What is REG data and why is it important?
As a land-grant institution, Ohio State University Extension has the responsibility of ensuring that our programming reaches diverse audiences. Ideally, our educational reach would realize parity, meaning the audiences represented in our educational programs would be relatively equal to the demographics represented in our communities.
REG data stands for Race, Ethnicity, and Gender and can be an important data point in ensuring we're reaching diverse audiences that represent the demographic makeup of the communities we serve.
How to Collect REG Data
There are a variety of ways we can collect REG data. In face-to-face programs, collect REG data upon participant registration or be prepared to hand out a REG data collection survey during your event. In online programming or other methods of digital engagement (like an e-newsletter), collect REG data by incorporting appropriate questions into your registration or subscription materials.
It is never okay to assume the REG data of program participants. While it's important to make every reasonable effort to collect REG data, if you cannot collect this information from program participants, then it's okay to put "unspecified" in your reporting systems.
To download a printable copy of a REG collection tool, visit go.osu.edu/AAEEO PLEASE NOTE: You must DOWNLOAD this form and then open it in Adobe Acrobat/Reader. IGNORE the "please wait" message you will see when you click on the link, click on the "Download" button. Open Adobe Acrobat, navigate to your "downloads" folder (or wherever you saved the file) and then open the PDF. Also note that your machine's settings may be configured to automatically open the PDF in your internet browser. If this is occurring, close the internet window that appears, manually open Adobe Reader/Acrobat from your list of programs, then open the file from its downloaded location.
Visit our assessment page for more resources on understanding community demographics.