Focus Groups

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Focus Groups
Associate Professor Jeffrey Fuller PhD (slides
adapted from Gaynor Heading) Northern Rivers
University Department of Rural Health
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Learning Objectives

• Explain when to use focus groups
• Explain the FG planning process
• Describe facilitation techniques

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Different Types of Groups

• Delphi group (consensus)
• Nominal group (agreeable solutions)
• Brain storming group (solution focused)
• Advisory group / Reference groups (expertise)
• Focus Group Discussion (Interested in a range of
  views)
• NOT consensus or decision focused

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Focus Group

• Advantages Disadvantages

Explore / probe Group dynamics Low
cost Speedy High face validity
Difficult to assemble Venue suitability Trained
facilitator Control Dominant - Shy Breadth not
depth
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Design Issues

• How structured Highly structured
• How large 6 - 12
• Group composition Homogeneous strangers
• Number of groups 3 minimum (4-6)

Design Dimension
Rule of Thumb
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Focus Group Characteristics

• Participants - personalities/hierarchy
• Group interaction (benefit)
• Looking for a range of views
• A series of groups (not one) no new issues

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Planning

• Set up / planned - who, recruitment location, etc
• Sampling issues
• Describe problem and purpose of study
• Topic guide construction
• A few main topics
• Use of information / results - feedback
• Resources (timeline / budget)

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Planning - Issues to Address

• Process issues
• To tape / note-take / flip chart summary
• Demographic survey
• Identifying speakers / video
• Timing of data analysis
• Before second focus group
• Facilitator skills
• Establish rules rapport listening
• Probe neutral observation
• Leadership topic knowledge
• Time management

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Types of Questions

• Opening question 20 seconds
• Introductory question foster conversation
• Transition questions move to key questions
• Key questions 2 to 5 typically
• Ending questions bring closure
• All things considered question
• Summary question after oral summary
• Final question - missed anything

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Facilitating a Focus Group 1

• Welcome (why they were chosen)
• Overview of the topic
• Ground rules (facilitators role, tape,
  confidentiality)
• Demographic survey
• Overview of questions
• Introductions (Icebreaker, name cards)
• The first question

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Facilitating a Focus Group 2

• Time commitment
• Taping (turning tape on)
• Time to ask questions
• Cards as aide-memoir/ schedule
• Final comments
• Final summary
• Forms

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Keeping track / keeping a record

• Regularly summarise
• Ask for participant summary or provide one
• Whiteboard summary
• Group checks main points
• Call for summary comments

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Field Note Reporting Form

• Information about the Focus Group

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Field note reporting continued - Responses to
Questions

• Q1. The most serious problems facing

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Focus Group Analyses

• Comparisons

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Resource

• Quine,S. (1998) Focus Groups in Handbook of
  Public Health Methods, Kerr, Taylor Heard
  (eds)., McGraw-Hill, Sydney, pp 527-532.