University of Illinois Extension

Products

What Constitutes a CADS Project?

A CADS project might be something as simple as a survey with basic analysis and recommendations or it might be a comprehensive plan for a community involving surveys, interviews, focus groups, GIS mapping and more. It could be working on a strategic plan with a rural hospital or identifying options for a shrinking school district. It could be conducting a survey of alternative agriculture producers in an area and providing a map of the crops for visual impact.

CADS will provide services within five broad areas: data, assessment, training, implementation, and evaluation. More specifically, the following components might be part of a CADS project:

  • questionnaire design
  • statistical consulting
  • focus groups
  • demographic profiles
  • feasibility studies
  • client satisfaction surveys
  • sample selection
  • surveys (phone, mail, and personal interview)
  • key informant interviews
  • strategic planning,
  • evaluation
  • asset mapping, and more

In addition, the CADS team will collect, analyze, interpret and disseminate information on social, economic, and demographic trends in support of community and regional analysis.

CADS facilitators will be expected to participate fully in the rigorous initial training, continue to participate in and initiate ongoing training exercises, and assist other CADS facilitators in various projects in development. Each CADS facilitator will be expected to undertake projects that will bring revenue to University of Illinois Extension that will be shared with the host unit and facilitator in some fashion. Though an entrepreneurial spirit is important to success in this venture, the power of teamwork will provide the quality and consistency that will make this program something valued by the people of Illinois.


In-depth Training for CADS Facilitators

CADS facilitator training will build research capacity and create a network of Extension professionals with complementary skills. The overall objectives are to:

  • Establish minimum standards of research expertise
  • Provide a framework for continuing education
  • Develop positive working relationships and synergy among CADS facilitators
  • Create partnerships with the campus research community
  • Develop shared resources like data bases, survey instruments, and report formats

Training Agenda Skill Areas

  1. The Role of Applied Research in Extension
  2. Basic Computer Skills (Data Management; Microsoft Excel; Access)
  3. Advanced Computer Skills (SPSS ; ArcGIS)
  4. Acquiring and Working with Secondary Data
  5. Primary Data Collection and Analysis
  6. Report Writing