ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Meal experience and post-purchase behavioural intentions of customers of grade three restaurants within Sekondi-Takoradi

Meal experience forms an integral part of the growth and development of restaurants. The main objective of the study was to examine the effect of meal experience on customers‟ post-purchase behavioural intentions to grade three restaurants in Sekondi-Takoradi. Three models from Kivela et al. (1999), Kleynhans (2003) and Ryu and Han (2010) provided the theoretical bases for the study. A non-experimental design (explanatory) underpinned by the positivist approach (quantitative) was adopted. Questionnaire was employed to collect the data, and convenience sampling technique was used to select 272 customers. The statistical techniques used for the analysis were, frequencies, percentages, cross-tabulations, means, standard deviation, chi-square and logistic regression. The study revealed that there was no significant relationship between reasons for eating out and socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. A similar finding was registered with respect to respondents‟ reasons for eating out and meal experience. However, there were significant effects with regard to customers‟ socio-demographic characteristic (sex) and perception of the meal experience (menu & price) on the overall meal experience. The main factors that influenced meal experience were food, menu, price, service and atmosphere. It was concluded that, there was a significant relationship between meal experience and post-purchase behavioural intentions (re-visit & recommendation). It was recommended that restaurant managers pay extra attention to food preparation, environment, location, service and periodic training for staff.

Source: UCC
The meal experience of customers of grade 3 restaurants in Sekondi-Takoradi

Meal experience is key to customer satisfaction and profitability of restaurants. The main objective of the study was to examine the meal experience on customers’ of grade three restaurants within Sekondi-Takoradi. It further examined the effect of personal factors of customers on the meal experience. Convenience sampling was used to select 272 respondents from all grade 3 restaurants and were surveyed using a questionnaire. The statistical techniques used for the analysis were Statistical Product for Service Solution, T-test, bar graph and logistic regression. The study revealed that gender had a significant effect on the overall meal experience. Consequently, the odds of a male having a good meal experience is less than that of a female. The main factors that influenced meal experience were food, menu, price, service and atmosphere. Also, there was no significant difference between the factors that determined the meal experience by first-time and repeat visitors to grade three restaurants. It was concluded that, ‘location’ should always be of extreme importance to restaurant operators because it serves as a determining factor of choice of restaurant thereby avoiding poor patronage. It was also recommended that restaurant managers pay extra attention to food preparation, environment, location, service and periodic training for staff in order to enhance and sustain the meal experience of customers to grade three restaurants within Sekondi-Takoradi

Source: UCC
The meanings Ghanaian junior secondary school students give to science concept-related words

This study instigated the meanings Ghanaian Junior Secondary School Students give to science concept-related words they encounter in science textbooks for Junior Secondary Schools. The study also tried to determine whether the location of the school gender differences and the native language of the students, have any influence on their understanding of science concept-related words. The study involved 1028 students (455 females and 573 males) from 12 (6 urban and 6 rural) out of 33 Junnior Secondary Schools in Navrongo District in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Two multiple cboice tests (A and B), each containing 25 science concept-related words, were used for the study. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings of the study included the following: 1. The urban sample performed better on the interpretation of science concept-related words than the rural sample. 2. Gender differences in the interpretation of science concept-related words existed between the male and female students of the rural sample. The absence or presence of concept words in the native language of the student, similar to science concept words influence the understanding of, and the meaning they give to science concept-related words words. The implications for science concept formation have been discussed and summarized. Among the recommenda1ions made to improve the students' understanding of science concept-related words were that, a study should be carried out to relate science words to words in the native language and the language environment of the rural Junior Secondary Schools should be enriched with additional reading materials and other instructional materiaIs. These would enhance students' vocabulary, word association and comprehension of science text.

Source: UCC
Measurement and modeling of exposure levels of radiofrequency emissions from fourth generation long term evolution base stations in three regions of the southern part of Ghana

The analysis of electric field strengths and power densities at one hundred and fifty (150) Fourth Generation Long Time Evolution (4G LTE) base stations in three urban and densely populated regions of the southern part of Ghana (Greater Accra, Ashanti and Western) was carried out using an Anritsu Spectrum Master coupled to a handheld log-periodic antenna. The measurements were taken around the base stations and at public access points, chosen to represent the highest levels of exposure to which a person might be subjected to. The results of electric field strength measurement for the various base stations varied from as low as 8.52E-09 + 8.52E -10 mV/m from a site in the Western region to as high as 2.81E-02 + 2.81E-03 mV/m from a site in the Ashanti region. The corresponding power densities were 3.42E-08 mW/m2 and 1.13E-01 mW/m2 respectively. The results however, comply with the ICNIRP recommended limits of 38.89 V/m and 4 W/m2 for electric field strength and power density for 800 MHz frequency band respectively. The results also showed a good correlation between measurement and theoretical models for the prediction of power density levels at base station, even though the levels from the measured results were on the average less than that of the predicted values.

