ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploration study on integration of educational technology in the curriculum of colleges of education in the Central region of Ghana

The purpose of this study was to examine how five personal and institutional factors influenced the way tutors in the Colleges of Education (CoE) in the Central Region (CR) integrate technology, specifically computers and their accessories, and the internet into the curriculum. This study also, investigated how tutors’ individual personal factors are related to and interact with each other in the context of the Colleges of Education. Questionnaire and structured interview guide were the instruments for data collection. Data collection instruments were field tested and found significantly reliable. Further, in this exploratory study, attention was focused more on individual items than on scales of items in analyzing the Likert rating scales. Also, the interview responses were subsumed to complement the data collected by questionnaire. The study showed evidence that there were no technology integration plans in the three CoEs in the CR. Also, the tutors were both aware and had positive perceptions about integrating Educational Technology (ET) in the curriculum of CoEs. However, the background training of most of the tutors was not adequate and that affected their readiness to integrate educational technologies in their practice. Integration of educational technology was as well found to be affected by demographic characteristics of the tutors. It was recommended that Ministry of Education and state teacher education mandated institutions should take advantage of the high level of tutor awareness to formulate technology integration policies.

Source: UCC
Explorations of Factors Contributing to Junior High School Students’ Absenteeism in Asante Akyem Central Municipality of Ghana

Factors contributing to Junior High School (JHS) students’ absenteeism have been extensively explored in developing countries; however, not much is known in Ghana especially in Asante Akyem Central Municipality. This knowledge gap if not addressed could retard the attainment of the United Nations Education-Related Sustainable Development Goals. The objective of the study was thus to explore factors contributing to Junior High School students’ absenteeism in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality of Ghana. The study employed a descriptive survey design through the use of simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The population of the study was students, teachers, parents and community opinion leaders. A sample size of 570 was used. Questionnaire, register, terminal report, focus group discussion guides and interview were used to take data from the study participants. Quantitative data were analysed using ANOVA and linear regressions while qualitative data were analysed using narrative analysis. The quantitative analysis revealed that parents/guardians’ level of education did not influence absenteeism. The study revealed that unlike fathers’ level of income, mothers’ level of income was associated with absenteeism among students. The study further found out a relationship between persons’ students were staying with and their absenteeism. It was again established that there was association between the number of times parents/guardians attend PTA meeting and absenteeism among students. The results showed that test scores or marks obtained in all subjects (English, Mathematics or Science collectively) significantly impact the number of times students attend school. In view of the findings, the Ghana Education Service should provide adequate teaching and learning resources for junior high schools in order to improve students’ academic performance with the view of reducing absenteeism. It is recommended that parents should endeavour to participate in PTA meetings periodically so that absenteeism can reduce. It is further recommended that government should place emphasis on improving the economic potentials of mothers since their level of income influences absenteeism.

Source: UCC
Explorative study of entrepreneurship training programmes in Christian institutions in Ghana

Purpose – The past two decades have witnessed a surge in entrepreneurship training (ET) programmes among religious organisations in Ghana. Despite this, current studies on the topic have revealed a gap in the perception of ET initiatives and the actual needs and expectations of trainees. This paper aims to explore the characteristics of ET programmes in Christian organisations in Ghana and the perception of beneficiaries on the relevance of these schemes. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research approach was used for the study. The study used interviews and document reviews as data collection instruments. In investigating research questions one and two for case study one, interviews were used. For case study two, data were collected mainly through a review of documents for research question one and interviews for research question two. The data were analysed using thematic analysis techniques. Findings – The results show some similarities in ET characteristics in the two cases studied, specifically regarding objectives and target outcomes. Therefore, ET programmes identified in both cases were targeted at both potential and practicing entrepreneurs in the congregations. Further, content appears adequate with an emphasis on topics that develop business management skills. The teaching approach varied within the studied religious organisations and although some practices were similar to best practice guidelines suggested in literature, there are lapses in the system. Regarding respondents? perception on the relevance of the ET programmes, the authors observed a positive outlook among all respondents who argued that the scheme addressed key issues at individual, organisational and national levels. However, the study revealed that religious institutions were unwilling to provide seed funding to beneficiaries. Research limitations/implications – Further studies will need to validate findings in other Christian denominations not captured in the study. Furthermore, replicating this study among non-Christian religious institutions would be beneficial for policymaking. Practical implications – This study suggests that managers of ET programmes in churches need to be helped to focus their programmes on developing business competencies, specifically technical skills. Originality/value – There is a gap in understanding of the nature of ET programmes in religious institutions in Ghana and globally. This study provides insights on the characteristics of ET programmes in churches; thus allowing us to understand how they can be supported to deliver effectively.

