ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Students’ participation in decision-making in health training institutions in the Greater Accra Region

Decision-making is a tool of effective governance in all successful institutions whether it is corporate, educational or other. It was in line with that this study was undertaken to assess students’ participation in decision-making in the health training institutions in Accra.The accessible population, which comprised all students in all the health training institutions in Accra, was 860. Out of this the total sample used for the study was 394.The survey research quantitative paradigm was used and both purposive and random sampling techniques were used in collecting data using a questionnaire. After pilot testing the instrument used for data collection, the Cronbach’s alpha was calculated for the reliability coefficient. The result was 0.7 and was accepted for use by my supervisor and other experts. Some of the findings from the study included the views that students must be actively involved in taking decisions and to a large extent they perceived their participation in decision-making as a means of promoting students’ commitment to decisions made. They had a priority in seeking to be included to plan their menu for each semester. They however feared being victimized if allowed participation. Some of the recommendations made included the need for the principals to assess the current trend of students’ participation in decision-making in their schools and make more student involvement in decision-making. In addition the Ministry of Health should come out with directives which will allow students opportunity to be involved in decision-making at their institution’s level.

Source: UCC
Students’ Perception, Satisfaction And Continuous Use Intention Of Blended Learning At Nyakrom Shts

The prime purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between students’ perception and satisfaction of blended learning with their continuous use intention of blended learning at Nyakrom Senior High Technical School. The descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The study utilised simple random sampling to select 327 sample size out of 2,206 for the study. The instrument used to collect data was questionnaire, and the data collected were analysed using mean, standard deviation, mean of means and multiple regression. The results of the study revealed that respondents have positive perceptions of Blended Learning at Nyakrom SHTS. The findings also showed that students were highly satisfied with blended teaching at Nyakrom SHTS. Again, the result also revealed that the students have a high level of continuance use intention of blended learning. Additionally, the study revealed that students’ perception and satisfaction predicted their continuance use intention of blended learning for ICT instruction at Nyakrom SHTS. The study, therefore, recommended that the Ministry of Education, through Ghana Education Service, should train students on the use of blended learning. It was recommended that students’ perception and satisfaction should be considered when adopting blended learning for use in Senior High schools in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Students’ perceptions of careers in Ghana’s hospitality and tourism industry

The study aimed to explore students’ perception of careers in the hospitality and tourism industry and their intention to pursue careers in Ghana’s hospitality and tourism industry. This study used a sample of 441 students studying hospitality and tourism management at University of Cape Coast. The results indicated that, overall, the perceptions of students toward careers in the hospitality and tourism industry were unfavorable. It was also observed that: opportunity to care for others, establish own jobs, gain transferable skills, further training and education are important factors students consider in their choices of careers but they believe the hospitality and tourism industry offers something else. The study, therefore, has some implications for career counseling, guidance, and reorientation of students toward careers in the industry

Source: UCC
Students’ perceptions of the students loan trust fund in the University of Cape Coast

The study examined student’s perception of the student loan trust fund in the University of Cape Coast its benefits and challenges. The study adopted the descriptive survey design to describe students’ views about the Students loan trust fund (SLTF). The data gathered were from a sample size of 269 respondents from the University of Cape Coast using a questionnaire. The study adopted three sampling technique namely: convenience sampling technique, snowball sampling technique and purposive sampling technique in selecting the study sample or respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse all the data related to the research questions. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 software was used to process the obtained data. The study found that students had positive perception of the student loan trust fund as the core mandate was being achieved by contributing massively to their academic work financially. Some challenges faced by students in accessing the loan were that, they did not know how to calculate the interest on the loan that kept increasing frequently, the SLTF loan did not come on time and some it took some students a very long time to get a qualified guarantor. Students suggested that the SLTF can be improved to get more students benefitted in the following ways: SLTF officials should intensify educating students on the processes and requirements for getting the loan, the loan amount must be released on time and frequently sending of messages to students about any information concerning the loan. The study recommends that, management of the loan fund should do well to orient students on how to calculate their interest on the loan and also, release the loan to students on time as most students depend on it for survival and since payment of fees are mostly done in the early semester.

