Credible and Actionable Evidence Across Extension Program Areas: A Case Example

What is credible and actionable evidence can vary by program discipline in the Cooperative Extension Service. Through a series of interviews with program leadership from Agriculture, Natural Resources, Youth Development, Family Development, and Community Vitality, a case study of one state’s Extension system is described. While programs certainly vary in epistemological, ontological, and methodological underpinnings, each collects and delivers credible and actionable evidence in ways unique to their stakeholder audience. Diverse Extension programs do share a common mission and a common delivery mechanism (i.e., each works to promote knowledge gain, skill development, and behavior change in people). Therefore, the future of common credible and actionable evidence in Extension may rest on investing in systems that promote a shared science of delivery, engagement, and continuous improvement.