Teaching Paper: Facilitating Focus Group Discussions for Digital Community Engagement
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-tchdrcmeng-tp-02
This material forms part of the NEYA Global knowledge architecture. Institutional, organizational, professional, training, consulting, curriculum, program design, or implementation use requires an active license from NEYA Global
Explore Architecture →
Module Overview →
Request Institutional Access →
About the Article
Focus group discussions (FGDs) are an essential qualitative method for understanding how communities experience digital transformation. This Teaching Paper provides a step-by-step framework for facilitating FGDs that examine how individuals access, use, and perceive digital tools for participation and empowerment. Structured around stages of introduction, exploration, evaluation, and reflection, it includes practical notes to support inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and adaptation to low-resource environments. A detailed case study illustrates the method’s application in a Latin American urban community project, while challenges such as dominant voices, trust-building, and digital divides are addressed through actionable tips. By combining methodological rigor with practitioner insight, the paper offers a practical and adaptable guide for non-profits, researchers, and educators seeking to generate meaningful qualitative data for digital engagement and participatory development initiatives.
Key Topics
- Focus group methodology
- Digital community engagement
- Qualitative data collection
- Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity
- Participatory evaluation
- Digital literacy and communication tools
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching Paper: Facilitating Focus Group Discussions for Digital Community Engagement. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-tchdrcmeng-tp-02
References
Bryson, J. M. (2018). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations (5th ed.). Wiley.
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Tech-Driven Community Engagement. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/tech-driven-community-engagement-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Understanding community engagement in development practice. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-tchdrcmeng-02
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). The digital landscape for community engagement: Tools, affordances, and implementation considerations. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-tchdrcmeng-03
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Monitoring and evaluating digital engagement efforts. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-tchdrcmeng-08
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Participatory Development for Change. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/participatory-development-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Crisis Communication: Engaging Communities. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/crisis-communication-2025
Krueger, R. A., & Casey, M. A. (2014). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research (5th ed.). SAGE.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). SAGE.
Silverman, D. (2020). Interpreting qualitative data (6th ed.). SAGE.
Chambers, R. (2017). Can we know better? Reflections for development. Practical Action Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.3362/9781780449449.000
