Development and Validation of a Farmer’s Focused Digital Literacy Scale

Authors

  • Saurabh Chandra Ph.D. Scholars, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Kalyan Ghadei Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • M Chennamadhava Ph.D. Scholars, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Waris Ali Ph.D. Scholars, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2024.601RT

Keywords:

Digital literacy, Digital competency, Scale development, Reliability, Validity

Abstract

The research aimed to develop a tool for assessing the digital literacy of farmers towards ICT-led agriculture in India. The study identified three dimensions namely digital knowledge, attitude, and digital competency, for a farmer-focused digital literacy scale. Digital competency consisted of seven sub-dimensions viz device setup, digital communication and collaboration, digital content creation and sharing, digital safety, problem-solving, digital marketing, and digital payment. The digital literacy scale was developed with Likert scale construction methodology. An overall mean relevancy score of 5.693 was obtained. A pilot study was conducted with 60 farmers in a non-sampled area. The t value was calculated, and the cutoff value for item selection was set at > 1.75. For assessing internal consistency reliability using the Spearman-Brown formula, a reliability coefficient of 0.850 was found. The calculation of Cronbach’s alpha gave a value of 0.743, indicating that the scale shows a high level of consistency in its measurement. The standard farmers-focused digital literacy scale comprised of 30 items, and its content validity was determined with expert opinions. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16(3), 297-334.

DeVellis, F. Robert (2003). Scale development theory and application. Sage Publication, Inc. California in Applied Social Research Methods Series, 26, 27-49.

Edwards, A. L. (1957). Techniques of attitude scale construction. Vakils, Feffer and Simons Inc. New York.

Gupta, S. K., Nain, M. S., Singh, R., & Mishra, J. R. (2022). Development of scale to measure agripreneurs attitude towards entrepreneurial climate, Indian Journal of Extension Education, 58 (2), 153-57.

Joshi, K. (2021). Need-based information media for farmers in hill regions of Uttarakhand: implications for extension. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 58(1), 136-141.

Kumar, R., Slathia, P. S., Peshin, R., & Nain, M. S. (2015). Development of scale to measure attitude of farmers towards rapeseed mustard crop. Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development, 10(2), 221-224.

Kumar, R., Slathia, P. S., Peshin, R., Gupta, S. K., & Nain, M. S. (2016). A test to measure the knowledge of farmers about rapeseed mustard cultivation. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 52(3&4), 157-159.

Likert, R. A. (1932). A technique for the measurement of attitude. Archives of Psychology, 22(140), 1-55.

Maiti, S., Garai, S., Mohammad, A., & Kadian, S. K. (2021). Psychometric scale construction techniques: basics to advances. Dairy Extension Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana.

Medina-García, M., Higueras-Rodríguez, L., García-Vita, M. D. M., & Doña-Toledo, L. (2021) ICT, Disability, and motivation: validation of a measurement scale and consequence model for inclusive digital knowledge. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public health, 18(13), 6770.

MoA & FW (2017). Report of the committee on doubling farmers’ income- empowering the farmers through extension and knowledge dissemination. GoI, New Delhi, Vol. XI.

Murray, M. C., & Pérez, J. (2014). Unravelling the digital literacy paradox: How higher education fails at the fourth literacy. Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, 11, 85-100.

Nain, M. S., Singh, R., Mishra, J. R., & Sharma, J. P. (2015). Utilization and linkage with agricultural information sources: a study of Palwal district of Haryana state. Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development, 10(2), 152-156.

Ng, W. (2012). Can we teach digital natives’ digital literacy? ELSEVIER, Computers & Education, 59, 1065-1078.Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory. McGraw-Hill. PMGDISHA (2018). Pradhan Mantri Gramin Disha (A unique initiative for Digital Literacy in rural India). Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology, GOI. July 2018.

Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2006). The content validity index: Are you sure you know what’s being reported? Critique and recommendations. Research in Nursing & Health, 29(5), 489- 497.

Shitu, G. A., Nain, M. S., & Kobba, F. (2018). Development of scale for assessing farmers’ attitude towards precision conservation agricultural practices. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 88(3), 499-504.

Singh, N. K., Sunitha, N. H., Tripathi, G., Saikanth, D. R. K., Sharma, A., Jose, A. E., & Mary, M. V. K. J. (2023). Impact of Digital Technologies in Agricultural Extension. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 41(9), 963-970.

Sora, P., & Sally, B. (2013). A longitudinal study on the uses of mobile tablet devices and changes in digital media literacy of young adults. Educational Media International, 50(4), 266-280.

Zeraati, M., & Alavi, N. M. (2014). Designing and validity evaluation of quality of nursing care units. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 22(3),

Published

2024-01-04

How to Cite

Chandra, S., Ghadei, K., Chennamadhava, M., & Ali, W. (Trans.). (2024). Development and Validation of a Farmer’s Focused Digital Literacy Scale. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 60(1), 111–115. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2024.601RT