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Research

The University of California 4-H Youth Development Program has a unique role in youth development. The dual mission of 4-H is to engage youth in reaching their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development. Each informs and supports the other.

Practice: 4-H is consistent with scientifically valid research in youth development, education, child, human, and cognitive development. 4-H is able to demonstrate, or likely to demonstrate, through research and/or evaluative data, a positive impact on youth served.
Research: 4-H is a contributor to research and/or the extension of knowledge in youth development.

County based academics known as 4-H Youth Development Advisors engage in various research and evaluation projects. Often they are supported by or collaborate with the 4-H Center for Youth Development and/or other campus based faculty or specialists. These research and evaluation projects inform promising practice as well as contribute to the field of positive youth development and nonformal education.

We use our science base to anticipate problems and develop practical solutions in the communities we serve. By sharing our efforts with other professionals, we leverage additional resources and expand our impact.

To see current or past research projects or related publications and resources click here: Youth Development Research.

4-H Center for Youth Development News

NIH grant opportunity
Posted 9/2/2010 - NICHD and three other NIH branches have posted a new R03 grant opportunity in Reducing Risk Behaviors by Promoting Positive Youth Development. This purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to encourage Research Project Small (R03) Grant...

New obesity and diabetes study
Posted 8/31/2010 - A new study published by UCLA using California Health Interview Survey data focuses on the prevalence of obesity and diabetes in California counties.Overall, more than 25 percent of California adolescents are overweight or obese. Counties in the San...

Chance to win a $50 Amazon gift certificate
Posted 8/3/2010 - Harvard's Program in Education, Afterschool and Resiliency is providing $50 gift certificates for every fifth review of science tools on their website, ATIS (http://www.pearweb.org/atis).PEAR, the Program in Education, Afterschool & Resiliency, would...