ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An analysis of household cooking fuel choice and expenditure in Ghana

Energy is a critical input in an economy and an increased consumption of it has long been associated with an increase in economic activities and an improvement in well being. Due to its multiple sources and uses in various sectors of the economy, a complex relationship between energy use and human development has evolved. One aspect of this complex relationship is the increased recognition that a wide range of energy sources used in many countries for various purposes is both unclean and inefficient, with significant environmental consequences. Using the seventh round of the Ghana Living Standard Survey (GLSS) and a survey on households in Techiman, this study assesses the factors that influence households‘ choice of cooking energy and expenditure on LPG in Ghana. The study employed the energy ladder theory to undertake the investigations. With respect to factors influencing choice of cooking energy, it was observed that education status, area of residency, household size and age of household head were all statistically significant in explaining the adoption of wood, charcoal and electricity in cooking as opposed to LPG by households. Based on the results obtained from a multinomial logistic model, the study confirmed the validity of the energy ladder theory for Ghana. Thus, an increase in household income was found to decrease the adoption of traditional fuels and increase the adoption of modern fuels for cooking. This implies that, lower income household heads are more likely to opt for wood and charcoal as cooking fuel rather than LPG, which was predominantly used by high-income earners. Finally, the study used the double hurdle model to explore factors that influence participation and expenditure decisions in the LPG market by households in the Techiman municipality. The study revealed that area of residence, income, sector of employment, sensitization, affordability, reliability, accessibility and tertiary education significantly affected household LPG usage, education level (basic & secondary), house ownership and marital status did not have significant impact on LPG usage. The study then recommended enhanced income creating opportunities and LPG use educational programmes among others to improve the use of LPG by households.

Source: UEW
Analysis of income and expenditure of households in Nima community Accra, Ghana

The research investigated the sources and the average weekly income of household heads, examined amounts spent on needs; identified financial challenges faced and investigated strategies adopted to handle the challenges. The population of the study covered all household heads living in Nima East and West, a suburb of Accra. Descriptive survey was used and simple random sampling was used in selecting 120 respondents. Semi-structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from respondents. Data was analysed using descriptive techniques like frequencies and percentages, and presented in tables and charts. Findings revealed that 40.8% were males, 59.2% females with those in active work within the ages of 20-59 (96.7%). Majority (57.5%) were married with only 33.3% attended tertiary institutions as the highest level of their education. Muslims were the majority (63.3%) and of Mole-Dagbani ethnicity group (55%). Respondents (94.2%) were self- employed who earned between (GH¢ 151-200) as mean weekly income. Respondents’ expenditure was high on basic needs like education (GH¢ 210-250 a term), food (GH¢ 105 a week) and house rent (GH¢ 97 per month). Total expenditure made by household heads a month was (GH¢ 953.86). Among others, poor health (mean = 3.18), failure to budget (mean = 3.00), impulse buying (mean = 2.90), were the critical factors that brought financial challenges to the respondents. Food management (85.8%), negotiations with the head teachers to pay school fees (74.2%) and money borrowed to pay hospital bills (53.3%), and the use of charcoal instead of gas (63.3%) were the measures used to tackle financial challenges. It was recommended that, Home Economist should educate household heads on financial management practices, facilities in public schools should be enhanced by the government and education on NHIS intensified. It was recommended that subsidies on electrical energy and fuel (petrol & gas) should be increased to save the environment.

Source: UEW
ANALYSIS OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT FROM SOME FACTORIES IN TEMA

This research work analysed the quality of some important physico-chemical parameters of industrial effluents collected from two soap factories (A and B) in the Tema industrial area. In the study, PO4-, NH3, BOD, COD, TSS and turbidity for both factories were high compared to the EPA standards. Measures of NO3-, total hardness, calcium, and chloride, for both factories were below the EPA standard. Alkalinity value for factory A was below the EPA standard while that for factory B was higher. pH value for factory A was within the pH range for EPA while that of factory B was higher. TDS and conductivity for factory A were below the recommended EPA standard while that of factory B was higher. Due to the high amount of PO4-, NH3, and turbidity, eutrophication could occur in the receiving water, thereby affecting aquatic life. The high BOD, COD and TSS contribute to the decrease in oxygen supply in the receiving water which indicates high pollution by organic pollutants. The high alkalinity, TDS, conductivity and pH could contribute to the deformity and death of fishes in the receiving water from especially Factory A. Effluents from both factories were highly polluted in many respects and so EPA audits must be intensified to prevent pollution of water bodies in Ghana.

