ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Emotional Reactions and Burnout of Teachers Teaching Children with Exceptional Needs in Inclusive Schools in Southern Ghana: Moderating Roles of Self-efficacy and Coping Mechanisms

This study sought to investigate emotional reactions and burnout of teachers teaching children with exceptional needs in inclusive schools in southern Ghana: moderating roles of self-efficacy and coping mechanisms. The study used convergent mixed method approach where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the research problem. A sample of 390 teachers was drawn from a population of 3,090 from 182 schools through purposive, proportionate cluster and systematic sampling techniques. Questionnaire and an interview guide were used to elicit responses from the respondents. The study answered five research questions and tested nine hypotheses. Frequencies and Percentages, Means and Standard Deviations, Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient, Independent Samples T-test, ANOVA as well as Multiple Regressions Analysis for moderation were used to analysed the quantitative data. A qualitative thematic analysis was carried out on the qualitative data to gain an understanding of the participants‟ world. The results of the study showed that the teachers exhibited low self-efficacy while teaching in inclusive settings in southern Ghana. The teachers also expressed poor emotional reactions in their inclusive classrooms. Again, the study revealed that teachers adopt inappropriate coping mechanisms in dealing with their burnout in inclusive settings. It was evident from the study that the sources of teachers‟ self-efficacy in inclusive settings in southern Ghana were mastery of experience, vicarious experience, verbal or social persuasion, emotional and physiological factors. Among the recommendations was the need for educators of pre-service teachers to take the pre service teachers through how to develop a higher self-efficacy and adopt positive emotions before they graduate.

Source: UCC
Empirical Analysis of Petroleum Revenue Management in Ghana: 2011 - 2020

Ghana established the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA), 2011 (Act 815) as amended as 893 in 2011 after learning from the mistakes made by other resource-rich nations to encourage transparency and accountability in the collection, distribution and management of petroleum revenues in a sustainable manner for the benefit of Ghanaians. After a decade of commercial oil production and the establishment of the PRMA, this study evaluated petroleum revenue management in Ghana thus far by adopting a mixed methodology in collecting and analysing data. A Semi-structured interview guide was employed in the collection of primary data and analysed using thematic analysis. Secondary data were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analyses. The analysis revealed that between 2011 – 2020, Ghana has received about US$6.55billion and allocated $6.52billion. Again, the Carried and Participating Interest (CAPI) and Royalties have been the two major sources contributing to about 58% and 25% of petroleum revenues respectively. Also, the impact of price variations on petroleum revenues was found to be significant. Additionally, the analysis shows that during the period, petroleum revenue management in Ghana fairly met the expectations, however, there is room for improvement. Based on the findings from the study, it is recommended that the PRMA be reviewed to among others clearly define the priority areas and do away with ministerial discretions on capping the stabilisation fund. This will among others help improve transparency and accountability in the management and use of petroleum revenues in Ghana while ensuring long run sustainability of oil revenues.

Source: UCC
An empirical Analysis of the Effect of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Firm Performance of Auto Artisans in the Cape Coast Metropolis

The health of a country’s automobile industry is closely related to the robustness of its auto artisans and this is true about the Ghanaian economy. This paper examined the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on business performance of auto artisans in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The stratified sampling method was used to select respondents. Data was obtained through self-administered questionnaire. Regression analysis was employed to test the relationships between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance. The findings revealed a significantly positive individual and composite influence of the entrepreneurial orientation dimensions on performance. It was recommended that auto artisans in the Cape Coast Metropolis should make the most out of the technical training centre project for artisanal engineering provided by the government by enrolling for refresher training courses. Furthermore, employees and/or apprentices must be allowed to explore creative alternatives in the performance of assigned tasks.

Source: UCC
Empirical Analysis of the Efffect of Crude Oil Price Volatility on Industrial Output in Ghana

The industrial sector of Ghana is the second largest consumer of refined crude oil products. The industrial sector's output has exhibited significant volatility, with a GDP share of 19% in 2009 and 28.26% in 2021. A rising number of worldwide economies are particularly worried about the effect of crude oil price volatility on economic growth. Hence, this study investigated the impact of crude oil price volatility on industrial sector output in Ghana. The study employed monthly data from January 2001 to December 2020. The quantile regression, the causality in quantiles and bi-wavelet approaches were used to examine the relationship between crude oil price volatility and industrial sector output. The study’s empirical model results showed that there was a negative asymmetric impact of crude oil price volatility on industrial sector output at normal and boom economic conditions. Also, the study revealed significant causality between crude oil price volatility and industrial sector output mostly at stress and normal economic conditions of the industrial sector. The study further found negative significant short-term co-movements between crude oil price volatility and industrial sector output across time and frequency. The study recommended that policymakers should consider implementing petroleum price policies that can mitigate the negative effects of crude oil price volatility on the industrial sector output This includes establishing a Price Stabilization Fund which allows the government to save windfall gains during periods of high oil prices and release these funds to offset rising costs when prices fall. This helps stabilize domestic petroleum product prices, ensuring that industrial producers are shielded from sudden crude oil price fluctuations.

