CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

Methodology is an important and integral part of research that deserves very careful
consideration. Methods and procedures that were used for collection and analysis of data are
very important in any scientific investigation. Appropriate methodology used in research helps
to collect valid and reliable data and analyze the information to arrive at correct and
meaningful conclusion. The methods and procedures followed in conducting this research have
been discussed in this Chapter.

3.1 Research Design of the Study

A research design enables the investigator to answer research questions as objectively,
accurately and economically as possible. It sets up a framework for the test of relationship
among variables and helps to keep the research in proper direction (Ray & Mondal, 2004).
Designing the research for the study was taken in a scientific method. Firstly, different research
themes are collected and analyzed followed by research problem formulation. Reviews were
studied to select appropriate issues and preparation of research instrument. Finally, data were
collected, analyzed and report was prepared. A cross-sectional quasi-experimental research
design (Hasan et al., 2018) was followed for the study.

3.2 Locale of the Study

Phulbari Upazila of Dinajpur district was selected purposively as the locale of the study. This
Upazila is well developed and also well communication system exists with the district
headquarter and capital city of the country compared to the other Upazilas. A map of Dinajpur
district showing the Phulbari Upazila is given in Figure 3.1 and another map of Phulbari
Upazila showing the study area is given in Figure 3.2.

3.3 Population and Sampling

The farmers of the Phulbari upazila who are directly involved in different agricultural
programs of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for extension services constitute the
population of the study and the total number was 1042. Data were collected from a sample
rather than from the whole population from purposively selected two Unions namely Betdighi
and Aladipur under Phulbari Upazila. Ten percent of the of the population that is 104 farmers
were randomly selected as sample by using simple random sampling method for the purpose of
data collection. Thus, the total sample size was 104. A reserve list of 10 percent of the sample
(10 farmers) was also prepared for using as sample in case of unavailability of original
sampled farmers during interview. Sample was selected proportionately from the two selected
unions as shown in Table 3.1.
 Study area

Figure 3.1 Map of Dinajpur district showing Phulbari Upazila (Bangladesh inset)

Study area

Figure 3.2 Map of Phulbari Upazila showing Betdighi and Aladipur union

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Table 3.1 Distribution of population and sample
Name of the union Population Sample Reserve list
Betdighi 495 50 5
Aladipur 547 54 5
Total 1042 104 10

3.4 Research Instrument

A structured interview schedule was carefully prepared keeping the objectives in mind to
collect relevant data. The questions and statements contained in the schedule were simple,
direct and easily understandable to the respondents. Both open and closed forms of questions
were included in the schedule. The draft interview schedule was prepared in advance before
final use. The draft schedule was pre-tested with 10 respondents from the study area. This
pretest facilitated the researcher to identify faulty questions in the draft schedule and hence
necessary corrections, additions and adjustments were made in the schedule accordingly. An
English version of interview schedule has been presented in the Appendix A.

3.5 Measurement of Variables

A well-organized piece of research usually contains at least two important elements. They are
the focus issue and the selected characteristics of the respondents of the study. In any scientific
research, the selection and measurement of variables constitutes a significant task. In these
connections the researcher reviewed the literature to widen her understanding about the nature
and scope of the variables relevant to this piece of research. The focus issue of the study was
‘farmers’ information needs for good agricultural practices (GAPs)’. In this study age,
educational qualification, family size, farm size, annual income, agricultural training received,
environmental stewardship, knowledge on good agricultural practices, sources of information,
and attitude towards good agricultural practices were the selected characteristics of the
farmers.
3.5.1 Farmers’ information needs for good agricultural practices (GAPs)
The information needs of the farmers for good agricultural practices (GAPs) was the focus
variable of the present study. To measure the information needs of the farmers for good
agricultural practices (GAPs) 20 items regarding good agricultural practices under four
dimensions namely, sustainable and healthy production, crop quality maintenance and
environmental protection, agricultural workers’ and consumers’ health protection and
marketing, and export quality of high-value crops were selected. Good agricultural practices
(GAPs) depend on 4 pillars. The dimensions and the items are selected keeping in mind the

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four pillars. The methodology was adopted from Tabassum (2017) and Sultana (2015) they
used this methodology for measurement of training needs of the fish farmers. The selected
items were measured on a four-point rating scale. Scores were assigned as 3, 2, 1 and 0 for
‘high’, ‘medium’, ‘low’, and ‘no’ information needs, respectively. The total score of each
respondent for this variable could range from 0 to 60, where 0 indicated ‘no information needs’
and 60 indicated ‘high information needs’ of the farmer for good agricultural practices (GAPs).

Moreover, Information Needs Index (INI) was computed for each of the respondents. Rank
order of each of the need was done based on the respondents obtained INI score. The
Information Needs Index (INI) was computed using the following formula:

INI = (Inh x 3) + (Inm x 2) + (Inl x 1) + (Inn x 0)

Where,
INI = Information Needs Index
Inh = Number of respondents having high information needs
Inm = Number of respondents having medium information needs
Inl = Number of respondents having low information needs
Inn= Number of respondents having no information needs
This variable has been presented in question number 11 of the interview schedule (Appendix
A).