Source: UEW
An analysis of lexical bundles in the English writings of senior high school students in Accra Metro

This study examined the use of lexical bundles in the writings of students of public Senior High School Students in the Accra Metropolis. Specifically, the frequency of occurrence of lexical bundles, their structural classification as well as their functional classification are explored in order to propose pedagogical approaches to teaching lexical bundles as an aspect of English Language to Second Language Learners. The research design was a case study and the research approach qualitative. The sampling procedures adopted were stratified sampling and purposive sampling techniques, while analysis of the data was done using the identification, categorization and textual analysis approach. Data were obtained from 5 schools, 12 courses from 168 writings (scripts) of students. The findings indicate that out of a total number of words of seventy-five thousand, six hundred (75,600) analyzed, two hundred and twenty-two (222) lexical bundles were identified, with the most recurring lexical bundles recurring 20 times across all scripts analyzed. Three (3) word lexical bundles formed the majority of all identified lexical bundles, making up 40% of the 222 identified lexical bundles. With regard to the structure of these identified lexical bundles, the noun structures formed the majority, constituting 34% of the 222 bundles. Functionally, the research-oriented bundles and text-oriented bundles constituted 17% each of the lexical Bundles. There are pedagogical approaches that have been proposed in the study that directs the educator as to how to introduce and infuse the learning of phraseology into mainstream classroom-based activities.

Source: UEW
“An analysis of lexical bundles in the English writings of senior high school students in Accra Metro”

This study examined the use of lexical bundles in the writings of students of public Senior High School Students in the Accra Metropolis. Specifically, the frequency of occurrence of lexical bundles, their structural classification as well as their functional classification are explored in order to propose pedagogical approaches to teaching lexical bundles as an aspect of English Language to Second Language Learners. The research design was a case study and the research approach qualitative. The sampling procedures adopted were stratified sampling and purposive sampling techniques, while analysis of the data was done using the identification, categorization and textual analysis approach. Data were obtained from 5 schools, 12 courses from 168 writings (scripts) of students. The findings indicate that out of a total number of words of seventy-five thousand, six hundred (75,600) analyzed, two hundred and twenty-two (222) lexical bundles were identified, with the most recurring lexical bundles recurring 20 times across all scripts analyzed. Three (3) word lexical bundles formed the majority of all identified lexical bundles, making up 40% of the 222 identified lexical bundles. With regard to the structure of these identified lexical bundles, the noun structures formed the majority, constituting 34% of the 222 bundles. Functionally, the research-oriented bundles and text-oriented bundles constituted 17% each of the lexical Bundles. There are pedagogical approaches that have been proposed in the study that directs the educator as to how to introduce and infuse the learning of phraseology into mainstream classroom-based activities.

Source: UEW
“An analysis of lexical bundles in the English writings of senior high school students in Accra Metro”

This study examined the use of lexical bundles in the writings of students of public Senior High School Students in the Accra Metropolis. Specifically, the frequency of occurrence of lexical bundles, their structural classification as well as their functional classification are explored in order to propose pedagogical approaches to teaching lexical bundles as an aspect of English Language to Second Language Learners. The research design was a case study and the research approach qualitative. The sampling procedures adopted were stratified sampling and purposive sampling techniques, while analysis of the data was done using the identification, categorization and textual analysis approach. Data were obtained from 5 schools, 12 courses from 168 writings (scripts) of students. The findings indicate that out of a total number of words of seventy-five thousand, six hundred (75,600) analyzed, two hundred and twenty-two (222) lexical bundles were identified, with the most recurring lexical bundles recurring 20 times across all scripts analyzed. Three (3) word lexical bundles formed the majority of all identified lexical bundles, making up 40% of the 222 identified lexical bundles. With regard to the structure of these identified lexical bundles, the noun structures formed the majority, constituting 34% of the 222 bundles. Functionally, the research-oriented bundles and text-oriented bundles constituted 17% each of the lexical Bundles. There are pedagogical approaches that have been proposed in the study that directs the educator as to how to introduce and infuse the learning of phraseology into mainstream classroom-based activities

Source: UEW
Analysis of narrative distance in henry James ‘the portrait of a lady

This study seeks to study narrative distance in Henry James’ The Portrait of a Lady. It analyzes the narrative to show how information is dramatically presented to minimize authorial intrusion. The study uses Gerard Genette’s Narrative Discourse on the narrative as the instrument for determining how the narrative achieves narrator distance. Henry James is one of the key proponents of dramatic method of narration in the early 20th century, and his experiment with this technique of narration in The Portrait of a Lady proves how narrator influence may be suppressed. The analysis focuses on the narration of events and narration of speech to determine the range of distance between the narrator and the fictive elements in the narrative. The study reveals through the analysis that narrator distance increases when the narrator presents information from the perspective of the characters themselves, and there is a scenic, experiential approach to characterization and events—leading to maximum information to the reader. However, it decreases when the narrator presents information from his own perspective—leading to minimum information to the reader. Consequently, The Portrait of a Lady is an exemplar of the modernist narrative that tries to produce the novel like drama. In the final analysis, the study makes recommendations to readers and researchers of fiction on some of the myriad ways of deriving maximum information from the modern narrative.

