Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2005
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
Department
Agricultural & Extension Education
Committee Chair
Deborah A. Boone.
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to determine retention rates among youth enrolled in West Virginia's 4-H youth programs and to identify characteristics or trends associated with 4-H club member retention. The population of the study consisted of youth enrolled in 4-H clubs during the years 2002, 2003, and 2004. Membership records were self-reported by West Virginia County Extension Offices. This study used an ex post facto research design and the variables explored closely were: county, age, gender, grade in school, years in 4-H, and projects attempted. Findings for this study were that 30% of members were retained for the two-year cycle of which 40% were males and 60% females. Members retained for the two-year cycle had a mean age of 12.05 and a mean number of years membership of 3.56 which was higher than the mean of individuals that dropped out of the program.
Recommended Citation
Hartley, David C., "Factors that influence 4-H club membership retention in West Virginia" (2005). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 2199.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/2199
