ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Pedagogical approaches to African pianism models for beginner to advanced

Most compositions for the piano by African composers have been centred on complex rhythms and movement patterns that allow only pianists who are advanced to be able to play and enjoy them. Such pieces are usually difficult to be given to Beginners and Intermediate players for concert performances and examinations. This thesis then explored and collected samples of such existing piano works to establish the difficulty level, create African piano works for some proficiency levels and which are models for African Pianism. It sought to establish a directional and instructive conceptual model for composing step-to-step African piano works for modern art music composers to create such works intended for wide range of performers. Rooted in the bibliographic, analytic and creative designs, data were collected using theoretical research, and document analysis. 23 existing pieces were explored and collected through bibliographical search from works of purposefully selected African scholar composers whose works have been consistently used for performances and examinations. 18 pieces which were found to be of Advance level through analysis were re created in abridged versions for the Beginner and the Intermediate. The study brought into existence not only a conceptual model for composing pedagogical pieces in African pianism but also reduction of original African Piano compositions which are models from the various proficiency levels - Beginner, Intermediate and Advance. This, it is envisaged, will create more interest in piano playing among many enthusiasts and amateurs. The thesis not only explores or works within the creative musicology paradigm, it also privileges original insight, sensibility, and yet without sacrificing analytical understanding. It highlights and contributes to the process of decolonization in African pianism in context of the African musical tradition and the development of its identity. The reductions are a major resource for expanding the number of piano players in many institutions offering music as a result of usage of short phrases and rhythms and abridged harmonic textures. It is, therefore, recommended that more pedagogical pieces are created using the pedagogical conceptual model for writing African Piano works for the various proficiency levels to aid easy practice and enjoyment.

Source: UEW
The pedagogical factor in the primary school music curriculum of Ghana

The study focused on the pedagogical factor in the primary school music curriculum of Ghana which emanated from an observation made in some Ghanaian primary schools. The observation showed that several teachers in Ghanaian primary schools have difficulties in planning and presenting lessons on the music related sections of the Creative Arts syllabus. It was therefore, aimed at investigating the ability levels of the primary school teacher in implementing the music curriculum as well as figuring out prevailing challenges for possible attention. The descriptive qualitative enquiry sampled participants from three regions of Ghana (Volta, Eastern, Greater Accra and Central), mainly using purposive sampling tools. Having analyzed the data thematically, it came to light that some teachers did not teach the subject at all while others merely engaged their pupils in singing without predetermined music learning objectives. Nonetheless, other teachers strived to teach the subject with prepared lesson notes. The study discovered that the teachers lacked sound pedagogical training needed to handle the subject since much in that regard was not acquired during their pre service training nor were they offered on-the-job training. It is recommended that periodic In-Service training be organized for them to equip them for the work. Besides, the use of community resource persons was advocated by the study. It was further recommended that a teachers‘ manual be developed to serve as a guide for the teachers without forgetting the need for stronger collaborations between the schools on one hand and community stake holders on the other hand to promote music and dance instruction.

Source: UEW
Peer effects in R&D investment policy: Evidence from China

Using a typical linear model on a sample of listed firms in China over a period of 10 years (2006�2016), this study empirically attempts proving how peer effects influence corporate research and development (R&D) investment decision. The study goes further to demonstrate that peer effects play a significant and critical role in determining corporate R&D investment policies, and by extension the more important determinant than most traditional firm-specific factors. After dealing with endogeneity bias and conducting further robustness checks, the above conclusions were valid in this study. It has been theorized in contemporary research that both information and market competition are the main channels through which one can best appreciate peer effects and that firms with weak information acquisition ability and in highly uncertain or competitive environment are more likely to be affected by peer groups. We also find evidence that a firm's R&D investment status relative to its peer firms will affect its R&D investment decision. Moreover, the direction of peer effects follows the law of imitation. Thus, firms are more likely to imitate those peers who share similar characteristics. Yet, leading firms and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are exceptionally different as their R&D decisions are sensitive to both peer-followers and non-SOEs respectively. � 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Source: UEW
Peer group influence on the academic and social life of students in Fafraha Community Senior High School

Recently, the nature of peer groups that have sprung in our senior high schools in Ghana have had a tremendous negative impact on both the social life and academic life of the students. Generally, the study examined the influence of peer group on the social and academic life of students in Fafraha Community Senior High School. The quantitative cross-sectional survey strategy was used involving 300 students from SHS 1, 2, and 3 at the Fafraha Community Senior High School. The selection was done using the stratified simple random sampling technique. The descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that the bond that exists among peers is very strong to the extent that they find it very comforting to listen to their peers as compared to their family, hence, the possibility of them getting lured into any bad act is very high. Also, the study found out that because the opinions of the members of peer groups are cherished, other friendships were based on the peer group’s approval. This means that a bad friend made by a peer can lead to a multitude of bad friends around them, hence, jeopardizing the social life of that individual. The study then concludes that the nature of peer groups students belong to have a negative effect on both the academic life and social life of students. Hence, the study then recommends that the Guidance and counseling unit in the school should be given an important role in the life of students while they are in school. This would help enlighten them on the consequences of mingling with bad peers. Finally, strict but reasonable disciplinary measures should be implemented sustainably in the school to check the deviant behaviour that may arise from time to time, mostly resulting from peer influence.

