Table of Contents >
   Part B. Community Assessment, Agenda Setting, and Choice ... >
      Chapter 3. Assessing Community Needs and Resources >
         Section 6. Conducting Focus Groups >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Conducting Focus Groups

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Bill Berkowitz Edited by Phil Rabinowitz

Checklist

Here, you'll find checklists that summarize the major points contained in the text.

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.