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Addis Ababa University Libraries Electronic Thesis and Dissertations: AAU-ETD! >
Institute of Regional and Local Development >
Thesis - Regional and Local Development >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/843
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| Title: | AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE OF STUDENTS AND THEIR AWARENESS ABOUT THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN DEVELOPMENT |
| Authors: | TAFESSE, TESHOME |
| Advisors: | MEHERET AYENEW (Ph.D.) |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Knowledge
University and Awareness |
| Copyright: | 2003 |
| Date Added: | 22-Apr-2008 |
| Publisher: | Addis Ababa University |
| Abstract: | The objective of this study was to assess and compare the difference
between the mean agricultural knowledge scores of first year university
students, when grouped by their high school agricultural education and
place of birth background, and to determine their awareness about the
role of universities in development particularly in solving the problem of
food insecurity in Ethiopia. A sample consisting of 148 students was
selected using Equal Probability Selection Method. The study instrument
was developed, validated by group of experts, tested and administered
to the sample of students. A survey was conducted in April 2003. The
means comparison, ANOVA and Independent Samples t-Tests using
SPSS PC version10 was employed to analyse the data at 0.05 alpha
level.
The dependent variables (summated scores of agricultural knowledge
ranging from 0-30 and summated score of awareness ranging from 1-5)
and the independent variables (dichotomous values of high school
agricultural education and place of birth background) were entered into
mean comparison and ANOVA test model. The result revealed that there
exists mean difference between both test groups. Students with high
school agricultural education scored M=19.6 and with no agricultural
education M=12.8. Students with rural background scored M=17.5
whereas with urban background scored M=16.4. The mean difference
between students grouped by their high school agricultural education
found to be significant (P=0.00) where as the mean difference between
students grouped by their place of birth revealed to be not significant
(P=0.189). This result was further verified by using Independent
Samples t-Test for both groups and the result revealed (P=0.00 for first
group and P=0.176 for the second group) which was similar to the
ANOVA tests.
Furthermore, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) econometrics model was
conducted using GiveWin statistical package to estimate the extent by
which the value of dependent variable is explained by the independent
variable. To this end, four lag OLS test revealed (R^2= 0.56 and
DW=1.39) that 56% of the agricultural knowledge of students can be
explained by their previous high school agricultural education
background. The awareness section mean score was M=1.9 for
students with high school agricultural education and M=2.4 for students
with no agricultural education background. This indicates that students
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with high school agricultural education have a good awareness about
agriculture and agricultural higher education. More than 60% of students
support the integration of Universities in the national agricultural research
and extension system.
It was finally concluded that offering agricultural education at high school
level would help to build agricultural knowledge and awareness of the
future generation. Further national survey research is warranted to
determine the importance of offering agricultural education courses at all
levels of schooling and designing policies or national guidance to
integrate Universities in the development process particularly integrating
them in to the federal/regional agricultural research and extension
systems. |
| Description: | A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF ARTS IN REGIONAL AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/843 |
| Appears in: | Thesis - Regional and Local Development
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