ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The influence of l1 on l2 in students’ communication in English the case of Begoro Presec

This research work looked into the influences of L1 (Akan and Ewe) on L2 in students’ communication in English, the effects of the influences and the possible solutions to these influences in Presbyterian Senior High School, Akim Begoro. It discussed related works on the topic. The qualitative approach was used and the design adopted was case study. Observation, interview and written test were the instruments employed to collect the data from a purposive sampled participants. The study revealed that the L1 influences are in the areas of syntax, semantics, and acquisition of vocabulary and generation of ideas for writing. The effects of the L1 influences are that it affects the clarity of students’ communication, makes them score low marks under expression when they write essays, and it affects public image of English language teachers. The solutions are that teachers must pay attention to the areas of the L1 influences in students’ constructions; give a lot of exercises and discuss the marked scripts with their students. The students must make good use of the library and revise what they are taught, and the government through the Ministry of Education must ensure that time allocation is increased and teachers are permitted to organize remedial lessons for students. The suggestions to the teacher are that L1 should be used to help students understand word or text that are difficult to them, but teachers should pay attention to context when they introduce new words and must devote more instructional time for usage.

Source: UEW
Influence of leadership behaviours of heads of public and private junior high schools on acedemic performance of junior high school students. the case of Tafo-Pankrono Circuit

The purpose of this study was to find out the leadership behaviours of school heads of public and private junior high school head teachers in Tafo–Pankrono circuit Sub in Kumasi Metropolis and its impact of the students’ academic performance. The sample for the study consisted of 120 teachers comprising of 60 from public schools and 60 from private schools, together with 9 public school head masters and other 9 private school head masters. Questionnaire in the form of likert format ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (4) was used to collect data. The reliability estimates for teachers was 0.85 and that of the head masters was 0.78. The methodological inquiry was quantitative research approach using descriptive cross-sectional design which included the following statistical analyses: mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Findings revealed that whiles teachers in private schools agreed that their headmasters employed communication skills in managing their schools, their counterparts in public schools disagreed. The study also revealed that whiles teachers in public schools noted that the level students’ academic orientation in their schools was low, their counterparts in private schools claimed that it was high. The head master perception on the same issues indicated that both head teachers in public and private school agreed that the level of academic orientation in their schools was high. Based on the findings, it was recommended that government should make conscious effort to improve the leadership behaviours of head teachers in public school by running in-service training of leadership behaviours for them.

Source: UEW
The influence of leadership style, motivation and work discipline on employee performance a case study of University of Education, Winneba

The performance of employees can never be overlooked in every organization when assessing progress. There are variables that impact the performance of employees. When these variables are identified and their impacts on performance is assessed, decisions about performance can easily be taken. The research focused on the Influence of Leadership Style, Motivation, and Work Discipline on Employee Performance at the University of Education, Winneba. The study used descriptive statistics and regression analysis for the collected data and found that two variables - leadership style and motivation - affect the performance of employees at the University of Education, Winneba. Consequently, management decisions regarding the performance of employees at the University of Education should focus on leadership style and motivation.

Source: UEW
The influence of leadership styles of headteachers on the academic performance of junior high school students at Esereso in the Bosomtwe District

The main purpose of the study is to assess the influence of head teachers’ leadership styles on the academic performance of basic school students in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region. The objectives of the study was to identify the leadership styles of head teachers among the public basic schools in the Bosomtwe District; establish the effects of headteachers’ leadership style on students’ performance and find out the challenges head teachers’ leadership styles pose to teachers’ performance. The researcher used descriptive survey design with quantitative research method for the study. The population for this study consists of all the teachers of the three public junior high schools at Esreso in the Bosomtwe District. A sample size of 38 were used for the study. Among the head teachers who exhibited transformational leadership style, one prominent behaviour the study established was their ability to foster good human relationship between teachers and their head teachers. The study also found that the head teachers’ leadership built supportive environment that enabled teachers to improve performance, improved students achievement due to improved teaching strategies. Low morale and motivation among teachers were noted as the most challenging situation emerging from head teachers’ leadership style but the least felt challenge was low level of punctuality. The study recommended that the Ghana Education Service together with the District Director of Education should provide head teachers with adequate logistics, infrastructure and residential accommodation to mitigate the challenges they face in their leadership to improve the success of the school.

