Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Extension Networks Overview
1.2. Horticultural Innovation Overview and Literature Review
1.3. Professionalization Overview and Literature Review
1.4. Extension Network Professionalization and Horticulture Integration
1.4.1. Extension Network Professionalization Potential in Horticulture
1.4.2. Extension Network Professionalization Formulation in Horticulture
1.4.3. Extension Network Professionalization Stabilization in Horticulture
1.5. Study Purpose
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Background
2.2. Data Collection
2.3. Instrument Item Development
2.4. Instrument Validity
3. Results
3.1. Scale Reliability and Correlations Data Collection
3.2. Consequential Validity
4. Discussion
4.1. Awareness of Extension Network Professionalization Potential in Horticulture
4.2. Operational Integration of Extension Network Professionalization Formulation and Stabilization in Horticulture
4.3. Limitations
4.4. Contributions to Horticultural Practice
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Scale Items | Factors | |
---|---|---|
1 | 2 | |
Sufficient funding to support professionalization activities is present (PROF10) | 0.851 | |
A monitoring and feedback loop where insights are used to inform future professionalization activities is present (PROF9) | 0.784 | |
Network professionalization supports relevant to clientele (PROF11) | 0.766 | |
The network has a clear set of messaging around RAS professionalization developed (PROF1) | 0.739 | |
The network supports the identification of the resources needed to be successful within RAS (PROF8) | 0.726 | |
Identifiable impacts associated with the network’s professionalization efforts are present (PROF12) | 0.685 | |
The network offers opportunities to enhance knowledge of educational practices (including educational methods and program development expertise) amongst clientele (PROF5) | 0.648 | |
The network is aware of existing strengths and weaknesses within the RAS system (PROF6) | 0.792 | |
Members of the network advocate for RAS professionalization (PROF3) | 0.749 | |
The network offers an understanding of rural advisory services (PROF7) | 0.650 | |
RAS professionalization activities align to the network goals (PROF2) * | 0.632 | 0.537 |
Activities are directed towards building leadership capacity (including strategy development and managerial skills) amongst clientele (PROF4) * | 0.561 | 0.556 |
Factor | N | M | SD | Skewness | Kurtosis | Cronbach’s α |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Op Integration | 83 | 2.232 | 0.614 | 0.199 | −0.310 | 0.888 |
Awareness | 107 | 2.997 | 0.509 | −0.487 | 0.334 | 0.641 |
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Lamm, K.W.; Lamm, A.J.; Davis, K.; Sanders, C.; Powell, A.; Park, J. Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 245. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020245
Lamm KW, Lamm AJ, Davis K, Sanders C, Powell A, Park J. Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument. Horticulturae. 2023; 9(2):245. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020245
Chicago/Turabian StyleLamm, Kevan W., Alexa J. Lamm, Kristin Davis, Catherine Sanders, Alyssa Powell, and Jiyea Park. 2023. "Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument" Horticulturae 9, no. 2: 245. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020245