Source: UCC
Measurement of absorbed dose to organs at risk in high dose rate brachytherapy of the cervix

Radiation dose to bladder and rectum in the treatment of cervical cancer using high dose rate brachytherapy is a limiting factor to the delivery of the prescribed dose to the target. The objective of this study is to determine absorbed dose to the bladder and rectum (organs at risk) in the treatment of cervical cancer using multisource high dose rate brachytherapy treatment system in order to establish an in-vivo dosimetric and quality assurance protocol for patient treatment. A phantom was constructed using perspex for the measurement of dose distribution to the bladder and rectum. Gafchromic EBT3 films were used as dosimeters for measuring doses received by the bladder and rectum. The variation between doses calculated by the treatment planning system (TPS) and the doses measured by the Gafchromic EBT3 film at the bladder point was 15.38% (mean) ranging from -29.03% to 43.75%. The variation between doses calculated by the TPS and the doses measured by the film at rectum point was 14.73% ranging from -47.22% to 51.06%. Two mathematical algorithms were developed from the study to enable dose estimation to the bladder and rectum for error detection, variation analysis and verification of the treatment system. The variation between doses calculated by the TPS and the doses calculated by the model at the bladder point was 9.53% ±8.04. The variation between doses calculated by the TPS and the doses calculated by the model at the rectal point was 13.57% ±8.46. The results of the proposed models are within the ± 15% uncertainty proposed for dose delivery in radiation therapy (Hanson et al., 1994). The model is therefore recommended for clinical applications

Source: UCC
Measurement of odour in on-site sanitation systems in low-income settings

The objective assessment of the level of odour in on-site sanitation systems is required when evaluating emerging technology options and maintenance practices. The purpose of this study was to measure the concentrations of hydrogen sulphide and ammonia as surrogates of odour using a portable gas detector, and assess whether the concentrations of the compounds correlate with the perception of users of the facilities. The Aeroqual 500 portable gas detector with hydrogen sulphide and ammonia sensor heads was used to measure the concentrations of the compounds in 88 rivate and seven communal latrines sampled from a peri-urban community in Ghana. The odour perception of 189 and 165 users of private and communal latrines, respectively, was assessed on an ordinal scale. It was found that the concentrations of hydrogen sulphide and ammonia measured with the gas detector reflected the known variation of odour levels among different technology options and the perceptions of the latrine users. The concentrations of hydrogen sulphide measured in the water closet, ventilated improved it (VIP) and the simple it latrines were 0.01, 0.03 and 0.13 pm, respectively; those of ammonia were undetected for the water closet, and 0.30 and 3.27 pm for the VIP and simple it latrines, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between hydrogen sulphide concentrations and user perception of odour (−0.234) was significant at 5 % level (p = 0.022) but that for ammonia was not. The results indicate that a ortable hydrogen sulphide detector may be employed to objectively assess the effectiveness of new latrine designs and maintenance ractices aimed at reducing odour in latrines

Source: UCC
Measurement of optical turbidity of drinking water samples, using nephelometric and laser light techniques

The specific objective of this study was to directly measure drinking water turbidity of six (6) groundwater samples of surface rivers, streams and hand-dug wells from Ghana, for sustainable national development. These measurements were carried out in two research laboratories by using laser light techniques of light scattering and light transmission experiments to assist nephelometric measurements. The nephelometric studies showed a strong positive correlation with a R2 value of 0.9285 between optical turbidity (NTU) and the concentration of the suspended solids (mg/L) of the water samples. Thus, indicating that environmental conditions do affect water turbidity and suspended solids. Furthermore, polar diagrams of light scattered by high turbidity and low turbidity water samples could be distinguished. Indeed, the polar graphs of all the drinking water samples were noticeably the same shape for the most turbid to the least, for the measuring light wavelength λ=633 nm (in air). The study also showed that light transmission measurements can be used to complement the fractional reduction in light intensity per metre length due to scattering of the inhomogeneities in the water samples

Source: UCC
Measurement Of optical turbidity of drinking water samples,using nephelometric and laser light techniques

