When "Grassroots" Belief and "Research-Based" Information Conflict

Extension, like all organizations, has fundamental values that provide a framework for the way it does everyday business. These values are part of our organizational culture and are accepted by most Extension professionals.

Common sense tells us that an organization functions most effectively when its values are consistent with each other, and least effectively when they're not. I believe Extension's adoption of issues programming has meant "grassroots" and "research-based" programming, two of our most fundamental organizational values, increasingly have come into conflict with each other. Unless we, as an organization, begin to talk about which of these values is most fundamental to us, I fear we will, if we haven't already, drift into a malaise.

Issues, by their very nature, refer to problems with controversial solutions. Youth at risk, water quality, and the plight of the young child are major national problems. While the general public may agree that these problems should be solved, disagreement and controversy surround various proposed solutions to them.

As Extension works with "grassroots" community groups to develop issues programs, we increasingly confront situations where it may be difficult to provide our clientele with research- based programs that address the issues they identify in a manner acceptable to them. When solutions to problems are controversial, research may not provide the answers our clientele want to hear or are willing to accept.

While Extension has faced situations like this throughout its history, they're more prevalent today because of the types of programs we're developing and delivering. Extension programs focused on increasing corn production or freezing garden vegetables were far less likely to be controversial than today's programs on child abuse or dropout prevention.

Extension's current dilemma can be illustrated by a hypothetical example from the youth-at-risk area. Suppose a community forms a task force to address its high rate of teenage pregnancy. The task force wants to work with Extension in developing a prevention program. A strong consensus exists in the community that the program should take a "just-say-no" approach. Abstinence alone, not contraception, will be emphasized. Further, suppose that the best available research calls into question the effectiveness of abstinence-only programs.1

What course of action should Extension take? Should its emphasis on grassroots programming take precedence? If so, Extension may work with the community group to develop the program in spite of the lack of research support for it. Or, should Extension's emphasis on research-based programming take precedence? If so, Extension faculty may have to decline to participate in the program unless it's modified to be consistent with the best available research. Such conflicts between "grassroots" and "research-based" programs will continually come up in a variety of subject-matter areas as long as we pursue issues programming.

Little doubt exists in my mind that research-based should take precedence over grassroots whenever conflicts exist. While grassroots programming contributes to our public support, Extension is part of, and our programs represent, the land grant university system. As such, our educational programs should uphold the ideals of the university, which include a dedication to the pursuit and transmission of knowledge and truth through scholarship.

If we're to maintain our reputation for being an objective and unbiased educational resource, we can't let our commitment to grassroots input compromise our intellectual integrity. We must continue to base our educational programs on the best available research even if it's difficult for our clientele to accept.

While it may be difficult in an organization as controversy- aversive as Extension, we must remember education that challenges people to grow and confront important issues will make them uncomfortable, if not offend them, at times. If we don't remember this, we may very well end up like the politician who has to check the latest public opinion poll before stating a position. While such politicians may experience short-term popularity and win an election or two, we all know how much genuine trust and respect they receive. Extension deserves a better fate than that.

1. While this hypothetical example is intended to simply illustrate a situation where "grassroots" and "research-based" may conflict, recent research does indeed call abstinence-only programs into question. See, Mark W. Roosa and F. Scott Christopher, "Evaluation of an Abstinence-Only Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program: A Replication," Family Relations, XXXIX (October 1990), 363- 67.