Outreach That Makes a Difference:

Target Audiences for Water Education – A Research Meta-Analysis [Draft]

A study conducted for the National Extension Water Outreach Education Project

February 2006

Mark Stevens and Elaine Andrews, University of Wisconsin – Environmental Resources Center, 1545 Observatory Dr., 210 Hiram Smith Hall, Madison, WI 53706

Based upon work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 00-51130-9714, and by the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension.

Contents (PDF format)

Summary [19 KB] …… iii

Introduction and Methods [142 KB] ……1-27

Introduction …… 1

• Background …… 1
• Research initiative …… 2

Methods …… 4

• Research selection …… 4
  • Best education practices …… 4
  • Target audiences …… 5
  • Literature search …… 7
• Analysis…… 13
  • Meta-analysis procedures …… 13
  • Quality of studies …… 19
  • Strategy for organizing information [119KB] …… 28 - 41

Results and Summary of Findings [108 KB] ……42 - 68

Results …… 42

• Research strengths and gaps…… 42
  • Outreach themes …… 42
  • Outreach education techniques …… 53
• 2004 Symposium Findings: BEPs for Water Outreach Professionals …… 60
  • Symposium Recommendations …… 60
• Meta-analysis study strengths and weaknesses …… 61

Summary of meta-analysis findings …… 63

• Recommendations …… 65
• Conclusions …… 68

References [45 KB] …… 69

Appendices …… 81

• Appendix A. National Extension Water Outreach Education Web Site Resources [28 KB]
• Appendix B. Best Education Practices Comparison by Study Themes [89 KB]
• Appendix C. Essential Best Education Practices [111 KB]
• Appendix D. Best Education Practices Literature Summary [510 KB]