CalACT ALL ABOUT FOCUS GROUPS JD FRANZ RESEARCH, INC. Public Opinion and Marketing Research
A FEW DEFINITIONS Qualitative Research Focus Groups Formal Focus Group Facility Screener Recruitment Moderator Moderator’s Outline/Discussion Guide Participants Observers Hostess Coop/Cooperation Fee
KEY CHARACTERISTICS Help Us Understand “Why” Obtain In-Depth Information Always Exploratory Cannot Be Generalized Facilitate Survey Design and Analysis Can Present Problems of Participation and Control
KEY CHARACTERISTICS Relatively Unstructured Yield Information from Interaction Require a Skilled and Unbiased Moderator Subject to Interpretation Bias Difficult to Analyze Relatively Quick and Inexpensive
STEPS IN CONDUCTING A SUCCESSFUL FOCUS GROUP 1.Determine decisions to be made 2.Determine information needed to make decisions 3.Ensure that: All the information needed for decision-making will be obtained All of the information obtained will be useful in decision- making 4.Determine group location(s) 5.Determine group size 6.Determine participant characteristics 7.Determine cooperation fee 8.Plan group and observer refreshments 9.Design a screening questionnaire 10.Have client review the screener and modify as needed
STEPS IN CONDUCTING A SUCCESSFUL FOCUS GROUP 11.Revise the questionnaire based on facility results: Recruiter ease Respondent comprehension Target population incidence 12.Develop a draft moderator's outline 13.Have client review the outline and modify as needed 14.Recruit the participants 15.Send confirmation letters and maps 16.Make confirmation calls 17.Hope for the best 18.Set up audio- and/or video-taping equipment as needed 19.Conduct the group 20.Transcribe the audiotapes
STEPS IN CONDUCTING A SUCCESSFUL FOCUS GROUP 21.Review the transcriptions or videotapes 22.Think about the meaning of the discussions 23.Write a draft of the final report 24.Have client review the draft and modify as needed 25.Prepare the final draft report 26.Prepare the report presentation 27.Present the report