Survey Instrumentation Using Intercept Methods

Abstract

Agricultural mechanics instruction is crucial for preparing students for agricultural careers, emphasizing safety practices with potentially hazardous equipment. While overall safety culture in agricultural education has progressed, hearing safety remains a concern, particularly among younger individuals. This study aimed to develop and field-test an instrument to assess agricultural mechanics teachers' awareness and perceptions of hearing protection practices during a statewide skill development event. Utilizing an intercept survey methodology, grounded in Ajzen's theory of planned behavior, allowed for the collection of in-the-moment feedback from experienced agriculture teachers (n=12). The initial questionnaire, framed by existing hearing safety research, underwent a field test which identified areas for improvement in clarity, readability, and response format. Key revisions included refining the instrument title, adding a personal hearing rating question, adjusting font and spacing, reorganizing question formats into a two-column layout, and modifying the response format for decibel-level inquiries to a scaled approach to mitigate user fatigue and pattern response. This iterative instrument development process, informed by pilot testing, is a critical step towards collecting valid and reliable data on hearing protection awareness among agricultural mechanics educators, ultimately contributing to enhanced safety practices in agricultural education.