Source: UCC
An Empirical Analysis of What Counts as Attributes for Vocational Technical Educational Leaders in Ghana

Effective leaders are needed to manage vocational technical educational institutions in Ghana as government plans to raise the skill level of its workforce. Leadership development programmes need to be designed for the preparation and in-service training of vocational technical leaders. This study aimed at identifying what leadership attributes need to be developed in vocational technical institutional leaders and what learning activities need to be incorporated into training programs for these leaders. The study revealed that vocational technical leaders demonstrated managerial skills more often than they do demonstrate social skill and leadership skills. They also demonstrated attributes such as energetic, achieve-ment-oriented, accepting responsibility, insightfulness, networking, influencing, and intelligent with practical judgement more often than they do demonstrate attributes such team building, openness, motivating others, tolerance, conflict man-agement, and sensitivity. It is therefore recommended that the Leadership Attributes Inventory (LAI) be utilized concurrence with traditional evaluation tools for potential candidates for vocational technical institution leaders. Any curriculum designed for leadership development of vocational technical educational leaders should be measured against the attributes identified by the Leadership Attributes Inventory to ensure that they addressed the development of needed attributes.

Source: UCC
Empirical rheology and pasting properties of soft-textured durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) and hard-textured common wheat (T. aestivum)

Puroindoline (PIN1) proteins are the molecular basis for wheat kernel texture classification and affect flour milling performance. This study investigated the effect of PINs on empirical rheology and pasting properties in T. turgidum ssp. durum and T. aestivum. Soft wheat Alpowa), durum wheat (cv. Svevo) and their derivatives in which PINs were deleted (Hard Alpowa) or expressed (cv. Soft Svevo). Presence of PINs affected flour particle size and damaged starch. PINs increased the pasting temperature and breakdown viscosity, while the effect on peak viscosity and setback were not consistent. Presence of PINs was negatively associated with GlutoPeak gluten aggregation energy and farinograph dough stability, suggesting a weakening of the gluten matrix. As regards dough extensibility, the role of PINs was evident only in common wheat: 5DS distal end deletion increased the resistance to extension, without affecting the dough extensibility. This study showed PINs to have different impact on pasting and rheological properties of T. aestivum and T. turgidum ssp. durum flours

Source: UCC
Empirical similarity-based approach for selection of unit root test

The existence of unit roots in time series processes can impair the choice of techniques for analysis and forecasting time series data. It is of much importance in econometric modelling to determine the integration number of analyzed time series based on unit root tests. Though statistical theory provides broad range of unit root tests in standard softwares, the choice of an appropriate test highly depends on subjective assessment of the analyst. This paper considers similarity-based scoring approach for selecting the most appropriate unit root test for specific type of time series observations based on Chi-square statistic and which is able to reduce subjectivity. Six unit root tests are studied. The utility of the proposed method is illustrated in simulation. The most reliable test, which is found is applied to a real time series of some selected macroeconomic variables

Source: UCC
Empirical Treatment of Neonatal Sepsis by Klebsiella: A Case Study at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kath), Ghana

The number of children dying from sepsis in the world has almost doubled in the past 20 years. This is most likely due to the increased number of patients who suffer sepsis. And this may be partly due to the fact that antimicrobial therapy in most developing countries including Ghana is mainly empirical due to a relative lack of appropriate laboratory facilities for culture and sensitivity of bacteria in several health facilities. This study aimed at determining the clinical effectiveness of empirical treatment for neonatal sepsis by Klebsiella at KATH. Eight hundred and two (802) blood specimens from children (in-patients) of age range 1day old to 2years old were cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar and the isolates investigated. The isolates were identified to the species level using various biochemical tests. The antibiogram of the Klebsiella isolates were determined and compared with the empirical treatment of the patients in the hospital. Klebsiella species were recovered from 51 clinical samples (Prevalence of Klebsiella neonatal sepsis is 6.4%). Gentamicin was the most prescribed agent for the patients (38.7%), amikacin (10.7%), cefotaxime (9.3%), ceftriaxone (8%), chloramphenicol (5.3%), Cottrimoxazole (5.3%), cefuroxime (4%), Tetracycline (2.6%) and ampicillin (1.3%) for the empirical treatment. Intermediate antibiotic susceptibility pattern was shown by 9.8% of patient’s isolates. Also, 37.3% of patient’s isolates showed resistance to all the antibiotics used in the antibiotic susceptibility test. Antimicrobial susceptibility was shown by 36 of patient’s isolates representing 52.9%. Aminoglycosides and third generation cephalosporins were the most prescribed antibiotics. And although empirical treatment is very relevant, it should be combined with laboratory antibiotic sensitivity testing for effective treatment of Klebsiella neonatal sepsis.

