus f

Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. (maize weevil) and Callosobruchus maculatus F. (cowpea weevil) pose formidable challenges to agricultural productivity and food security, causing substantial post-harvest losses in grains and legumes. This study investigates the potential effects of ethanol and aqueous leaf extract of soursop (Annona muricata) on these two economically significant pest species. The study employed a comprehensive biochemical laboratory analysis, and evaluated the impact of four (4) varying concentrations of ethanolic and water extract of soursop leaf on the mortality, and reproductive ability of the two insect species. It further assesses the potential effect of the two soursop extracts on the quality of stored maize and cowpea. The study findings showed that ethanol was able to extract phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannis, and triterpenoids which were absent in the water extract. The results of the study further revealed that both ethanol and water extract exhibited significant difference in insecticidal properties against cowpea weevils with varying degree of efficacy (p-value<0.05). Higher mortality in the insects was recorded in the treatment with water extract. On the contrary, there was no statistical difference (p-value>0.05) in various concentrations of the two soursop extract on the mortality of S. zeamais and C. maculatus. Moreover, comparatively to the control, there was less reduction in weight and the overall quality of the cowpea and maize grains with treatment application. Lastly, there was less increase in the progeny of S. zeamias and C. maculatus in the treatment as compared to the untreated. It is therefore imperative to conduct field trials in actual grain and legume storage facilities to validate the efficacy of soursop extract under real world conditions.

Source: UEW
Effects of exchange rate on foreign direct investment in Ghana

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is considered as an engine for economic growth and development in every economy especially developing economies, but there are different forms of barriers that hinder the inflow of such capital investments into every economy. I therefore came to a single conclusion to investigate on the impact, relationships and causal links between foreign direct investment and factors like exchange rate, inflation, gross domestic product, public debt and population. Based on the annual data collected on FDI, GDP, exchange rate, public debt, population and inflation on Ghana from 1975 to 2015, I developed a statistical model in this study to test the effect of changes in exchange rate on foreign direct investment in Ghana. According to results from the empirical test, it showed that exchange rate growth has a negative effect on foreign direct investment (FDI) growth. This implies that a rise in exchange rate leads to a decrease in FDI. The VECM explained that exchange rate growth and FDI growth has a negative long run relationship. Also, from the regression analysis, results explained that growth in GDP, Inflation and public debt had a negative effect on FDI, whereas population growth had a positive effect. This purports that a rise in GDP growth, Inflation and public debt leads to a decrease in FDI and an increase in population leads to an increase in FDI. Granger causality was also applied to test whether FDI growth granger causes exchange rate growth or FDI growth does not granger cause exchange rate growth. The results indicated that there is a bi-causal link between exchange rate growth and FDI growth. This implies that exchange rate growth granger causes FDI growth and FDI growth in turn granger causes exchange rate growth. Hence, the central bank must implement proper and sustainable macroeconomic policies to help adjust exchange rate towards making the economy attractive and suitable for foreign direct investment.

Source: UEW
The Effects of Executives' low-carbon cognition on corporate low-carbon performance: A study of managerial discretion in China

Corporations are recognized as key agents for low-carbon economy development. Executives' low-carbon cognition may function as an important driver for corporations' low-carbon performance. Yet, the extant literature has paid limited attention to executives' low-carbon cognition and firms� performance. Based on the upper echelons theory, this study empirically explored this mechanism by sampling corporations (N = 418) from the high-tech and manufacturing industries in China. Specifically, we examined the impact of executives' low-carbon cognition on corporate low-carbon management performance (CLMP) and corporate low-carbon financial performance (CLFP), while exploring the intermediary role of managerial discretion between executives' low-carbon cognition and low-carbon behavior. We observed that: (1) Executives' low-carbon cognition indirectly affects CLMP and CLFP, and corporate low-carbon behavior plays an intermediary role in this process; (2) Managerial discretion positively regulates the relationship between executives' low-carbon cognition and low-carbon behavior; (3) Managerial discretion positively regulates the intermediary role of low-carbon behavior between executives' low-carbon cognition on CLMP and CLFP. Theoretically, the present study deepens the strand of empirical studies on executives' low-carbon cognition and corporate low-carbon performance. Moreover, the study builds a rigorous foundation for the application of the higher-order and the corporation behavior theories in low-carbon research fields. Further, the study serves as a mine of reference for future related studies on low-carbon performance while providing practical enlightenment for low-carbon management. � 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Source: UEW
Effects of family background on students’ academic performance a comparative study of students from broken and intact homes in the Nkoranza South Municipality, Brong East Region, Ghana

