Abstract

John D. Oghene

The specific objectives were to collate a universe of socio-economic condition pointers; carry out item
analysis to validate socio-economic status indicators; select valid socio-economic status indicators for
heads of farm families; and discuss the sociological implication of the valid items. Stratified and simple
random sampling designs were used in selecting the towns and villages. Twelve percent of heads of
farm families in selected Ibo speaking Local Government Areas of the state comprising Aniocha South
(41), Ika South (47) Ndokwa West (55) and Oshimili North (31) were selected to give a sample size of 174
heads of farm families. Structured interview schedules were used in data collection. Data were analysed
using point-biserial correlation coefficient and t-test. A universe of 106 items were collated from a preresearch survey. Sixty nine (69) items were found as valid indicators of socio-economic status. The
number of relatives trained by the individual, axe, yam barn, motor cycle, motor car, bicycles and water
cistern toilet had very important social and economic implications among the people. The indexes are
recommended to development agencies for evaluating changes in socio-economic status of heads of
farm families particularly after an agricultural development intervention programme.