ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An exploration of jhs 1 teachers’ knowledge in teaching fraction in some selected schools in Atwima Nwabiagya North District

The content area of fractions has been proven to be very complicated and troublesome for both learners and teachers. Teachers’ knowledge in fraction has a very significant role in teaching it at the basic school level. This study aimed at exploring JHS 1 mathematics teachers’ knowledge in teaching fraction and arithmetic. The study used a qualitative research approach that used a case study design. Twelve JHS 1 mathematics teachers were conveniently selected from a population of 80 mathematics teachers in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District in the Ashanti Region. Codes and themes were used to analysed the response obtained from the teachers. It was also revealed that half of the teachers could explain the addition procedure; however, they provided incorrect explanations for the division procedure. Teachers also were found to have used visuals and real-world examples in their explanations of addition procedures and explanations for fraction division. It was recommended that teachers have a deep understanding of the mathematics being taught in order to affect student understanding of fractions.

Source: UEW
Exploration of parental support towards their children education in rural areas,a case study of Betinko D.A basic school

The purpose of the study was to explore parental support towards their children education at Betinko D/A Basic School. The study addressed the following research questions: to what extent do parent’s support their children to do their homework, to what degree do parents assists their children materially and to what extent do parents support their children financially. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. Cross sectional survey with closed ended questionnaire were used to collect data from 87 parents. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data with a total reliability of 0.801 cronbach alpha. The result of the study revealed that majority 61(69.10%) of the parents do not support their children’s homework. In addition, it came out from the study that 78(90.10%) of the respondents do not provide material support to their children’s education. It was again revealed that as many as 71(78.60%) respondents do not support their children financially. Based on the findings, it was recommended that School heads should organize termly PTA meetings to create Parents awareness of the need to support their wards. It was again recommended that parents should be encouraged to support the efforts of the government in the provision of educational needs. It was lastly recommended that information center in the study area should advice parents the need for them to be responsible on their children’s education.

Source: UEW
Exploration of participation in ecotourism a case study of Wli Traditional Area

Local community participation has been identified as a key factor in tourism development globally. This study sought to explore the participation of local people of Wli Traditional area in ecotourism. It further assessed the extent to which local people benefit from ecotourism activities in the area, while the efforts made by the local Tourist Management Team and other relevant authorities to empower local residents for maximum participation were also assessed. The study was a Case Study. Hence, instruments used to collect data were Interviews and Observation. Data collected were analysed based on the Qualitative approach under classified themes to reflect the objectives and purpose of the study. The theoretical framework upon which this current study is built is the Social Exchange theory. The study established that, only a handful of local residents were actually involved in ecotourism activities in the Wli Traditional area. They engage rather in other economic activities like farming. Only few people benefited from the revenue generated. Ignorance of economic opportunities, low level of formal education, inadequate financial support and dominance by the Local Tourist Management Team over ecotourism activities were some factors that hampered effective local participation. Skill training and facilitation programmes should be consistently organized to equip local residents. Further, a free flow of worthwhile information should exist between local people and people who represent them on the Tourist Management Team.

Source: UEW
Exploration of premarital sexual behaviour of female students in senior high schools in the West Mamprusi Municipality of North East region, Ghana

This study explores the premarital sexual behaviour of female students in senior high schools in the West Mamprusi Municipality of North East Region, Ghana. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population of the study estimated at 4520 comprised female students in senior high schools in the West Mamprusi Municipality of North East Region of Ghana. Sample sizes of ninety (90) students were selected using stratified sampling technique from General Arts and Home Economics Classes. The research instrument used for the study is self-designed questionnaire which has both closed and open ended questions. Content validity was estimated through expert judgment. Reliability of the instrument was ascertained through test-retest method and a Chronbach alpha coefficient of 0.87 was obtained. Data collected were analysed using frequency, table, percentage, mean, pie chart and bar graph. The results of the study showed that the practice of premarital sex is very high among the students who engage in the act. The frequency in the practice of premarital sex is very high and is almost part of the weekly routine of majority of these students. The study recommended among others that schools in the West Mamprusi Municipality should have functioning guidance and counselling units that should carry out comprehensive sex education in line with the Ghanaian culture.

