Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (Volume 4 page 21)
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Year 4 Agriculture.
Credit points: 16.0
Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. J W Cary.
Contact: 36 hours of lectures and 36 hours of practical work, including a field research project.
Timetable: Second semester
Aims: To develop a higher level of understanding of social processes, and to develop understanding and skills in social research, in agricultural and environmental settings.
Objectives:
On completion of this subject, students should: understand the rationale for various systems of information delivery; have a competent understanding of philosophies and theories related to extension work; develop understanding and skills in social research methods relevant to agriculture and human use of the environment; be able to apply principles and techniques of social measurement; be able to determine the appropriateness of different research techniques for given social research problems related to agriculture and the environment; be competent in conducting a survey interview.
Content:
Role of extension and communication in technical, economic and social change. Theories of adult education, social influence, communication and marketing. Social aspects of land use in agriculture and related industries. Social bases of landholders' responses to land degradation problems. Characteristics of public and privately provided extension services. Quantitative and qualitative methods in social research. Theory of measurement; measurement of beliefs and attitudes. Surveys as a form of data collection. Examples of agricultural and environmental extension and economic surveys in Australia. Sampling procedures; sampling and measurement error. Interviewing techniques; communication skills; group dynamics. Coding and data processing. New issues in extension.
Assessment:
A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination, an assignment, a field project, class exercises and seminar. Written and practical tests may be given throughout the subject.
Prescribed texts:
Recommended texts:
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (Volume 4 page 21)
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 9 1995 Last modified: Oct 9 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture.
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.