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Browsing by Author "Extension Education"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    Analysis and evaluation of a chemical pesticide informational program planned for an urban audience
    Hamilton, William A. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1968)
    This thesis was designed to assess the effectiveness of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service's Information Project in reaching an urban audience, as could be determined by analyzing results from a planned informational program involving chemical pesticide information. Data for the analyses were extracted from a primary study, "The Effect of a Planned Communications Program on Change of Attitude and Knowledge of the Urban Dweller Toward Chemicals and Pesticides," Budget Bureau No. 40-6673, financed by a grant from the Federal Extension Service, United States Department of Agriculture. The sample considered was comprised of 597 residents of Richmond, Virginia who were interviewed following conduct of the planned informational program, which used television, radio, newspapers, and a publication. Knowledge and attitude scores of people exposed to the program were tested against 12 variables for significant differences. Statistical methods included frequency distribution, percentage, and t test for significance. Analyses indicated that 140 individuals in the sample (23.45%)had been contacted by mass media. Television had the most contacts; 85 people (14.24%) saw information contained in the planned program. Radio contacted 11 people (1.84%); the newspaper contacted five people (.84%); the publication contacted 16 individuals (2.68%). Of the 48 score comparisons, five showed a significant difference at the 5% level of probability. These were explained as occurring in a chance, non-related pattern. The conclusion was that the planned communications program was ineffective in increasing knowledge and promoting favorable attitudes toward chemical pesticides in the urban audience for which it was designed.
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    Community: A Simulation Game for Environmental Involvement
    Rowland, Richard Langdon (Virginia Tech, 1974)
    The thesis outlines the need for a method of communicating concepts of environmental action, reviews environmental movements and simulation gaming theory, proposes methodology and learning objectives and describes an environmental simulation game named ''Community". The game simulates a small town with four industries (food, housing, textile and automobile manufacturing) that employ four to thirty-three players who exchange money, pollute, and vote on community issues. The game rules, playing board, player roles, event cards, tokens, game operation and participant reactions are described. The conclusion states the game of ''Community" represents a design that involved individuals in participatory, decision making situations concerning economic, political and pollution processes, A need is stated for additional research on the effects of simulation gaming. A bibliography lists sources consulted on environmental movements and simulation gaming. The appendices contain the game model elements in a playing form. The author's vita notes a university background in history and education with work experience in community organization.
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    A comparative study of users and non-users of chemical pesticides among middle-class urban women in Roanoke and Richmond, Virginia, based on educational attainment and other selected variables
    Graham, Frances Hilt (Virginia Tech, 1967-05-05)
    Of the 394 urban women, over three-fourths (77.4 per cent) were users of pesticides, whereas almost one-fourth (22.6 per cent) were non-users. The ages of the respondents ranged from 15-19 years to over 70 years. The median age for users was 48 years and 51 years for non-users. There was no significant difference in the ages groups of users and non-users. The place of early residence (before 18 years of age) had no significant influence as to whether the woman was a user or non-user of pesticides. A majority of middle class urban women spent the early years of residence in the city.The median years of school completed by middle class urban women was 12.M. The users of pesticides had attained a significantly higher educational level than had the nonusers. High and low education levels were used as variables and comparisons of certain data were made on that basis.