Source: UEW
An analysis of paragraph structure in s.h.s. one students’ writings the case of Agona East district

This study examined the paragraph structures of S.H.S.one students in the Agona East District of the Central Region. The study focused on paragraph structure, topic sentence, supporting sentences and the concluding sentence. Patterns of paragraphing difficulties were also investigated in the research. Qualitative research approach was used. Major findings included students’ inability to demonstrate in writing explicit knowledge on paragraph structure; writing without topic sentences, multiple topic sentences that appeared within the paragraph, violations in the principles of unity including ideas foreign to the topic under discussion. Some of the paragraphs were not adequately developed. Students wrongly positioned supporting sentences and these affected the logical flow of the sentences in the paragraph. Again, with the patterns of paragraphing, students had difficulties with compare and contrast pattern, definition pattern and process pattern just to mention a few. Suggested teaching strategies in teaching paragraphing have been included in this research work.

Source: UEW
Analysis of pesticide residues in pineapples sold in Winneba, Ghana

Pesticides have been known to be extensively used to ensure high crop yields both during production and for post-harvest treatment. This increased use of the pesticides has resulted in pollution of the environment and also has caused many associated short-term and long-term effects on human health. Hence, this study is to analyze the pesticide residues in the pineapples sold by various fruits vendors in Winneba as well as compare the residual levels with EU MRL‘s. Gas chromatography with selective electron capture detector (GC-ECD), gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detector (PFPD), and Liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (LCMS) were used to detect and determine the amount of organochlorine insecticides, organophosphate insecticides and herbicide and growth regulators respectively. Results from the analysis of the pineapples showed that there were no organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides in any of the pineapple samples. However, some herbicides and growth regulators were detected in some of the pineapple samples with fluazifop having the least mean concentration of 0.0001 ± 0.0001mg/kg and ethephon having the highest mean concentration of 0.0032 ± 0.00102mg/kg. Also, from the results of the detected pesticide residues, the finding shows that none of the pesticides detected exceeded the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) established by the European Union (EU). This therefore shows that despite the occurrence of pesticide residues in some of the samples, it could still be considered safe for human consumption. Nevertheless, further investigation and research and continuous monitoring with more strict regulation of pesticide residues in the food commodities is highly recommended.

Source: UEW
Analysis of plastic waste management in the Bolgatanga municipality

The study was “analysis of plastic waste management in the Bolgatanga Municipality”. The objectives focused on plastic waste disposal practices, factors that accounted for poor plastic waste management, effects of poor plastic waste management and prospects for recycling plastic waste. The study employed a descriptive survey design through which all views were taken from residents, traders and staffs of waste management institutions. The researcher used participatory approach in order to have diverse views on the research topic. Other instruments used for the collection of the data were questionnaires, interviews, observations and still photographs. Notes and recordings were also considered. Views were sampled through a 16 item Likert - Type questionnaire from residents and traders and face-to-face interviews for residents, traders and staffs of waste management institutions. Also, data from documents on plastic waste management in the Bolgatanga Municipality were gathered for the study. Data was subjected to mean scores using themes and comments from questionnaires and interviews. The research recommended regular sensitization and education, adequate provision of skips, bins, tools, equipment, adequate funding, encouraging local entrepreneurs to go into plastic waste recycling and create conducive atmosphere to attract investors to invest in recycling schemes and factories. The study covers plastic waste management in the Bolgatanga Municipality only and so there is the need for further studies to cover other areas in order to cover categories of solid waste and in other Municipalities since plans are different; therefore the attitudes of the people may not be the same.

