Youth Development Research

The 4-H Youth Development Program brings together many academically trained program and research faculty and resources in youth development. Here are research and evaluation resources for 4-H and other youth development professionals. Be sure to visit the research centers and evaluation and assessment tools pages.

Recent Research on 4-H

Databases of 4-H studies: Dr. Jan Scholl, Penn State University, has created two on-line searchable databases of 4-H studies: 4-H Research Studies, Agricultural Experiment Station Projects, Journal Articles and Proceedings and Other Papers and 4-H Graduate Studies.

"National 4-H Learning Priorities: Evaluating for Impact" and self-assessment tool. Mary Arnold, Oregon State Univ., Matthew Calvert, Univ. of Wisconsin, Melissa Cater, Louisiana State Univ., Bill Evans, Univ. of Nevada, Suzanne LeMenestrel, NIFA, Ben Silliman, North Carolina State Univ., Jill Walahoski, Univ. of Nebraska. September, 2008.

“Youth-Adult Partnerships in Community Decision Making: An Evaluation of Five State 4-H Youth in Governance Programs,” Kenneth Jones, Univ. of Kentucky, Kahaema Byer and Shepherd Zeldin, Univ. of Wisconsin.

4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, Tufts University:

Waves of the Future: The first five years of the 4-H study
of positive youth development - Richard M. Lerner et al (2009).

The Positive Development of Youth - 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development - Richard M. Lerner et al (2008).

Related articles:

• Intentional Self-Regulation and Positive Youth Development in Early Adolescence, Gestsdóttir and Lerner.
• Using positive youth development to predict contribution and risk behaviors in early adolescence, Jelicic et al.
• Patterns of Early Adolescents' Participation in Youth Developing Programs Having Positive Youth Development Goals, Aida B. Balsano et al.
• Qualitative and quantitative assessments of thriving and contribution in early adolescence, A.E. Alberts et al.
• Cacophony and change in youth after school activities: Implications for development and practice, C. Theokas et al.

UC 4-H Center for Youth Development surveyed 77 youth development advisors and program representatives on their self-perceived competency levels in various areas of youth development, and their suggested training needs using an adapted version of the PRKC survey tool. Read the report of their findings.

4-H Youth Development programs work in Pennsylvania: Evaluation of Pennsylvania 4-H to determine if youth who participate in 4-H show an increase in life skill development.

Say Y.E.S. To Youth: Youth Engagement Strategies: A youth engagement resource guide with evaluation tools. Julie A. Scheve,
Daniel F. Perkins, Claudia C. Mincemoyer & Janet A. Welshfrom, Penn State.

Youth-Adult Partnerships in Community Decision Making: What Does it Take to Engage Adults in the Practice? Shepherd Zeldin and Julie Petrokubi, UW-Madison, and Carol McNeil, UC-Davis. The report outlines a strategic yet practical framework for promoting Youth-Adult Partnership in settings such as organizational boards, community coalitions and local government.

Critical Indicators of Youth Development Outcomes for 4-H National Mission Mandates. Ben Silliman, Ph.D., North Carolina State University.

4-H Animal Science Fair Regional Program Evaluation Report: This Oregon study looked at four different aspects of 4-H animal science fair participation to determine if they had differing effects on life skill development.

Impact and Sustainability of 4-H Youth Development Programs - Evaluation Synthesis. A synthesis evaluation of published and posted studies and reports examined the role that 4-H plays in
helping youth to develop and sustain a broad array of personal strengths and capacities.

Wisconsin 4-H Arts and Communication Program Evaluation to better understand the value and impact of 4-H visual arts, performing arts and communications.

Colorado 4-H: Continuing to Make a Difference: The purpose of this study was to measure the impact that the 4-H Youth Development experience has had on Colorado’s young people.

Understanding the Difference 4-H Clubs Make in the Lives of New York Youth: How 4-H Contributes to Positive Youth Development:   The final report of a two-year study that examined the relationship between 4-H Club membership and positive youth development outcomes.

More than Cows and Cooking: Newest Research Shows the Impact of 4-H: This study of 5th, 7th, and 9th grade Montana youth examines the diversity of activities in which young people are involved, and examines involvement in out-of-school time (OST) activities as a protective factor. Differences between youth who participate in (OST) activities and youth who do not participate in OST activities are presented.

Impact of the 4-H Camp Counseling Experience: This study examines the impact of a Wisconsin summer camp program on the 4-H members serving as camp counselors.

Recent Research on Youth Development

Framework for Evaluating Impacts of Informal Science Education Projects, Friedman, A. (Ed.). (March 12, 2008): NSF publication on informal science education evaluation.

Stimulating Research, Promoting Youth Development: Final Report of the National Youth Development Research Response Initiative: The purpose of this report is to improve outcomes for youth by stimulating research and bridging the knowledge of researchers and practitioners.

Places to Be and Places to Belong: Youth Connectedness in School and Community: This study examines youth perceptions of life at school and in their community, and the relationship between developmental supports and feelings of connectedness.

The Developmental Benefits of Nonformal Education and Youth Development: This monograph examines the benefits of youth development, with specific attention focused on the 4-H youth development program.

Working with Teens: A Study of Staff Characteristics and Promotion of Youth Development. This study examined the relationship between youth program staff experience, training, and educational background, and staff’s self-reported competency in implementing the features of positive developmental settings.  In addition, it examined characteristics that lead to youth staff satisfaction and retention.

See also...
4-H Programs and Results