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    The influentials in a selected rural county: their salient characteristics and interrelationships
    Abbott, George Carlyle (Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1967)
    This study was prompted by a lack of information concerning influentials in certain Virginia counties, and the limited involvement of these individuals in Cooperative Extension programs. The reputational method was employed in identifying the influentials in a selected rural agricultural county in Virginia with 10,000 inhabitants. Additional information was collected with a pre-tested interview schedule. The following objectives constituted the framework for the study: 1. Identify the influentials and determine and describe their salient characteristics. 2. Determine the interrelationships and informal structure. 3. Determine the factors to which influence was attributed. 4. Ascertain the extension agents ability to identify the influentials. 5. Derive implications from findings pertinent to Cooperative Extension work. The 23 persons identified as being the most influential were all males who were between 32 and 81 years of age, and all except two were county natives. Occupationally the group was predominated by full-time farmers and retail merchants. The 12 persons attributed county-wide influence were older, had more associations with each other and had held a larger number of formal positions than the local community influentials. All were interrelated through organizations and business contacts and appeared to comprise a unitary structure similar to a "power pool." Each influential in the pool possessed several interrelated factors which contributed to his power. Past achievements was perceived to be one of the most important factors. Results of the study indicate the need for an organized identification program for extension agents and the recognition of the power structure as an important resource in conducting Extension programs.
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    A study of selected factors associated with reenrollment and non-reenrollment of 4-H club members
    Blanton, Robert Walter (Virginia Tech, 1965-07-14)
    Lack of re-enrollment in 4-H Club work after one year participation is studied.
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    A study of the knowledge and attitudes held by county extension lay leaders and members relative to the 1966 reorganization of the Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County, New York
    Boice, Robert Andrew (Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1968)
    In January, 1966, six counties in New-York State reorganized their respective Cooperative Extension Service organizations. The Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County, one of the six, was chosen for this study. Objectives of the study were to determine (1) levels of knowledge and attitude held by lay leaders and members of the Extension reorganization, (2) the relationships between the levels of knowledge and attitude of the leaders and members, and (3) the relationships of the levels of knowledge and attitude held by leaders and members when compared with certain variables. The two groups studied consisted of all 36 leaders and a five percent sample of the Extension membership or 116 members. The instrument of observation was an interview-schedule. Data were obtained through personal interviews. Chi-square tests for significance were accepted at the .05 percent level. Findings included: (1) Leaders had a significantly higher level of knowledge and a more favorable attitude of the Extension reorganization than members. (2) Extension participation was significantly higher in the leader group than the member group. (3) Attitude and knowledge were not significantly related to each other in either the member or leader groups. (4) Knowledge of the Extension reorganization was not significantly related to the variables of age, education, sex, occupation, income, residence, tenure and Extension participation in either study group. (5) In the member group, women had a significantly more favorable attitude toward the Extension reorganization. Sex was not significantly related to attitude in the leader group. (6) None of the remaining variables of age, education, occupation, income, residence, tenure, and Extension participation were significantly related to attitude in the member or leader groups.
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    A study of the knowledge and attitudes of the middle and upper- middle income class urban dweller toward chemical pesticides
    Bush, Madge Morgan (Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1968)
    A study was made of 801 middle and upper-middle income class urban dwellers, 600 from Richmond and 201 from Roanoke Virginia, to determine the level of their knowledge of and attitude toward chemical pesticides. Certain profile characteristics were delineated and accessed for their relationship to the benchmark data. This sub-study was designed from data obtained from the primary study, "The Effect of a Planned Communication Program on Changes of Attitude and Knowledge of the Urban Dweller Toward Chemicals and Pesticides," Budget Bureau No. 40-6673, Dr. R. H. Gruenhagen, Project Leader. The sample audience scored approximately 70 per cent on the general knowledge questions and approximately 30 per cent on questions pertaining to knowledge of government regulations. This trend followed an evaluation of levels of attitude where general attitude was more favorable than attitude toward government regulations of pesticides and their use. The mean educational level for the population was 12.5 years; mean age was 49. 7 years; three-fifths of the urban dwellers spent their early childhood in metropolitan areas and one-third were members of selected organizations. The majority of urban dwellers participated in certain special interest activities. Urban dwellers from Richmond had a significantly higher level of education than urban dwellers from Roanoke. However, there was no significant difference between the benchmarks for the two groups of urban dwellers. This sub-study indicates that extension educational programs on pesticides should give added emphasis to information on the role of government in regulating their use. Extension educational programs should be tailored to appeal to the high educational level and broad special interest activities of this urban audience.