The moderator asks broad questions to elicit responses and generate discussion among. Focus group discussion in qualitative research semantic scholar. One person is the facilitator and the other is the note taker. Focus groups rely on interaction within the group based on topics that are supplied by the researcher. The survey is carried out in several groups of 8 to 10 persons selected in accordance with the research aims. Focus groups overview the focus group is an exploratory research method used to help researchers gather in. For example, there was quite a bit of dissention about the idea of providing support. Focus group discussion a focus group discussion fgd is a good way to gather together people from similar backgrounds or experiences to discuss a specific topic of interest. Focus group discussion relies on facilitators or moderators to guide the groups discussion berg, 1989. Group discussion is conduct by various companies or institutes exercises to check the intelligence and general behavior traits in candidate who have listening social skills, problem solving skills and personal skills to handle any situation. Feedback from focus groups plays an important role in determining how your company meets the needs and expectations of customers.
The purpose of a focus group is to collect information about peoples opinions, beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, not to come to consensus or make a decision. A focus group discussion or fgd is a qualitative research method in the social sciences, with a particular emphasis and application in the developmental program evaluation sphere. It is called a discussion guide, rather than a questionnaire, because it is only meant to be a guide. It is used to learn more about opinions on a designated topic, and then to guide future action. The use of focus groups is a research method that is intended to collect data, through interactive. The opening is the time for the facilitator to welcome the group, introduce the purpose and context of the focus group, explain what a focus group is and how it will flow, and make the introductions. Evaluation briefs no centers for disease control and. A focus group discussion fgd is a qualitative research method and data collection technique in which a selected group of people discusses a given topic or. The focus group planning guide marketlink research.
Heong the focus group discussion fgd is a rapid assessment, semi. The questions and the manner in which the focus group is facilitated will vary based on the type of participants. Consent forms for focus group participants are completed in advance by all those seeking to participate. Focus group discussion at chucchepati site, kathmandu facilitated by iom 29th july to 31st july, 2015 introduction six focus group discussions were held at chucchepati site over the course of three days with the objective of finding out the return intention of the site residents. It is an inexpensive and fast method of acquiring valuable data. Finally, check to see what level of control you have over the physical environment within the discussion room. How to conduct a focus group the grantsmanship center. A focus group discussion is a structured discussion used to obtain indepth information qualitative data insight from a group of people about a particular topic. A focus group is a smallgroup discussion guided by a trained leader. A focus group discussion guide sometimes called a topic guide is a questionnaire for focus groups, and for other types of qualitative research, such as individual depth interviews. Focus group discussion is one of the most popular qualitative research methods. Focus group participants should be selected based on their familiarity with a product, service or purchasing behaviors. Potential impact of groupthink on the outcome of focus group discussion groupthink is a psychological observable fact that occurs within groups of people. Evaluating the efficacy of focus group discussion fgd in.
You have to speak at your turn with gusto but ensuring to remain focused on the assigned topic. Understanding the public discourse on education reform. Researching issues and writing questions for your focus group session is only the first part of the process. Measure the focal length from the center of the convex lens to the focal point. Icebreak after having greeted the participants, the facilitator asks them to. The groups composition and the group discussion should be carefully planned to create a nonthreatening environment, so that participants feel free to talk openly and give honest. The interview guide sets the agenda for the focus group discussion by establishing the research questions to be addressed in the focus group. Focus group discussion in qualitative research new delhi. The fundamental data produced by this technique are the transcrips of the group discussions and the moderators reflections and annotations. A focus group is a group discussion on a particular topic organised for research purposes. The ideal focus group moderator has the following traits.
It is the manner of thoughts that happens when the desire for harmony in a decisionmaking group. It is important to have a note taker to record the focus group feedback. Focus groups are an exploratory research tool a structured. Focus groups require selfdisclosure of information by participants, but. Focus group discussion bagaimana menjadi seorang fasilitator duration. Here the exchange of ideas, thoughts and feelings take place through oral communication. Used with all of the above, a focus group is an integral part of gauging public perceptions. A successful focus group discussion relies heavily on the development of a permissive, nonthreatening environment within the group where the participants can feel comfortable to discuss their opinions and experiences without fear that they. On the other hand, in research situations that are time 110 focus groups 07stewart5002. The general characteristics of the focus group are peoples involvement, a series of meetings, the. Below is a summary of the information in the consent form that focus group organizers and facilitators should use to make sure participants understand the information in the consent form. Insights from two decades of application in conservation article pdf available in methods in ecology and evolution 99. A focus group discussion involves gathering people from similar backgrounds or experiences together to discuss a specific topic of interest.