Source: UEW
An exploration of social studies teachers classroom practices in the Agona East and West Districts of the Central Region of Ghana

This work examined Social Studies teacher‟s classroom practices in the Agona West and East districts of the Central Region of Ghana. It explored Social Studies teacher‟s classroom practices in relation to the instructional strategies employed by these teachers, their mode of assessment as well as how teachers interact with students. The research was designed and approached using the mixed method approach which employed multiple methods of data collection. The data were collected using questionnaire including Likert scale items and an observation check list. The purposive and convenient sampling techniques were used to select the respondents for the study. A total of 31 participants were involved in the study. The discussion showed that teachers who hold appropriate qualification in the subject area coupled with long term experience are more likely to utilize effective classroom strategies. It was unearth that effective teaching of social studies cam be achieved through the use of varied instructional strategies. Also positive teacher student interaction plays a key role in enhancing student learning since it has the capacity to instil in student‟s confidence and the motivation to learn. The discussion showed that even though teachers assess classroom instruction, these assessment practices are not effective. Teachers mostly used essay test in assessing lessons as against the other types like the objective test item. In addition to this, teachers mostly did not give feedback on student‟s assessment. Difficulty and time consuming mature of constructing objective test makes teachers resort to using essay test in assessing students. It is therefore undeniable that even though teachers used good instructional approaches and maintain effective interaction with students, it actual impact may not ascertain due to ineffective assessment. It emerged that good classroom practices are essential to effective social education. It is recommended in light of this that, teachers ought to be given enough preparatory and in-service education to have adequate understanding of the concept of assessment as well as the use of varied instructional strategies.

Source: UEW
An exploratory study of coping strategies of adult survivors of child labour in the Central Region of Ghana

Child labour experienced in childhood continues to have an enduring traumatic effect into adulthood. The scars it leaves can impact on personal lives, education, employment, and long-term emotional and social lives. The traditional system of studying survivors of either natural or man-made situation has focused heavily on posttraumatic stress disorder and related conditions, and mental health treatment of survivors. The goal of this study was to explore the coping process of adult survivors of child labour, to gain insight into their period of transition and moving on, and to contribute to the field of counselling psychology by developing theoretical model and counselling guideline for practitioners. Using grounded theory methodology, eleven participants and five significant others from seven districts in the Central Region of Ghana recruited through the snowball and theoretical sampling methods participated in the study and described their process of coping with “lived” experiences of traumatic child labour and survival through individual interviews and focus group discussions. Data were coded using coding processes of grounded theory methodology with inductive data analysis. Coping strategies such as personal resources and social supports were identified as supports promoting coping and survival. A theoretical model was developed for successful coping strategies and a counselling guideline outlined for counsellors and survivors. The main findings were the untapped resilience and strength of each survivor, the uniqueness of each of their stories, and the reality that in spite of past traumatic child labour experiences fraught with childhood abuse, survivors experienced traumatic growth though with some psychological challenges such as aggression and fear. This study has positioned child labour experiences within trauma studies and positive psychology. The central phenomenon of this process is “Moving On” from traumatic experiences of child labour. Implications for theory, methodology and counselling, were discussed and directions for future research delineated.

Source: UEW
An exploratory study of information communication technology integration leadership in three senior high schools in the central region, Ghana

This study explored various dimensions of ICT integration from a leadership perspective in three public Senior High Schools in the Central Region of Ghana. An embedded mixed method design was adopted, with a dominant qualitative strand and supportive quantitative strand. Following the distributed leadership model, interview data were collected from 12 leaders who were purposively sampled from the three schools to explore their perceptions of and strategies for leading ICT integration, challenges, and support systems for effective ICT integration. For the quantitative strand, 230 teachers were randomly sampled from the three schools to respond to a 14-item questionnaire that sought to determine their perceptions of ICT integration in teaching and learning and independent samples and One-Way ANOVA tests were used to analyse how gender and age influenced these perceptions. The major finding from this study is that the school leaders admit that they are digital immigrants, yet they appreciate the importance of ICTs to teaching and learning. Moreover, they have not been exposed to professional training to equip them with skills to successfully lead ICT integration in their schools. As a result, the support they provide for ICT is management oriented. Moreover, results from the survey showed that male and female teachers differ significantly in their perceptions of ICT integration, with males having more favourable perceptions than females. Age differences on the other hand were not found to predict the teachers’ perceptions of ICT integration. In conclusion, results from the study have been presented to inform educational stakeholders on how to equip school leaders for effective ICT leadership.

