Interviews and Focus Groups

Miriam Segura-Totten

July 23, 2015Adapted from a presentation by Dr. Christine Pribbenow

Interviews:Definition

A series of well-chosen questions designed to elicit a portrait of a student's understanding about a scientific concept or set of related concepts (Southerland, Smith & Cummins, 2000).

Set of questions--"probes” to elicit a portrait of the learner's understanding about a specific concept/topic. Student may be asked to use her own words to explain a concept. Typically the student is also asked to use that concept to solve a problem or other application task.

Interviews:Purpose

How well does a student understand a concept?

Identify misconceptions/confusion/gaps in understanding a phenomenon.

How does students apply their knowledge in concrete settings (like problem solving)?

Document the general and content-specific procedures that students employ in application tasks.

Obtain verbal feedback from students about course structure, teaching techniques and other aspects of the course or program of instruction.

Focus Groups:Definition and Purpose

A moderated discussion about specific topics on which stakeholder or customer feedback is desired.

A carefully planned discussion designed to obtain perceptions on a defined area of interest in a permissive, nonthreatening environment.

The discussion is comfortable and often enjoyable for participants as they share their ideas and perceptions. Group members influence each other.

Interviewees/Participants

Stakeholders– people who care about the outcome of the group.

Participants– “informed subjects”– individuals who have had experience with, or can speak to, the topic you are concerned with.

Customers– people who may use the “product” of interest.

Focus Group or Interview?

Setting Up Determine purpose and goal of conducting

interview/focus group. Identify participants. Write script and questions, most important

first. Get IRB approval if necessary. Schedule place/time– location needs. Invite participants, remind before. Conduct interviews/group!

Interviews:Methods

Discuss informed consent.

Explain process and outcomes of the interviews.

Introduce selves– first names.

Ask questions– provide adequate time and silence for people to respond.

Ask clarifying questions, if necessary.

Stay on task and on time.

Focus Group:Methods

Discuss informed consent and limitations (cannot ensure anonymity or confidentiality).

Explain process and outcomes of the focus groups.

Introduce selves– first names.

Ask questions– provide adequate time and silence for people to participate.

Be sure to get dissenting opinions.

Stay on task and on time.

Data Collection and Analysis

“Digitally capture” interview/focus group either audio or video.

Take notes– during and after– about questions asked, new questions asked, observations of the participants.

Transcribe digital recordings. Conduct qualitative analysis, based on

questions and purpose of group.

How might you use interviews or focus groups to answer your research

question?

References and Resources

The Wilder Nonprofit Guide to Conducting Successful Focus Groups, J.S. Simon, 1999, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.

Facilitator Tool Kit, Office of Quality Improvement, UW-Madison, 2007.

Discipline-Based Education Research: A Scientist’s Guide, Slater, S.J., Slater, T.F., and Bailey, J.M., 2010, WH Freeman.

Interview Information (FLAG site):http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/archive/cl1/flag/cat/catframe.htm

ERIC/AE Staff (1997). Designing structured interviews for educational research. Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 5(12).http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=5&n=12