Agricultural Education Research Capacity In NCA-24 Institutions

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the research capacity of agricultural educators in NCA-24 institutions. Research capacity was defined as the collective capability of agricultural education faculty to conduct independent research or to contribute to interdisciplinary research. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that characterize research capacity in agricultural education. Agricultural education faculty from 12 land grant institutions represented on the NCA-24 Agricultural Education Research Committee provided data for this study. Respondents were asked to report information regarding their individual faculty appointment and their level of expertise in several research and disciplinary skill areas. Agricultural education faculty reported smaller research appointments than teaching appointments. Respondents also reported wide variations in grant funding, graduate degrees awarded, and research publications. Individual faculty responses varied widely for each of 12 research planning skill areas and 27 disciplinary skill areas. Research capacity should be assessed for the entire agricultural education profession. Increased emphasis should be placed on research activities through faculty appointments and graduate student preparation. Agricultural education faculty should identify and promote a core of research and disciplinary skills.