Source: UCC
An exploratory investigation of superstitious behaviours, coping, control strategies, and personal control in Ghanaian and British student- athletes

This study examined the relationships between primary and secondary control strategies, coping, and superstitious behaviour. Participants were 349 student-athletes from the UK and Ghana, consisting of 194 males and 155 females. The nationality breakdown was 177 British student-athletes and 172 Ghanaian student-athletes. Participants completed ﬁve inventories measuring superstitious behaviours, personal control, control strategies, coping skills, and social desirability. Sequential multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between these constructs. A 2 by 2 analysis of covariance was conducted to assess the main and interactive effects of gender and nationality on superstitious behaviour. Findings demonstrated that personal control, coping mechanisms, and control strategies predicted superstitious behaviour. The ﬁndings suggest that athletes may engage in superstitious behaviour as a coping mechanism and as a secondary control strategy to offer them a sense of being in control in stressful situations. The results suggest that Ghanaian student-athletes may engage in superstitious behaviour more than British student-athletes. Results are discussed in relation to previous research and practical implications are delineated.

Source: UCC
Exploratory study on the importance of occupational health and safety policy at the center of awareness in Ghana

Occupation Health and safety (OHS) is an essential component for the success of every organisation. As such, it is important for every organisation to protect its employees from work related ailment and injuries. The Center of Awareness (COA) as an organisation needs to know the importance of OHS and how to handle OHS issues that arises in the organisation. Currently, COA do not have any policy guiding such issues and it seems Management are not aware of most of the OHS issues in the organisation. The study therefore sought to explore the importance of OHS, find out the OHS issues at the COA and recommend possible policies that can help solve such issues. With this in mind, information was gathered from the population of COA in Ghana using observation, questionnaires and interview schedule. In analyzing the data, the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software was used. The study found out that COA does not have any OHS policy guiding its operations. Management did show a bit of concern for OHS issues in the organisation, nevertheless, there were some OHS issues that needed attention. Although one injury that led to permanent disability was recorded, it should not be the only or primary indicator of safety effectiveness. The researcher recommended that policies on salary, insurance, health, use of safety equipment, training and appointments must be developed by COA. The study further gives its users an insight to what OHS is and its importance. More so, users of the research information would be abreast with the OHS issues in COA which would also aid policy makers come up with a comprehensive policy that best fit COA.

Source: UCC
Exploring Determinants that Influence and Predict Students’ Attitudes towards Social Issues: A Survey of Senior High Schools in Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana

The study explored the attitudes of senior high school students in the Brong Ahafo region towards social issues. It hypothesised that gender, subjects studied, type of school, environment, age, ethnicity and religious affiliation of students have an effect and predict their attitudes. The study adopted the descriptive cross-sectional survey as a design. Participants for the study were 900 students from 20 senior high schools in the region. They were selected using the cluster and simple random sampling techniques. A questionnaire (Mensah’s attitude scale for measuring social, moral and religious issues) with a Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.893 was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed with SPSS version 20. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools like frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviation, Factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression were used for data analysis. The results showed that students in senior high schools in the Brong Ahafo region had positive attitudes towards social issues and that, their demographic characteristics have significant influence and predict their attitudes. It was recommended that Brong Ahafo branch of the Ghana Education Service should endeavour to intensify education on social, moral and religious issues through subjects like citizenship education and religious and moral education

Source: UCC
Exploring Factors that Promote Successful Completion of Master’s Theses at University of Cape Coast