Source: UCC
Students’ Perceptions on the Contribution of Corporal Punishment to Discipline and Human Development

This study sought to find out the students’ perception on the contribution of corporal punishment to discipline. Students of Labone Senior High School in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality were the population for the study. The target population 400 conveniently selected students in Labone Senior High School. Primary data was collected through questionnaire and interview. The data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. More than half of the students that were sampled were of the view that corporal punishment teaches respect for authority and helps monitor discipline effectively especially in school. Corporal punishment amongst other types of punishment methods for the effective discipline of students was most preferred by the majority of the sampled students. Caning and kneeling were the commonest types of corporal punishments meted out to students in and outside the classroom; in the school environment. Teachers employed the use of corporal punishment as a discipline tool sparingly so most of the students do not often get scarred by such experience. The students were of the view that corporal punishment was not an avenue for teachers to vent their anger. Well trained teachers were of the view that the laws of Ghana should make provisions so that recalcitrant students can be taken into reformation custody. Furthermore, stakeholders of the education sector should work closely with students and teachers so as to bring positive impact to the student concerned.

Source: UCC
Students’ rating of instructional effectiveness of accounting teachers

The purpose of the study was to assess the instructional effectiveness of senior high school accounting teachers through the rating of students. It employed the descriptive survey design to study a population of 662 senior high school accounting students from the Techiman Municipality in the Bono East Region of Ghana. A sample of 310 senior high school students was drawn by proportionate stratified random sampling. Questionnaire was administered with a return rate of 99%. Data obtained was analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and independent samples t-test. It was found that, generally, students rated accounting teachers’ instructions as effective and that gender of the students did not make any difference in the rating of teachers’ instructional effectiveness. Even though students perceived their teachers as effective in promoting intellectual quality, and creating quality learning environment, they were unsure about teachers’ ability in making accounting lessons significant. However, since students rated their teachers as effective then factors other than teachers’ instructional engagements in the classroom could explain the reasons for students’ poor academic performance in the subject

Source: UCC
Students’ satisfaction of campus shuttling bus services: a QUALBUS approach

The general aim of this research was to ascertain the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction. This was ascertained with the use of QUALBUS dimensions and how each influences student’s satisfaction. The purpose and reasons for using campus shuttle were also elucidated. The research methodology was a cross sectional survey at the two designated bus stops for the University of Cape Coast’s bus shuttling service at Old site (South campus) and Science (North campus) of 300 questionnaires through simple randomly sampling. The reliability of the study was tested by cronbach’s alfa. Frequency, percentage, correlation and regression were used for the data analysis. The results of the study indicate that 55% of the respondents were male; 70.2% were aged between 20-24years; 67.3% used the shuttle every other day; 50.5% used the campus shuttle because of the lower transport fares; 83.7% used the campus shuttle for educational reasons. Furthermore the results revealed that only reliability variable has a significant relationship with student satisfaction because it has a p-value smaller than α = 0.05. Attempts to improve on service quality to influence student satisfaction should be directed at assurance, tangibility, empathy and receptivity variables. The study could have looked all passengers‟ satisfaction coupled with an in-depth interview of the transport officers

Source: UCC
Students‟ conceptual difficulties in thermochemistry

This study investigated conceptions of senior high school students in thermochemistry. This led to the exploration of students‟ alternative conceptions in thermochemistry and the factors that contribute to those alternative conceptions. A convergent parallel mixed methods research design was employed in the study to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The design used three stages, which included collection of quantitative and qualitative data, analysis of data and merging of results, and interpretation of data on conceptions in thermochemistry and prerequisite concepts. Through a multistage sampling procedure, 141 students responded to two tests, one on thermochemistry and the other on prerequisite concepts to thermochemistry. Also, 12 out of the 141 students were purposively sampled for interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using frequencies and percentages, bar charts, and Pearson product-moment correlation statistic, whereas qualitative data were analysed thematically. The results showed that students had alternative conceptions and other conceptual difficulties in thermochemistry in the form of factual misconceptions, conceptual misunderstandings, preconceived notions, and vernacular misconceptions, and the factors accounting for these alternative conceptions were teacher-related, textbook-related, and daily experiences. Though weak, a positive correlation existed between students‟ achievements in the prerequisite concepts and thermochemistry. It is, therefore, recommended among others that chemistry teachers in the SHS should build their capacity on identification and correction of students‟ alternative conceptions in thermochemistry.