Source: UCC
Empirical treatment of neonatal sepsis by Klebsiella: A Case study at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kath), Ghana

The number of children dying from sepsis in the world has almost doubled in the past 20 years. This is most likely due to the increased number of patients who suffer sepsis. And this may be partly due to the fact that antimicrobial therapy in most developing countries including Ghana is mainly empirical due to a relative lack of appropriate laboratory facilities for culture and sensitivity of bacteria in several health facilities. This study aimed at determining the clinical effectiveness of empirical treatment for neonatal sepsis by Klebsiella at KATH. Eight hundred and two (802) blood specimens from children (in-patients) of age range 1day old to 2years old were cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar and the isolates investigated. The isolates were identified to the species level using various biochemical tests. The antibiogram of the Klebsiella isolates were determined and compared with the empirical treatment of the patients in the hospital. Klebsiella species were recovered from 51 clinical samples (Prevalence of Klebsiella neonatal sepsis is 6.4%). Gentamicin was the most prescribed agent for the patients (38.7%), amikacin (10.7%), cefotaxime (9.3%), ceftriaxone (8%), chloramphenicol (5.3%), Cot- trimoxazole (5.3%), cefuroxime (4%), Tetracycline (2.6%) and ampicillin (1.3%) for the empirical treatment. Intermediate antibiotic susceptibility pattern was shown by 9.8% of patient’s isolates. Also, 37.3% of patient’s isolates showed resistance to all the antibiotics used in the antibiotic susceptibility test. Antimicrobial susceptibility was shown by 36 of patient’s isolates representing 52.9%. Aminoglycosides and third generation cephalosporins were the most prescribed antibiotics. And although empirical treatment is very relevant, it should be combined with laboratory antibiotic sensitivity testing for effective treatment of Klebsiella neonatal sepsis.

Source: UCC
Emploi des connecteurs argumentatifs dans les mémoires de licence des apprenants de Français à l’Université de Cape Coast

Cette étude examine l’emploi des connecteurs argumentatifs dans les mémoires de Licence des apprenants de français langue étrangère (FLE). Elle se focalise sur le type, la fréquence et l’emploi successif de deux ou trois connecteurs. Dix mémoires du Département de français de l’Université de Cape Coast dont cinq en Linguistique et cinq en Littérature ont été sélectionnés sur un total de dix-neuf. Les extraits tirés des mémoires sont analyses qualitativement avec quelques données statistiques à l’appui. Les résultats montrent l’emploi de trente-et-un connecteurs argumentatifs avec une fréquence d’apparition totale de 730. L’emploi successif des connecteurs concerne les marqueurs du même groupe et ceux des catégories différentes. Enfin, l’étude révèle que les connecteurs s’utilisent de manière successive avec des emplois justifiés dans la plupart des cas et peu de cas d’emplois erronés

Source: UCC
Emploi des Organisateurs Textuels Dans la Production Écrite en Français Langue Étrangѐre, le Cas des Étudiants de Niveau 300 Dans les Six Écoles Normales Publiques de Français au Ghana

This thesis is about the use of textual organisers in French narrative essay by students that offer French as a foreign language in Ghana in the six public Colleges of Education. It focuses on the type and the uses of the connectives in the narrative context. Text, questionnaire and structured interview were the instruments used for collecting the data. The data was collected from 156 students and the respondents for the interviews were three tutors. Students were purposively selected for the composition test, meanwhile respondents for the questionnaire and the interview were conveniently sampled. The theories used were text analysis proposed mainly by Charolles (1978), Adam (1990) and Lundquist (1980) and error analysis by Corder (1967) and Porquier (1977). The study relies mainly on mixed approach; analysis are qualitative and quantitative in nature. The results show that most of the textual organisers were used inappropriately. The structural defects at different levels show that the students have problems organising the essay as a whole. In addition, there is a disparity in the use of the textual organisers to form sentences. To solve these problems, the tutors interviewed suggested that teachers must explain with concrete examples the roles that textual organisers play in a text and priority should be placed on the teaching and learning of textual organisers. At the end of the study, pedagogical interventions were suggested to help ameliorate the problems that students face when they encounter the composition of the narrative essays.