The specific objective of this study was to directly measure drinking water turbidity of six (6) groundwater samples of surface rivers, streams and hand-dug wells from Ghana, for sustainable national development. These measurements were carried out in two research laboratories by using laser light techniques of light scattering and light transmission experiments to assist nephelometric measurements. The nephelometric studies showed a strong positive correlation with a R2 value of 0.9285 between optical turbidity (NTU) and the concentration of the suspended solids (mg/L) of the water samples. Thus, indicating that environmental conditions do affect water turbidity and suspended solids. Furthermore, polar diagrams of light scattered by high turbidity and low turbidity water samples could be distinguished. Indeed, the polar graphs of all the drinking water samples were noticeably the same shape for the most turbid to the least, for the measuring light wavelength λ=633 nm (in air). The study also showed that light transmission measurements can be used to complement the fractional reduction in light intensity per metre length due to scattering of the inhomogeneities in the water samples

Source: UCC
Measuring and analyzing particle size in a geomorphic context

Measuring the particle-size distribution of sediments is a fundamental tool in geomorphology. Boulder- and cobble-size material is generally measured by direct measurement whereas a wide variety of techniques are available to determine grain-size distributions for sand- to clay-dominated sediments. Commonly, a combination of methods is needed and no particular technique can be considered 'more accurate' or 'more precise' than another. This chapter reviews the main techniques used to obtain the particle-size distribution of sediments samples and outlines some of the uses and limitations of each technique along with a commentary on popular methods to present grain-size data

Source: UCC
Measuring negative tourist-to-tourist interaction: scale development and validation

Despite the destructive nature of tourist-to-tourist interactions, previous research efforts focused on service provider–tourist interactions while neglecting negative tourist-to-tourist interactions. Consequently, there is a lack of conceptual clarity on how to measure negative tourist-to-tourist interaction. Following a rigorous methodological procedure and a two-wave study, this paper develops a four-dimensional scale for the measurement of negative tourist-to-tourist interaction. The scale’s predictive validity suggests that negative tourist-to-tourist interaction negatively influences value and memorability. The paper discusses the implications of the findings for measuring negative tourist-to tourist interactions within the context of service design and management in the tourism industry

Source: UCC
Measuring Students‘ Satisfaction of Social Media Usage in Distance Learning. The Role of ‘Connectivism Theory‘

Connectivism is a learning theory that emphasizes the importance of technology and social networks in the learning process. According to this theory, learning occurs through the connections that individuals make with others and with information sources. Social media is seen as a key tool for promoting connectivism in the classroom, as it allows for collaboration, discussion, and the sharing of information and perspectives. The study was aimed at assessing social media learning satisfaction among distance learning students, considering factors such as learner autonomy, learner diversity, connectedness, and openness. The sample consisted of 301 participants selected through purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the data using IBM SPSS Statistics. Additionally, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with Smart-PLS was utilised to investigate the relationships between the variables of interest. The results indicate that a high level of Learners‘ Diversity (M = 3.59, SD = .88) was observed in connectivism, followed by Learners‘ Autonomy (M = 3.42, SD = .99, Learners‘ Openness (M = 3.40, SD = .90) and Learners‘ Connectedness (M = 3.21, SD = .97). The overall level of connectivism was also high. The results also revealed a high level of social media usage among learners (M = 3.68, SD = .78) as well as learners‘ satisfaction (M=3.38, SD= .98). The findings showed that social media use influences connectivism (β = .699, p < .001), but not on learners‘ satisfaction (Influence (β) = .140, p = .104) in distance learning. Connectivism influences learners‘ satisfaction (Influence (β) = .666, p < .001). Connectivism fully mediated the influence of social media use on learners‘ satisfaction (Influence (β) =.466, p < .001). In conclusion, social media strongly influences connectivism, impacting learners' satisfaction indirectly. Connectivism fully mediates the relationship between social media use and satisfaction among distance learners.