Source: UEW
Influence of leadership styles on the academic staff retention in private universities in Ashanti Region

Leadership is the process of providing a direction, and influencing individual or groups to achieve set goals of the group , and it is a key ingredient for an organization to achieve its set goals. A leader is a person who has power to influence individuals or group of people towards the achievement of these set goals. The main objective of this study was to establish the influence of leadership style on academic stuff retention in some private universities in Ashanti region of Ghana. The study also sought to ascertain the kind of leadership styles practice of managers of these institutions, and also sought to make recommendations in the areas of leadership practice for the improvement of academic staff retention. Descriptive survey was employed for this study. A convenience sampling method was used since every academic staff constitute part of the population of the study. A total of 77 respondents participated in the study. The study was quantitative and therefore relied on self-administered questionnaires to obtain data from the respondents. The data was analyzed using inferential statistical tool. The major findings of the study indicated that, leadership styles had no influence on academic staff retention in these universities, the study also revealed that, authoritative leadership style was the dominant practice, though democratic leadership style was most preferred. The study further showed that improvement in working conditions, remunerations, effective participative decision making and work relationship are imperative for academic staff retention. Finally, the study recommended the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods, in addition to multiple variables for future studies.

Source: UEW
Influence of learning corners on preschoolers’ learning outcome in early childhood education in the Ga-East Municipality

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of learning corners on the preschoolers’ learning outcomes in early childhood education in the Ga-East Municipality. This study adopted a mixed-method approach and the convergent mixed-method design. The multistage sampling techniques were used to select 35 facilitators for the study. Closed-ended questionnaires and structured interview guide were used to collect data from the participants for the study which were analyzed using descriptive statistics like frequency count and percentages for the quantitative analysis and the qualitative phase was analyzed thematically. The findings of the study revealed that, though all the participants who responded to the study stated that, they use learning corners, not all learning corners were utilized in their schools. However, the dominant learning corner used by facilitators was make-belief / role play corner as it is easily arranged and far less expensive in setting up than others like the natural corner which involves purchasing natural objects for building a corner and may sometimes involve interfering with the natural environment with plants and others. It was further revealed that learning corners have immense influence on the development of the children such as children learning to explore, investigate and experiment, learning the benefits of nature, beginning to think and learn about things around them, bringing out nurturing qualities in children, developing social skills such as children collaborate with others among others. Finally, the study revealed that there were not adequate materials in some schools to be used to set up the learning corners. It was concluded that facilitators and inadequate materials are some of the key factors that influence learning corner utilization. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the importance of learning corners in preschools has to be highlighted for the facilitator. Also, The Ministry of Education through GES should offer more service training to the facilitators about learning corners in preschools.

Source: UEW
Influence of learning corners on preschoolers’ learning outcome in early childhood education in the Ga-East Municipality

This study sought to assess the experiences and effects of social media usage on the English proficiency (oral and writing) of students in Jesus and Mary School Limited, Achimota in the Greater Accra Region. The cross-sectional survey research design was adopted for this study with a population of ninety-one students from Jesus and Mary school limited were used for the study. All the 91 students were involved in the study. A structured questionnaire self-designed by the researcher was used to collect data for the study. The findings of the study revealed that the experiences of the students towards the use of social media language style are positive because to some extent, the use of social media improves their oral communication. The study also found that students use social media as a source of gathering educative materials/information, developing their writing skills and English terminologies and changing students’ way of communication. Based on the findings, the study concluded that since social media usage among the students was identified as effective and for both educational and social purpose, parents are to guide their wards towards social media usage for their academic, social and educational development. The study on the other side recommends that parents, guardians and teachers should ensure that they educate and sensitize their students or wards on the positive and negative effects of social media.

