Categories of Extension Publications

Extension Fact Sheets (FS)

Are the most common type of Extension literature.
Focus on a single specific topic.
Are generally for a lay audience; can be targeted to a limited/specific audience needing more specific/technical information.
Contain information based on research and subject to the approval process, including peer and editorial review.
Are, generally, written in a popular style with only limited use of technical terminology, tables, or graphs.
Contain appropriate graphics or illustrative material. Don’t contain literature citations except as a credit or acknowledgment.
Doesn't, usually, include bibliographies or lists of references; a list of sources of additional information is appropriate.
May have single or multiple authorship.
Are official, numbered Extension publications.

Cover a more expanded topic than a fact sheet (FS).
Are more in-depth in focus and broader in scope than a typical FS.
Are generally for a lay audience. However, they can be targeted to a limited/specific audience needing more specific/technical information.
Contain information based on research and subject to the approval process, including peer and editorial review.
Are written in a style appropriate for the audience, which may be lay or specific.
Have, typically, a stronger research orientation than fact sheets and may be presented in a slightly more technical style.
Contain appropriate references and literature citations, but don’t contain formal review of literature.
Contain tables, graphs, and other illustrations suitable for the audience.
May, in some cases, be updated on a regular basis—yearly, every 2 years, etc.
May have single or multiple authorship.
Are official, numbered Extension publications.

Examples: annual reports, correspondence courses.
Correspondence courses are subject to the approval process, including peer and editorial review.
Annual reports are not listed in the publications catalogue.

Newsletters are directed toward a specific audience.
Contain timely and pertinent information and are published on a regular schedule.
Initiation of a newsletter should receive appropriate administrative approval, and usefulness should be periodically reviewed.
Individual issues of a newsletter need not go through the full materials approval process, but informal peer review is encouraged.
There are two categories of Extension newsletters—those meant for statewide distribution and those meant for countrywide distribution.
Statewide newsletters: editor, who is a specialist or educator, compiles articles from various authors. Editor approves articles for content prior to editorial and design.
Countywide newsletters: Generally produced entirely in local office; specialist provides content; newsletter reviewed by one or two others in the office for grammar and spelling.

For quick response to timely situations.
Two categories: statewide distribution and countywide/departmental distribution.
Statewide (for example, Home and Garden Info sheets): undergo peer review, are numbered publications
Countywide/departmental level: (for example, “Agronomy Update” and “Biological Resources Engineering Facts.”

Examples: Pork Industry HB, Beef Cattle HB, Nutrient Management Learn and Earn, Master Gardener HB.
Can be series of lessons outlining step by step procedures, a compilation of fact sheets.
May be more in-depth and comprehensive than a bulletin.
Generally presented in 3-ring binder, which offers the flexibility of adding and subtracting information.
Official, numbered Extension publication.
[None have been produced in past several years.]

For more information, contact Ginny Gerhart

Last updated: 03/6/2007