Extension professionals often assess community needs to determine programs and target audiences. Data can be collected through surveys, focus group and individual interviews, meta-analysis, systematic observation, and other methods. Knowledge gaps are identified, and programs are designed to resolve the deficiencies. However, do Extension…

This article describes the first phase of a two-phase, mixed-method study. The study, now in progress, explores how and to what extent willingness to engage in learning in mature adulthood is influenced by prior experiences and specific individual personality variables, such as perceived locus of control and degree of self-efficacy. Study…

The purpose of this study was to explore the relevance that executive mentors' Dream journeys had for their mentoring practices. Dream journeys are the visions of where young adults see themselves in the future, and how they integrate themselves into the adult world over time. It was anticipated that a better understanding of executive mentors'…

Virginia's SHARP logger program is a Cooperative Extension program currently providing training to over 1,500 loggers, foresters, and others. We conducted a mail survey of SHARP loggers to characterize program participants, assess programming needs, and evaluate program effectiveness. Results indicate a diverse group of participants in terms of…

This study surveyed the perceived differences in the learning potential of different work experiences, and sought to determine if these differences were reflected primarily in the type of experience, the nature of the experience, or the type of outcome associated with the experience. Research has shown that employees acquire the largest portion of…

This study examined outcomes for faculty and community partners of a gerontological curriculum enrichment effort at a midwestern state university. The study was supported by the John A. Hartford Foundation. Faculty from three academic centers around the state were involved in revising the foundation (core) curriculum. Community practitioners from…

This report documents the design and collection of the National Household Education Surveys Program (NHES) of 2001. It begins by providing an overview of the collection and the report. Next, the design of the questionnaires are discussed. Chapter 3 presents the sample design which is followed by information about the data collection. Chapter 5…

The use of numeric data has historical significance in the research of many academic disciplines, but today it is burgeoning. Responses from academic business librarians to a 33-item questionnaire are the basis for this study that investigates the interactions between academic business libraries and other local units supplying numeric data…

Within the past few years there has been a very remarkable increase in public school extension and the wider use of school buildings and equipment. This extension work has taken many forms, all of which, however, are intended to be supplementary to the regular school work. In order that records of this work may be kept and that teachers, school…