Understanding Focus Group Discussions in Qualitative Research

 
Focus Group Discussion
 
Dr Muhammad Ibrar
 
Meaning & Definition
 
 
A Focus Group Discussion (or FGD) is a qualitative
research method in the social sciences, with a
particular emphasis and application in the
developmental program evaluation area.
 
FGDs are a predetermined semi-structured
interview led by a skilled moderator. The
moderator asks broad questions to draw
responses and generate discussion among the
participants. The moderator’s goal is to generate
the maximum amount of discussion and opinions
within a given time period.
 
Definition
 
 
A focus group discussion is a structured
discussion used to obtain in-depth
information (qualitative data - insight) from a
group of people about a particular topic. The
purpose of a focus group is to collect
information about people’s opinions, beliefs,
attitudes, perceptions, not to come to
consensus or make a decision.
 
…Contd.
 
 
The aim of the FGD is to facilitate interaction and
thereby produce, via snowballing of thoughts,
deeper insights.
 
FGDs provide information on a group/community
level. The strength of an FGD is the forum it
creates for discussion between participants, thus
obtain new ideas and explanations, which would
not have come up during an individual or a
household interview.
 
FGDs Design
 
1.
Specific objectives of FGDs: 
which themes will they be
covering and for which purpose.
2.
Location, number & timing of FGDs:
a. Venue?
b. Time?
c. When?
3. 
Composition of FGDs:
a.
Participants selection, e.g. which different target groups
will be covered?
b.
Type of FGD will be categorized according to Age, Gender
 
 
and diversity criteria
 
 
Facilitator
 
 
An FGD facilitator, who is responsible for
introducing the FGD to all participants, guiding
the discussions, facilitating participation,
ensuring that the most important topics are
covered considering the time available, and
finally closing the discussion.
 
Note Taker
 
 
A note taker, who is responsible for capturing
the discussion, and later on elaborating on the
notes and turning them into an electronic
version. A recording device can be used by the
note-taker (not as replacement to the note
taking, but as complementary), in which case,
participants should always be informed and
asked for permission.
 
Role of Facilitator
 
a. Be neutral: 
Do not convey your own
perceptions (neither directly nor indirectly
though questions) and do not correct the
informants, as there are no right or wrong
answers. Even if someone says something
which factually is wrong, leave it up to the
group to correct, if they see it fit (factually
wrong data are also data).
 
…Contd.
 
b. Be patient: 
do not finish people’s sentences
and do not interrupt. Leave as much silence
and pause as is needed for the group to think.
c. Do not guess: 
ask for clarifications whenever
needed, do not guess what was meant if you
are not sure.
d. Clarify terminology: 
make sure that all
participants have a common understanding of
any terms or phrases coming up.
 
…Contd.
 
e. Probe (Search): 
when necessary, ask participants
to elaborate and encourage views by more
people (e.g. could you better explain in more
detail? Can you give us an example? Anyone sees
things differently? Does anyone have a different
experience to share?)
f. Stay curious: 
after having facilitated the first
many FGDs, do not presume you know what will
be said in future discussions. That would delay
capturing and pursuing new things coming up,
and you will only document what you expect to
hear.
 
…Contd.
 
g. Facilitate participation: 
attempt to include all
participants in the discussion, e.g. direct
questions to individuals, who are not talking, and
mix away from others, who are too talkative, by
involving the whole group again.
h. Do no harm: 
keep in mind ethical consideration
when bringing up sensitive topics. If a discussion
is judged to be hurtful for some or will create
problems after the FGD is finished, avoid further
pursuing of the issue.
 
…Contd.
 
i.
Coordinate with the note taker: 
make sure
the pace of the discussion is aligned with the
note taker; the discussion is not worth much
if not documented properly.
j. Guide the interpreter: 
in case you use an
interpreter, make sure that the person is well
informed on the methodology, the topics,
the terminology and aim of the FGD, as well
as interpretation guidelines.
 
ELEMENTS OF A GOOD FOCUS GROUP
DISCUSSION
 
The followings are the basic elements of a good
focus group discussion:
 
1. Group size 
– keep it small Focus groups are
usually pretty small to allow participation
from all members. One study says that the
recommended number of people per group is
usually six to ten but some groups go as high
as fifteen.
 
…Contd.
 
