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AN EVALUATION OF THE GENERAL STANDARDS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NEBRASKA COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATORS
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the general standards portion of the certification training program for commercial pesticide applicators in Nebraska. Specific objectives were to make determinations of: (1) changes in participant attitudes and in their pesticide storage, handling and use practice; (2) knowledge gain, if any, attributable to training; and (3) the relationship between selected demographic characteristics and scores on pretraining and posttraining tests. Study participants were 475 applicators who attended Cooperative Extension Service training in March 1980 at Lincoln, Grand Island, North Platte, Scottsbluff, Omaha and Norfolk, Nebraska. Demographic, attitudinal and practices data were collected before training. Posttraining attitudinal and practices data were collected by mail survey approximately 10 months later from participants who had qualified for certification. Half of the participants received pretraining matrix knowledge pretests. T-tests, analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test were used to analyze pretest and EPA General Standards Test (posttest) results. General Standards Test scores achieved by the pretested group were not significantly different from those of the nonpretested group. General Standards Test scores of both groups were significantly higher than the pretest mean. Significant differences were found between pretest and General Standards Test scores of participants trained and tested at Lincoln when compared to those at other sites. Participant educational attainment also was positively correlated with scores on both tests. Most certification candidates were high school graduates, relatively inexperienced as commercial pesticide applicators, and had spent little time preparing for certification training. Comparison of the two attitude surveys showed attitudes less positive after training. Perceptions of the Environmental Protection Agency declined most sharply. Practices and procedures relating to following label directions, pesticide container disposal and equipment calibration and maintenance reportedly improved after training. Howver, inconsistencies and contradictions in responses led to the conclusion that applicators may have given "expected" or perceived "correct" answers.
Subject Area
Adult education|Continuing education
Recommended Citation
VITZTHUM, EDWARD FRANCIS, "AN EVALUATION OF THE GENERAL STANDARDS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NEBRASKA COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATORS" (1982). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8217563.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8217563