Focus Groups

Purpose

The purpose of these focus groups is to generate discussion about the concepts, not to reach a consensus about what they mean.

Recruitment of Participants

Refer to the recruitment documents

Role of the Moderator (see also the chapter "Rate Yourself")

Do . . .

            Listen

            Pace the discussion so that all concepts are discussed

            Make sure all participants get equal speaking time

Don’t . . .

            Offer any of your own opinions or examples that you are aware of

            Silence dominant people expressing “incorrect” views.

During the Introduction

Go through issues like where the participants can find the bathroom

Be sure that everyone understands the process

Re-iterate that the aim is not to reach a consensus or to convince anyone

Tell the participants about who the researchers are.

Compensation of Participants

We will be offering $30 to compensate all of the participants.  The researchers will have cash for this purpose and will require a receipt with each participant's initials. 

Feedback to Participants

Each Local Coordinator will provide each participant with a thank you letter (see attached).  This letter will include the researchers’ contact information.  Local Coordinators are to destroy the contact list after the letters have been sent.

Flip Charting

We do not feel that it is necessary to use flip charts.  The note taker and tape recorder will capture the discussion and the flip charting sometimes distracts the moderator from careful listening and moderating.  If the participant loose track of the discussion, for example they could forget which concept is being discussed, the moderator should provide a verbal reminder of the stream of the discussion.

Recording

We will record the focus groups.  The researchers will supply tapes and recorder.