Focus Groups and Marginalized Populations Eben Friedman European Centre for Minority Issues

What are focus groups? Basic components:  Small group of people (usually 4-12)  Non-threatening environment  Skilled moderator  Intensive and carefully planned discussion

Why (not) focus groups? Advantages:  Relatively rich qualitative data  Intelligibility to participants  Peer-group security

Why (not) focus groups? Disadvantages:  Non-random sampling  Limited researcher control  Groupthink  Labor intensive

 Even where quality statistical data are available, the “bare facts” rarely speak for themselves.  Focus groups can supplement analysis of available statistical data with intensive stakeholder consultation.  Focus groups do not require that the moderator be a member of the population from which the participants are drawn. Focus groups and marginalized populations

Toward Regional Guidelines for the Integration of Roms

Toward regional guidelines… June 2003: Sida commissions and finances an assessment of the needs of the Romani population in the Republic of Macedonia. June 2003: Sida commissions and finances an assessment of the needs of the Romani population in the Republic of Macedonia. September – November 2003: ECMI conducts needs assessment, making use of existing organizational infrastructure. September – November 2003: ECMI conducts needs assessment, making use of existing organizational infrastructure. In addition to focusing on the Romani population in general, the evaluation attends to the position of Romani women relative both to Romani men and to the non-Romani population. The design of the needs assessment and the issues covered by it are broadly applicable to other countries in the region, and a similar initiative is currently underway in Serbia and Montenegro. The purpose of the project is to lay the groundwork for a set of guidelines to increase the level of integration of Roms in Macedonia’s general population. The purpose of the project is to lay the groundwork for a set of guidelines to increase the level of integration of Roms in Macedonia’s general population.

(Data from 2002 census) Unofficial figures from Romani NGOs indicate that Roms are more than 6 % Discrepancy between census figures and informed estimates of size of Romani population Underestimating size of Romani population at census increases likelihood of overestimating unemployment and involvement in criminal activity among Roms Absence of global needs assessment on Roms Needs for assessment

September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 Analysis and Reporting DATA COLLECTION  State Statistical Office  Ministries of: Education, Health, Interior, Justice, Social Welfare  State Employment Bureau  UNICEF  OSCE  UNHCR  Internet FOCUS GROUPS  Contact with local NGOs for each region  Organizing focus groups in 6 ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centres in Macedonia  Preparation of transcripts from focus groups Project Activities

Focus Groups Education Health Women and Girls Education Health Civil Rights Civil Rights Employment Employment