Use of Non-traditional Data Management Tools for Extension Impact Reporting

With technological developments in mobile technology, Extension personnel are able to record, store, and analyze data more efficiently. New non-traditional tools are able to collect information, such as Extension contacts and field data, while conducting normal Extension operations.  Among these tools is an automated form application called doForms™. doForms™ is a free application that allows users to build customized electronic forms. The objective of this study was to survey the data management tool, doForms™, for efficiency, effectiveness, and application to Extension in turfgrass science.  doForms™ was downloaded, installed and forms were created for use during 2013.  For duration of the survey period, Extension personnel testing doForms™ spent approximately 70% of Extension related activities conducting on site visits with turfgrass managers. From conception to deployment of doForms™ approximately 3 hours was required. Information that was able to be collected in the initial form included date and time of contact between Extension personnel and turfgrass manager, category of turfgrass manager, nature of contact, nature of response, subject matter, specific weed species, and location.  Information obtained from initial testing included time allocated to data acquisition, effort to extract data, and practicality.  Extension personnel discovered that minimal effort was required to operate doForms™.  After the conclusion of an Extension site visit or contact, data could be recorded in less than one minute.  Ability to extract data from a computer interface required negligible effort.  Extension personnel also noted that the ability for the user to record data on mobile devices that were already in their possession increased practicality.  Although, doForms™ greatly increased Extension personnel efficiency and effectiveness of data collection, initial disadvantages were also observed.  Initially, Extension personnel were not able to alter forms previously created and were required to create new forms to implement desired changes. After updated versions of doForms™ were released Extension personnel were able to alter individual forms through the web-interface.  Ultimately, use of applications such as doForms™ can allow Extension personnel to obtain information efficiently and effectively.  Due to the minimal time required to record Extension contact data with applications such as doForms™, Extension personnel are able to devote time to other activities, ultimately increasing efficiency.  Most importantly, this allows Extension personnel to record information about common outreach practices to ultimately help determine individual impact on industry stakeholders. This information is applicable to any Extension faculty or staff searching for an easier way to record and report Extension contacts.