Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Agricultural & Extension Education

Committee Chair

Stacy A. Gartin.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of unethical practices in exhibiting animals observed by West Virginia extension agents and high school teachers. A researcher-created demographic sheet and a fifty-eight-statement Lickert type questionnaire were sent to all extension agents and high school agriculture teachers in West Virginia (N = 154). Descriptive data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSSpc). Frequencies, t-values and means were used to describe and analyze the research results.;There are unethical practices in West Virginia concerning cruelty to animals but these practices are not a problem that has a high rate of occurrence. The practices that occur more often are those concerning adults and parents, whether they are talking about a judge or trying to buy a first place animal. Females observe unethical practices more frequently than do males, and extension agents observe unethical practices more frequently than do agriculture teachers. The most frequently observed unethical practices were: "Youth and adults questioning the integrity of the livestock judge;" "Parents or teachers getting animals ready to show;" and "Talking about the other children and judges (continuation of what they hear at home)."

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