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A Scale to Measure Farmers' Attitude Towards Judicious Use of Agro-chemicals in Crop Production

M.S. Islam
AEO, DAE, Khamarbari, Dhaka

M.A. Kashem
Dept. of Agricultural Extension Education, BAU, Mymensingh-2202

A.S.M. Ziaul Karim
Dept. of Agricultural Extension Education, BAU, Mymensingh-2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The objective of this study was to develop a Likert type scale to measure farmers' attitude towards judicious use of agro-chemicals in crop production. A total of 30 attitude statements or items about judicious use of agro-chernicals were collected through reviewing relevant literatures, consultation with extension experts, agricultural scientists and progressive farmers. The statements were carefully examined and edited and ultimately 20 statements were retained. Scale values (S) and inter-quartile range value (Q) were found out for these statements. On the basis of Sand Q values, 12 statements (6 positive and 6 negative) were-finally selected for the scale. Both reliability and validity of the scale were ascertained.

Keywords: Attitude scale, Farmers, Agro-chemicals use

Location: Dept. of Agricultural Extension Education, BAU, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-00-1999

End Date: 00-00-2000

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Non-commodity: Adoption of technology

Objectives:

1. To develop a Likert type scale to measure farmers' attitude towards judicious use of agro-chemicals in crop production.

Methodology:

Development of the attitude scale - Thurstones Equal Appearing Interval Scale and Likert's Summated Rating Scale are the two scale that are often used to measure the attitude of individuals. In this study, a combination of the Thurston's Techniques of Equal- Appearing Interval Scale and Likert's Technique of Summated Ratings Scale was used to develop an attitude scale to measure farmers' attitude towards judicious use of agro-chemicals. Singh also used combination of Thurstone's and Likert'? techniques for measuring attitude. The steps followed in constructing the attitude scale are described. Collection of items - The statements making up an attitude scale are called items. The objective of items collection was to select a set of statements in such a way that agreement or disagreement with each statement implies a different degree of favourable or unfavorable attitude of farmers towards judicious use of agro-chemicals. Therefore, a total of 30 attitude statements or items about judicious use of agro-chemicals were collected from reviewing relevant available literatures, consultation with extension expert. agricultural scientists and progressive farmers. Approximately equal number of favourable or unfavorable statements were collected. The statements were examined and edited. Out of 30 statements, 20 attitudinal statements more relevant to judicious use of agro-chemicals were selected for judge ratings. Judges ratings of the attitude statements - All the 20 statements together with the 9-point continuum against each of the statements were given to 20 judges selected for the study. The judges comprised of extension educationists, extension researchers and extension specialists. The judges were requested to sort out the 20 attitude statements on the 9 point continuum. Out of these 20 judges, 15 judges replied. As per response of one judge was rejected as his judgements was faulty, so the responses of 14 judges were retained for final selection of statements for the attitude scale. Calculation of Scale and Q values - The scale value (S) for 20 attitude statements that had been judged in equal appearing intervals by 14 judges were obtained by computing the medians. The inter-quartile range CQ) was computed as an index of dispersion of the statements on the scale. The Q values indicated ambiguity or uncertainty of the meaning of the statements. Statements with larger Q values were rejected. The Scale and Q- values of all the 20 statements under study was calculated.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education, VOL 11&12. No. 1&2. 1999-2000:135-140 ; ISSN 1011-3916

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Developing, pre-testing and using attitude scale is a complex task. It needs careful planning, selecting and editing of statements. Judges rating is also an important part in the process. The selection of items end with the validity and reliability of the test items. Once an attitude scale is constructed, this can be useful in future studies in the relevant context. The possible score of the constructed 12-item 5-point Likert type scale could range from 12 to 60. This scale would have the ability to determining farmers attitude towards judicious use of agro-chemicals under Bangladesh context. The scale also have the opportunities to use in other countries with necessary modification.

Knowledge Management: Journal