Source: UEW
Influence of maternal high protein intake on daily energy expenditure and lactation performance in the laboratory mouse

Laboratory mouse (strain MF1) was used as a model to investigate the effects of high protein intake on daily energy expenditure and lactation performance. The specific dynamic action (SDA) for high protein (HP: 60% energy as protein) and high carbohydrate (HC: 70% energy as carbohydrate) diets was measured using open-flow respirometry at 9.4% and 6.1%, respectively. The same two diets were fed ad libitum to mice during lactation. Mice fed on HP and HC diets at 21 ºC reached an asymptote in their daily food intake at 12.29±0.2 g day-1 and 16.57±0.2 g day-1, respectively between days 12-17 of lactation. HP-fed mice had a significantly higher daily energy expenditure (DEE) measured by doubly labelled water (133.4±4.8 kJ day-1) and higher water turnover (41.1±6.2 g day-1) than HC-fed mice (DEE: 102.1 ±14.2 kJ day-1 and water turnover: 26.7±6.5 g day-1) but the energy they exported as milk was significantly lower (84.2±31.4 kJ day-1) than that of HC-fed mice (164.6±30.5 kJ day-1) and therefore resulted in poor growth rate of their offspring. The urea production of HP-fed mice from their daily protein intake of 7.1 g was estimated at 1994 mg which required 10.2 ml of water per day to be cleared. The mice increased their urine production by 14.4 ml probably to eliminate this urea. In conclusion, the MF1 mice fed HP diet at 21 ºC and the HC-fed mice reached an asymptote in their daily food intake at 12.29 g day-1 and 16.57 g day-1 respectively, between days 12-17 of lactation. HP diet had negative effects on lactation performance at 21 ºC when compared with the HC diet. The negative effects of the HP diet were due to the higher DEE which resulted from the heat production consequent of digestion and milk production by the HP-fed mice. Therefore, the higher DEE greatly reduced the energy available for milk production. This probably explains the reduction in growth of the pups/offspring from the HP-fed mothers because they did not get sufficient energy for growth. Key words: Laboratory mouse, Lactation, High protein, Specific dynamic action, Asymptotic food intake, Daily energy expenditure.

Source: UEW
Influence of mechanical properties and mineral salts in wood species on tool wear of high-speed steels and stellite-tipped tools - Consideration of tool wear of the newly developed tip-inserted band saw

This paper is the third in a series of work done on a novel technique for bandsawing, which uses a tip-inserted saw, and is gaining increasing popularity in Japan. It builds up on previous reports on the novel technique for bandsawing, which considered cutting tool hardness, tool wear, accuracy of kerf width, washboarding, and surface profiles of the workpiece. In this paper, ash content analysis and three-point static bending tests were conducted to clarify the influence of mineral salts and mechanical properties of wood samples of Elais guineensis (Oil palm), Strombosia glaucescens (Afina), and Cryptomeria japonica (Sugi) on cutting tool wear. The cutting tools were made from Stellite and High Speed Steels (HSS) of designations SUS420J2 and TiN coated SKH 51 according to the Japan Industrial Standards (JIS). Among the tested wood samples, the highest cutting tool edge recession when machining with SUS420J2 and TiN coated SKH 51 tools were recorded in Oil palm in spite of Afina possessing the highest mechanical strength properties. On the contrary, Stellite in spite of possessing the smallest hardness (HV580) among all the tested cutting tools recorded the lowest cutting tool edge recession when machining wood samples of Oil palm. However, Stellite recorded the highest edge recession when machining Afina, a high density species. Ash content analysis and a scanning electron micrograph of wood samples of the tested wood species show the presence of high proportions of mineral salts in the transverse, radial and tangential sections of Oil palm. This could perhaps account for the high cutting tool edge recessions recorded in wood samples of the Oil palm. The studies have demonstrated that silica accumulation species could have significant effect on tool wear of high speed steels.

Source: UEW
The influence of mother tongue (l1) on the use of English (l2) by (SHS) students at (KSHTS) Patasi-Kumasi

This thesis sought to unravel the influence of the native language (Twi) of the students of Kumasi Senior High Technical School (KSHTS), on English language, the L2 of the students, as in the manner in which they speak and write English Language. This research adopted a qualitative approach where interview and written essays were used to obtain data for the study. The population of the study consisted of all the teachers and students of Kumasi Senior High Technical School as a case study. The researcher used non-probability (purposive) sampling technique in selecting the participants of the study. The researcher interviewed some of the teachers. The essays of the students were also sampled using nonprobability sampling technique. The data generated was analyzed using percentage frequency tables and charts. The figures and percentages obtained through the analysis were complemented with the qualitative analysis of the interviews based on the research objectives. The study revealed that students do not think in the L2; their thoughts are always in the L1 and then translate them to the L2. This direct translation leads to errors in their L2 language. The study showed that some teachers speak the native language with their students. All the teachers responded that they encourage their students to speak English and ensure that the students speak good or standard English. In the areas where the L1 interferes with the L2, as observed in the essays of the students, it occurred that direct translation from Twi to English, concord and proposition are main areas the deviations have been observed in the essays of the students. The study established that the errors observed in the essays of the students as revealed in their essays and the views of the teachers are negative transfers from the native language to the L2. The study recommends therefore, that the students should be encouraged to speak English on campus among themselves. Reading habit should also be inculcated in the students to help them improve upon their English.