3.5.2 Measurement of the selected characteristics

Measurements of selected characteristics constitute an important task of social research. A total
of ten characteristics of the farmers were considered to describe the profile characteristics of
the sample farmers. These were age, educational qualification, family size, farm size, annual
income, agricultural training received, environmental stewardship, knowledge of good
agricultural practices, sources of information and attitude towards good agricultural practices.
The measurement methods of these characteristics are given below.

[Link] Age
The age of a respondent referred to the period from his/her birth to the time of interviewing. It
was measured in complete years as reported by the respondents. A score of one (1) was
assigned for each year of age. This variable has been shown in question number 1 of the
interview schedule (Appendix A).

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[Link] Educational qualification
Education was measured on the basis of grade (class) passed by him/her from a formal
institution of equivalent qualification possessed. A score of one (1) was assigned for each year
of schooling in formal institution. For example, if a respondent passed the final exam of class
V, his/her education score was assigned as 5. Score 0.5 was given to the respondent who could
sign his/her name only and a zero (0) was given to the respondent who could not read and
write. The instrument on educational qualification was placed under question number 2 of the
interview schedule in Appendix A.

[Link] Family size

The family size was measured by the total number of members in the family of a respondent.
The family member included the family head and other dependent character like husband/wife,
children and parents who lived and ate together. A unit score 1 was assigned for each member
of the family. If a respondent had five members in his/her family, his/her family size score was
given as 5. This variable has been presented in question number 3 of the interview schedule in
Appendix A.

[Link] Farm size

Farm size is the most important capital of a farmer and the farm size can influence many
personal characteristics of a farmer. Farm size of the farmer was measured by the land area
possessed by him. Data obtained in response to questions under item number 4 of the interview
schedule (Appendix A) formed the basis for determining the farm size of the respondent. Farm
size was computed by using the following formula:
FS = F1+F2+1/2 (F3+F4) +F5+F6
Where,
FS = Farm Size
F1= Homestead area
F2= Own land under own cultivation
F3 = Area of land given to others as borga
F4= Area of land taken from others as borga
F5= Area of land taken from others on lease
F6 = Others (Pond, Garden etc.)
The respondents indicated their farm size in local unit. Finally, it was converted into hectare
and was considered as the farm size of the respondents.

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[Link] Annual income
The annual income has been used to refer the total earnings of the respondent and the members
of his/her family which was derived both agricultural and non-agricultural sources during a
year. The value of all the earnings from agricultural sector (rice, maize, potato, vegetables,
fruits, dairy, poultry, fisheries and others) and non-agricultural sector (service, business and
others) were taken into consideration for calculating family income. In measuring this variable,
the total earning in production and their market price in taka of an individual respondent was
converted into score. A score of one (1) was assigned for every 1 thousand taka. This variable
has been presented in question number 5 of the interview schedule in Appendix A.

[Link] Agricultural training received

Agricultural training received was measured by the total number of days a respondent received
training in his/her life up to the day of interview. The training was related to agriculture that
was sponsored by government, non-government and other relevant organizations. A score of 1
was given to a respondent for each day of training. This variable has been presented in
question number 8 of the interview schedule (Appendix A).

[Link] Environmental stewardship

Environmental stewardship score was computed by using a five (5) point rating scale. Among
the eight statements, four were positive and four were negative to environmental stewardship.
The respondents indicated each statements of the scale to the extent of their agreement. For
positive cases statements were given scores for ‘strongly agree’=5, ‘agree’=4, ‘no opinion’=3,
‘disagree’=2 and ‘strongly disagree’=1. For negative statements the scoring system was
reverse. Environmental stewardship score of a respondent was determined by summing the
scores for responses to all the eight statements in the scale. Environmental stewardship scores
of the respondents could range from 8 to 40, where 8 score indicating low environmental
stewardship and 40 indicating high environmental stewardship.

[Link] Knowledge on good agricultural practices

After thorough consultation with relevant experts and reviewing of related literature, ten
questions regarding knowledge on good agricultural practices were selected and asked to the
farmers to determine their extent of knowledge. Different scores such as 2 and 3 were assigned
against different levels difficulty of question. Answering a question correctly of an individual
could obtain full score, partial score was given to partial correct answer and zero (0) was
assigned for wrong answer. Thus, the knowledge score of a respondent could range from 0 to
22, where 0 indicates no knowledge and 22 indicates adequate knowledge. This variable
appears in item number 8 of interview schedule as presented in Appendix A.

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[Link] Sources of information
Sources of information was measured by computing a respondent’s extent of contact with 14
selected sources as obtained in response to item number 9 of the interview schedule (Appendix
A). Each respondent was asked to indicate the degree of his contact with each of the selected
media with four alternative responses as ‘not at all’ ‘rarely’ ‘occasionally’, ‘frequently’ basis
and weights were assigned as 0, 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Logical frequencies were assigned for
each alternative response for each of the 14 selected items. The sources of information score of
a respondent was determined by summing up his scores for contact with all the selected source.
The possible score could range from 0 to 42, where 0 indicated no contact and 42 indicated the
highest level of contact with different sources of information.

