A Tool for Developing Questionnaire Content

CD-DIAL, a community survey unit at Iowa State University Extension, has developed a process for generating the content of data collection instruments such as surveys and focus groups. This participative process uses three statements and the knowledge of community or organization members to identify significant issues and collect useable data for program development, long range planning, and evaluation. The goal, the setting, a description of the three statements, and examples of typical outcomes are described

The effect of access counseling on visitation and financial child support compliance

A key provision of the 1996 Republican and Clinton administration welfare reform proposals is funding for demonstration programs that deal with visitation issues in single parent families. This research examines a demonstration program undertaken by a nonresidential parents' advocacy group in the early 1990s. The goals of the program included reducing the time required for the resolution of disputes related to child access, reducing litigation relating to access disputes and improving compliance with court ordered child support payments. Group t-tests were conducted on a sample of 73 cases to compare treatment and comparison groups for pre- and post-intervention reported number of visitation problems, frequency of visitation, reported attitudes of conflict and child support compliance. With the exception of a variable measuring conflict over the child's daily routine, no statistically significant differences in means were noted. A logistic regression equation utilizing five predictor variables was used to predict child support compliance as a dichotomous variable (fathers who pay all court ordered child support and fathers who do not pay all). The five predictor variables included: 1) number of months father was employed, 2) distance between father and child, 3) fathers' report of conflict because mother threatens to stop visitation, 4) reported conflict regarding how well fathers felt mothers listened to them and allowed them to be involved in arrangements for the child's life, and 5) frequency of visits between father and child. The five-variable model correctly predicted the dependent variable for 69 percent of the cases selected for analysis

Good Intentions, Muddled Methods: Focus on Focus Groups

Are focus groups abused, misused, or overused in Extension? We responded to the challenge of getting Extension focused on the art and science of high-quality focus groups through an educational project. This article describes contemporary challenges of focus group practice and presents the first phase of an educational initiative, which includes a series of educational briefs

Methodology Brief: Can You Call It a Focus Group?

Focus groups don\u27t work for every purpose. Determine appropriate use of focus groups to get high quality information for high quality decision-making.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/extension_communities_pubs/1010/thumbnail.jp

Methodology Brief: Focus Group Fundamentals

Focus group research can produce highly useful information about programs and services that surveys miss. Learn how to gather rich detail.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/extension_communities_pubs/1011/thumbnail.jp

Good Intentions, Muddled Methods: Focus on Focus Groups

Are focus groups abused, misused, or overused in Extension? We responded to the challenge of getting Extension focused on the art and science of high-quality focus groups through an educational project. This article describes contemporary challenges of focus group practice and presents the first phase of an educational initiative, which includes a series of educational briefs

Methodology Brief: Focus Group Fundamentals

Focus group research can produce highly useful information about programs and services that surveys miss. Learn how to gather rich detail.</p

Methodology Brief: Can You Call It a Focus Group?

Focus groups don't work for every purpose. Determine appropriate use of focus groups to get high quality information for high quality decision-making.</p

Good Intentions, Muddled Methods: Focus on Focus Groups

Are focus groups abused, misused, or overused in Extension? We responded to the challenge of getting Extension focused on the art and science of high-quality focus groups through an educational project. This article describes contemporary challenges of focus group practice and presents the first phase of an educational initiative, which includes a series of educational briefs.This article is from Journal of Extension 42 (2004): 4TOT1. Posted with permission</p