Source: UEW
People’s perception about the role of married women in community development A case study in Assin Fosu and its surrounding areas of the Assin North Municipality

This study is an investigation into the perceptions that people have about the roles of married women in community development in the Assin North Municipality of the Central Region of Ghana. Using a qualitative research method, the study also provides an insight into the reasons that explain the people’s perceptions. Data was collected from 200 respondents who were interviewed in twenty focus groups. It is evident that there are several perceptions that people have about the roles of married women in community development, including the perception that, married women can effectively manage both family and community responsibilities only when there is a permissive, supportive and encouraging husband and that, married women are the least participatory in community development processes. The study also identifies the opinions that married women are biologically fragile, that they have God-given duties, and social ascription as some of the reasons that explain the perceptions that people have about the roles of married women in community development. It is, therefore, imperative that the situation of stereotyping, which the above reasons seek to justify, be urgently reconsidered. The capacity of the education system comes to the fore in the quest to sensitize the people to be appreciative of the roles of everyone, as complementary to others’ in the development of their community. Nonetheless, responses also favoured the empowerment of women which allows the married women to tell their own story which would necessarily be devoid of stereotyping.

Source: UEW
People’s perceptions about unmarried women A survey in Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region

This study aimed at discovering people of Kwaebibirem views about unmarried women in order to see whether their perceptions align with what was already in the literature about unmarried women in other countries. The study was conducted in Kwaebibirem district in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The participants of the study were 110 adults purposively drawn purposively from five towns that were conveniently chosen from the district. The study employed the mixed-method design. Data were collected through the administration of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Findings from study revealed that many of the participants had a negative perception about unmarried women while others showed positive perceptions about unmarried women. The findings also revealed that the married people especially, the married female had the most negative perceptions than the single males and the females. The study revealed that these negative perceptions were rooted in the idea that the unmarried woman is at fault but not the men or societal norms. From the study it was evident that the perception that unmarried women are unhappy was not about their marriage per se rather how others see them; what others say, think and do to them that make unmarried women unhappy. Furthermore, the study showed that people perceived too much education on the side a woman, lack of money on the side of her suitor and too much selectiveness on the side of the unmarried woman as causes of women delaying marriages. It is recommended that a change in societal norms to pave way for respect for people irrespective of their marital status. Besides, it is also recommended that laws on all manner of negative comments, marginalization and stigmatization of people especially, the unmarried women should be enforced by law enforcement institutions to help allow people to make life time choices they want to make.

Source: UEW
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in human serum samples of selected populations from Ghana

The aims of this study were to assess serum concentrations of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in selected populations from Ghana, including workers engaged in the repair of electronic equipment (ERWs), and to elucidate PFAS concentrations in relation to blood mercury concentrations (B-Hg) as a biomarker of seafood consumption. In all, 219 participants were recruited into the study, of which 26 were women and 64 were ERWs. Overall, the PFAS concentrations were low. The most abundant components were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). Women had generally lower PFAS concentration than men. The ERWs had statistically significantly higher concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), which was associated with the concentration of tin in urine. This could indicate exposure during soldering. The concentration of B-Hg was associated with several of the PFASs such as PFOA, PFOS and perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS). Additionally, the concentrations of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluo-roundecanoate (PFUnDA) were highly associated with the concentrations of B-Hg. It is noteworthy that the linear isomer of PFHxS was strongly associated with B-Hg while the branched isomers of PFHxS were not. In conclusion, the PFAS concentrations observed in the present study are low compared to other populations previously investigated, which also reflects a lower PFAS exposure within the Ghanaian cohorts. ERWs had significantly higher PFOA concentrations than the other participants. Several PFASs were associated with B-Hg, indicating that seafood consumption may be a source of PFAS exposure. � 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Source: UEW
Perceived association between football playing surfaces and sports injuries. A survey among players of division two clubs in the Volta Region.

Football is a sport associated with high injury occurrence. The sport is characterized by short sprints, rapid acceleration or deceleration, turning, jumping, kicking, and tackling which makes the players vulnerable to injury. The study was conducted to unravel the perceived association between football playing surfaces and sports injuries among division-two football clubs in the Volta Region. Using descriptive survey design, the study was conducted on 210 participants from division-two clubs with an average age range between 15 and 20. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the sample for the study. Participants completed questionnaire that entails types of injuries likely to associate with different football playing surfaces, playing surface properties that are perceived to increase the risk of injury and the playing surface players perceive to cause the most sports injuries. Data was analysed with SPSS version 20 and results presented in frequencies and percentages. Results indicates that common injuries like joint pain/soreness, bruises, cuts/abrasions, back pain, fracture, dislocation, ligament damage, and shin splints were mostly associated with natural turf (62.2%) than artificial turf (37.8%). Again, playing surface properties such as hardness, abrasiveness, grass length, bumpiness, thickness of grass, and level of grip were perceived to increase the risk of injuries on natural turf than artificial turf. Results from research question three revealed that 76% of division-two players perceived injury rate to be more on natural playing surfaces than artificial playing surfaces. It was concluded that participants perceived sports injuries to be associated more with natural turf than artificial turf. I recommend that more research is carried out in other regions to ascertain how players perceive injury on playing surfaces so that expert decisions can be made to reduce the incidence of injuries caused by playing surfaces.

