Strategies to Overcome the Unique Challenges Faced in Conducting Focus Groups in Extension

Authors

• Vikram Koundinya, University of California (UC)-Davis & UC Cooperative ExtensionFollow
• Amulya Rao, University of MinnesotaFollow
• Cristina Chiarella, Université Catholique de LouvainFollow
• Deepa SrivastavaFollow
• Mary Holz-Clause, University of Minnesota-CrookstonFollow
• Teresa Spaeth, University of Minnesota-CrookstonFollow
• Eleanor Haworth, University of California-DavisFollow
• Kit Alviz, University of California Agriculture and Natural ResourcesFollow
• LaJoy Spears, New Mexico State UniversityFollow
• Rebecca Witinok-Huber, University of WyomingFollow
• Natalia Pinzón, University of California-DavisFollow
• Yulia Lamoureaux, University of California-DavisFollow

Volume

63

Issue

2

Abstract

Focus groups are commonly used in extension. Extension professionals can encounter unique challenges when conducting focus groups. Extension literature is replete with best practices for conducting focus groups, but there is a lack of systematically documented practical challenges and strategies for overcoming them. We share the challenges we have faced over the past 13 years while conducting focus groups with different participant groups in extension globally and strategies that can be used to overcome or navigate these challenges. The ideas presented in this paper can provide valuable assistance to extension professionals who utilize focus groups for research and evaluation purposes.

Creative Commons License

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Recommended Citation

Koundinya, V., Rao, A., Chiarella, C., Srivastava, D., Holz-Clause, M., Spaeth, T., Haworth, E., Alviz, K., Spears, L., Witinok-Huber, R., Pinzón, N., & Lamoureaux, Y. (2025). Strategies to Overcome the Unique Challenges Faced in Conducting Focus Groups in Extension. Journal of Extension, 63(2), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.63.02.12