Focus Group Discussion

January 5, 2015 [FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION (FGD)]

[Summery on “FGD in Training”] Page 1

Chapter 1

1. Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

1.1 Introduction:

FGD is a ‘participatory training approach’.

Trainers (Facilitator) try to involve the participants (Trainee) from the 1st stage of

curriculum development to end stage of evaluation of a training program or course.

The procedure can be differ from the trainer – to – trainer as well as organization – to –

organization.

The main objective of FGD is to make the participants –

o Unfold,

o Self – driven learner,

o Focusing into the idea.

FGD is a method of qualitative research and being used by many development

practitioners and social scientists.

1.2 Genesis of Focus Group Discussion (FGD):

It is a qualitative research to gather information from a homogeneous group of people.

In qualitative research, it is necessary to extract people’s -

o Feeling,

o Attitudes,

o Perceptions,

o Reactions and

o Emotions.

FGD is apparent at large scale of social research varies rapidly and widely.

Main purpose of the FGD is to collect qualitative information that can cover -

o Human needs,

o Feelings,

o Opinions, etc.

There is no proper guideline to establish FGD as a training method for session conduction

as we perceive.

Table -1: Chronological use of FGD

Year Place By

1931 USA Stuatr A. Rice

1938 USA F.A. Roethlisberger and W.J.Dicson.

1941 USA Paul Lazarsfeld and Robert Merton

1942 USA Carl R. Rogers

1956 USA Robert K. Metron, Marjorie Fiske and

Patricea L. Kendoll.



1.3 What is FGD?

This is a social research method to gather qualitative information from a homogeneous

group to address particular issue.

No specific questionnaire is to be used to collect information rather a guideline is to be

followed to conduct an FGD session.

Researcher asks one question and tries to elicit hardnosed information through the

interactions and discussions within the group and after arrival at a consensus the

facilitator raise another relevant question and so on.

1.4 Differences between traditional and FGD method

Subject Traditional Method FGD Method

Pattern Normal Group Discussion Special type of Group will present

here. It will depend upon the

purpose, size, composition and

procedures.

Member Number Maximum group members will

present here. Members will be

familiar to each other.

8 – 12 members will present here.

Members will be unfamiliar to each

other.

Press the

participants

Press participants to vote, plan or

reach consensus.

Do not press participants to vote,

plan and reach consensus.

Methods Traditional information gathering

method.

Specified method is used here.

Questionnaire Predetermined questionnaire. No structured questionnaire.

Characteristics of

choice

Limited choice for respondents. Open choice.

Persons

Characteristics

Individuals know how they feel. Group knows how they feel.

Opinion formation Individuals form opinion. Groups from opinion.

Outcome Right answers from respondent. No right or wrong answers, rather a

lot of suggestions.

1.5 The characteristics of FGD

o Particular Numbers of people

o Who will be focused?

o How many people will be focused? For Data collection.

o People of same characteristic

o Determine people of who are of same characteristics.

o Number of groups can be formed.

o Can be cross checked with other groups.

o Possibility to gather expected information:

o According to objectives, data is to be collected to address specific problems.

o Objective should be specific:

o Objective should be well defined by the researcher.



1.6 Steps of conducting FGD

For conducting the Focus Group Discussion (FGD), there are some steps –

o Setting Objective:

o Firstly, determine the objective.

o Objective should be specific, well defined, etc.

o The participant / group members – they must have clear idea.

o Formulation of guideline:

o FGD does not allow preparing any structured questions.

o But a guideline has to follow for systematic and pragmatic discussion.

o It helps conducting the session properly.

o Rigidity should be avoided.

o Flexibility will cover the untouched and ongoing discussion issues which the

participants may raise spontaneously and those may be substantial and

important in the discussion.

o Group selection

o Group members should be homogeneous.

o This is an important issue for FGD.

o Venue selection:

o It is a pre-requisite for conduction of any session.

o Venue should be –

Threatening free,

Noise free,

Free from any outside fracas and

Environmentally sound.

o Seating arrangement should be comfortable.

o Refreshment should be arranged.

o The group members can be seat in U shape sitting arrangement and half

circle.

o Facilitator will set before them.

o The recorder will sit out side of the circle.

o The observer will sit on a place that where from he / she can observe each and

every interaction within the group.

o It is important to make the group members understood that the facilitation

team is also a part of total group.

o Duration of session:

o It would not be more than one hour.

o Maximum one and a half hour.

o Maximum duration of FGD session could be boring to participants.

o Minimum duration may not be helpful to produce optimum data.

o Conduction of session:

o It is very important to haul out expected data.

o The role of the facilitator and recorder should be clear to all.

o Before conducting session FGD sessions, they should be trained up.

o Session conductor should be well equipped and streamlined by the method she



/ he should take the responsibility of facilitator.

o Formation of facilitation team:

o At least three people are needed to form the facilitation team.

o It may vary with respect to some situations –

Surrounding situation

Group attitude

Objectives / other factors

o In the facilitation team –

First one can act as a facilitator,

Second one act as a reporter and

Third one act as an organizer of the group.

