Extension Evaluation Matters: 2nd Edition

Please circle your answer to each of the following statements.

True

False

Don’t Know

1. Soil disturbance decreases organic matter.

True

False

Don’t Know

2. The C:N ratio of residue dictates whether N is mineralized or immobilized.

True

False

Don’t Know

3. Surface soil acidification occurs more rapidly in conservation tillage than conventional tillage.

True

False

Don’t Know

4. Conservation tillage systems increase the diversity of soil organisms.

True

False

Don’t Know

5. Conservation tillage systems always increase soil compaction.

True

False

Don’t Know

6. Use of cover crops as a mulching layer conserves soil moisture.

True

False

Don’t Know

7. Nitrate leaching under long-term no-tillage can be increased compared to conventional tillage.

True

False

Don’t Know

8. Yield differences between conservation tilled crops and conventional tillage crops are enhanced on soils with greater water holding capacities.

True

False

Don’t Know

9. Conservation tillage contributes to reducing the cost of irrigation.

True

False

Don’t Know

10. Optimum planting time for cotton is generally the same for conservation tillage and conventional tillage management.

True

False

Don’t Know

Figure 10: Pretest-posttest model. Retrieved from: North Carolina Cooperative Extension: https://evaluation.ces.ncsu.edu/evaluation-evaluating-multi-session-training-programs/

You can learn more by reading Capturing Change: Comparing Pretest-Posttest and Retrospective Evaluation Models , available here.

Retrospective pre/post-test

In contrast to the pretest-posttest model, a retrospective pretest (or post-then-pre) design administers the preprogram assessment concurrently with the posttest by asking individuals to recall their knowledge or behavior prior to the program (Allen & Nimon, 2007). In this situation, one must create an instrument with sufficient sensitivity to detect changes in participants (Lynch, 2002) while also choosing words and phrases that assist the participant with recalling their thoughts prior to exposure (Pratt et al., 2000). Upon completion of the program, a participant is asked to consider a question from two juxtapositions: 1)