2. 
Time – keep it short:
 
 Researchers generally agree on fixing a period of 1 ½
to 2 hours. This time allows for discussion but also
accounts for potential tiredness that can set in with
longer sessions.
3. 
Location/set-up: 
A room, with comfortable chairs, in
which people sitting around a table can talk and keep
visual contact with each other is considered good
enough to develop a discussion”. To avoid negative or
positive associations with a particular site, building, or
location, however, neutral locations can be helpful.
 
…Contd.
 
4. 
Group composition - staying focused: 
The
main composition issue with focus groups is
that the members have the defined
characteristics that the research requires. So
for at least one criterion the group is
homogenous, but may not be in many other
ways. Diversity in the group is desirable as
extremely homogenous groups may produce
unneeded discussion.
 
…Contd.
 
5. 
Design – good planning required:  
The good design will
include not just attention to the framing of the
questions but also to strategies and tools for triggering
good discussions, such as using scenarios, case
histories, visualization exercises and other methods.
The design will also allow for time for check ins, ground
rules, possible breaks, as well as time for the consent
forms and other logistics. The design phase will also
consider issues such as childcare, and food. If there are
focus groups being conducted in multiple languages or
if there will be translation, these issues are addressed
in the design phase.
 
…Contd.
 
6. Facilitation process: 
Focus group moderating requires skills and
knowledge of the topic. There are processes in the planning/design
that can aid facilitation but a good facilitator should “be at least
capable of creating a relaxes atmosphere in which people can freely
talk”.
7. Ethics 
– Focus groups are a form of social science research and face
the same ethical issues of most other social science methods. All
participants must sign a consent form, and that form should be
clear about the scope and intent of the project and the right of
participants to withdraw. During the focus groups only first names
should be used. While the confidentially by the research team
should be assured, there is no way to control the confidentially by
the participants. Participants should be encouraged to keep the
content of the focus group confidential but there is no way to
enforce this practice. It must be clear that participants cannot be
guaranteed to have confidentially.
 
…Contd.
 
8. Recording data: 
Focus groups are recorded in
some way, and “audio recording is usually
considered less disturbing than video recording
or another persons direct observation”.
Sometimes a separate note-taker is used though
a second person can act as a possible influence
on participants.
9. After focus group: 
Data should be labeled with
time, date and location of the focus group and
compiled always according to the research
design.
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Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is a qualitative research method that involves a structured discussion among a group of participants led by a skilled moderator. The aim is to gather insights, opinions, and consensus on a specific topic. FGDs facilitate interaction, generate new ideas, and offer deeper insights not easily obtained through individual interviews. This method involves designing specific objectives, selecting participants based on criteria like age and gender, and appointing a facilitator and note-taker to guide and document discussions, respectively.


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  1. Focus Group Discussion Dr Muhammad Ibrar

  2. Meaning & Definition A Focus Group Discussion (or FGD) is a qualitative research method in the social sciences, with a particular emphasis and application in the developmental program evaluation area. FGDs are a predetermined interview led by a skilled moderator. The moderator asks broad responses and generate discussion among the participants. The moderator s goal is to generate the maximum amount of discussion and opinions within a given time period. semi-structured questions to draw

  3. Definition A focus group discussion is a structured discussion used to information (qualitative data - insight) from a group of people about a particular topic. The purpose of a focus group is to collect information about people s opinions, beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, consensus or make a decision. obtain in-depth not to come to

  4. Contd. The aim of the FGD is to facilitate interaction and thereby produce, via snowballing of thoughts, deeper insights. FGDs provide information on a group/community level. The strength of an FGD is the forum it creates for discussion between participants, thus obtain new ideas and explanations, which would not have come up during an individual or a household interview.

  5. FGDs Design 1. Specific objectives of FGDs: which themes will they be covering and for which purpose. 2. Location, number & timing of FGDs: a. Venue? b. Time? c. When? 3. Composition of FGDs: a. Participants selection, e.g. which different target groups will be covered? b. Type of FGD will be categorized according to Age, Gender and diversity criteria

  6. Facilitator An FGD facilitator, who is responsible for introducing the FGD to all participants, guiding the discussions, facilitating ensuring that the most important topics are covered considering the time available, and finally closing the discussion. participation,

  7. Note Taker A note taker, who is responsible for capturing the discussion, and later on elaborating on the notes and turning them into an electronic version. A recording device can be used by the note-taker (not as replacement to the note taking, but as complementary), in which case, participants should always be informed and asked for permission.