Source: UCC
Employability of University Graduates With Physical Disabilities in Ho Municipality

The purpose of the research was to explore the employability of university graduates with physical disabilities in Ho municipality. Specifically, the study was conducted to explore the lived employment experiences of university graduates with physical disabilities, examined the challenges encountered by university graduates with physical disabilities at their workplaces and identified the measures that can be put in place to improve the working conditions for graduates with physical disabilities. For the study, a qualitative research approach focusing on the phenomenological design was used. And a purposive sampling technique was used to obtain a maximum of 10 participants. An interview guide was used for the data collection. The data from the respondents was transcribed, labeled, and interpreted thematically. The study revealed that in searching for employment, the participants were faced with challenges of moving from one workplace to another, physical abuses from some employers, personal limitations due to their disabilities and unfriendly infrastructure prevented them from entry some places of work. The study further revealed that negative working environment, infrastructure challenges, personal limitations, attitudinal barriers were problems faced at the workplace. Recommendations were made to the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations based on the findings to implement the quota system in Ghana's law to absorb more if not all persons with disabilities into the labour market especially those who have been able to complete higher education.

Source: UCC
Employability of University Graduates With Physical Disabilities in Ho Municipality

The purpose of the research was to explore the employability of university graduates with physical disabilities in Ho municipality. Specifically, the study was conducted to explore the lived employment experiences of university graduates with physical disabilities, examined the challenges encountered by university graduates with physical disabilities at their workplaces and identified the measures that can be put in place to improve the working conditions for graduates with physical disabilities. For the study, a qualitative research approach focusing on the phenomenological design was used. And a purposive sampling technique was used to obtain a maximum of 10 participants. An interview guide was used for the data collection. The data from the respondents was transcribed, labeled, and interpreted thematically. The study revealed that in searching for employment, the participants were faced with challenges of moving from one workplace to another, physical abuses from some employers, personal limitations due to their disabilities and unfriendly infrastructure prevented them from entry some places of work. The study further revealed that negative working environment, infrastructure challenges, personal limitations, attitudinal barriers were problems faced at the workplace. Recommendations were made to the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations based on the findings to implement the quota system in Ghana's law to absorb more if not all persons with disabilities into the labour market especially those who have been able to complete higher education

Source: UCC
Employability Skills, Employee Engagement, And Job Performance At Suame Municipal Assembly

Employability skills are a set of essential qualities and abilities that go beyond technical knowledge and are essential for building positive work relationships, collaborating on projects, and directing the complexities of the modern workplace. The study examined the relationship between employability skills and job performance of staff at Suame municipal assembly, the mediating effect of employee engagement. This research employed a quantitative research methodology. Again, descriptive and explanatory research designs were used to explain the findings. The research used human capital theory and two-factor theory. In addition, sample size of 144 staff members were used using random sampling technique, and the data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The research findings showed that the relationship between employability skills and job performance is statistically insignificant; hence, employees’ skills did not affect their performance at Suame municipal assembly. Again, it was found that employability skills have a statistical relationship with employee engagement. This study also found employee engagement has a significant effect on job performance. Finally, study’s results show employee engagement mediates the relationship between employability skills and job performance indirectly. This study recommends that the management of the Suame municipal assembly explore alternative factors (job satisfaction and leadership quality) that could potentially impact job performance. Again, this study recommends that the management of the Suame municipal assembly make a radical shift and transformation to intensify the level of engagement they offer to employees.

Source: UCC
Employee Commitment: Nature, Antecedents and Outcomes

The authors explore the meaning, contributory factors; and results of employee engagement. We employ predominantly academic and popular literature to assess the three parts of the subject. Combining the review with discussion, we find that employees are committed not only to their organisations but also to their jobs and work groups; antecedents are of two main categories – organisational antecedents and personal characteristics antecedents, the former being predominantly intrinsic; outcomes include creation of corporate image, control of voluntary employee turnover, and social benefits. We conclude that many studies identify and describe motivation, job satisfaction, and increased performance as employee commitment outcomes, which we tend to disagree. We have clarified these, which we consider as the major contribution of this study.

Source: UCC