Source: UCC
Measuring the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in 188 countries: a baseline analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background In September, 2015, the UN General Assembly established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs specify 17 universal goals, 169 targets, and 230 indicators leading up to 2030. We provide an analysis of 33 health-related SDG indicators based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 (GBD 2015). Methods We applied statistical methods to systematically compiled data to estimate the performance of 33 health- related SDG indicators for 188 countries from 1990 to 2015. We rescaled each indicator on a scale from 0 (worst observed value between 1990 and 2015) to 100 (best observed). Indices representing all 33 health-related SDG indicators (health-related SDG index), health-related SDG indicators included in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG index), and health-related indicators not included in the MDGs (non-MDG index) were computed as the geometric mean of the rescaled indicators by SDG target. We used spline regressions to examine the relations between the Socio-demographic Index (SDI, a summary measure based on average income per person, educational attainment, and total fertility rate) and each of the health-related SDG indicators and indices. Findings In 2015, the median health-related SDG index was 59∙3 (95% uncertainty interval 56∙8–61∙8) and varied widely by country, ranging from 85∙5 (84∙2–86∙5) in Iceland to 20∙4 (15∙4–24∙9) in Central African Republic. SDI was a good predictor of the health-related SDG index (r²=0∙88) and the MDG index (r²=0∙92), whereas the non-MDG index had a weaker relation with SDI (r²=0∙79). Between 2000 and 2015, the health-related SDG index improved by a median of 7∙9 (IQR 5∙0–10∙4), and gains on the MDG index (a median change of 10∙0 [6∙7–13∙1]) exceeded that of the non- MDG index (a median change of 5∙5 [2∙1–8∙9]). Since 2000, pronounced progress occurred for indicators such as met need with modern contraception, under-5 mortality, and neonatal mortality, as well as the indicator for universal health coverage tracer interventions. Moderate improvements were found for indicators such as HIV and tuberculosis incidence, minimal changes for hepatitis B incidence took place, and childhood overweight considerably worsened. Interpretation GBD provides an independent, comparable avenue for monitoring progress towards the health-related SDGs. Our analysis not only highlights the importance of income, education, and fertility as drivers of health improvement but also emphasises that investments in these areas alone will not be suﬃcient. Although considerable progress on the health-related MDG indicators has been made, these gains will need to be sustained and, in many cases, accelerated to achieve the ambitious SDG targets. The minimal improvement in or worsening of health-related indicators beyond the MDGs highlight the need for additional resources to eﬀectively address the expanded scope of the health-related SDGs.

Source: UCC
Mechanism and modeling of hexavalent chromium interaction with a typical black soil: the importance of the relationship between adsorption and reduction

Black soils have a significant retention effect on the migration of Cr(VI) towards groundwater, and Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction are both involved in this process. However, the adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI) were always investigated separately in previous studies resulting in an unclear relationship between them. In this study, the adsorption and reduction kinetic processes of Cr(VI) by a typical black soil were separately investigated under different initial Cr(VI) concentrations (40–400 mg L 1 ) and pH conditions (3.5–7.0) by the means of desorption treatment, and the equilibrium relationship between aqueous and adsorbed Cr(VI) was innovatively established based on the kinetic data. It was found that under pH 5.7 the adsorbed Cr(VI) content on soil particles was linearly correlated with the remaining Cr(VI) concentration in solution with time (R 2 ¼ 0.98), and the reduction rate of Cr(VI) in the reaction system was linearly correlated with the adsorbed Cr(VI) content on soil particles with time (R2 ¼ 0.99). With pH decreasing from 7.0 to 3.5, the partition of Cr(VI) between solid and aqueous phases turned out to be of a non-linear nature, which can be fitted better by the Freundlich model. The retention of Cr(VI) by black soil was determined to follow the “adsorption–reduction”mechanism, where the Cr(VI) was frst rapidly adsorbed onto the soil particles by a reversible adsorption reaction, and then the adsorbed Cr(VI) was gradually reduced into Cr(III). A two-step kinetic model was developed accordingly, and the experimental data were fitted much better by the two-step adsorption–reduction kinetic model (R 2 ¼ 0.89 on average) compared with the traditional first-order and second-order kinetic models (R 2 ¼ 0.66 and 0.76 on average respectively). This paper highlights the novel two step kinetic model developed based on the proposed “adsorption–reduction”mechanism of Cr(VI) retention by a typical black soil

Source: UCC
Mechanisms And Determinants Of Succession Planning By Small Enterprises In Awutu Senya East, Ghana

This study assessed the mechanisms and determinants of succession planning, focusing on the case of small enterprises in Awutu Senya East, Ghana. The study discussed relay race theory, social role theory, family business theory, the determinants and mechanisms of succession planning as part of the theoretical and conceptual analysis. This thesis utilised the pragmatic research paradigm and the mixed research approach. The study first objective was analysed using narrative technique, the second and third objectives were analysed using inferential statistics whereas the fourth objective was analysed using descriptive statistics. In all, a sample of 180 owner/managers of small enterprises together with eight officials from Ghana Enterprise Agency were used for the study, and the research employed questionnaire and an interview guide to elicit the required data for the study. The findings demonstrated the significance of familial bonds, organizational culture, and long-term sustainability in shaping the extent of succession preferences and practices. The study also found that succession planning mechanisms by gender reveals notable differences in preference and approach among male and female owners/managers. Also, the study found the significant influence of personal, organizational, and environmental characteristics on succession planning practices among small enterprises. Based on the results, it is recommended that small enterprise owners/managers should develop gender-inclusive succession strategies that recognize and leverage the unique strengths and perspectives of both male and female leaders. Lastly, small enterprise owners/managers should invest in continuous learning and professional development initiatives to equip owners/managers with the knowledge and skills needed.

Source: UCC