Do you need to use a focus group?
___You're considering the introduction of a new program or service
___Your main concern is with depth or shading of opinion, rather than simply with whether people agree
___You want to ask questions that can't be easily asked or answered on a written survey
___You want to supplement the knowledge you have gotten from written surveys
___You know or can find someone who is an experienced and skilled group leader
___You have the time, knowledge, and resources to recruit a willing group of focus group participants
Before you begin:
___Recheck your goals
___Consider other methods
___Find a good leader
___Find a recorder
___Decide who should be invited
___Decide about incentives
___Decide on meeting particulars (day, place, time, length of meeting, how many groups)
___Prepare your questions
___Recruit your members
___Double-check the arrangements
When the group meets:
___Thank people for coming
___Review the purpose of the group and goals of the meeting
___Explain how the meeting will proceed and how members can contribute
___Set ground rules
___Encourage open participation
___Set the tone by asking an opening question and making sure all opinions on that question are heard
___Ask further questions in the same general manner
___When all your questions have been asked, ask if anyone has any other comments to make
___Tell the group about any next steps that will occur and what they can expect to happen now
___Thank the group for coming!
After the meeting:
___Make a transcript or written summary of the meeting
___Examine the data for patterns, themes, new questions, and conclusions
___Share the results with the group
___Use the results