05| B.

FOCUS GROUP
DISCUSSION
GUIDELINES

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05 |B. FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION • Participants should be encouraged to for pre-testing, pens, pencils, the
GUIDELINES speak freely. recording device and batteries.
• Participant information must be kept • The group should be representative of
Focus group discussions, or “FGDs” are a confidential, unless they agree one target audience – caretakers,
qualitative research method. During an FGD, a otherwise. When citing them in your teachers, health workers, or a sampling
researcher and assistant facilitates a discussion with report, describe them as opposed to of “the community” that can include a
a small group of people using pre-determined writing their name. For example, “a 45 mix of community representation. Take
questions. The aim is to gain insight into a groups’
attitudes, enablers and barriers to behaviour, years old seamstress said...” If they care, however, to select community
influencers, preferred channels of information, agree in the consent process, it’s ok to members who are equal in status to one
knowledge, attitude, and practices. FGDs are cite their first names. another, so they can speak freely.
normally conducted in the groups’ area of residence • There must be no consequences for • The focus group should be small – 6-12
in a comfortable location such as a home, community participants, whatever their views people.
centre, school, or café.
– for example, on their jobs, or access to • Schedule the FGD at a time that is
The FGD itself is a form of community engagement health services. convenient for the group. More people
and consultation, as it provides insights into a group’s • Be aware of and respect cultural norms will attend, and they will be more
views about problems and ideas for solutions. – e.g. women and men might not mix in focussed on the discussion if they don’t
one group, or need to sit on separate have conflicting appointments.
There are practical and ethical guidelines for FGDs, sides of the room. • Schedule several FGDs for a
and considerations for analysing the data.
representation of views if the

2. Practical considerations: geographic scope of the research is wide.
1. Ethical considerations: • The discussion should take about an
• Two researchers should be present – hour – if longer, people may lose energy
• Facilitators must treat all participants one to interact with the group, ask and interest.
with courtesy and respect. questions and make notes and one to • Provide some refreshments and if
thoroughly record answers by hand, and culturally expected, a small incentive -
• Facilitators must explain the nature of
on a recording device for accuracy. for example, a small payment or token,
the research, why it is occurring and
what will happen with the results. • The researchers should be trained and such as a t-shirt, for participation.
fully versed on the contents of the • Know the participants - in your notes,
• FGD members must be allowed to ask
questionnaire. record the community, the number of
questions before and during the
research. • Researchers should be good listeners, people present, their role in the
and remain neutral on issues. community, their occupations, family
• All participants must give consent.
• Researchers should speak the local information and any other relevant
Ideally this should be written consent.
language, or have a trusted translator information.
Caretakers should sign consent for
minors. present. • Ask open-ended questions as much as
• Have materials ready for the duration of possible, which give people a chance to
• Participants are volunteers, and must
field work - sufficient copies of the speak. They include openings such as
have the option to stop their
questionnaire, communication materials “What do you think of”, “Why do you
participation at any point in the
believe that”, “What are people saying”,
discussion.

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as opposed to “Yes or No” questions groups. “Most people agreed that…” or immunization services, back to the
such as “Do you think…” “Most people felt that…” group.
• Probe with follow-up questions if you • Select quotes for the report from
need more information. individuals that represent the group.
• Ask a closing question such as “do you For example, “My husband listens only
have more to add”, which allows group to the religious leader, who doesn’t
members to give additional views. believe in vaccines,” -32 years old
• Let people speak – if the group begins mother of three; or “I have too much
discussing amongst members, allow work, and not enough time for outreach
them some time to do this before visits,” – 37-year old health worker.
bringing them to the next question. • Watch for outliers in the group -
• Ensure everyone has a chance to speak - comments that don’t align with the
sometimes one person may want to group views, that may indicate a small
dominate the conversation. Watch for but important problem.
visual cues from people- hands up, • If there was no clear pattern, report it.
appearing frustrated with a dominant “There were several different views on
speaker, trying to get your attention the issue. They included: ….”
through eye contact – and give them a o Note that if there were no clear
chance to speak. patterns, it will be more complex to
• Follow up and schedule FGDs after the design a communication strategy or
communication activities have been may indicate a problem with the
implemented, as a way to measure focus group sampling methodology.
whether the intervention has had an • Report the changes and solutions the
impact. group wants to see: For example, a
preference for better coordination on
3. Analysing and reporting the information: outreach services; or for more
convenient days for RI sessions, or more
• Clearly transcribe all of the interviews advance notice about supplementary
and use the same coding tools for all. immunization activities.
• Keep clear, logical folders and records. • Triangulate the information with other
• Remove any identifying data from data sources – such as the key informant
transcripts that will be shared outside interviews, to draw a clear picture of the
the research group (names, specific issues and potential solutions.
titles). • Use the group’s suggestions to shape
• FGDs provide qualitative data, so look the communication plan.
for and compile general patterns in the • Report the findings, and critically, what
responses from within, and across you will be doing with them to improve