Source: UEW
Exploratory study of the commitment of top management of construction firms towards health and safety of workers

Top management commitment is an important factor to achieving high health and safety performance of construction. Sadly, literature on health and safety has accorded little attention to top management commitment to health and safety. The aim of this study was to examine the commitment of top management members of construction firms in ensuring workers health and safety. Data for the research were obtained through a questionnaire survey with top management members of twenty randomly selected construction firms in the Ashanti Region. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics and ranking with a relative agreement index. The analysis showed that the respondents had active roles in ensuring the health and safety of workers including guidance, training, education, advice and monitoring worker activities. Empirically, the top rated factors that influence management commitment had RAI values greater than 0.800 and were found include; planned health and safety training, management awareness of health and safety, procedures that meet the requirements of the health, safety and welfare provisions in conditions of the contract and Labour Act, 2003, as well as communication of health and safety performance. In addition, typical top rated challenges in ensuring health and safety were “lack of top management awareness of health and safety”, “inadequate enforcement mechanisms” and “lack of adequate resources to manage health and safety” with respective RAI values of 0.729, 0.714 and 0.700. “High cost of health and safety” was the least ranked challenge with an RAI of 0.598. From the analysis, the study concludes that, with adequate resources, top management members of construction companies would be more committed to the health and safety of their workers given its importance and benefits irrespective of its cost. As the administration of a health and safety program requires funding and resource allocation to thrive, the research recommends among others that management of construction firms should have a definite budget for their safety and health programs.

Source: UEW
Exploratory study of the roles of traditional leaders in community commitments and engagement in Asutifi North district

The study focused on the roles of the traditional leaders in Ntotroso paramountcy of the Asutifi North District to ensuring community commitment and how they can continuously engage themselves. As a case study design that used qualitative approach, a sample size of four participants was selected using the purposive and theoretical sampling techniques. The purpose of the study was to examine the possibility of helping communities to engage themselves to enhance development. The study used interview and reflective dialogue as data collection tools to get information from the study. Data collected were analysed thematically. Major findings that came out strongly included, the emphasis placed on the use of cultural norms during discussions. Again, the prominence of multiple ideas gave better understanding on issues which the participants gained. In addition, discussions focused on how deep thinking processes influenced members’ contributions. The presence of a facilitator issue made discussion organisations effective. For better understanding of issues, participants’ expert knowledge and prior experiences were crucial to bring about the development of positive attitude towards engaging with the kind of exchanges. These contributed to the reflective conversations. It was therefore recommended that, in-depth knowledge and role definitions during any collaborative activity need to be defined well by the paramountcy in such interactions within the study area.

Source: UEW
Exploratory study on parallel marriage ceremonies in Winneba in the Efutu Municipality

This research sought to explore parallel marriage ceremonies, the agents involved, challenges and their effects on the marriage institution in Winneba in the Efutu Municipality. A qualitative approach was used to provide a successful conduct of the research given the complexity of the phenomenon under study. The research design used for the study was case study. The targeted population for the study were married people who performed parallel marriage ceremonies, adults who have reached their marital age but are not married, parents, opinion leaders (pastors) and marriage counsellors. In all, fifteen individuals were involved in the study. The purposive sampling technique was used to select all the respondents that were involved in the research work. A semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection. One of the major findings was that although the Marriage Act 1884-1985, Cap. 127 is nicely carved, it is still far from the people it was made for. That is, most of the respondents did not know much about the Marriage Act 1884-1984, Cap. 127 and it demands. In addition, the customary ceremony is seen as that which start the marriage process of which the ordinance ceremony (wedding) is the climax. Findings also showed that parallel marriage ceremonies are very expensive thereby discouraging young males from getting married. The study recommends that the concept of marriage contraction and the demands of the Marriage Act 1884-1985, Cap. 127 should be added to the Senior High School curriculum to help educate the youth about the dynamics in the marriage contraction and registration process.

