1. Research Methods Lab Focus Groups

2. Basics Focus groups are collections of individuals selected and assembled by researchers to discuss and comment on the topic that is the subject of the research Focus groups are collections of individuals selected and assembled by researchers to discuss and comment on the topic that is the subject of the research This is essentially a form of group interviewing This is essentially a form of group interviewing Focus groups are typically composed of 6-10 people Focus groups are typically composed of 6-10 people This is small enough for everyone to contribute, but large enough to ensure some diversity This is small enough for everyone to contribute, but large enough to ensure some diversity

3. Your Participants are Key Focus groups rely on interaction- without it, you are dead in the water Focus groups rely on interaction- without it, you are dead in the water Multiple groups with similar participants are needed to detect patterns and trends across groups Multiple groups with similar participants are needed to detect patterns and trends across groups Relying on a one-shot focus group is risky and must be avoided Relying on a one-shot focus group is risky and must be avoided Participants need to be homogeneous in status Participants need to be homogeneous in status Avoid parent/child or teacher/administrator groups Avoid parent/child or teacher/administrator groups Power differentials tend to stifle the responses of participants Power differentials tend to stifle the responses of participants

4. Purpose Focus groups have a narrow purpose- to determine the perceptions, feelings, and manner of thinking of people regarding a curriculum, school policy, etc. Focus groups have a narrow purpose- to determine the perceptions, feelings, and manner of thinking of people regarding a curriculum, school policy, etc. They are not intended for developing consensus, arriving at a plan, or making decisions! They are not intended for developing consensus, arriving at a plan, or making decisions!

5. Influence Participants influence each other, which provides for a more natural environment Participants influence each other, which provides for a more natural environment It is common to have a participant make a “black and white” statement, but after hearing from others, admit to more shades of gray It is common to have a participant make a “black and white” statement, but after hearing from others, admit to more shades of gray

6. Topics The topics in a focus group are carefully predetermined and sequenced, based on an analysis of the situation in question The topics in a focus group are carefully predetermined and sequenced, based on an analysis of the situation in question Focus groups do not shoot from the hip, though they might appear spontaneous to the outside viewer Focus groups do not shoot from the hip, though they might appear spontaneous to the outside viewer Focus groups compliment other research methods Focus groups compliment other research methods For example, after conducting a larger survey, the researcher might decide to take those who made the most interesting responses, and gather them into a group For example, after conducting a larger survey, the researcher might decide to take those who made the most interesting responses, and gather them into a group

7. The Role of the Moderator The moderator’s role is critical The moderator’s role is critical They will need to promote debate, by asking open questions They will need to promote debate, by asking open questions They will also have to ask probing questions if the responses seem too generic They will also have to ask probing questions if the responses seem too generic If the group starts to argue with each other, the moderator has to reign it back in If the group starts to argue with each other, the moderator has to reign it back in They also have to ensure that everyone speaks, or else the group isn’t as effective They also have to ensure that everyone speaks, or else the group isn’t as effective The moderator cannot enter into the group by expressing his/her opinion, arguing with the group, or rolling eyes, etc. The moderator cannot enter into the group by expressing his/her opinion, arguing with the group, or rolling eyes, etc. The pace must be lively, but not hurried, or else you will lose information The pace must be lively, but not hurried, or else you will lose information

8. Activities The different activities used in a focus group are called a “script” The different activities used in a focus group are called a “script” When you see a focus group in action, they don’t just use basic questions When you see a focus group in action, they don’t just use basic questions You can show pictures of various concepts and have the group select from those You can show pictures of various concepts and have the group select from those You can also use word association You can also use word association Introducing a hypothetical scenario then having participants speculate on what could happen is another tactic Introducing a hypothetical scenario then having participants speculate on what could happen is another tactic Think of a script as a collection of your best teaching strategies- how do you currently elicit information from students? Think of a script as a collection of your best teaching strategies- how do you currently elicit information from students?

9. Ready to Try it Out? Using the worksheet, we’ll first work on creating a focus group script Using the worksheet, we’ll first work on creating a focus group script Work in groups of no more than three Work in groups of no more than three Select a topic that will interest K-12 teachers Select a topic that will interest K-12 teachers After we create our scripts, we’ll have a chance to watch three groups present and take notes on what we observe After we create our scripts, we’ll have a chance to watch three groups present and take notes on what we observe