When people hear the words “4-H program” they often think of the signature clover, the “head, heart, hands, and health” motto, and kids raising animals to show at the state fair. In fact, the 4-H program is one of the most extensive youth development programs in the world, involving millions of young people in a vast range of activities, including science and technology education, promotion of positive youth development, and community engagement. It also has a rich and interesting history over the past century.
Many studies have been conducted of the 4-H program. However, some of the research has been in unpublished form, including doctoral dissertations and master’s theses, which provide some very good research information but are hard to find. In addition, evaluations have taken place at the state or county level that may not be widely known.
Dr. Jan Scholl, Penn State University, has created two on-line searchable databases of 4-H studies. The first database, “Making the Best Even Better: Searchable Database of Over 800 4-H Research Studies, Agricultural Experiment Station Projects, Journal Articles and Proceedings and Other Papers,” is available at the following link: http://apps.libraries.psu.edu/agnic/state_national_search.cfm
The second database, “Making the Best Better: Searchable Database of 1700 4-H Graduate Studies,” is available at the following link: http://apps.libraries.psu.edu/agnic/thesis_studies_search.cfm
So if you are looking for the research base on the 4-H program, take a look at these sites. They are also looking for more studies to include, so if you’ve done one, submit your own!
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