Phone survey
A statewide random telephone survey was conducted with 1,005 Missourians, April to June 2005. The purpose was to examine public opinions about University of Missouri Extension and its services and programs. The survey confirmed:
- 57 percent of respondents were aware of University of Missouri Extension .
- Awareness was greatest among older adults; residents of rural areas and medium-size towns; those with a high school diploma or higher; adults who have lived at their current address five years or longer; and adults with access to the Internet.
- Three-fourths of respondents had access to the Internet.
- Between 5 percent and 11 percent of respondents had participated in various Extension programs.
- 85 percent of those gave an above-average rating in usefulness to programs in which they participated.
- Residents were interested in a variety of programs:
- Well-being of children and teens/youth at risk
- Family health
- Continuing education/professional development
- Environmental quality
- Nutrition/food safety
- Personal finance
- Respondents saw University of Missouri Extension as a valuable resource:
- 85 percent saw Extension as a credible and objective resource for local communities throughout Missouri ;
- 84 percent expected Extension to have “science-based knowledge;”
- 77 percent said Extension makes higher education more accessible;
- 76 percent said it's important to have an Extension office in every county.
- Respondents said Extension should be available to both urban and rural audiences.
- Demographics:
- 50.2 percent of respondents were men, 49.8 percent were women.
- 86 percent were Caucasian, 7 percent African American, 2.8 percent American Indian
- Average age of the sample population was 48.1 years.
- 41 percent lived in on a farm, in a rural area or small town; 40 percent lived in a medium-sized town or suburb; 19 percent lived in an urban area.
For more information
Updated 6/22/06
