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 Contributor Bill Berkowitz
