Qualitative Research

Conducting the Needs Assessment #11: Causal Analysis Techniques

Amy Harder

This publication in the Conducting the Needs Assessment series provides Extension educators and other service providers with an introduction to two techniques that can easily be used when seeking information about relationships between causes and needs: fishboning and cause and consequence analysis.

Using Focus Group Interviews for Planning or Evaluating Extension Programs

Sebastian Galindo-Gonzalez and Glenn D. Israel

Conducting the Needs Assessment #10: The Delphi Technique

Laura Warner and Amy Harder

Participatory Action Research in Agriculture: An Introduction

John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco

This is the first article in a six-part series on participatory action research (PAR) that introduces a phased framework for implementing PAR in agricultural settings, including stages of problem identification, co-design, implementation, observation, reflection, and iteration. This publication draws on foundational literature in PAR and agricultural research to present a clear and accessible introduction for Extension professionals and agricultural practitioners. Written by John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, January 2026.

Evaluating Participatory Action Research Projects: Process, Outcomes, and Use

John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco

This is the fifth article in the Participatory Action Research in Agriculture series, designed for Extension professionals working in agricultural contexts. It provides practical guidance on evaluation strategies, approaches, and common challenges in participatory action research projects, offering tools and insights to help practitioners assess progress, document outcomes, and strengthen both research quality and community impact. Written by John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, January 2026.

Conducting the Needs Assessment #9: The Nominal Group Technique

Mary Bammer, Matt Benge, and Laura Warner

This ninth publication in the Conducting the Needs Assessment series provides an overview of using the nominal group technique (NGT) to conduct a needs assessment. This document defines the scenarios in which the NGT is suitable, describes the steps involved in conducting the NGT, and provides examples of the use of this technique in Extension. Written by Mary Bammer, Matt Benge, and Laura Warner, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication; 5 pp.

Ripple Effects Mapping for Extension Program Evaluation

Kelly Wilson, Ramona Madhosingh-Hector, Linda Seals, David Outerbridge, John Diaz, and Paul Monaghan

This publication introduces Extension agents to Ripple Effects Mapping (REM), encourages them to continue exploring the methodology, and promotes collaboration with agents currently using it to learn more about ways to apply it to their own work. This guide explains the four key components of REM, describes the steps to conduct REM for Extension program evaluation, and demonstrates a real-life example of the use of REM in an Extension program. Written by Kelly Wilson, Ramona Madhosingh-Hector, Linda Seals, David Outerbridge, John Diaz, and Paul Monaghan, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2025.

Engaging Stakeholders and Identifying Issues in Participatory Action Research

John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco

Participatory action research (PAR) is a robust methodology for advancing community-driven inquiry, particularly within agricultural and rural development contexts. This second article in the PAR series focuses on essential strategies for engaging stakeholders and identifying priority issues early in the PAR process. The goal is to equip Extension professionals and researchers with a roadmap for launching participatory projects that are equitable, grounded, and impactful. Written by John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, October 2025.

Preparing for One-on-One Qualitative Interviews: Designing and Conducting the Interview

Kathryn A. Stofer

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Special Handling==

Qualitative Inquiry in Practice: Different Approaches to Qualitative Research and a Practical Guide to Selecting One

Arati Joshi, Sebastian Galindo, Dharmendra Kalauni, Caitlin E. Lunzmann, and Shane T. Michael

Qualitative Inquiry in Practice is a series of publications providing an overview of qualitative research and its application. This second publication in the Qualitative Inquiry in Practice EDIS series presents an overview of six common approaches to qualitative research and provides practical examples that can help you identify the best approach for your study. Written by Arati Joshi, Sebastian Galindo, Dharmendra Kalauni, Caitlin E. Lunzmann, and Shane T. Michael, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, September 2025.

Preparing for One-on-One Qualitative Interviews: Logistics

Kathryn A. Stofer

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Special Handling==

Action Research: A Methodology for Organizational Change

Dale Pracht, Andrew Toelle, and Brent Broaddus

Change is inevitable. When working within an organization, figuring out what needs to change can be a big issue. Having quality information available for use can make the decision process clearer and more effective. Action research is a methodology that can be used by people internal to an organization to identify what changes need to be made. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Florida 4-H Youth Development Program was written by Dale Pracht, Andrew Toelle, and Brent Broaddus.

Qualitative Inquiry in Practice: Introduction to Qualitative Research

Dharmendra Kalauni, Arati Joshi, Caitlin E. Lunzmann, Sebastian Galindo, and Shane T. Michael

This publication provides a brief overview of qualitative research to a broader audience including Extension professionals, students, early-career researchers, educators, and many others. Details on the sampling process, research methods, and data analysis process in qualitative research will be explained in the upcoming Ask IFAS publications in the Qualitative Inquiry in Practice series. Written by Dharmendra Kalauni, Arati Joshi, Caitlin E. Lunzmann, Sebastian Galindo, and Shane T. Michael, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, March 2025.

An Interview Guide for Assessing Change, Innovation, and Risk Management within the Food System in Response to COVID-19

David Outerbridge, Christa D. Court, Laura Birou, Catherine Campbell, Sebastian Galindo, Eyrika Orlando, Fritz Roka, and Kelly Wilson

Extension professionals were, and in many cases still are, heavily involved in assessing how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted agribusiness operations and the broader food system. This publication describes the process that a core project team of Extension professionals and researchers from the University of Florida and Florida Gulf Coast University followed to design and implement an interview guide to harmonize the collection of such information from food system businesses in Florida. We discuss benefits of this method, tools that improved efficiency during implementation, and considerations for others who might want to modify and use this interview guide in their own state or region. 

Shifting Focus: Collecting Focus Group Data Online

Anissa M. Zagonel, Audrey E. H. King, Lauri M. Baker, Angela B. Lindsey, Sandra Anderson, Ricky W. Telg, and Ashley McLeod-Morin

This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication presents what focus groups are, the differences between in-person and online focus groups, potential platforms for hosting online focus groups, advantages and disadvantages to online focus groups, and best practices for conducting your own online focus groups. Researchers and practitioners alike can use this document to guide their process of conducting online focus groups. This article only discusses conducting online focus groups through online videoconferencing software.