Florida MAPP Field Guide
A Step-by-Step Approach to
Conducting a Focus Group
Below is a brief outline of the eight steps recommended in focus group
research. MAPP recommends the use of focus group resources or guidebooks
to ensure effective implementation.
1. Decide if focus groups are the right tool for you to get the
information you need. Focus groups are useful if the discussion among
participants will help provide insight, the group atmosphere will
stimulate honest response, the discussion can be limited to well-defined
topics, and the logistics can be managed.
2. Determine who should participate in your focus group(s). Consider
factors such as social class, life cycle, user and nonuser status, age,
culture, literacy/formal education, etc.
3. Draft a screening questionnaire to help recruit and place
participants.
4. Develop a topic guide. There are four primary stages of the focus
group discussion; the topic guide should follow this basic flow:
A. Introduction The moderator provides an overview of the goals of
the discussion and introductions are made. (Approximately 10 minutes.)
B. Rapport Building Stage Easily answered questions are asked to
encourage participants to begin talking and sharing. (Approximately 10
minutes.)
C. In-depth Discussion The moderator focuses on the main questions in
the topic guide, encouraging conversation that reveals participants
feelings and thoughts. (Approximately 60 minutes.)
D. Closure The moderator summarizes the impressions or conclusions
gathered and participants clarify, confirm or elaborate on the
information. (Approximately 10 minutes.)
5. Design forms for the moderator and note taker to use. The moderator
may want a summary sheet with a reminder of key information about
participants. The recorder (which all focus groups should have) can use
forms with the focus group questions on it or another option is a
two-column format organizing comments and quotes in one column and
observations and interpretations in the second.
6. Draft a self-evaluation form. The self-evaluation form can help the
moderator to improve his/her skills over time.
7. Practice a focus group discussion in advance so that everything will
run smoothly. Then, conduct the focus group(s), being sure to tape them so
that everything is captured.
8. Organize your notes for the focus group report. After conducting the
focus groups, the moderator and note-taker should review notes to fill
in gaps and ensure accurate and complete information has been gathered.
Keep a list of participants who were at the focus group sessions (i.e.,
have a sign-in sheet) so that you can keep them informed about next steps
and gather additional feedback.
References:
Academy for Educational Development. Skill-Building Guide for
Making Focus Groups Work . Washington, DC: 1995.
