Organizing a Focus Group

There are many decisions and options involved in organizing a focus group:

• What questions will best suit the purpose of the focus group?
• Who will lead the focus group discussion?
• How many focus group sessions should I hold?
• Who should I invite to participate? How many people should attend?
• How can I ensure that all participants will feel welcome and comfortable?
• Should I set ground rules?
• How will I keep a record of what is discussed?
• What supplies do I need for a focus group?
• What ethical issues are involved?

The following questions will be addressed in this section:

What Questions Will Best Suit the Purpose of the Focus Group?
Who Will Lead the Focus Group Discussion?
How Many Focus Group Sessions Should I Hold?
Who Should I Invite to Participate? How Many People Should Attend?
How Can I Ensure That All Participants Will Feel Welcome and Comfortable?
Should I Set Ground Rules?
How Will I Keep a Record of What Is Discussed?
What Supplies Do I Need for a Focus Group?
What Ethical Issues Are Involved?
Should I Prepare a Guide for the Facilitator?