Source: UEW
The perceived causes and effects of female student drop out in Ashanti Mampong municipality

The purpose of the study was to investigate the perceived causes and effects of female student drop out in Ashanti Mampong Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative phenomenological case study design. The research population covered headmasters, female student dropouts, teachers, policy makers and parents. A sample of four (4) head teachers, four (4) ordinary school dropout learners and four (4) teachers, comprising of 2 males and 2 females, were purposively drawn from each school. The parent population was purposively selected from among those who had dropout daughters from the school registers. The instruments used were focus group discussions and an interview guide. The study found among others that dropping out of girls has generally been related to the low education of parents. Most female dropouts were also found to belong to medium and small-sized families. Cultural practices and institutions, including early marriage, engagement, circumcision, home parental services and neglect of female health and nutrition significantly contribute to female dropouts. Based on the findings, it is recommended that school authorities should provide a conducive atmosphere for learning, in which adolescent girls can easily adapt to and complete their education.

Source: UEW
Perceived causes of low academic performance among senior high school students a case of Nkawie senior high school

Quality education has always been the seal of most educational policies made in Ghana. In spite of quality education, the main aim of many educational reforms and policies, the desired quality has not yet been achieved. The purpose of this study was to assess the causes of low academic performance among Senior High School students. Descriptive research design was employed for this study. Simple random sampling was used to select the respondents. A total of one hundred and sixty (160) participants made of 100 students, 40 teachers and 20 parents participated in the study. Questionnaire and interview were the data collection instrument used to solicit for data. The collected data was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21. The results were presented using percentages and mean values in a Table. The study find out that, inadequate provision of teaching and learning materials to students, teacher absenteeism and inadequate assessment of students were some of the teacher related causes of students low academic performance. Student’s shyness to seek for clarification from teachers, insufficient time for students to learn their books and increased indiscipline among students were revealed to be student related factors that contributes to their low academic performance. The study concludes that improvement of students’ academic performance was a shared responsibility of all educational stakeholders. The study recommend that the head of school in collaboration of the district educational directorate should conduct regular and prompt in 0 service training for teachers. Students should be counselled to be bold enough to seek for further clarification from tutors. The district educational directorate should ensure that there is prompt and regular supply of teaching and learning materials to enhance teaching and learning.

Source: UEW
Perceived effects of large class size on students’ academic performance

This study examined the perceived effects of large class size on student’s academic performance. The researcher used a cross-sectional design and adopted stratified and simple random sampling techniques to select two-hundred and eighty (280) students from four public senior high schools in the Akwapim South District of the Eastern Region. To collect data, a structured questionnaire was utilized, which demonstrated good reliability with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.791. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation, were employed for data analysis, along with inferential statistics such as correlation and regression. The findings of the study indicated that large class size negatively affected students' academic performance and limited their learning opportunities. Additionally, it was discovered that the psychological classroom environment significantly influenced students' academic performance. As a result, the study recommended that teachers and head teachers adhere to the recommended teacher-to-student ratio of 1:40 set by the Ghana Education Service, as smaller class sizes and a positive psychological classroom environment enhance student performance. Teachers should strive to create an inclusive environment that encourages student participation in classroom activities. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that students achieved better outcomes in smaller class sizes and favorable psychological classroom environments. Therefore, it was suggested that the government should hire more teachers and construct additional classrooms to address the issue of large class sizes in public senior high schools in Ghana.

Source: UEW
Perceived factors affecting academic performance of students in Integrated Science a study in the Jomoro municipality

The study investigated the perceived factors affecting students’ academic performance in Integrated Science in the Senior High Schools in Jomoro Municipality. These factors were grouped into student’s environmental factors, teacher-related factors and student-related factors. A sample of 314 respondents consisting of 294 students and 20 teachers were selected by means of stratified random sampling technique and a purposive sampling technique respectively. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were the instruments used. Data collected were analysed using frequencies and percentages with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, 21.1 version). The findings indicated that the major factors affecting students’ academic performance in Integrated Science are immediate environmental factors such as students’ parental levels of education and home income, teaching and learning resources availability and accessibility, meals provision and student interrelationships in schools, teacher-related factors such as professional and subject qualifications, teaching methodology and attitude toward subject, and student-related factors such as interest, expectations and learning habits towards the subject. Consequently, it was recommended among others that enough teaching and learning resources should be provided to strengthen teachers and arouse students’ interest in the subject, and in-service training for decapitated science teachers with tight supervision of teaching and learning activities of both teachers and students. Also, parents/guardians should always encourage their wards by equipping them with the necessary materials needed to study Integrated Science. The implication of the findings of the study is that these factors generally do not operate in isolation. Improving the academic performance of students in Integrated Science in schools should not involve paying attention to individual issues but should involve a total package.

Source: UEW