questionnaire. The self-completion questionnaire also contained check box response

questions to measure socioeconomic characteristics. I developed a structured interview to

additionally measure behavior, control beliefs, self-efficacy, attitudes, subjective norms,

access to resources, self-identity and socioeconomic characteristics They were displayed

in an open response format questions and scalar response question format (Appendix B).

Scales and Indices

 Scales and indices are often used to measure multi-dimensional variables like those

in this research. They are composite measures that generate responses to a set of related

items to create a single data point. Overall, "A scale or index assigns a numerical value

to a concept, attitude, perception, opinion or some other complex attribute of a person"

(M.E. Swisher, personal communications, March, 2006). I developed one Likert scale to

measure farmers' attitudes towards traditional farming. Ajzen defines "attitudes towards

a behavior" as "the degree to which performance of the behavior is positively or

negatively valued" (Ajzen, ND). Other definitions of attitude exist which are

multidimensional, but these definitions are difficult to operationalize and the relationship

between the multidimensional components are not fully understand (Tesser and Shaffer,

1990).

 "A scale is a multiple-item measuring device in which there is a built-in intensity

structure, potency, or natural levels of feeling to the items that make up the scale"

(Sullivan, 2001, p.160). The Likert scale measured the intensity and range in value of

farmers' attitudes towards traditional farming by posing multiple statements. The scale

consisted of a range of scalar responses to a particular statement. I used a five-point scale

with response options including strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree and strongly

disagree. I gave each response item for each question a point value. I gave high point