How to plan and run a focus group explains all the steps in planning and running a focus group. This 'How to' is intended to help you order the questions that you want to ask.
Remember! When you are developing your questions keep them SOO good (SOO = Short, Open-ended and One-at-a-time). (By the way, we invented SOO. There has to be a book and a consultancy in it. #TasCOSS!)
Hint: An example of an open-ended question is ‘what was your experience of working with the counsellor?’ Closed questions ask for ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. A closed question is ‘was working with the counsellor good?’
Here is how to organise your questions: 1
- Opening questions. These are ice-breakers to get people comfortable. They should be easy to answer.
Eg: Can you tell us your first name and when you started using our program?
- Transition questions. Provide a link between the introductory question and the key questions.
Eg: Think back to when you first became involved in the program. What were your first impressions?
- Key questions. These focus on the major areas of concern. They take the majority of the time in the focus group.
Eg: In what way is your life different because of your participation in the program?
- Ending question. These bring the session to a close.
Eg: Is there anything else that we should have talked about, but didn’t?
- 1. Adapted from Rennekamp R & Nall n.d., M Using Focus Groups in Program Development and Evaluation, University of Kentucky