planning and facilitating focus groups
DESCRIPTION
Slides to support one day workshop on 'Planning and facilitating' focus groups.TRANSCRIPT
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Planning and facilitating focus
groupsJo Alcock
Evidence Base, Birmingham City University [email protected]
@joeyanne
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Workshop introduction
This workshop will cover all elements involved in planning and facilitating focus groups. We will cover the logistics; techniques to attract attendees; activities to engage participants; techniques to improve facilitation; and how to record and share the results of the focus group. The workshop will be interactive in nature, with discussion points throughout, and an opportunity to try things out.
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Voting activityUnderstanding previous experience with focus groups
https://www.flickr.com/photos/94371817@N00/3932774410
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Learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop, attendees will be able to:
1. Understand the value of focus groups
2. Plan, organise and facilitate a focus group
3. Prepare focus group activities
4. Report findings from focus groups
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Workshop overview
What are focus groups?
Why? Value of focus groups
What? Planning and logistics
How? Structuring and encouraging discussion
What else? Using the information from focus groups
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Icebreaker activityWhich represents something about you?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejohnson/2122722198
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– Wikipedia
“A focus group is a form of qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging. Questions are asked in an
interactive group setting where participants are free to talk with other
group members.”
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– Wikipedia
“A focus group is a form of qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging. Questions are asked in an
interactive group setting where participants are free to talk with other
group members.”
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Why?
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Why use focus groups?
Maximise feedback
Gain a group opinion
Inform further research
Initiate or stimulate discussion on ‘hot’ topics
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When are focus groups useful?
Complex research question with variety of viewpoints
User-focused developments
Understanding reasons for behaviour
Limited resources (time and staff)
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Examples of focus group topics in libraries
Feedback on current services
Use of library space
Focus of library budget - print or electronic resources?
Options for supporting enquiries
Planning for future
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Setting the aims of the focus group
1. What do you want to find out from the focus group?
2. What actions could the findings result in?
3. What would you need to know to inform those decisions?
4. Who would you need information from to inform the decisions?
5. Who else might have an interest in the results of the focus group, and could they provide any support?
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Agree/disagree activityHow much do you agree or disagree with the following?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8489692@N03/4330199412
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What?
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Focus group logistics - when?
1.5-2 hours uninterrupted time
Advertised well in advance
Day and time suitable for participants and facilitators (this may require evening/weekend options depending on user groups)
Lunchtime can be a good time if interested in views from those who are on campus most days - you may wish to offer food/drink as an incentive
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Focus group logistics - where?
Convenient location for attendees and facilitators
Private space (neutral space if appropriate)
Room with plenty of space, light, and usable wall space
Group discussion layout (or adjustable furniture)
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Focus group logistics - who?
Organisers
One key contact email/phone number for participants to contact
Confirm all details with participants the day before the focus group (this sometimes results in cancellation notifications)
Eventbrite can be used to help manage bookings
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Focus group logistics - who?
Facilitators
At least two people
One to facilitate - needs to know subject, research question, and intended use of focus group findings
One to record - needs to be able to take comprehensive notes, and be aware of the subject
May wish to use people who are unknown to participants
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Focus group logistics - who?
Participants
People with an interest in the topic
People who are willing to talk openly
Representative of users identified when setting the aims - experience/knowledge, demographic factors, attitudes
Range and group size - may choose to have mixed groups, or groups with similar types of users together
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Incentives
What's in it for them?
What could you offer at little or no cost to you that would nonetheless be of some value to them?
Cash
Amazon vouchers
Printing credits
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Prioritisation activityWhich are your favourites?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/41117344@N05/5146172013
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How?
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4MAT
Adapted from McCarthy's 4MAT
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Planning the discussion
Plan topics to discuss and some prompt questions to assist
Start with the broader topics, then follow with more specific topics
Don’t be too prescriptive unless you need to be - focus groups are a useful way to unearth new topics
Allow plenty of time for each topic (you probably won’t be able to cover as much as you think so keep it simple!)
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Focus group structure - electronic or print?
Time Topic
15 minutes Briefing
10 minutes Ice breaker
20 minutes Preferences and why
20 minutes Features and functionality
20 minutes Accessing and using resources
20 minutes The future
15 minutes Debriefing
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Focus group toolkit
Do not disturb sign
Attendee list and register
Discussion plan
Timer
Pens and paper
Activity materials - stickers, post-its
Recording equipment
Music
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Briefing
Welcome and thanks
Timings (incl. breaks if applicable) and structure
Recording methods (and request permission to record)
Roles - expectations and responsibilities for participants and facilitators
How information from focus group will be analysed and used
Opportunity for participants to ask any questions
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Facilitating the discussion
Gain rapport - ensure to create a positive impression before the focus group, as they arrive, and in the introduction and icebreaker
Encourage discussion by asking open questions
Focus on the process, not the content - use your structure and planning to help
Have confidence in yourself and your ability to facilitate
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Debriefing
What happens next
Any further follow up (seek permission and ways to contact them)
Offer incentives to stay in touch
Offer opportunity for them to ask any final questions
Thank them for their time and arrange incentives
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Recording the discussion
Make notes in addition to any audio/video recording as a backup
Review notes shortly afterwards to make sure legible and understandable
Ensure to record responses to activities and if possible record who gave each response
Aim to write up the focus group shortly afterwards so the discussion is fresh in your mind
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Creative thinking activityWhat would your perfect snack be?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/11247304@N06/1340979055
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Planning focus group activities
https://www.flickr.com/photos/11247304@N06/1340979055
https://www.flickr.com/photos/41117344@N05/5146172013
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8489692@N03/4330199412
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejohnson/2122722198
https://www.flickr.com/photos/94371817@N00/3932774410
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What else?
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Qualitative analysis
1. Transcribe information
2. Extract key themes - be open minded to all options
3. Pull together information on each theme
4. Present findings based on themes, opinions, and strength of opinions
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Reporting
1. Introduction
2. Methodology
3. Findings
4. Conclusions
5. Recommendations
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– Extract from Evidence Base report on ebook focus groups
Overall all respondents were positive about having ebook versions of key texts, but this was only as a supplement to printed materials and not as a complete replacement to them:
‘Core books as ebooks is OK but easier to
look through printed books’
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Recap
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Why?
Value of focus groups
Examples of focus group topics
Setting aims of focus group
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What?
Logistics of focus groups
When?
Where?
Who? Organising, facilitating and participating
Incentives
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How?
Using 4MAT
Structuring focus groups
Focus group toolkit
Facilitating focus groups - briefing, facilitating the discussion, debriefing
Recording the discussion
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What else?
Analysing focus group data
Reporting on focus group findings
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Planning and facilitating
focus groupsJo Alcock
Evidence Base [email protected]
@joeyanne
https://www.flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/223839049