Survey on Cultural Differences in Facilitation

Responses to this survey will be used for research purposes. If you agree to participate in this research, please select “Yes.”

Explicitly establish psychological safety (e.g., verbally communicating that the space is safe and supportive)

Have participants discuss in small groups first (e.g., pairs or trios)

Invite participants to share ideas anonymously

Share personal experiences or perspectives as the facilitator

Invite specific participants to contribute

Use tools such as question cards or discussion prompts

5. What approaches do you use to make it easier for participants to speak up in a group setting?

Wait with phrases that lower the barrier to speaking, such as "Even the smallest thing is fine.

Rephrase the question in a more specific and simple form

Allow time for discussion in pairs or groups

The facilitator themselves provides examples and opinions

Encourage participation by calling on individuals

Ensure that silence does not occur culturally

7. When silence persists during a whole-group discussion, which of the following responses do you use most often?(Please choose one.)

I think they are contributing less than those who are speaking

I think it is a matter of personal choice

I think they are waiting for the right moment to speak

I think there is something making it difficult for them to speak

I worry that my instructions may not have been clear or effective

I think they are engaged in internal reflection

I think they are organizing their thoughts

How do you view participants who do not speak up during group discussions? (Please choose one).

I welcome it as a sign of healthy and productive discussion

I see it as valuable, but I feel it needs to be carefully facilitated

I feel somewhat uncomfortable, but confident that I can manage it

It is relatively uncommon in my cultural context, so I have not given it much thought

Allow participants to continue exploring the disagreement on their own

Identify and articulate common ground among different perspectives

Introduce a third perspective or alternative framing

Create time for discussion in smaller groups

Neutrally summarize and organize the different viewpoints

Make the discussion visible through tools such as graphic recording or voting

Put the topic on hold and return to it later

When a conflict of opinions arises among participants, what responses do you use most often?  (Select up to three responses)

Confirm agreement through a show of hands, voting, or another explicit method

Observe participants’ facial expressions, nods, and other nonverbal cues

Confirm that no objections or opposing views remain

Rely on the overall atmosphere or sense of the group

Summarize participants’ contributions and identify areas of common ground

Read the final decision aloud and ask for confirmation

Notice that participants have started discussing next steps or actions on their own

When a discussion has reached a conclusion, how do you determine that agreement has been reached? (Select up to three responses)

Ensuring participants follow instructions as intended

Encouraging balanced participation in group discussions

Encouraging divergent thinking and idea generation

Encouraging participants to speak in front of the whole group

Encouraging participants to share their honest opinions

Managing participants who dominate the conversation

Managing participants who focus heavily on details