Source: UCC
Students‟ information system usage and satisfaction among schools in cape coast metropolis

This research investigated the Free SHS Student Information System usage and its‟ satisfaction among schools in the Cape Coast metropolis. The study employed a descriptive survey design which helped to collect both quantitative and qualitative data and also analyzed both quantitative and qualitatively. The targeted population of this study constituted teachers from Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Municipality and ICT administrators. A sample of teachers and ICT administrators were selected for this study using a proportional stratified random sampling and purposive sampling respectively. The data collected were analyzed using means, standard deviation, frequency percentage and one-way ANOVA. The research showed that the Students Information System (SIS) helps teachers easily enter their students‟ scores and teachers can open their portal as a form master or mistress to give comments on their student‟s performance. However, they indicated that they find it difficult when they want to upload scores on Microsoft Excel onto the SIS. Since the study revealed that teachers find it difficult when they want to upload scores on Microsoft Excel onto the SIS, it is suggested that ICT coordinators and managers of the selected schools should organize workshops or training for the users of the SIS to equip them utilize the SIS. Furthermore, it is concluded that the teachers disagreed with the fact that the Students Information System (SIS) is error-free because their challenges as far as the SIS is concerned have not been met. It is concluded that regardless of the schools where the respondents find themselves, the users of the SIS experience diverse challenges. Finally, even though the users of the SIS have the same system yet different satisfaction exist because of individual attitudes and desires towards the use of the system.

Source: UCC
Students‟ Perceptions of the Methods Teaching Social Studies and Its Implications on Their Learning Outcomes In the Cape Coast Metropolis

The study sought to examine students‟ perceptions of the methods teaching Social Studies and its influence on their learning outcomes in junior high schools within the Cape Coast Metropolis. The descriptive survey design was used in the conduct of the study. A sample size of 160 respondents were carefully chosen through the disproportionate sampling procedure. Questionnaires were used to gather data from respondents. Secondary data were also collected on students‟ academic performance. The data collected were analyzed using means and standard deviations as well as multiple linear regression. The findings of the study revealed that, students generally had positive perceptions about the methods used in teaching Social Studies. Again, the study revealed that teachers used the appropriate methods in teaching Social Studies; that is, student-centered and teacher-centered methods. Students preferred student–centered methods to teacher-centered methods. Finally, the study indicated that, students‟ perceptions of Social Studies teaching method was a significant positive predictor of students‟ learning outcomes. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that circuit supervisors in the Cape Coast Metropolis should organize seminars and workshops once a while for Social Studies teachers to consider the current trends of teaching Social Studies in the classroom

Source: UCC
Studies In Risk Governance, Institutional Quality, Risk-Taking And Performance Of Banks In Sub-Saharan Africa

The global financial crisis of 2007–2008 brought to the fore weaknesses in corporate governance and the need to strengthen the governance mechanisms of banks. It is believed excessive risk-taking was a major contributing factor to the crisis. Risk governance emerged as one mechanism to constrain bank risktaking behaviour. Studies have since sought to understand the impact of risk governance on risk-taking and performance. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to account for the role of board expertise in examining the impact of bank risk governance on risk-taking and performance and also ascertain how institutional quality would influence the risk governance practises of banks in Sub-Saharan Africa‘s banking sector. Using the two-step system generalized method of moments and the dynamic panel threshold estimation techniques, the study found that the relationship between risk governance and risk-taking is negatively impacted by the board‘s expertise, and the relationship between risk governance and performance is positively influenced by the board‘s expertise. This means a more expert board can help reduce risktaking and improve performance. The study found that better institutional quality is linked to more effective bank risk governance. Furthermore, there is a threshold at which institutional quality positively impacts risk governance. It is recommended that banking sector regulatory institutions and shareholders ensure board members have the requisite technical expertise. It is also recommended that governments in Sub-Saharan Africa work to improve the quality of institutions since that would serve as a catalyst for improved risk governance in the banking sector.

Source: UCC
Studies of alpha particle registration in lr-115 type iiStudies of alpha particle registration in lr-115 type ii a solid state nuclear track detector a solid state nuclear track detector

The experimental condition for use of the cellulose nitrate film LR-115 type II as alpha pa»tide detector? It was verified that the film* efficiency it • function of the alpha particle energy and etching conditions. The track counting was mads in an jptical screen microscope.

Source: UCC
Studies of Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin contaminantion of groundnut (arachis hypogaea l) from six markets in the central region, Ghana.

