Focus Group Design and Moderation

Description:

Introduction/Overview

This two-day live online course provides participants with an in depth understanding of focus groups as qualitative research method including their principles, how to effectively design and run focus groups, and how to how to prepare for analysis and writing up of focus group data. Crucially, it covers moderation skills for different group dynamics and challenging participants, and provides participants with the opportunity to practice their moderation skills via practical group activities including mock focus groups. The course will be useful for social researchers who intend to run focus groups and/or would like to revisit their moderation skills.

Day 1 focuses on the principles of focus groups, benefits and limitations, sampling and composition, discussion guide design and questioning techniques, as well as suggestions for focusing activities and stimulus material. We also consider methodological, practical and ethical aspects of designing face-to-face or online focus groups.

Day 2 focuses on effective moderation skills and group dynamics, different types of participant (including how to deal with challenging participants and sensitive issues), note-taking, and how to prepare for analysis and writing up of focus group data. It also provides participants with the opportunity to practice their moderation skills in mock focus groups online.

Looking for something more introductory? We also offer a 1-day focus group course, Introduction to Focus Groups. Take a look to see if the next date is on sale, or email training@the-sra.org.uk to enquire about future dates.

Topics

• The principles, benefits and limitations of focus groups
• Sampling and composition
• Face-to-face and online focus groups
• Designing a focus group discussion guide
• Questioning techniques
• Examples of focusing activities and stimulus material
• Effective moderation skills and note-taking
• Types of participant and group dynamics
• Challenging groups and sensitive topics
• Practicing moderation skills in mock focus groups online
• Preparing for the analysis and write up of focus group data

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Have an understanding of the benefits and limitations of focus groups as method;
• Be able to assess situations and contexts in which focus groups are an effective method;
• Be aware of the issues involved in the effective design, conduct and organisation of focus groups (i.e. recruitment, sampling, and group composition);
• Have experience of designing a discussion guide and questions;
• Have knowledge of how to take notes in focus groups;
• Have practical experience of moderating a focus group and/or of being a participant or note-taker in a focus group;
• Have experience of asking questions, probing and listening as moderator in a focus group;
• Have knowledge of techniques for dealing with difficult groups and sensitive topics;
• Be aware of issues involved when moving to analysis and write up of focus group data.

Who will benefit?

This foundation course will be of value to social researchers who are new to the focus group method. It will also be beneficial for researchers who wish to update their skills in designing focus groups and/or moderating focus groups. It is also designed to support those who need to know what to look for when commissioning good quality research. Participants come from diverse academic and policy backgrounds and very diverse topic areas. Some knowledge of qualitative research or attendance on an introductory qualitative methods course is advisable.

Course tutor

Dr Karen Lumsden is a social scientist, consultant, coach and trainer in qualitative methods. She is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Aberdeen. Karen has over 20 years’ experience of delivering qualitative methods training to social researchers, academics and doctoral students. She has delivered training at universities including Aberdeen, Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff, Kingston, and Loughborough, and for a range of clients including the Social Research Association, NHS, charities, government departments, police organisations, and research consultancies. She also delivers methods training for the European Consortium for Political Research and is on the Editorial Board of Qualitative Research.

This course contributes 6 hours to the MRS CPD programme

Cost:

£360 for SRA members, £470 for non-members

Website and registration:

Register for this course

Region:

International

Keywords:

Frameworks for Research and Research Designs, Data Collection, Data Quality and Data Management , Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Mixed Methods Data Handling and Data Analysis, ICT and Software, Research Management and Impact, Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination

Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:

Frameworks for Research and Research Designs
Data Collection
Data Quality and Data Management
Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Mixed Methods Data Handling and Data Analysis
ICT and Software
Research Management and Impact
Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination

Back to the training database