Committee Chair

Rausch, David W.

Committee Member

Crawford, Elizabeth K.; Rutledge, Valerie C.; Slade, Izetta

Department

School of Professional Studies

College

College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the perception of 4-H agents in terms of the role of the state level Extension 4-H specialist. The population included 225 county level 4-H agents employed by either University of Tennessee or Tennessee State University Extension. Data analyses for this study included an examination of demographic factors and 13 questions related to perception (quantitative) as well as three open ended questions (qualitative). Five research questions were examined to determine the perceived role of the 4-H specialists from the perspective of the current 4-H agents and identify what differences exist between role perceptions of the specialist and generational or demographic differences among the agents. The questions were: • Is there a difference between the perceptions of the role of the Extension 4-H specialist based on different ages of 4-H agents? • Is there a difference between the perceptions of the role of the Extension 4-H specialist based on different genders of 4-H agents? • Is there a difference between the perceptions of the role of the Extension 4-H specialist based on different years of experience of 4-H agents? • Is there a difference between the perceptions of the role of the Extension 4-H specialist based on different geographical locations of 4-H agents? • How do 4-H agents perceive that Extension 4-H Specialists are performing their duties? The quantitative results of this study, gleaned from research questions 1 – 4, concluded there was no significant difference in perception of the role of the 4-H specialist due to age, gender, years of experience, nor geographical location of the respondent. Additionally, the open-ended questions, which addressed research question five, provided mixed responses. Some respondents indicated that the Extension 4-H Specialists were performing their duties well. Other respondents provided feedback and methods for improvement.

Acknowledgments

A special thanks is due to my amazing committee. These academic leaders provided me feedback, challenged me, and helped guide me throughout this process. I would like to thank my chair, Dr. David Rausch, my methodologist, Dr. Beth Crawford, and committee members, Dr. Valerie Rutledge, and Dr. Izetta Slade.

Degree

Ed. D.; A dissertation submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Education.

Date

5-2023

Subject

Agricultural extension workers--Tennessee; 4-H clubs--Tennessee

Keyword

4-H; youth development; perception; role; agent; specialist

Discipline

Educational Leadership

Document Type

Doctoral dissertations

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

ix, 73 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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