The study explored the academic performance of students from broken and intact home in senior high schools in the Nkoranza South Municipality of the Bono-East Region of Ghana. The study was guided by the Family Deficit Model, Social Exchange Theory and the Theory of Social Network Paradigm. The study was a mixed method which was guided by the Sequential Explanatory Mixed Method design. It was underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm. Multi-phase sampling and Census techniques were used to select participants for the study. Specifically, census was used to select participants for broken homes while multi-phase sampling technique was used for participants in the intact homes. Questionnaire and interview guides were used to collect data from the participants. The sample size for the study was 646 participants. Each interview was audiotaped and transcribed verbatim and data was analysed. The study made use of primary data obtained from students from broken homes and intact homes. The result from the quantitative survey was analysed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. All data collected through the interview schedule were analysed manually through the constant comparative thematic approach (Creswell, 2009). The findings of the study indicated that the academic performance of students from intact homes when compared to those from broken homes (the performance of the students from the two parent family) was higher than students from broken homes. The study unravelled that there was statistically significant difference between parent type (father or mother absence) and achievement of academic dreams in a broken homes. The study also found that students from broken homes who stayed with their fathers had high academic performance as compared to their counterpart from same home who stayed with their mothers. Also, on whether the students‘ academic performance was affected by home (family type) background, it was deduced that students from broken home were affected negatively in their academic performance due to their family background. It is recommended that the school management should encourage single-parents to involve themselves in their children‘s academic work. This can be done through regular meeting arranged between parents and teachers and the community members including teachers, neighbours and all individuals who have children at the heart should make it their responsibility to assist the children.

Source: UEW
Effects of feeding fat on lactation performance of the laboratory mouse, Mus musculus

Laboratory mice (strain MF1) were used to investigate the effects of dietary fat intake on lactation performance. The specific dynamic action (SDA) for high fat (HF), medium fat (MF) and a low fat (LF) diets was measured using open-flow respirometry at 4.5%, 3.9% and 6.1%, respectively. The same three diets were fed ad libitum to mice between days 4 and 18 of lactation. Mice fed HF, MF and LF diets reached plateau in their daily food intake at 14.95±1.14 g day-1, 16.30±0.61 g day-1 and 16.57±0.26 g day-1, respectively between days 12-17 of lactation. At weaning, litters from HF and MF-fed mice were significantly heavier than pups on LF diet. This was because the HF and MF-fed mice not only consumed more energy at peak lactation but also delivered more milk energy to their pups than the LF-fed mice. Evidence suggested that the positive effects of feeding fat to mice were in part due to the low SDA and probably low heat production for milk synthesis. Probably, the ability of the HF and MF-fed mice to directly transfer absorbed fat into the milk might have reduced the heat production of lactogenesis. The HF and MF diets had beneficial effects on lactation because they increased the capacity of mice to generate milk more efficiently and wean heavier offspring than mice fed LF diet. The daily energy expenditure (DEE) of mice in the three dietary groups was fixed. KEY WORDS: Laboratory mouse, dietary fat, specific dynamic action, doubly labelled water, daily energy expenditure, milk energy output, reproductive performance

Source: UEW
The effects of financial and non-financial incentives on staff performance in public institutions a study of Kumasi metropolitan assembly

The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of financial and nonfinancial incentives on staff performance in public institutions. The detail of this research was conducted in an attempt to demonstrate whether incentives have a great potential to increase public employees’ motivation and work performance. To fulfill the objective of the research as well as to obtain real and reliable data, a research study was conducted at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. A projected sample size of 150 staff was used for the study. However, the study was based on the retrieved questionnaire totaling 136 from respondents. The representative sample approach by Krejeie and Morgan (1970) was adapted for the study. The method of this research study was implemented with a qualitative analysis to investigate the type of incentives that are existing in the organization, and to identify the correlation between the rewarding, recognition and employee work performance. The data analysis proved a significant correlation between incentives in the form of rewards and recognition, and better work performance. Based on the findings of this research study, most of the public employees in the above mentioned organization commented that both financial and non-financial incentives are significantly important to encourage and motivate them for greater work performance. It also indicated that employees keenly cherish financial incentive than non-financial benefits. Meanwhile, the level of utilization of non-financial incentives is extremely poor. Therefore, within the limitations of the research study, it could be concluded that both financial and non-financial incentives have a potential effect on staff motivation and work performance in the public service organization of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

