Using focus groups for research involves creating an atmosphere that invites honest feedback through open-ended questions and engagement between participants. It is important to have clearly defined objectives for the types of questions, words, and correlations being examined, as well as the methodology for analysis and tools used. Objectives should be made simple, singular, linear, and focused for both participants and analysts. The research should be customized through unique collection, analysis, presentation, and reporting methods. Finally, focus groups must be moderated by experienced, objective, and intuitive individuals so the client receives clear answers and recommendations based on the data.

1. Using Focus Groups for Research T M Stafford, LLC @tmstaffordllc #tmsllc

2. Consensus Gathering Processes

3. What is a Focus Group?

4. The Infrastructure of a Focus Group

5. Organizing the Focus Group

6. Friendly Key Point: Create an atmosphere that invites feedback and honest verbal exchange. Get people talking Allow for engagement Use open-ended/drawing questions Keep everything open-minded A key here is the moderator! This is true even if you are using technology

7. Organized Key Point: Know your objectives and define your collection and analysis methodologies What questions do you want answers? What key words (good or bad) are you looking for? What correlations are you concerned about? How will you analyze the information? What tool(s) will you use? What is the schedule?

8. Clear Key Point: Be clear about what your objectives are to the participants and to the data analystists Make objectives simple Make objectives singular Make objectives linear Make objectives focused

9. Unique Key Point: Make the research unique or customized in some way Unique in collection methodologies Unique in analysis methodologies Unique in participant care Unique in reporting mechanism Unique in presentation

10. Solvent Key Point: Complete this project so that the client gets answers The objectives were clearly met The data is clearly understood The trends are clearly delineated The recommendations make sense in light of the data and trends

11. Moderators It is crucial that moderators are: Disconnected Experienced Clear about objectives and project plan Intuitive

12. Summary

13. We are here to help Tim Stafford Instructional Design and Research Expert tmstafford@ruinstitute.com Office: 407 703 1319 Cell: 352 552 0939 Twitter: @tmstaffordllc Web: www.ruinstitute.com