ERIC Number: EJ954293
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Dec
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1077-5315
EISSN: N/A
Mapping Extension's Networks: Using Social Network Analysis to Explore Extension's Outreach
Bartholomay, Tom; Chazdon, Scott; Marczak, Mary S.; Walker, Kathrin C.
Journal of Extension, v49 n6 Article 6FEA9 Dec 2011
The University of Minnesota Extension conducted a social network analysis (SNA) to examine its outreach to organizations external to the University of Minnesota. The study found that its outreach network was both broad in its reach and strong in its connections. The study found that SNA offers a unique method for describing and measuring Extension outreach and that SNA can be effectively used to examine internal patterns around outreach while informing strategies toward improved alignment and greater leveraging of institutional knowledge. The findings indicate that SNA has great potential for improving reporting, developing internal collaboration, and conducting system-wide impact evaluations. (Contains 1 table and 7 figures.)
Descriptors: Network Analysis, Social Networks, Outreach Programs, Extension Education, Concept Mapping, Partnerships in Education, School Community Programs, School Community Relationship, Alignment (Education), Institutional Research, Institutional Role, Evaluation Methods, Community Organizations, Knowledge Management, Organizational Communication
Extension Journal, Inc. e-mail: joe-ed@joe.org; Web site: http://www.joe.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Adult Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Minnesota
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A