Source: UEW
The influence of motivation on job satisfaction among teachers in basic schools at Bodi District in the Western North Region of Ghana

Motivation and job satisfaction are important tools that promote teacher effectiveness in schools. However, these important tools seem not to be given priority attention by heads of basic schools. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of motivation on job satisfaction among teachers in the basic schools at Bodi District in the Western North Region of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study was all the teachers in basic schools at Bodi District. Purposive sampling technique was used to select one hundred teachers for the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for the study. The data were statistically analysed using means, standard deviations and Pearson Product Correlation Coefficient. The study found that the level of motivation among teachers in the sampled schools was low. The findings showed that the job satisfaction among teachers was also low. The study showed a statistically significant, moderate and positive relationship between motivation and job satisfaction among teachers, suggesting that the more motivated teachers are the more satisfied they are and vice versa. The results imply that low motivation among teachers has however, translated into low job satisfaction among the teachers in the schools. This establishes that to get the best from teachers, we need to give them the best. It is recommended that motivational programs and packages should be put in place for schools’ managers, teachers and students so as to encourage them and maintain their focus on their roles and contribution towards effective and efficient educational system. Similar research could be carried out to include heads of schools to examine the role of motivation in teacher’s job satisfaction in basic schools.

Source: UEW
The influence of motivation on students academic performance at Nnuaso Apinkra DA JHS

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of motivation on the academic performance of pupils of Nnuaso Apinkra D/A Junior High School. Mixed research approach was adopted. The study used descriptive survey and interview design. The total population was 190 respondents. Random sampling was used to obtain the sample size of 127 participants for the study, comprising 95 pupils, 13 teachers and 17 parents. Questionnaires and interview guide were the instruments used to gather primary data. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study results show that minority (30.5%) of the pupils had good academic performance. Also, majority (75.8%) indicated that they enjoy learning in the classroom. To add more, most of the respondents (72.6%) indicated that their teachers used motivational strategies to motivate them. The study results showed that the majority (96.8%) of the pupils indicated that the use of instructional materials can enhance pupils to perform better academically. The majority (93.7%) of the pupils said that they are motivated when their teachers use reward or incentives. The study concluded that, pupils who are motivated regularly, attend classes often read at higher levels, are better writers, and perform better on standardized tests. The study recommended that the Ghana Education Service should recruit trained teachers, who know what they are doing and are interested in students academic improvement by varying their teaching and learning pedagogies to motivate students.

Source: UEW
The influence of motivation on teacher effectiveness in basic schools at Ahafo Ano South East District of the Ashanti Region

The study investigated the influence of motivation on teacher effectiveness in basic schools at Ahafo-Ano South East District of the Ashanti Region. Specifically, the study sought to identify existing motivational tool mostly used in basic schools, find out the effectiveness of teachers in basic schools, suggest strategies to improve teacher motivation and established whether there is statistically significant influence of motivation on teacher effectiveness. Descriptive survey design was used. The study involved basic school teachers. Purposive sampling technique was used to select teachers and public basic schools. Data were collected from 75 teachers using questionnaire. The pilot test yielded reliability coefficient of 0.75. The data were analysed using frequencies and percentages, mean and standard deviation and simple regression. Findings revealed that promotional opportunities, opportunity for advancement and job security, heads appreciate the work of the teachers, working conditions and the existence of good working relationships with superiors were the most motivational tools that existed in basic schools. The study found statistically significant influence of teacher motivation on teacher effectiveness. The Ahafo-Ano South East District Directorate should increase the use of motivational tools existing in basic schools to increase teachers performance. It was again recommended that headteachers need to reinforce the use of motivational tools to boost the morale of teachers to give of their best to students

Source: UEW