Development and Validation of a Knowledge Test on Scientific Walnut Cultivation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2025.614RT05Keywords:
Knowledge, Difficulty index, Discrimination index, Reliability, Validity, Internal consistencyAbstract
Knowledge is the foundation for shaping attitudes, encouraging adoption of innovations, and guiding logical decision-making. Since knowledge forms the first step in the innovation-diffusion process, followed by persuasion and attitude change. In 2024, a study was carried out in the Pulwama district of the Kashmir region of J&K UT to design a knowledge test for systematic walnut growers with the aim to assess their understanding of various production recommendations. The test was developed using standard psychometric methods to ensure accuracy and reliability. Initially, 32 knowledge-based statements were framed with the help of subject experts. Each statement was analyzed using the difficulty index and discrimination index, which helped identify the most suitable for effectively measuring farmers’ knowledge. Based on this analysis, 14 statements were retained for the final test. To check reliability, the split half method was applied, yielding a high reliability coefficient of 0.90, using the Spearman Brown prophecy formula. Furthermore, internal consistency was assured using Cronbach’s alpha, which gave a coefficient of 0.83. It confirmed that the knowledge test was both reliable and valid, making it a strong tool for evaluating the knowledge of walnut growers.
Downloads
References
Anshida, B., Nirmala, C. N., Rohit, J., Ravishanker, K., Raju, B. M. K., Dhimate, S. A., & Singh, V. K. (2022). Knowledge test for rainfed farmers on natural resource management practices. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 58(4), 159–162.
Bhat, M. S., Lone, F. A., & Shafiq, M. U. (2019). Evaluation of long term trends in apple cultivation and its productivity in Jammu and Kashmir from 1975 to 2015. GeoJournal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-019-1011-3
Chandhana, B., Kumar, G. D. S., & Senger, R. S. (2022). Development of test and measurement of knowledge level of sunflower farmers. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 58(4), 81–85.
Coombs, C. H. (1950). The concepts of reliability and homogeneity. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 10, 43–56.
Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. (2022). Digest of statistics 2020–21: At a glance (46th ed.). Planning Development & Monitoring Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir.
Ghouse, L. M., Karthikeyam, C., & Devi, M. N. (2022). Developing a test to measure the knowledge level of farmers towards market intelligence. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics and Sociology, 40(10), 1131–1136.
Guilford, J. P. (1954). Psychometric methods (1st ed.). Tata McGraw-Hill.
Kerlinger, F. N. (2004). Foundations of behavioral research (2nd ed.). Surjeet Publications.
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.Lynn, M. R. (1986). Determination and quantification of content validity. Nursing Research, 35(6), 382–386.
Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
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. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.20147
Polit, D. F., Beck, C. T., & Owen, S. V. (2007). Is the content validity index an acceptable indicator of content validity? Appraisal and recommendations. Research in Nursing & Health, 30(4), 459–467. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.20199
Rani, N. S., Lakshmi, T., Gopal, P. S., Vani, N., & Reddy, B. R. (2020). Standard test to measure knowledge of groundnut farmers on sustainable cultivation practices. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(1), 169–175.
Roy, D., Chaturvedani, A. K., Goyal, J., Ravi, S. K., Kumar, D., & Kumar, A. (2025). Psychometric validation and KR-20 reliability of a knowledge tool for semi-intensive pig production. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 61(3), 104–108.
Roy, G. L., & Mondal, S. (2004). Research methods in social sciences and extension education (2nd ed.). Kalyani Publishers.
Slathia, P. S., Peshin, R., Sharma, B. C., Samanatha, A., & Kumar, R. (2022). Knowledge level of the farmers about hybrid rice cultivation in Jammu District. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 59(2), 120–124.
Velamuri, A., Hebsale Mallappa, V. K., & Parikh, N. (2024). Construction and validation of research satisfaction scale (RSS) for post-research analysis of graduates. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 60(1), 120–123. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2024.601RT3
Verma, S. R., Samuel, G., Rao, I. S., & Sagar, V. (2018). Construction of knowledge test to measure the knowledge on recommended groundnut production practices. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 30(3), 6129–6136.
Vijayan, B., Nain, M. S., Singh, R., & Kumbhare, N. V. (2022). Knowledge test for extension personnel on National Food Security Mission. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 58(2), 191–194. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2022.58246
Vijayan, B., Nain, M. S., Singh, R., Kumbhare, N. V., & Kademani, S. B. (2023). Knowledge test for extension personnel on Krishi Vikas Yojana. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 59(1), 131–134. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2023.59127
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
