Focus Group Discussion

1. Definition and description

2. Steps in conducting FGD
 FGD Definition and Description

• a qualitative research technique

• a rapid assessment , semi-structured
data gathering technique in which a
purposively selected set of informants
gather to discuss issues and concerns
based on a list of key themes drawn up
by the researcher in a permissive, non-
threatening environment
• a cost effective technique for eliciting
views, opinions, feelings, needs,
problems, beliefs, and reasons
 FGD Uses

•Initial concept exploration

•Generating creative ideas
•Testing ideas and determining
differences in opinion between various
stakeholder groups
•Means of triangulation with other data
collection methods
 FGD Advantages

•Inexpensive
•Flexible format, allowing participants to
question each other and to elaborate upon
their answers
•Captures the spontaneous give and take
of social interaction that goes into opinion
formation, which is lost in a structured
interview
•Simple, allowing participants to readily
grasp the process and purpose
•Provides the security of a peer group.
 FGD Disadvantages

•Results in limited researcher control over

the focus group process
•Group expression can interfere with
individual expression and the results may
reflect “groupthink”
•Alternatively, if facilitation is poor and/or
the group participants are not well
selected, the results of the discussion
may reflect only the views of the most
dominant participants
FGD Conducting the FGD

1. Planning Phase

2. Implementation Phase

3. Reporting Phase
FGD Planning Phase

•Clear objectives and information needs

•Inclusion criteria for informants

•The TEAM: facilitator, rapporteur,

logistics in-charge

•Logistics (invitations, transpo, venue,

timing, seating, name tags, recording,
refreshment)
FGD Implementation Phase

1. Beginning the session

2. The FGD Agenda

3. Closing the session

FGD Implementation Phase

Roles of the Facilitator

• Introduce the session.

• Encourage discussion.
• Encourage involvement.
• Control the timing.
• Synthesize/Summarize
at the end.
FGD Implementation Phase

Qualities of the Facilitator

• Familiarity with the discussion topic
• Ability to speak the language of the informants
• Cultural sensitivity: not acting as a judge/teacher,
does not look down on informants, not agreeing
or disagreeing with what is said, not putting
words in the informants’ mouth
• Genuine interest in people
• Gender sensitive
• Empathic, warm
• Respectful
• Mentally alert, free from distractions
• Able to listen and think at the same time
• Time management
 FGD Implementation Phase

Roles of the Recorder

• Date, time, and place

• Names and characteristics of the informants
• General description of the group dynamics
(level of participation, level of interest,
dominant/shy informants )
• Verbatim recording
• Emotional reactions
• Other important aspects of group interaction
FGD Implementation Phase

1. Beginning the session

• Introduce self.
• Give purpose of the session.
• Introduce informants to each other.
• Set the ground rules (Anonimity &
confidentiality)
FGD Implementation Phase

2. The FGD Agenda

• Warm-up questions
• Exploration questions
• Research questions
• Closing questions
FGD Implementation Phase

Types of Questions:

• Eliciting vs constricting
• Non-threatening vs intrusive
• Neutral vs leading
• Clear vs ambiguous
FGD Implementation Phase

Helpful probes (follow-up)

• Howcome?
• Tell me more...
• How did this idea come up?
• What brought you to that?
• Give some examples.
• Help me understand.
• What else?
• How is that for you?
• Can someone help ___ out?
• Suppose I am ... ... What would ... ...?
• Imagine you are the ... ..., how would ... ...?
FGD Implementation Phase

3 parts of the FG script:

• Opening spiel
• Questions
• Closing spiel
FGD Implementation Phase

3. Closing the session

This section wraps up the focus group.

This includes THANKING the participants,
giving them the opportunity and avenue
for further input, telling them how the data
will be used, and explaining when the
larger process will be completed.
FGD Analysis Phase

Analysis begins during the discussion:

•Listen for inconsistent comments and
probe for understanding
•Listen for vague or cryptic comments and
seek clarification
•Consider asking each participant a final
preference question
•Offer a summary of key questions and seek
confirmation
FGD Analysis Phase

Immediately after the focus group note

themes, hunches, interpretations and ideas.
Compare and contrast this focus group to
other groups, if appropriate. If required, the
entire discussion can be transcribed to
provide a complete record of the discussion
and facilitate analysis of the data.
FGD Analysis Phase

The aim of this analysis is to look for trends

and patterns that reappear within either a
single focus group or among various focus
groups. It is inappropriate to report the
results of focus groups by percentage
Rather, look for emerging themes by
question and then for the discussion overall.
Compare the words used to answer specific
questions, the emphasis or intensity of the’
comments, and the consistency of
comments and the specificity of responses.
FGD Analysis Phase

Conversation is the heart of the focus group.

However, qualitative techniques also
highlight what is not said—silence—as clues
to perspectives and world views, or
indicators of potentially sensitive areas.
FGD Reporting Phase

1. Transcribe the notes.

2. Summarize the notes.
3. Review the objectives. Review the notes.
4. Highlight key word/s.
5. Organize.
6. Analyze.
7. Synthesize.
8. Write. Re-write. Edit. Proofread.
9. Finalize the report.