2018 NAEPSDP Conference

ROUNDTABLE DESCRIPTION
Since its inception, Extension’s mission has included transfer and generating science-based knowledge and practice, engaging and improving communities, promoting economic opportunity, and fostering access and equity, among other priorities. Given the diverse expectations, from parents of 4-Hers to farmers investing millions in next-generation technology hybrid crops or livestock feed and pharma, what is/are the standards for credible and actionable evidence (CAE)? Although evaluation practice has improved in the past generation (Rennekamp & Engle, 2008) as has evidence for best practices and rigorously-tested outcomes, where some evidence is documented, it reflects the whole range of Weiss’ Five Levels of Evaluation (1998). Better understanding and application of standards and strategies for generating credible and actionable evidence can help Extension programs evaluate their impact and tell their story and more effectively to a wide range of stakeholders. Because Extension systems are complex organizations in the midst of ever-more complex and changing cultures, recent work by evaluation expert Stewart Donaldson and colleagues, What counts as credible and actionable evidence (Sage, 2015) provides great insight on how Extension units understand who they are, how they pursue their mission, and how they gather data to answer critical stakeholder questions. This roundtable defines the terms and describes the Extension landscape for What counts as credible evidence that will be featured in the June 2019 special edition of the Journal of Human Sciences Extension. Participants will be invited to offer questions and comments for authors, and equipped for ongoing discussion and action to select, generate, and utilize more credible and actionable evidence.

Session Overview: The roundtable will summarize, using scenes from Extension programs, some key themes of Donaldson, et al.’s text, especially related to evidence-based practice, stakeholder collaboration, and appropriate data-gathering strategies, and comprehensive evaluation use. Then we will preview special edition topics including methods, measurement, managing complex issues and diverse audiences, disciplines, and levels of accountability, telling our story, and equipping staff to deliver CAE. Most of the session will be a facilitated discussion clarifying terms and applications, inviting comments on article themes, and engaging questions from participants. Learning Objectives: Participants will learn key concepts related to selecting, generating, and utilizing credible and actionable evidence in Extension programs, including evidence-based practice, evaluation standards, appropriate evaluation methods, and levels of evaluation. They will become familiar with a few rigorous and reliable programs and appreciate the difference between public relations and reliable evidence. They will contribute to development of an Extension journal and be motivated to continue learning and impacting their own system and programs to produce more credible and actionable evidence.