Chapter D6 Mathews and Ross
Focus groups are a valuable qualitative research method that can provide rich insights into people’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences on a particular topic. As a university student, conducting focus groups can be an excellent way to gather data for research projects or to gain a deeper understanding of student perspectives on various issues.
Planning and Preparation
Defining Objectives
Before conducting a focus group, it’s crucial to clearly define your research objectives. Ask yourself:
- What specific information do you want to gather?
- How will this data contribute to your research or project goals?
- Are focus groups the most appropriate method for obtaining this information?
Having well-defined objectives will guide your question development and ensure that the focus group yields relevant and useful data[4].
Participant Selection
Carefully consider who should participate in your focus group. For student-focused research, you may want to target specific groups such as:
- Students from a particular major or year of study
- Those involved in certain campus activities or programs
- Students with specific experiences (e.g., study abroad participants)
Aim for 6-10 participants per group to encourage dynamic discussion while still allowing everyone to contribute[3].
Logistics and Scheduling
When organizing focus groups with university students, consider the following:
- Schedule sessions during convenient times, such as weekday evenings or around meal times
- Avoid weekends or busy periods during the academic calendar
- Choose a comfortable, easily accessible location on campus
- Provide incentives such as food, gift cards, or extra credit (if approved by your institution)[4]
Conducting the Focus Group
Setting the Stage
Begin your focus group by:
- Welcoming participants and explaining the purpose of the session
- Obtaining informed consent, emphasizing voluntary participation and confidentiality
- Establishing ground rules for respectful discussion[3]
Facilitation Techniques
As a student facilitator, consider these strategies:
- Use open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses
- Employ probing techniques to delve deeper into participants’ thoughts
- Ensure all participants have an opportunity to speak
- Remain neutral and avoid leading questions or expressing personal opinions
- Use active listening skills and paraphrase responses to confirm understanding[3][4]
Data Collection
To capture the rich data from your focus group:
- Take detailed notes or consider audio recording the session (with participants’ permission)
- Pay attention to non-verbal cues and group dynamics
- Use a co-facilitator to assist with note-taking and managing the session[3]
Analysis and Reporting
After conducting your focus group:
- Transcribe the session if it was recorded
- Review notes and transcripts to identify key themes and patterns
- Organize findings according to your research objectives
- Consider using qualitative data analysis software for more complex projects
- Prepare a report summarizing your findings and their implications
Challenges and Considerations
As a student researcher, be aware of potential challenges:
- Peer pressure influencing responses
- Maintaining participant engagement throughout the session
- Managing dominant personalities within the group
- Ensuring confidentiality, especially when discussing sensitive topics
- Balancing your role as a peer and a researcher[4]
Conclusion
Conducting focus groups as a university student can be a rewarding and insightful experience. By carefully planning, skillfully facilitating, and thoughtfully analyzing the data, you can gather valuable information to support your research objectives. Remember that practice and reflection will help you improve your focus group facilitation skills over time.