This study sought to explore factors that promote the successful completion of Master’s theses at the University of Cape Coast. Through the phenomenology design, the study used a purposive sampling technique to select twelve (12) participants, consisting of seven (7) students, three (3) supervisors, and two (2) administrators. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from participants. Interview data were generated by transcribing interviews verbatim and with the help of the ATLASti software. Thematic analysis was used to analyse themes. This study found that student’s academic relationships with colleagues and other scholars and areas of focus for research help students to write their theses successfully. Again, easy accessibility of supervisors to students, timely and useful feedback from supervisors were also found to assist students in the successful completion of the thesis. Finally, institutional and department promoters such as Graduate School policies, measures to ensure effective supervision, provision of financial aid, provision of infrastructure, periodic seminars and work-in-progress presentations, and good relationships with departmental faculty and staff aided in the successful completion of the thesis. By recommendation, student researchers should explore cost-effective methods, materials, and technologies, and utilise resource-sharing mechanisms among departments. It was also recommended, that institutions establish a comprehensive financial framework to support student’s thesis research to enable them to complete successfully.

Source: UCC
Exploring health implications associated with irregular migration from Ghana to Libya and beyond

Although there have been several negative media reports on the plight of irregular migrants from Ghana, research on issues related to their health has been rather scanty. The study assesses health implications associated with irregular migration from Ghana using both the Techiman and Nkoranza Municipalities as a case study. Through a snowball sampling technique, 237 return migrants from Libya were interviewed using questionnaire (200) and in-depth interviews (37). Not only were the migrants predisposed to dehydration, malnutrition/undernourishment and physical exhaustion due to long periods of walking with inadequate water and food, but also fatalities were common among them. Reportedly, 17 migrants fell sick and died in the desert when their vehicle lost its direction compelling them to walk more than one week, while some 15 others from the study areas drowned in their attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. The migrants mostly live and work under poor conditions, thus some had pneumonia while others died in their ghettos (uncompleted buildings) due to excessive cold conditions in winter. Irregular migration is pursued at the cost of the health and life of the migrants. One option for addressing irregular migration from Ghana is to provide skills training and seed capital or job opportunities for young school leavers who could not further their education after the Junior High School or Senior High School.

Source: UCC
Exploring knowledge landscapes: A narrative inquiry of midwives’ experiences of working in diverse settings in Ghana

Objective: This paper focuses on exploring the experiences of midwives in Ghana who have worked in diverse settings over time. It explores how midwives’ personal experiences across time, place and in diverse contexts impact their care for women during childbirth. The paper describes the forms of knowledge held by midwives. It presents how the experiences of midwives reflect their professional and personal practical knowledge landscape. Methods: Using narrative inquiry, the experiences of four midwives working in private maternity homes were explored. Being guided by the three-dimensional narrative inquiry space of temporality, sociality and place, and the concept of relational ethics, a meaningful relationship was built with participants over a period of five months. Several tape-recorded conversations were held with each participant, multiple other interactions were recorded as field notes and in a journal. Each tape-recorded conversation was transcribed and used to construct narrative accounts that reflected participants’ experiences as lived and told. Interim narrative accounts were shared with participants to ensure that the accounts reflected their experiences. Analysis: To identify resonant threads across all four narrative accounts, each account was read multiple times with intentionality and with the research objectives in mind. Results: Three distinct professional knowledge landscapes for midwives were identified. These were the professional knowledge landscape of working in rural communities, urban communities, and private maternity homes. Two concepts of knowledge: knowledge for midwives and midwives’ knowledge, were identified on each of these professional knowledge landscapes. Conclusions: Education of midwives should consciously take into consideration the different knowledge landscapes in which midwives in Ghana practice.

Source: UCC
Exploring Knowledge Landscapes: A Narrative Inquiry of Midwives’ Experiences of Working in Diverse Settings in Ghana

This paper focuses on exploring the experiences of midwives in Ghana who have worked in diverse settings over time. It explores how midwives’ personal experiences across time, place and in diverse contexts impact their care for women during childbirth. The paper describes the forms of knowledge held by midwives. It presents how the experiences of midwives reflect their professional and personal practical knowledge landscape. Methods: Using narrative inquiry, the experiences of four midwives working in private maternity homes were explored. Being guided by the three-dimensional narrative inquiry space of temporality, sociality and place, and the concept of relational ethics, a meaningful relationship was built with participants over a period of five months. Several tape-recorded conversations were held with each participant, multiple other interactions were recorded as field notes and in a journal. Each tape-recorded conversation was transcribed and used to construct narrative accounts that reflected participants’ experiences as lived and told. Interim narrative accounts were shared with participants to ensure that the accounts reflected their experiences. Analysis: To identify resonant threads across all four narrative accounts, each account was read multiple times with intentionality and with the research objectives in mind. Results: Three distinct professional knowledge landscapes for midwives were identified. These were the professional knowledge landscape of working in rural communities, urban communities, and private maternity homes. Two concepts of knowledge: knowledge for midwives and midwives’ knowledge, were identified on each of these professional knowledge landscapes. Conclusions: Education of midwives should consciously take into consideration the different knowledge landscapes in which midwives in Ghana practice.