[Link] Attitude towards good agricultural practices (GAPs)

Attitude of a respondent towards good agricultural practices (GAPs) was measured by
developing an attitude scale. Likert method was used to measure farmers’ attitude towards
good agricultural practices. Twelve (12) statements expressing positive and negative feelings
towards good agricultural practices were constructed. A statement was considered positive if it
indicated a favorable attitude towards good agricultural practices. If the case was reverse, it
was considered as a negative statement. Out of these twelve statements six were positive and
six were negative. Scoring was done by assigning 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 scores to the five alternative
responses as "strongly agreed", "agreed", "undecided", "disagreed", and "strongly disagreed"
respectively in case of a positive statement. Reverse score was assigned for a negative
statement. However, attitude towards good agricultural practices of a farmer was obtained by
summing up his/her scores for all twelve (12) statements in item number 12 of the interview
schedule. Attitude score, thus, obtained for a respondent could range from 12 to 60, where
twelve indicated unfavorable attitude and 60 indicated highest level of favorable attitude.

3.6 Farmers’ Perceived Problems in Adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)

Problems are the difficulties encountered by a respondent both in his/her practical and
theoretical life. Among the various problems, ten problems perceived by the farmers in
adopting good agricultural practices (GAPs) were selected. The farmers were asked to mention
the extent of problems they perceived in adopting good agricultural practices (GAPs). It was
measured by using closed form of questions. A four-point rating scale was used for computing
the extent of problems perceived. Weights on responses against the applicable ones of the ten
problems of a farmer were assigned in the following way:

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Extent of perceived problems Weights
Not at all 0
Low 1
Medium 2
High 3
Problem Perception Index (PPI) was computed for each of the respondents. Rank order of each
of the problems was done based on the respondents obtained PPI score. The Problem
Perception Index (PPI) was computed using the following formula:
PPI = (Ph x 3) + (Pm x 2) + (Pl x 1) + (Pn x 0)
Where,
PPI = Problem Perception Index
Ph = Number of respondents perceiving high problem
Pm = Number of respondents perceiving medium problem
Pl = Number of respondents perceiving low problem
Pn= Number of respondents perceiving no problem
This variable has been presented in question number 12 of the interview schedule (Appendix
A).

3.7 Data Collection

Data were collected personally by the researcher herself through face-to-face interview from
the selected conservation agriculture farmers with the help of a structured interview schedule.
To familiarize with the study area and for getting local support, the researcher took help from
the local leaders and the field staff of Upazila Extension Office. Interviews were usually
conducted with the respondents in their homes. While starting an interview with any
respondent the researcher took all possible care to establish rapport with him/her so that he/she
did not hesitate to furnish proper responses to the questions and statements in the schedule.
However, if any respondent failed to understand any question the researcher took care to
explain the issue. She received excellent cooperation from the respondents and other concerned
during the time of interview. The entire process of collecting data was completed within the
period from 9 March to 2 April 2023.

3.8 Data Processing

Various steps in processing and analyzing the collected data are given below.

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3.8.1 Compilation of data
After completion of field survey, data from all the interview schedules were coded, compiled,
tabulated and analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study. In this process, all the
responses in the interview schedule were given numerical coded value. Local units were
converted into standard units and qualitative data were converted into quantitative ones by
means of suitable scoring whenever necessary. The responses to the questions in the interview
schedules were incorporated in SPPS spreadsheet to facilitate processing and tabulation.

3.8.2 Categorization of data

For describing different characteristics, the respondents were classified into several categories.
These categories were developed by considering the nature of distribution of data, general
understanding prevailing in the social system and possible scores system

3.8.3 Statistical Analysis

The analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer
package. Descriptive analysis such as range, mean, number, standard deviation, rank order was
used for describing both the focus issue and selected characteristics. Tables were also used in
presenting data for clarity of understanding. Pearson Product Moment correlation was run to
determine the relationships between the selected characteristics of the farmers and their
knowledge of conservation agriculture. The highest five percent (0.05) level of probability was
used as the basis for rejection of a null hypothesis throughout the study.
3.9 Statements of Hypothesis
As defined by Goode and Hatt (1992) a hypothesis is a position which can be put to test to
determine its validity. It may seem contrary to, or in accord with common sense. It may prove
to be correct or incorrect. In any event, however, it leads to an empirical test.
3.9.1 Research hypothesis
In the light of the objectives of the study and variables selected, the following research
hypothesis was formulated to test. The research hypothesis was stated in positive form, the
hypothesis was as follows:
“There exist relationships between the selected characteristics of the farmers and their
information needs for good agricultural practices (GAPs)”.
3.9.2 Null hypothesis
In order to conduct statistical tests, the research hypothesis was converted to null form. Hence,
the null hypothesis was as follows:
“There exist no relationships between the selected characteristics of the farmers and their
information needs for good agricultural practices (GAPs)”.

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