  8. Role of Facilitator a. Be neutral: Do not convey your own perceptions (neither directly nor indirectly though questions) and do not correct the informants, as there are no right or wrong answers. Even if someone says something which factually is wrong, leave it up to the group to correct, if they see it fit (factually wrong data are also data).

  9. Contd. b. Be patient: do not finish people s sentences and do not interrupt. Leave as much silence and pause as is needed for the group to think. c. Do not guess: ask for clarifications whenever needed, do not guess what was meant if you are not sure. d. Clarify terminology: make sure that all participants have a common understanding of any terms or phrases coming up.

  10. Contd. e. Probe (Search): when necessary, ask participants to elaborate and encourage views by more people (e.g. could you better explain in more detail? Can you give us an example? Anyone sees things differently? Does anyone have a different experience to share?) f. Stay curious: after having facilitated the first many FGDs, do not presume you know what will be said in future discussions. That would delay capturing and pursuing new things coming up, and you will only document what you expect to hear.

  11. Contd. g. Facilitate participation: attempt to include all participants in the questions to individuals, who are not talking, and mix away from others, who are too talkative, by involving the whole group again. h. Do no harm: keep in mind ethical consideration when bringing up sensitive topics. If a discussion is judged to be hurtful for some or will create problems after the FGD is finished, avoid further pursuing of the issue. discussion, e.g. direct

  12. Contd. i. Coordinate with the note taker: make sure the pace of the discussion is aligned with the note taker; the discussion is not worth much if not documented properly. j. Guide the interpreter: in case you use an interpreter, make sure that the person is well informed on the methodology, the topics, the terminology and aim of the FGD, as well as interpretation guidelines.

  13. ELEMENTS OF A GOOD FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION The followings are the basic elements of a good focus group discussion: 1. Group size keep it small Focus groups are usually pretty small to allow participation from all members. One study says that the recommended number of people per group is usually six to ten but some groups go as high as fifteen.

  14. Contd. 2. Time keep it short: Researchers generally agree on fixing a period of 1 to 2 hours. This time allows for discussion but also accounts for potential tiredness that can set in with longer sessions. 3. Location/set-up: A room, with comfortable chairs, in which people sitting around a table can talk and keep visual contact with each other is considered good enough to develop a discussion . To avoid negative or positive associations with a particular site, building, or location, however, neutral locations can be helpful.

  15. Contd. 4. Group composition - staying focused: The main composition issue with focus groups is that the members characteristics that the research requires. So for at least one criterion the group is homogenous, but may not be in many other ways. Diversity in the group is desirable as extremely homogenous groups may produce unneeded discussion. have the defined

  16. Contd. 5. Design good planning required: The good design will include not just attention to the framing of the questions but also to strategies and tools for triggering good discussions, such as using scenarios, case histories, visualization exercises and other methods. The design will also allow for time for check ins, ground rules, possible breaks, as well as time for the consent forms and other logistics. The design phase will also consider issues such as childcare, and food. If there are focus groups being conducted in multiple languages or if there will be translation, these issues are addressed in the design phase.

  17. Contd. 6. Facilitation process: Focus group moderating requires skills and knowledge of the topic. There are processes in the planning/design that can aid facilitation but a good facilitator should be at least capable of creating a relaxes atmosphere in which people can freely talk . 7. Ethics Focus groups are a form of social science research and face the same ethical issues of most other social science methods. All participants must sign a consent form, and that form should be clear about the scope and intent of the project and the right of participants to withdraw. During the focus groups only first names should be used. While the confidentially by the research team should be assured, there is no way to control the confidentially by the participants. Participants should be encouraged to keep the content of the focus group confidential but there is no way to enforce this practice. It must be clear that participants cannot be guaranteed to have confidentially.

  18. Contd. 8. Recording data: Focus groups are recorded in some way, and audio recording is usually considered less disturbing than video recording or another persons Sometimes a separate note-taker is used though a second person can act as a possible influence on participants. 9. After focus group: Data should be labeled with time, date and location of the focus group and compiled always according to the research design. direct observation .

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