Source: UEW
Analysis of politeness strategies in the Editorials of

The study seeks to explore the use of politeness strategies in editorials of Daily Guide and Daily Graphic newspapers. The study explores the communicative functions and similarities and differences that exist in the use of politeness strategies in the Daily Guide and Daily Graphic. Grounded in the qualitative approach of research, the study employed a constructed month sampling to select weekly editorials of the Daily Graphic and Daily Guide within a specific time frame. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data sampled. The findings of the study revealed that all the strands of Brown and Levinson’s politeness strategies were used in the editorials of the selected newspapers. Positive politeness is the most used strategy in the two editorials while negative, bald-on-record and off-record politeness strategies were sparingly used. Again, the findings revealed that whereas positive politeness aims to enhance closeness and camaraderie through friendliness, jokes and adhering to the readers’ interest, negative politeness sought to mitigate threats through deference and respect. The study recommends newspaper editors to employ courteous language in their presentation so that their readers may employ fewer impolite words in their interactions. Again, the study recommends writers of the editorials to aim at inculcating politeness strategies through instruction.

Source: UEW
Analysis of pronunciation errors of ten Chinese undergraduate freshmen - a case study of Jianghan University, Wuhan, China

This research was aimed at discovering pronunciation errors Chinese EFL learners commit. To do this, a qualitative study was conducted on the pronunciation errors of 10 undergraduate freshmen of Jianghan University. The data collected and used for the analysis comprised those gathered through interview, reading exercise, and observation. Errors related to segmental and suprasegmental features were identified. They include consonantal and vowel errors in addition to stress, intonational, and connected speech errors. Specifically, there were errors of substitution, omission, and addition of certain sounds. Among them, substitution errors recorded the highest frequency. Based on the findings, the causes of errors in the learners’ pronunciation were also identified. The main cause was absence of certain English sounds in their L1 phonetic system coupled with inadequate environment for the L2. Some suggestions are made particularly to stakeholders to increase the frequency of English learning from the tender age.

Source: UEW
An analysis of register and lexical cohesion in a selected political manifesto in Ghana

This study analyses register and lexical cohesive devices in the 2012 manifesto of the New Patriotic Party using the theories of Cohesion by Halliday and Hasan (1976) and Halliday (1994) register theory. The study employed qualitative research approach and purposive sampling technique to select the 2012 manifesto of the NPP. The registers in the manifesto were analysed based on Leech and Short (2007) lexical category. The findings of the study revealed that nouns are the preponderant lexical items. Adjectives occur as the second lexical items used in the manifesto. Verbs form the third most frequently used lexical items which indicate the actions that will be used to execute the developmental projects which the party hopes to achieve while adverbs reveal the manner in which the action plans of the party will be executed. In the area of cohesion, the study reveals that repetition is the most dominant lexical cohesive device which is used to emphasize the massive projects the party hopes to carry out and also the commitment the party wishes to attach to the execution of its plans. The use of synonyms in the manifesto helps the electorate to understand the ideology of the party whereas antonyms are used to compare the disparity of work done by the incumbent government and what the NPP hopes to do to improve the economy. The superordinate words are used to categorize the party‟s concrete plans into groups that the electorate can better understand the party‟s plans into detail. The study concludes that the NPP employs political register to persuade the electorates to vote for the party based on the promises they made under the various fields in the manifesto while the lexical cohesive devices used in the manifesto help to establish ties and links between the lexical items. The study recommends the use of adjectives and nouns in manifestoes and also computerised software should be used to analyse such data in order to make the analysis easier.

Source: UEW
Analysis of rework in construction projects in Ahanta West district and Takoradi metropolitan assembly

Rework at the construction phase is a common occurrence during project execution and can lead to time and cost overruns. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of rework on construction project performance in Ghana. The study adopted a quantitative research design and the target population was consultants to assemblies and permanently employed constructional professionals with assemblies (project stakeholders). A sample size of seventy-two (72) was selected. The findings revealed that changes initiated by the client, changes initiated by the design team due to errors and omissions, poor coordination, and finally, poor integration among the design team were the major contributing factors to rework. Moreover, non-compliance with specifications, setting-out errors, low labour skills, and emphasis on time and cost aggravated the occurrence of rework on site. The study revealed that while there is no significant difference between the causes of rework and various project types, rework can and often does make a significant contribution to any project’s cost overrun. The study revealed that cost overruns, time overruns and design team dissatisfaction all impacted on project performance. The findings indicate that design related rework can be minimised by implementing the following strategies: team building, involvement of subcontractors and suppliers, and design for construction. Moreover, involvement of subcontractors during construction, and the implementation of quality control and site quality management systems could also lead to reduction in rework during the construction phase. The research concludes by recommending that design and construction firms should develop organisational measurement systems for recording rework occurrence and its associated costs. It is by determining the frequency and costs of rework that effective strategies for its containment and reduction can be identified.

Source: UEW