Premier Web Sites

TO: C-5 Membership of CSSA
RE: Background information regarding a Vote by C-5 members at the ASA meetings (C-5 Business meeting) on establishment of a "C-5 Editorial Review-Committee" to peer review proposed "Premier Web-Site Information Packages".

From: Dr. Robert N. Carrow, Chair of Premerier Web-Site Concept Group. At the upcoming C-5 Business meeting (Nov.2), the following motion will be presented for your consideration:

The motion is for the C-5 Turfgrass Science Division of CSSA to establish a "C-5 Editorial Review Committee" to peer review the text of proposed "Premier Web-Site Information Packages".z This committee could be appointed by the C-5 Executive Committee and be for a 3 year trial period, after which the C-5 membership would vote on continuation or termination. Thus, it is an ad-hoc committee at this time.

z Or similar name if this name cannot be trademarked.

The purpose of this letter is to provide background information on the "Premier Website Concept" (attached).

CONCEPT FOR "PREMIER" WEB SITES: INTEGRATED, IN-DEPTH, INFORMATION PACKAGES FOR TURFGRASS MANAGERS

R.N. Carrow, R.R. Duncan, and O. Plank, University of Georgia
R.C. Sherman and R. Graussoin, University of Nebraska
R. Rossi, Cornell University
N. Usherwood, PPI/FAR

BACKGROUND

What is A Premier Web Site Information Package?

In many areas of turfgrass management, there is considerable information that (a) already exists but in many different locations, and (b) is being added to by ongoing research. What turfgrass managers desire is:

Problem-oriented information. They desire information specific to the particular problem they must deal with.
Integrated information. This is information based on the state-of-knowledge on the problem that exists in the scientific and popular literature.
Full information. They want all the necessary information in one package to understand the problem, assess the problem, and alleviate/prevent the problem (this often includes pros/cons of alternative approaches).
Unbiased information. The source or author of the "one package" must be viewed as fair and unbiased.
Expert information. Turf managers want the best scientific. practical, and experienced personnel as the source of this information.
Readily available information. When a problem arises, they desire to be able to go rapidly to one (not multiple) source that has condensed the state-of-knowledge into one package.

There is not a lack of information (except for unanswered scientific/grower questions) but too much information. As information grows but no one condenses, interprets, and packages it, the information causes increased confusion---bits and pieces of data, ideas, observations, publications about parts of a problem that has not been brought together (packaged).
A Premier Web Site Information Package would integrate a) research results and scientific principles from turfgrass and non-turfgrass research, and b) practical application of principles into turfgrass management practices. Turfgrass management practices and options would be specific to a field problem and presented in detail rather than a general recommendation. For example, instead of stating that cultivation is necessary to alleviate surface soil compaction' a recommended cultivation program would be given-specific to the field situation (i.e., golf green versus a football field) and include recommended equipment, timing of operations, related operations (extra N or topdressing), and frequency. It would be desirable to have "ideal recommendations and the "basic, essential" recommendations for those that cannot achieve the ideal.

This approach differs from a strict research review, while maintaining some similarities:

it is similar in that the research findings of scientists (turf, non-turf) from around the world would need to be reviewed and incorporated.
but it differs since the current research results and principles must be integrated (applied) to turfgrass management recommendations and practices. Thus, the target audience is not primarily other scientists but the decision-makers such as top turf managers, consultants, professional Agronomists, advanced students and County Extension Agents. University extension/researchJteachers personnel will also find the information very valuable but the primary target audience is turfgrass professionals.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

We propose consideration of the following organizational structure and responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

1. USA Green Section and MSU TGIF Library Responsibilities.

Gatekeeper that develops and maintains the "Premier Web Site Directory" with financial assistance of"Turfgrass Managers Groups". Only web-based information packages that meet the criteria and receive an acceptable peer review can be listed on this site directory as a "Premier Web-Site" - this name (or a similar one) will be trademarked.
The core of the directory web site would be the directory, concept idea and guidelines on development/review/resources for creation of such sites. However, other responsibilities may arise that would increase usefulness and functionality and these should be considered as they occur.

2. Turfgrass Managers Groups Responsibilities.

Provide some level of support to the MSU TGIF to help maintain and develop the "Premier Web Site Directory." This directory would contain (a) a list of all Premier Web information Packages, with their web address, and directly linked for easy access; (b) a discussion of the "concept"; and, (c) author guidelines on what is a Premier Web Package, how to develop one, potential funding groups, how to submit a package for review, and criteria used for evaluation during the review.
Commitment as an organization (GCSAA, for example) to develop a mechanism within the organization (a) to identify important information package needs for their members, (b) to fund/provide incentives to develop such specific packages, (c) to assist the authors of an information package in putting the package into a web site format, (d) placing the information package onto the organization's web site, and (e) maintaining the Premier Web Information Package as long as it is useful to the organization. Without these commitments. there will be few integrated. in-depth. focused web packages developed that are specific to different turf industry groups.

Comments: Reasons to place the responsibility for specific web packages within an organization are (a) the organization can focus only on those packages they desire to be developed, (b) in many instances, these information packages can be incorporated into the organization's continuing education/certification programs by "enhancements" that can even allow distant education/testing. These are issues beyond the core "concept" in this document, but are important for the continued evolution of each organization.

3. C-5 Division of CSSA Responsibilities.

Formation of an on-going editorial and review procedure to assess proposed web site packages for meeting the `'Premier Web Site" criteria and, therefore, to be listed as such a site on the directory and with the trademark designation. The C-5 Division would formalize an Editorial Review Board and develop appropriate review guidelines/procedures/criteria. (Potential review criteria are in the next section).

PEER REVIEW CRITERIA (potential)

The actual "Premier Web-Site" will not be peer reviewed. Instead, the hardcopy content will be the subject of review. Important criteria to assess are:

1. Specific Information. The topic must be clearly identified. It may be narrow or broad in nature. But, a problem oriented package should include all the necessary information to:

understand the problem
assess the problem
alleviate/prevent the problem. This often includes alternative approaches and a discussion of pros/cons.

2. Integrated Information. (a) Has the authors carefully reviewed the scientific literatureboth turfgrass related on applicable nonturf research? (b) Has the authors carefully reviewed the popular turfgrass literature? (c) Is the information based on the state-ofknowledge on the problem that exists in the scientific and popular literature, and (d) Finally, has the authors integrated the scientific results and principles into practical turfgrass management recommendations or practices, that are specific and indepth?

3. Unbiased Information. Is the information fair and unbiased? Information packages must not be "commercials" or promotional in nature. At the same time, authors should be free to state

deficiencies in research needs
where the strengths and weaknesses are
propose future directions or practices

4. References. Are adequate references provided. Appropriate, key references include:

current research review articles related to the topic whether turf or non-turf related
classic or foundational research articles
current important research articles
key popular literature papers on the topic

While the authors must review and utilize a considerable depth/breath of research and popular literature, the articles is not to be written as a scientific review article.

5. Target Audience. Is this written in a manner that is appropriate to the target audience previously denoted?

Last modified: 07/23/01, Suggestions and additions to: Turf Webmaster