Use Retrospective Surveys to Obtain Complete Data Sets and Measure Impact in Extension Programs

The increasing emphasis on evaluation suggests that Extension programs should use the most effective tools to measure impact. The project reported here used a retrospective survey to: compare the retrospective survey and pre/post survey in the number of incomplete responses and monitor participant changes in nutrition, food safety, and resource management behaviors in a Food Stamp Nutrition Education (FSNE) program. Results indicated that the pre-post survey yielded incomplete data, with 16% of questions unanswered, while 100% of questions were answered on the retrospective survey. All self-reported nutrition, food safety, and resource management behaviors significantly increased.