Source: UEW
An exploratory study on the relationship between completion of Erikson�s fourth psychosocial stage and assurance of salvation

Counseling professionals and trainees are encouraged to address clients� presenting concerns through a developmental lens. A versatile theory appears to be Erikson�s Theory of Psychosocial Development, which looks at the human being through the lifespan approach. Through a cross-sectional quantitative method, this study explored the relationship between completion of Erikson�s fourth psychosocial stage and a Christian�s perceived assurance of salvation. Responses from 105 participants indicated that there was no statistically significant correlation between completion of Erikson�s fourth stage and perceived assurance of salvation. However, mean tests revealed gender, generational, and academic differences in the perceived assurance of salvation. Implications for pastors and counselors are explored. � 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Source: UEW
Exploring alternatives to plastics food packaging. A study in Berekum municipality

The resea rch was to explo re alte rnatives food packaging mate rial othe r than the use of plastics bags by small scale food vendo r in Be rekum and it possible effect on the envi ronmental. The objectives of the study we re to examine othe r possible alte rnative biodeg radable packaging mate rial such as using leaf and pape r to package food othe r than plastic p roducts by food vendo rs; to assess the knowledge of food vendo rs on the health implications of foods packaged in plastic p roducts as well as their knowledge on the effects of plastics on the envi ronment; and also to examine the pe rceptions and attitudes of consume rs on the plastic waste disposal. The case study design was employed with small scale foods vendo rs and consume rs as the ta rgeted population. Purposive and convenient sampling techniques we re used to select a sample of size of 50 respondents fo r the study. Open- ended na r rative, face-to-face gene ral inte rview guide app roach and obse rvation we re used to elicit response fo r the study. Test- retest technique was used to dete rmine the reliability of the inst rument. Data was analysed thematically. The study found out that: most p redominant food packaging mate rials used by the vendo rs was plastic bags. Again packaging mate rial choice was not based on any scientific resea rch o r medical analyses to asce rtain the impact of the mate rial on the nut rient o r health. The study also revealed most of the waste identified we re plastics solid waste as a result of it been used as a packaging mate rial which has been disposed of afte r use. It was concluded that plastic afte r use se rves as a majo r mate rial fo r envi ronmental haza rd such as ai r and land pollution which poses dange r to human life and plant, it was also concluded that consumers think it is the sole responsibility of the government to manage waste. The study University of Education, Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh xiii concluded that lack of knowledge on health implications on the mate rial choice possibly could be linked with respondent’s high rate of illiteracy and lack of nutritional education. It was recommended that alte rnative packaging mate rials like leaves and pape rs should be encou raged and be made mo re available and affo rdable fo r road-side food vendo rs to use to avoid ove r reliance on plastic bags. It was also recommended that education should be made to sensitize food vendo r on the health implication on the use of plastic bags as packaging mate rials. The study also recommended that the municipal assembly should make bins available for appropriate waste disposal. It was again recommended that food vendo rs should be given enough t raining regula rly to reso rt to mo re bio deg radable and envi ronmental f riendly mate rial like pape r and leaves fo r the safety of the envi ronment

Source: UEW
Exploring audience interactivity in tv reality shows An analysis of tv3 date rush

This study delves into the evolution of the television reality show, TV3 Date Rush, investigating the factors that impact audience interaction and the changing nature of interactivity within the context of a TV reality show. With the rise of social media, fans of popular entertainment programs continue to engage with shows through new and diverse platforms, as part of an increasingly interactive economy. In 2020, TV3 Date Rush pushed the boundaries of this participatory culture by leveraging new forms of media such as Twitter to foster multi-platform consumption by the show's fans. This qualitative research examines audience engagement in live reality events to gain insight into the various aspects of engagement and their relationship to current understandings of interactivity. The methodology used for this study was qualitative content analysis and online observation, which involved the analysis of Twitter posts made by audience, whiles online observation actively observed and analyzed the behavior, interactions, and activities of individuals of TV3 Date rush on Twitter. The theories underpinning this research was the fourth-place theory, Ekman’s Theory of Basic Emotion and Empirical evidence of sentiments and sentiments analysis on social media. The findings suggest that viewers have a greater ability to participate in the production process and hold implications for the future of reality TV experiences. Key Words: Inter/active & Interactivity, Audience, Reality TV Show, TV3 Date Rush, Social Media

Source: UEW