The development and validation of an empirical scale to inform community diagnostics and change. Issue 3 (27th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lamm, Kevan W.; Borron, Abigail; Atkins, D. Keith
• Is Part Of: Journal of agricultural education and extension. Volume 27:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 287
• Page End: 306
• Publication Date: 2021-05-27
• Subjects: Community -- scale -- natural capital -- human capital -- community capital framework -- diagnostics; Agricultural education -- Periodicals; Agricultural extension work -- Periodicals; Agricultural education -- Europe -- Periodicals; Agricultural extension work -- Europe -- Periodicals; 630.71
• DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2020.1851270
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1389-224X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose: The purpose of this research was to develop and validate a robust scale, based on the community capital framework, to provide an empirical measure of community perceptions. Design/methodology/approach: The proposed measure was completed by a sample of Georgia citizens ( n = 3374) representing a diverse cross-section of community characteristics. Findings: Data indicate that the six proposed scales (natural, social, human, cultural, built-financial, and political) subsumed within the instrument measure unique underlying latent variables with evidence of internal validity through multiple analytic techniques. Practical implications: This study represents an initial examination of a quantitative instrument – the Community Diagnostics + Social Impact (CD + SI) Toolkit TM – that can be used by researchers, educators, and community development professionals to measure the stocks of the various capitals within a community. Theoretical implications: The theoretical implications of this study are that the CD + SI Toolkit TM holds promise as a valid and reliable instrument for establishing holistic community profiles, identifying targeted areas for in-depth research inquiry or programmatic design, guiding policy design and implementation, and ultimately evaluating the impacts of community development programs and policies. The CD + SI Toolkit TM addresses an omission in the literature and in broader community development. Originality/value: While various frameworks such as the CCF exist to provide a more general blueprint for program development and assessment, the CD + SI Toolkit TM represents an effort to specifically quantify the community capitals and establish a replicative process for measuring community capitals. The results of this initial validation effort demonstrate the potential for such a tool. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: UF0001