Focus groups : a model for change for community organizations

• Main Author: Underhill Parker, Heather.
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 2007
• Subjects: Nonprofit organizations > Planning.; Nonprofit organizations > Management.
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=100242

The purpose of this study was to examine whether focus groups with participation from key stakeholders in the community could identify specific areas that required change in a non-profit community organization. Findings would also provide important feedback for the Board of Directors of a non-profit community organization. Two focus groups were held. One group consisted of nine community stakeholders and in the second focus group six past users of the service participated. Participants gave their comments on program strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in a semi-structured interview using grounded theory in a qualitative format. Program strengths included the community residence for teens and interventions with the family. This thesis will discuss the key findings from the research, its impact on the management of a non profit agency and the challenges for the researcher. This study will also discuss the use of focus groups as a methodology for conducting organizational research, implications for social work practice and future research.