The study shows Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) from groundnut samples collected from the six markets in the Central Region of Ghana namely: Swedru, Mankessim, Cape Coast, Fosu, Jukwa and Kasoa. All groundnut sellers interviewed were females and have no knowledge about aflatoxins. Thirty five percent 35% of the groundnut sellers had no formal education whilst 26.7% had basic primary education and 23.3% had Junior high school education.The fungal organisms encountered on the groundnut samples from the six market centres were: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Macrophomina phaseolina, Penicillum spp. and Rhizopus spp.Laboratory results indicate that on unamended PDA Fosu A. flavus isolate showed better growth (8.5 cm) than the rest (7.0 cm- 8.0cm). However, there was a strong radial growth inhibition of A. flavus, in the garlic amended PDA than the rest of the botanical extracts. Whereas the HPLC analyses of the groundnut samples were all below the tolerable limit (20 ppb) of Ghana Bureau of Standards for consumption,Cape Coast recorded the highest of (9.1 ppb) and Jukwa recorded the lowest (1.8 ppb). The four types of aflatoxin detected in the groundnut samples from the six market centres were: B1, B2, G1 and G2.

Source: UCC
Studies of gas exchange in fruits using laser spectroscopic techniques

Non-intrusive, in-vivo, real-time measurements of oxygen contents and oxygen diffusion in fruits using a laser spectroscopic technique are presented, where the narrow absorption features due to the free gas in pores in the fruits are observed. The technique is referred to as gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy (GASMAS), and is performed using tunable diode lasers. In particular, assessment of oxygen transport in apples and oranges is demonstrated. To illustrate the possibility to use the technique for studies of modified atmosphere packaging processes, measurements on sealed horticultural produces were performed. Furthermore, preliminary studies of avocados concerning the possibility to nonintrusively determine the maturity of fruits are presented. This technique has substantial potential for the development of compact devices providing new types of information in postharvest fruit management

Source: UCC
Studies of mealybug wilt of pineapple in the central and eastern regions of Ghana

A study of the mealybug wilt disease of pineapple (MWP) in the Central and Eastern regions of Ghana was conducted. The objective was to study the features of the mealybug species responsible for the MWP to characterize the mealybugs to facilitate their recognition and management in pineapple production in Ghana. The study was divided into a questionnaire survey, field disease assessment, identification of species of mealybug causing the MWP together with their symbiont ants, determined the effect of the MWP on the photosynthetic ability of the pineapple plants during the attack by the virus and evaluated alternative management strategies for minimizing incidences of virus spread and mealybug wilt of pineapple. Farmers did not harvest suckers from infected mother plants and did not harvest from within I m2 perimeter of an infected plant and those farmers had a high level of knowledge of the MWP on their farms. Many of the farms surveyed from the two regions from Ghana had MWP incidence of 10-20%, indicating that the disease seriously threatens pineapple production in the regions. The patterns ofspread or distribution ofthe MWP across the various districts surveyed in the Central and Eastern regions of Ghana is more of clustering than random or even distribution on the field. Propagation with crowns gave a lower incidence of the MWP disease and a lower population of ants and mealybugs compared to the slips and the suckers. The feeding by the mealybugs and attack by the PMWaV in the MWP are responsible for the loss of the chlorophyll in the leaves that eventually lead to wilting of the plants. White vinegar and neem oil worked best in reducing the incidence and severity of the MWP and the mealybug and ant populations and could be used alternately with insecticides.

Source: UCC
Studies of occurence of purple beans in cocoa produced in Ghana

The study investigated the occurrence of high purple beans counts of cocoa produced in Ghana. The investigation consisted of a questionnaire survey of nineteen randomly selected districts in the six cocoa growing regions in Ghana and laboratory studies at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana. The studies were carried out from August 2005 to October 2006. Fennentation of cocoa beans for six or seven days did not guarantee the complete removal of anthocyanins and purpleness from the cocoa beans. It was observed that good quality dry cocoa beans had a Fennentation Index of one and above; 2.0mg/kg and below residual anthocyanins and pH of 5.4-5.5. Cocoa beans of partly brown/partly purple and pale purple colour were observed to have the same residual anthocyanins contents of the brown coloured cocoa beans considered to be of good quality. The residual anthocyanins contents of the fifteen cocoa cultivars after six days of fermentation varied considerably. Anthocyanins contents of the cultivars tested after six days fermentation, shows that only T85/799 x Amelonado and T60/887 x Amelonado contained 2.0mg/kg. However, cultivars with anthocyanins contents more than 2.0mg/kg reduced significantly below 2.0mg/kg after seven days fermentation except for T60/887 x IMC 60 and T60/887 x Be 8. The percentage purpleness of Criollo, Amelonado, Amazonia and all T85/799 crosses were found to be less than 20% while all the T60/887 crosses had purple beans of more than 20% except for T60/887 x IMC 60.

Source: UCC