Source: UEW
Effects of fines in sand and water-to-cement ratio on concrete properties

The quality of building materials has been documented to be one of the causes of building collapse all over the world. An experimental study was conducted to determine the effect of fines (clay/silt) content in sand and water-to-cement ratio on the workability, compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength of concrete. A total of 270 specimens were cast and tested with varying fines content in sand of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% and 12%; and variable water-to-cement ratio of 0.55, 0.60 and 0.70. A basic 1:2:4 concrete mix ratio was adopted for the study through trial mix. Mixing, compaction, curing and testing were performed in accordance with BS and ASTM standards. The results show that, workability of concrete decreased and increased as the percentage of fines in sand and water-to-cement ratio respectively increased. The study again revealed that compressive, tensile and flexural strength of concrete increased to 4% fines content in sand beyond which they decreased at constant water-to-cement ratio. Equations for predicting the workability (Wc = -141.905 – 235.714CS + 310.476w/c; R2=0.899), and compressive strength (fcu,28 = 45.357 – 37.143CS – 41.136w/c; R2=0.848), tensile splitting strength (fct,28 = 3.532 – 3.195CS – 2.798w/c; R2=0.836) and flexural strength of reinforced concrete (fcf,28 = 30.485 – 23.076CS – 24.507w/c; R2=0.905 ) were proposed valid for 4% fines in sand and beyond. It was concluded from the study that, fines percentage in sand and water to-cement ratio beyond 4% and 0.57 respectively affect concrete properties negatively. Concrete designers and producers are therefore advised to pay attention to the percentage of fines in sand and water-to-cement ratio on site.

Source: UEW
Effects of flipped classroom learning on students’ performance, retention and perception towards electron configuration

This study investigated the effects of flipped classroom learning on students' academic performance, retention and perception towards electron configuration in a senior high school chemistry setting. The study, conducted at Mankessim Senior High Technical School in Ghana, addressed the prevalent issue of students' inadequate conceptual understanding of electron configuration. Utilising a single-group pre- and post-test action research design, the intervention involved a four-week implementation of the flipped classroom learning approach. The findings revealed a significant improvement in students' academic performance, with a notable difference in mean scores between pre-test and post-test due to the flipped classroom learning approach. The magnitude of the effect on the students’ performance was large. The study also found that the flipped classroom learning approach was effective in retaining electron configuration concepts among the students. The findings further showed that students reported high comfort, increased independence, active engagement, and a more effective and enjoyable learning experience through the flipped classroom learning approach. The study concludes that the flipped classroom learning approach is a valuable pedagogical tool for enhancing students' academic performance, retention and perception towards electron configuration in chemistry education. The study recommends the integration of flipped classroom methodology in teaching electron configuration and other chemistry topics in the selected school.

Source: UEW
Effects of GeoGebra on senior high school students mathematical understanding of rigid motion

This study sought to determine effects of GeoGebra on Senior High School students‘ mathematical understanding of rigid motion. The study was conducted using students and mathematics teachers of Senior High School ‗A‘ in Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana. The sample size was made up of 100 students and four mathematics teachers. The control group was made up of 50 students and the experimental group comprised 50 students. The study was conducted using non-equivalent control group with pre-test and post-test design, a quasi-experimental approach using both qualitative and quantitative method. Instruments used for gathering data on the study were rigid motion achievement tests (pre-test & post-test), observations and questionnaires. Findings made with regards to difficulties SHS students have in performing rigid motion were: description of the line of reflection of reflected figures in a given diagram, interpretation of equations of lines of reflection, substitution of object points into formulae to arrive at image points, interpretation of translation vectors, and interpretation of clockwise and anticlockwise rotation. Other findings from the study further showed that these difficulties of students were as a result of factors such as the use of traditional approach to teach students rigid motion at the Junior High School level where formulae were given for the students to use without any practical knowledge of the concept, little or no integration of ICT in the teaching of rigid motion in order to show learners what to do through worked-out and modelled examples, in addition to practice for successful learning. Again, the results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean performances of the experimental group (M = 12.10, SD = 5.987) and control group (M = 5.98, SD =4.298), t (98) =5.872, p =.000 in the post-test. The average mean performances of each of the two groups showed that the experimental group performed better than the