Source: UCC
Exploring Leadership Styles of Basic School Head Teachers, School Climate and Their Effects on Teachers’ Job Satisfaction in the Volta Region

In educational institutions, the leadership style adopted by the heads of the institution influences different outcomes and thus needs to be studied. The aim of this study was to explore the leadership styles adopted by basic school headteachers and it effects on the school climate and the job satisfaction of teachers in the Volta Region of Ghana. A descriptive survey design was adopted in conducting the study. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 328 teachers and 191 headteachers to constitute the sample of the study. Questionnaires were used to gather the data from the participants. Findings from this study revealed that transformational leadership style was predominantly practiced by the headteachers and the climate in the schools was mostly supportive. It was further revealed that, leadership styles predicted the type of climate in the schools and only transformational leadership style and laissez faire leadership styles showed to significantly predict job satisfaction of teachers. It was therefore recommended that headteachers should adopt a leadership style which is more transformational as it leads to supportive school climate and boost the job satisfaction of teachers.

Source: UCC
Exploring lived experiences of users of school built environments in the Ghanaian context of basic education

School built environments (SBEs) are critical places of human experience. Although disparities in teaching and learning opportunities exist in basic education, it is unclear whether meanings of SBEs communicate to users manifest these disparities. This study explored the lived experiences of SBE users to understand how meanings communicated to them manifest inequality of educational opportunities in the context of Ghanaian basic education. The study collected verbal and visual data from ten participants purposively sampled from two basic schools in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region of Ghana. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis of the textual data included contrasting users’ experiences, messages, and meanings emerging from the conversational interviews, close observation of physical spaces, and photographs of the SBEs. Four main themes namely: physical, functional, psychosocial, and aesthetic realities, emerged from the analysis to inform the central theme of realities of being-in-the-world of SBEs. Participants’ lived experiences were described as negative and positive. Besides, the SBEs communicated meanings of ‘neglect’ and ‘support’ to their users, which perhaps manifested inequality in educational opportunities in the context of social democracy. The study concludes that positive and supportive SBEs are more likely to enhance teaching and learning opportunities and help users fulfil their aspirations than negative and unsupportive SBEs. The results from this study deepen SBE understanding and contribute to the extant SBE knowledge. However, further research is necessary to strengthen the claim that users’ meanings of SBEs manifest inequality of educational opportunities.

Source: UCC
Exploring Mathematics Teachers’ Perceived Use of ICT in Classroom Instruction Using the Will-Skill-Tool-Pedagogy Model

This study models the essential factors for a teacher to incorporate ICT into mathematics classroom instruction effectively. This research focuses on the study participants will (positive attitudes), skill (ICT competence), tool (access to ICT tools) and pedagogy (teaching style and confidence in skill) WSTP as key indicators for the predictability of ICT integration. An attempt is made to understand how these variables varied among mathematics teachers and also to examine their impact on ICT integration in mathematics instruction. In modeling the process of ICT usage in the study, 92 senior high school mathematics teachers were selected to respond to a questionnaire. The study’s survey of the mathematics teachers reported significant positive correlations between will, skill, tool and pedagogy variables and the stages of adoption of ICT use in teaching. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to explore the WSTP dimensions and to examine their relationship with ICT integration using SmartPLS 3 software. The predictive tendency of the factors was (0.21) indicating 21% proportion of variance was explained by WSTP in the adoption of ICT integration. The results also indicated that Tool was the strongest predictor of ICT usage in the classroom for the teachers. This means that increasing access to ICT tools should be the priority of the senior high schools for the mathematics teachers in the study to effectively integrate ICT in their teaching. The study offered valuable insights into the factors affecting ICT integration in classroom instruction and provided new ideas for understanding ICT usage in the mathematics classroom context.

Source: UCC