Defining Competency and Reviewing Factors That May Impact Knowledge, Perceived Importance and Use of Competencies In The 4-H Professional's Job

[摘要] The focus of this study was to identify and describe competencies and how they impact knowledge, importance and use in the 4-H professional's job.Relationships of socio-demographic factors (age, education, gender, ethnic background) and organizational factors;program resources, tenure, discipline and staff size were examined.Data for this study were obtained by surveying 4-H extension professionals using a structured questionnaire.The 4-H professionals serve as staff working for North Carolina Cooperative Extension.Seventy-nine percent of the instruments were returned.Seven null hypotheses were tested and included:1) the level of knowledge, importance and use of competencies do not differ by age; 2) the level of knowledge, importance and use of competencies do not differ by gender; 3) the level of knowledge, importance and use of competencies do not differ by education; 4) the level of knowledge, importance and use of competencies do not differ by ethnic background; 5) the level of knowledge, importance and use of competencies do not differ by years of experience; 6) the level of knowledge, importance and use of competencies do not differ by job responsibilities;and 7) the level of knowledge, importance and use do not differ by total staff size.Data were collected from 69 respondents, which revealed that 6 of 7 hypotheses were not rejected.Ethnic background did influence knowledge, importance and use of competencies, however less than nine percent of the respondents were non-white.Based on the study findings, 4-H competencies are important to the 4-H profession and emphasized in the 4-H professional's role.The competencies also must be an integral part of personal development as a 4-H professional.

[发布机构] University:North Carolina State University

[效力级别] sex

[关键词] race;sex;competency;knowledge;agent;professional;review;ethnic