Topic, Focus Groups 2011,

7/29/2019 Topic, Focus Groups 2011,

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FOCUS GROUPS

in Local Legislation


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At the end of this session, we should be able to:

Define what are focus groups?

Enumerate the Advantages of using focusgroups?

Enumerate the common steps in conductingfocus groups?

Objectives


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Among the tools of effective governance are beingconsultative and participatory.

- Committee hearings

- Public hearings

- Interviews

- Focus groups

The legislative cycle


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Focus groups provides a venue to

understand the opinions and

reactions of the different

stakeholders in relation to an

existing and new or alternativepolicies.


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What are the common steps in

conducting focus groups?I. PLANNING PHASE

(CONCEPTUALIZATION PHASE)

a. Identify the objectives of conducting a focusgroup session

b. Develop questions to be asked during the

focus group session

c. Identify and select participants to the focusgroup session


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What are the common steps in

conducting focus groups?

II. CONDUCTING PHASE

(BRAINSTORMING PHASE)

III. ANALYZING AND PRESENTINGRESULTS


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a. Identify the objectives of conducting the focusgroup session.

What do we want to attain at the end of thefocus group session?

I. Planning Phase

Consider information needs: who will use it? What

information is needed? Why is it needed?


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b. Develop questions to be asked during thefocus group session

What should we ask our participants?

Before conducting focus groups, give thoughtto the questions or topics to be discussed -

five to six questions

I. Planning Phase


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c. Identify and select participants to the focusgroup

Selecting participants is critically important.

I. Planning Phase

PURPOSIVE SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

- Social and cultural groups

- Gender- Age

- Government, non-government, privatesectors


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SIZE AND NUMBER OF GROUPS

- Too few participants per group fewer thanfour limits the discussion, while too many

more than ten

restricts the time forparticipants to contribute.

IDEALLY

6 to 10 members per group - 3 to 5 groups

I. Planning Phase


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STEPS:

1. Call your potential participants and obtaintheir commitment.

2. Send them a follow-up invitation with theproposed agenda, session time and anoverview on what the group will be discussing.

I. Planning Phase


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STEPS:

3. About three days before the session, calleach member to remind them to attend.

I. Planning Phase


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a. Scheduling/Time availability - Plan meetings tobe 1 to 1.5 hours long.

b. Venue - Hold sessions in a conference room, orother setting with adequate air flow andlighting.

Additional Checklist


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c. Seat Plan - Configure chairs so that allmembers can see each other.

d. IDs - Provide name tags for members, as well.

e. Snacks/Lunch - Provide refreshments,especially box lunches if the session is held

over lunch.

Alcohol should never be provided.



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f. Ground Rules - It's critical that all membersparticipate as much as possible, yet thesession move along while generating usefulinformation.



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g. Agenda - Consider the following agenda:

1. Welcome

2. Review of agenda3. Review of goal of the meeting

4. Review of ground rules

5. Introductions

6. Questions and Answers

7. Wrap up/Closing the Agenda

Always carry out the agenda!!!


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h. Recording - Plan to record the session witheither an audio or audio-video recorder.



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II. Conducting Phase

The Focus Group

1. Focus Group Facilitator or Moderator

2. The Secretary / Note-taker3. The Group Members


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1. Focus Group Facilitator or Moderator

Moderators play a key role in the success of

focus groups.

Moderators should have characteristics thatare similar to participants and be skilled in

group processes.

The major goal of facilitation is tocollect useful information to meet the

goal of meeting.


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The Focus Group

2. The Secretary / Note-taker

To gain some confidence and familiarity withthe process, a less experienced researchermight initially take the role of note-taker while

a more experienced researcher takes the roleof moderator.


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III. Analyzing and Presenting Results

1. Transcribing the audio-recording.

When a detailed comparison of groups is to be

undertaken full transcripts may be necessary.

2. Ensure the quality of the transcripts byreading and rereading the transcripts.


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3. Margin Coding

4. Summarize all main points/observations and

identify central themes/key words.

5. Prepare your proposed resolution or ordinancebased on the data gathered and summarized.


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Analysis begins during the first focus group.

- Kruger

Since there is always a richness of material,analyzing focus group discussions can be astime-consuming as it is interesting.


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Advantages of using Focus Groups Takes advantage of the fact that people

naturally interact and are influenced by others.

Provide data more quickly and at lower costthan if individuals interviewed separately;groups can be assembled on shorter notice.


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Advantages of using Focus Groups Generally requires less preparation and is

comparatively easy to conduct.

Researcher can interact directly withrespondents (allows clarification, follow-upquestions, probing).


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Advantages of using Focus Groups Very flexible; can be used with wide range of

topics, individuals, and settings.

Results are easy to understand.


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IV. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

END.

Documents

Topic, Focus Groups 2011,