Copyright by Ryan M Foor 2009 ABSTRACT This study was conducted using survey research methods The review of related literature revealed there was no recent measure of the level of overall job satisfac[.]
Copyright by Ryan M Foor 2009 ABSTRACT This study was conducted using survey research methods The review of related literature revealed there was no recent measure of the level of overall job satisfaction among agricultural teacher educators in the United States using the Three Factor Job Satisfaction Scale Additionally, there appeared to be no measure of the level of overall job satisfaction among faculty members specializing in agricultural communication, agricultural leadership, and extension education using the Three Factor Job Satisfaction Scale The Three Factor Job Satisfaction Scale measured the level of satisfaction with the policy and administration, personal growth and satisfaction, and fiscal resources job factors in addition to the level of overall job satisfaction Demographic characteristics of faculty members were also collected for the study The level of overall job satisfaction was regressed on the policy and administration, personal growth and satisfaction, and fiscal resources job factors Demographic characteristics were not included in the regression analysis Faculty members specializing in the areas of agricultural communication, agricultural leadership, agricultural teacher education, and extension education were moderately satisfied with their job Faculty members were moderately satisfied with the personal growth and satisfaction aspects of their job, while only slightly satisfied with job ii factors pertaining to policy and administration and fiscal resources The three job factors explained 67% of the variance in the level of overall job satisfaction of faculty members The personal growth and satisfaction job factor facilitated a greater increase in the level of overall job satisfaction than the policy and administration and fiscal resources job factors Therefore, it was concluded that faculty professional development activities should focus on aspects related to the personal growth and satisfaction job factor iii Dedicated to my family and friends Nothing is possible without both iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thank you to my parents, Patricia Colthurst and Randy Foor for your belief in learning and providing me the opportunity to receive a post-secondary education To my sister Megan, thank you for letting me share my knowledge with you as you begin your teaching career Thank you to Daniel Foster and Kattlyn Wolf for encouraging me to come to The Ohio State University for graduate school Daniel, thank you for your help in assimilating to graduate school Kat, thank you for your help in learning statistical procedures and research methods through our informal chats Thank you to Whitney Beck and Eric Gahler for providing me “motivation by example” to complete my Master’s degree To my cohort: Rebekah Epps, Jeremy Falk, and Jon Simonsen, thank you for your friendship and abilities to continually make me think and learn! v Thank you to my adviser, Dr Jamie Cano Your belief in my ability as a researcher has been great motivation to continue in my scholarly pursuits Thank you to Drs Birkenholz, Connors, Gliem, Hite, Miller, Newcomb, and Whittington for the formal and informal lessons you taught me Lastly, to Ms Christina Hixson, thank you for your support in my pursuit of higher education at Iowa State University vi VITA April 13, 1980……………………………… …… Born – Burlington, IA 2002……………………………………………… B.S Agricultural Education, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 2002 – 2007……………………………………… Agricultural Education Instructor, Glenwood Community High School, Glenwood, IA 2007 – present……………………………………… Graduate Teaching Associate, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Agricultural and Extension Education vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract…………………………………………………………………………… ii Dedication………………………………………………………………………… iv Acknowledgments………………………………………………………………… v Vita………………………………………………………………………………… vii List of Tables……………………………………………………………………… xi List of Figures……………………………………………………………………… xiv Chapters: Introduction…………………………………………………………… Statement of the Problem……………………………………… Purpose of the Study………………………………………… Research Questions…………….……………………………… Limitations of the Study……………………………………… Definitions of Terms………………………………………… 4 6 Review of Related Literature………………………………………… Purpose of the Study………………………………………… Research Questions…………….……………………………… Review of Related Literature………………………………… Job Satisfaction Among Higher Education Faculty…………… Theoretical Foundation……………………………………… Overall Job Satisfaction……………………………………… Demographic Characteristics Related to Job Satisfaction…… Conceptual Framework for the Current Study………………… Summary……………………………………………………… 9 11 11 13 23 24 28 31 viii Methods……………………………………………………………… Purpose of the Study………………………………………… Research Questions…………….……………………………… Research Design……………………………………………… Population and Subject Selection…………………………… Instrumentation……………………………………………… Data Collection Procedures…………………………………… Data Analysis………………………………………………… 33 33 34 35 37 38 40 43 Findings……………………………………………………………… Purpose of the Study………………………………………… Research Questions…………….……………………………… Research Question #1 – Demographic Variables…………… Research Question #2 – Overall Level of Job Satisfaction…… Research Question #3 – Level of Satisfaction with Selected Job Factors…………………………………………………… Research Question #4 – Relationship between Level of Overall Job Satisfaction and Demographic Variables………… Research Question #5 – Relationship between Level of Overall Job Satisfaction and Selected Job Factors…………… Research Question #6 – Regression Analysis of Overall Job Satisfaction on Selected Demographic Variables…………… Research Question #7 – Regression Analysis of Overall Job Satisfaction on Selected Job Factors………………………… 47 48 48 50 61 Conclusions/Implications/Recommendations………………………… Purpose of the Study………………………………………… Research Questions…………….……………………………… Research Design……………………………………………… Population and Subject Selection…………………………… Instrumentation……………………………………………… Data Collection Procedures…………………………………… Data Analysis………………………………………………… Summary of Findings………………………………………… Conclusions and Implications………………………………… Recommendations…………………………………………… 82 82 83 84 86 87 89 91 93 97 101 List of References………………………………………………………………… 103 ix 63 70 74 75 76 ... in the areas of agricultural communication, agricultural leadership, agricultural teacher education, and extension education using the Three Factor Job Satisfaction Scale Purpose of the Study... leadership, agricultural teacher education, and extension education? What was the overall level of job satisfaction of faculty members specializing in agricultural communication, agricultural leadership,. .. leadership, agricultural teacher education, and extension education? What was the level of satisfaction with the selected job factors: policy and administration, personal growth and satisfaction, and