Focus group discussion is frequently used as a qualitative approach to gain an indepth understanding of social issues. Your ability to make everyone comfortable, encourage everyone to speak up, enforce a respectful tone, and manage the pace will determine the quality of the discussion and therefore, the information you gather. Following are the main advantages of focus group discussion in research. In a brief time the moderator must create a thoughtful, permissive atmosphere, provide ground rules. Wherever possible, there should be a focus group team. What is the purpose and advantages of focus group interviews. A focus group discussion is a qualitative data collection method that engages a group with shared characteristics, and is led by a trained facilitator. In the announcement of or the invitation to the discussion, include a statement of purpose and stress the proper tone for the discussion see introduction to the discussion below. Communities reported the 2009 drought as the most recent crisis period in kajiado.
Coworkers and friends are more comfortable in voicing views in each others company than on their own with the researcher. Group discussion, conducted several times until similar trends and patterns in perception, attitudes, ideas are shown. Group discussion is commonly called as gd is almost a must post entrance exams and you have to face a topic in a group of eight to ten. Can listen attentively with sensitivity and empathy. The moderator stimulates discussion with comments or subjects. The first few moments in focus group discussion are critical. Advantages and disadvantages of focus groups in research.
Introduction we have provided a sample introduction in the appendix. The ideal size group is 810 people depending on the demographic and topic being researched. Also, in an interview process group discussion is the most trending way to select best candidates. In a brief time the moderator must create a thoughtful, permissive atmosphere, provide ground rules, and set the tone of the discussion. Group discussion is an important activity in academic, business and administrative spheres. Focus group discussion ppt focus group qualitative. It is a discussion guided by the moderator according to the prepared interview guidelines. Advantages and limitations of focus groups howstuffworks. How to conduct a successful focus group discussion atlan. How to write a focus group discussion guide mrqual. It can negatively impact the discussion if the facilitator is stopping to write things down. Example focus group discussion fgd session plan focus group discussion with lead firms to assess marketbased solutions time. Tips for facilitating focus groups your role as a focus group facilitator is very important. Ideally, the focus group is conducted by a team consisting of a moderator and assistant moderator.
Fgds are a predetermined semistructured interview led by a skilled moderator. The focus group needs to be appropriate for the type of participants in the group. How to prepare for group discussion useful tipstricks. Focus group interviewing richard krueger 4 beginning the focus group discussion the first few moments in focus group discussion are critical. Research suggests that group discussion can cause participant attitudes to become more extreme, which could in turn result in greater unification of group opinions or polarize participants. Marketing researchers employ a variety of tools, including oneonone interviews, written surveys and polling to track consumer opinion. The goal of todays meeting is to understand if the internal communications and news you currently receive is effective, relevant and valuable to you.
This discussion is guided, monitored and recorded by a researcher. Focus group discussion ppt free download as powerpoint presentation. Focus group discussions science topic explore the latest questions and answers in focus group discussions, and find focus group discussions experts. This method serves to solicit participants attitudes and perceptions, knowledge and experiences, and. This document is available from the following website address. The question section is where you ask the questions that you designed and tested in step 4 3. The unit or department at the university of arizona is conducting a program assessment under the supervision of insert responsible party, director, etc. The main hazard reported in all the fgds was drought, as the most significant contributor to livestock losses and the single most important factor limiting their resilience.
It is a systematic and purposeful interactive oral process. A focus group discussion fgd is a good way to gather together people from. A focus group lasting more than 90 minutes probably includes too many questions or topics for discussion. Focus group discussion guide university of washington. Feel free to modify it as you see fit,making sure it covers the following components. Group sizes can be as many as 1215 participants but requires a strong moderator to facilitate that many people. It is a form of qualitative research where questions are asked about their perceptions attitudes, beliefs, opinion or ideas. A focus group is a small, but demographically diverse group of people and whose reactions are studied especially in market research or political analysis in guided or open discussions about a new product or something else to determine the reactions that can be expected from a larger population. A focus group discussion fgd is a qualitative research method and data collection technique in which a selected group of people discusses a given topic or issue indepth, facilitated by a professional, external moderator.