Source: UEW
Effects of geogebra on senior high school students mathematical understanding of rigid motion

This study sought to determine effects of GeoGebra on Senior High School students‘ mathematical understanding of rigid motion. The study was conducted using students and mathematics teachers of Senior High School ‗A‘ in Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana. The sample size was made up of 100 students and four mathematics teachers. The control group was made up of 50 students and the experimental group comprised 50 students. The study was conducted using non-equivalent control group with pre-test and post-test design, a quasi-experimental approach using both qualitative and quantitative method. Instruments used for gathering data on the study were rigid motion achievement tests (pre-test & post-test), observations and questionnaires. Findings made with regards to difficulties SHS students have in performing rigid motion were: description of the line of reflection of reflected figures in a given diagram, interpretation of equations of lines of reflection, substitution of object points into formulae to arrive at image points, interpretation of translation vectors, and interpretation of clockwise and anticlockwise rotation. Other findings from the study further showed that these difficulties of students were as a result of factors such as the use of traditional approach to teach students rigid motion at the Junior High School level where formulae were given for the students to use without any practical knowledge of the concept, little or no integration of ICT in the teaching of rigid motion in order to show learners what to do through worked-out and modelled examples, in addition to practice for successful learning. Again, the results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean performances of the experimental group (M = 12.10, SD = 5.987) and control group (M = 5.98, SD =4.298), t (98) =5.872, p =.000 in the post-test. The average mean performances of each of the two groups showed that the experimental group performed better than the control group. It was recommended that mathematics teachers blend technology, pedagogy and content plus the relationships between them (Koehler & Mishra, 2008) in teaching geometry. This would help improve students‘ understanding of the concept. Also, in-service training and workshops should be organized for Senior High School teachers on mathematics specific software packages such as GeoGebra. GeoGebra introductory book, and instructional materials about GeoGebra and its integration into mathematics classrooms should also be developed and distributed to teachers. This would improve teachers‘ competence and confidence level to integrate ICT in the classroom.

Source: UEW
Effects of greenhouse technology on the growth and yield of tomato in the transitional zone of Ghana

Greenhouse technology has become a widely accepted and profitable system for vegetable (tomato) production particularly in Ghana. With the increasing demand for tomatoes on daily basis, there is the need to increase productivity. However, the production of tomato in Ghana is limited by harsh climate, drought, capital and inadequate knowledge on the use of modern methods such as greenhouse technology. Hence, the purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of greenhouse technology on the growth and yield of tomato in the transitional zone of Ghana. The experiment was conducted at the Multipurpose Crop Nursery, of the former University of Education, Winneba now AAMUSTED -College of Agriculture Education Mampong campus from 19th August, 2019 to 30th November, 2019. The experimental design used for the study was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two treatments made up of greenhouse technology and open field. Parameters measured included: plant height, number of branches, stem girth, number of flowers, number of fruits harvested, harvested fruit weight, matured vertical fruit length and diameter and economic analysis. The data collected were analyzed using the Students T-test using GenStat version 11.1 (2008). Results from the study showed that plant height, number of branches and stem girth were significantly higher (P<0.05) among tomato plants grown in the open field as compared with tomato plants grown under the greenhouse technology. Number of harvested fruits, harvested fruit weight, matured vertical fruit length and diameter were significantly (P<0.05) highest among tomato plants grown under the greenhouse technology as compared with tomatoes plant grown in the open field. This study concludes that greenhouse technology increased the yield of tomatoes with higher economic returns. The study recommends that farmers should adopt greenhouse technology, since it gave higher productivity and economic returns.

Source: UEW