Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1976

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Cecil E. Carter Jr.

Committee Members

Robert Dotson, Helen Rader

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the clothing knowledge of fifth grade girls at the beginning of the year and again at the end of the year and the factors that affected that knowledge. The factors were related to the level of clothing knowledge as indicated by the differences in scores on pretests and posttests given at the beginning of the fifth grade and at the end of the fifth grade. The 184 girls used in the study were from the fifth grade enrollment in the McMinn County, Tennessee, school system in 1973-1974. Information was secured by completion of two questionnaires and the testing device by the respondents. The pretest and posttest scores were based upon content of the knowledge test regarding grooming, vocabulary, knowledge of recommended methods, terms and fabrics, and the identification of sewing equipment and the parts of the sewing machine. Tests of significance of differences in mean pretest and posttest scores were made using the t test. Those differences achieving the .05 level of probability were considered significant. The t test and the .05 probability levels were also used when comparing clothing project members with non-clothing project members as to the clothing knowledge pretest and posttest scores. Background information and personal characteristics of all respondents and educational experiences of clothing project members were analyzed on the basis of mean pretest and posttest scores on clothing knowledge. These observed relationships were considered significant when a probability level of .05 or less was obtained using the analysis of variance "F" test. Significant findings of the study were; 1. All respondents had a significant increase in clothing knowledge scores between the pretest and posttest on all sections of the clothing knowledge test. 2. The greatest increase in knowledge for all respondents was on sewing equipment. The least increase in knowledge was on recommended methods of construction. 3. Clothing project members had significantly higher posttest knowledge scores than non-clothing project members on grooming and parts of the sewing machine. 4. The relative increase in clothing knowledge scores was low for all respondents. 5. Four-H Club clothing project members who lived in a town and on a farm had higher pretest scores than those who lived in rural and rural nonfarm areas. 6. All respondents and non-clothing project members whose mothers were members of clubs and organizations had higher pretest and posttest scores than those whose mothers were not members of clubs and organizations . 7. All respondents whose fathers were employed in professional positions had higher pretest scores than other occupations. All respondents whose fathers were employed in industry had the highest posttest scores. 8. Girls who were the average age (i.e., ten years old) made higher pretest and posttest scores. 9. Higher grades recieved in school denoted higher pretest and posttest scores by clothing project members. 10. Prior hand sewing experience resulted in higher posttest scores for all respondents and higher pretest and posttest scores for non-clothing project members. 11. Prior machine sewing experience resulted in higher pretest and posttest scores for all respondents, higher posttest scores for clothing project members and higher pretest scores for non-clothing project members. 12. The availability of a sewing machine influenced the pretest scores of all respondents, clothing project members and non-clothing project members. 13. Those who received help with the clothing project had higher posttest scores than pretest scores. Pretest and posttest scores on clothing knowledge found not to be significantly related were as follows: 1. Clothing project members did not differ from non-clothing project members as to total test scores on clothing knowledge. 2. Place of residence was not related to the pretest or posttest scores of clothing project members and pretest or posttest scores of non-clothing project members. 3. Family income was not significantly related to pretest or posttest scores of all respondents. 4. Employment of respondent's mother was not significantly related to pretest or posttest scores of all respondents. 5. Membership of the respondent's mother in clubs and organizations was not significantly related to pretest or posttest scores of clothing project members and non-clothing project members. 6. Sewing activity of respondent's mother was not significantly related to the pretest or posttest scores of all respondents. 7. Employment of respondent's father was not significantly related to the pretest or posttest scores of clothing project members or non-clothing project members. 8. Age of respondents was not significantly related to the posttest scores of clothing project members. 9. Grades received in school was not significantly related to the pretest scores of clothing project members. 10. Participation in extracurricular activities was not significantly related to the pretest or posttest scores of all respondents. 11. Prior hand sewing experience was not significantly related to the pretest scores of all respondents and the pretest or posttest scores of clothing project members, 12. Prior machine sewing experience was not significantly related to the pretest scores of clothing project members or to posttest scores of non-clothing project members. 13. Availability of a sewing machine was not significantly related to posttest scores of all respondents. 14. Availability of clothing project guide, use of the guide, completion of the project record, participation in a clothing demonstration or participation in 4-H Dress Revue were not significantly related to pretest or posttest scores of clothing project members. 15. Help received with clothing project was not significantly related to pretest scores of clothing project members. Implications and recommendations were also made.

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