Projective Techniques
Definition / Meaning
Projective techniques are indirect methods of data collection used to uncover respondents’ hidden attitudes, motivations, beliefs, and emotions that they may not express openly.
- Based on psychological projection—people project their own feelings onto ambiguous stimuli.
- Commonly used in qualitative research, especially for sensitive topics.
Characteristics
- Indirect and non-threatening.
- Helps reveal subconscious feelings.
- Reduces social desirability bias (respondents answer more honestly).
- Requires trained researchers to interpret results.
Types / Examples
|
Type |
Description |
Example |
|
Word Association Test |
Respondent reacts with the first word that comes to mind |
Word “Fertilizer” → Response: “Expensive” |
|
Sentence Completion Test |
Respondent completes an incomplete sentence |
“I hesitate to adopt new seeds because ___.” |
|
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) |
Respondent interprets ambiguous pictures |
Picture of a farmer working → Story reveals adoption attitudes |
|
Role-Playing / Storytelling |
Respondent enacts or narrates a story |
Farmers act out decision-making for crop adoption |
Application in Extension Education
- Understanding farmers’ resistance to new technologies.
- Exploring hidden barriers in adoption of innovations.
Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
Definition / Meaning; A Focus Group Discussion is a qualitative research method where a small group of participants discuss a specific topic under the guidance of a moderator.
- Purpose: explore opinions, experiences, attitudes, and perceptions collectively.
- Useful in program evaluation, adoption studies, and perception research.
Characteristics
- Group-based (usually 6–12 participants).
- Guided by a trained moderator.
- Interactive discussion—participants react to each other.
- Data is analyzed qualitatively, often thematically.
Procedure
- Define research objectives.
- Select participants (representative sample).
- Prepare discussion guide / key questions.
- Conduct FGD with moderation.
- Record, transcribe, and analyze responses.
Application in Extension Education
- Understanding farmers’ perceptions of agricultural programs.
- Discussing barriers to technology adoption among rural communities.
- Evaluating impact of training programs on behavior and knowledge.
Summary Table: Projective Techniques vs Focus Group Discussion
|
Feature |
Projective Techniques |
Focus Group Discussion (FGD) |
|
Nature |
Indirect, individual-based |
Direct, group-based |
|
Purpose |
Reveal hidden feelings/motives |
Explore collective opinions/attitudes |
|
Data Type |
Qualitative |
Qualitative |
|
Method |
Ambiguous stimuli, role-play, sentence completion |
Moderated discussion with group interaction |
|
Advantages |
Reduces bias, uncovers subconscious motives |
Encourages diverse perspectives, group dynamics |
|
Limitations |
Subjective interpretation, time-consuming |
Dominant participants may influence, non-generalizable |
|
Use in Extension Education |
Understand hidden barriers, resistance to innovation |
Evaluate programs, study perceptions, collective feedback |
