REAS 3001 Focus Group Assignment

REAS 3001 Focus Group Assignment

Groups: Self-selected groups of approx. 8 or 9

Purpose: To follow the focus group process and ultimately understand how qualitative data is gathered, analyzed and used to answer a research question.

Topic: Student insight into the HHRO program

• Your experiences
• Your thoughts on the program
• Suggestions for change/improvements – courses, structure, etc.

Part 1 – Moderator Guide Assignment 10% (15 marks) DUE Aug 3

Include:

• 2-3 pages in Word – Double spaced
• Title page (not included in page count) with all team names
• References (not included in page count)

Title Page (3 marks)

Background of the topic (minimum 1⁄2 a page)

• About the topic/company
• Motivation for inquiry
• 1-2 sources referred to in the background – no journal required

Research Question – 2 marks

From the problem develop a research question – see HHRO topic above. What do we want to find out?

Questions for moderator guide – 10 marks

• 3 Sections – Introductory, General, Specific
• All questions should be developed to answer research question (approx. 10)
• Questions should be enough to facilitate discussion for 30-35 minutes (allowing for other discussions to occur)
• See examples and tips from class.
• Also, check videos posted in Week 12 for ideas

Choose a facilitator and a recorder from each group. Name them on the Moderator Guide

Part 2 – Participation in Focus Group Week 13 (August 5) during class

1. Facilitators and recorders will conduct a focus group with a different group – using the moderator guide they created with their original group. (30 minutes)
   • See roles of facilitator and recorder as discussed in class.
   • Use of phone recording is allowed in case you need to clarify a point
2. Facilitators and recorders return to group that created the moderator guide and debrief them on the notes and how the session went (10 minutes)
3. Brief class discussion on thoughts of focus group process (5 minutes)
4. Everyone must sign in at beginning of class and out at end to earn marks.

Part 3 – Analysis and Presentation Creation – in class after focus groups

The second hour of class on Aug 5 will be allocated to data analysis and creating a PPT.

1. Analyze the data using content analysis just as you did with comments from the survey
2. Review the data collected from the focus group and put together some thoughts to share with the class on the findings and conclusions (try to answer the research question). See requirements for the PowerPoint below
3. What are common/repeated themes and ideas? We don’t have time to do a full transcription and coding but did you hear patterns?

• Only members of the group in class to help with the analysis and presentation preparation will be eligible to participate in the presentation.

Part 4 – PPT Presentation 10% (20 marks) In-class on Aug 5

In the third hour in Week 13 each group will have 10 minutes to share with the class. Create a PPT for the following points:

• Introduce your topic
• Overview your moderator guide
• Overview how your session went – challenges and successes
• Overview your findings
• Highlight some conclusions/recommendations
• Summarize your group thoughts on the focus group process and as a research  method
• All group members must contribute

Due to the large group sizes there is no written report requirement. Instead, we will share our findings in presentations in class as noted above. Please create a PowerPoint highlighting the points noted above and upload it to the second link in Week 13.