Figure – 1: steps of conducting FGD

Setting objectives

Formulation of guidelines

Group selection

Venue selection

Duration of session

Formation of facilitation team

Data processing

Preparation of report

1.7 Types of FGD

There are two types in FGD –

I. Organized:

o Group members will be informed.

o Objectives will be informed.

o Group members will decide the time and venue.

II. Spontaneous

o Investigator will determine his objectives.

o He will go to relevant area.

o Gather information to achieve his / her objectives.

1.8 The size of (FGD) group

o It should not be less than 5 and not more than 10 in a group.

o 8 persons is the magic size of group. (Average)



1.9 The importance of group size

o If number of persons exceeds 8, then suitable venue and convenient time is difficult to

manage.

o It is also difficult to conduct the session smoothly.

o The group size should not be exceeding 8 persons.

1.10 What problem with a large group?

o Sneaky tendency among the group members.

o Everyone cannot enjoy the whole session in same way.

o Difficult to manage convenient time.

o Loose interest in long run.

o Some cultural problem, such as – junior cannot give opinion in front of senior.

1.11 What is a homogeneous group?

Some properties related homogeneous group, such as –

Same sex:

o The members of the group should have same sex.

The level of age:

o Age group should be same.

Professional background:

o Profession can be taken into consideration.

Same cultural background:

o This criterion will give better result.

A team of same goals, objectives and initiatives:

o These criteria sometimes make a group homogeneous.

Socio – economic status:

o It is sometime considered as important criteria for homogeneous group.

Same community or geographical area or nature:

o It is important for homogeneous group.

Same religion:


Same habit people:


1.12 Questionnaire or discussion guide:

o It is preferable using the term ‘question guide’ to ‘discussion guide’

1.13 a) Role of moderator:

o Key person.

o Everything depends upon him / her.

o Careful about group feelings and attitude.

o Well communicant and transparent.

o Give a proof to the group as a team member.

o Make members of the group feel easy, free and open to participate.

o Careful about dress, words, style, and cultural aspects.

o Try to make understandable environment.



b) Role of recorder:

o Keeping record, what people discuss.

o Keep information in the memory.

o Having good listening skill

o Seat outside the circle.

o Record keeping should not continue during the session in front of group members.

o Audio recorder can be used, but there is no need to show it in front of groups.

o Numerical record keeping can be followed here.

c) Role of observer:

o Look in to the group members –

Attitude,

Interactions and

Emotional reactions.

o Help Moderator to remember the agenda of FGD.

o Over all observation of Moderator and Recorder.

Important notes:

o Team has the responsibilities to sit together in the office after coming back from the

spot and document the outcome properly.

o The team should not make any delay to document the findings because they can

forget the important points, what was not recorded in the meeting properly.

1.14 What can you do in a FGD?

o Greet the group members cordially.

o Make friendly and congenial atmosphere.

o Be introduced with others in details.

o Present yourself as a member of groups.

o Make the seating environment comfortable.

o Sit with them in same seat.

o Be facilitative.

o Asking a easy discussion.

o Ensure spontaneous participation.

o Encourage the silent people.

o Be normal and natural.

o Be a good listener.

o Avoid irrelevant discussion.

o Control dominant participant tactfully.

o Thank them for fruitful discussion.

1.15 What cannot you do in FGD?

o Do not behave like a boss.

o Do not deals like a teacher.

o Be directive. (give a direction)

o Do not ask irrelevant question.

o Do not hurry.



o Do not skip any issue.

o Do not create pressure.

o Do not make any artificial move.

o Do not look at watch.

o Do not interrupt any one.

o Do not behave emotionally.

o Do not laugh at them for non – sense discussions.

Figure – 2: ideal sitting arrangement for FGD

Moderator

Participant Participant Participant Participant Participant Participant Participant Participant

Recorder Observer



Chapter 2

FGD in Training Needs Assessment

Table: - 3 Table for list out needs

SL The most important Important Less important

1.

2.

3.

4.

Table: - 4 Table for prioritizing problems

SL What problems could be

addressed by themselves

What problems could be

addressed with the help of

the project

What problems could

not be addressed

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2.1 Sample study design

There are some steps in study design –

o Title of the study

o Introduction to the problem

o Review of literature

o Operation definition

o Objective of study

o Assumption

o Rationale of the study

o Limitation of the study

o Source of data

o Methods of data collection

o Population

o Reliability and validity of data

o Data processing and analysis

o Schedule

o Budget

o Reference



Chapter 3

FGD in Training Evaluation

3.1 elements of training evaluation

There are many elements, which could be investigated in terms of training evaluation. They are –

o Training program (Overall)

o Training contents

o Training session

o Training material

o Knowledge level

o Participants performance

o Helping and hindering points

o Training environment

o Training implementation methods

o Trainers team

o Trainers facilitation skill

o Learning points

o Potentialities of the venue

o Lodging and food

o Cost, etc.

Classification of the types of training evaluation –

Relational evaluation

o How much the participant’s like the program?

Learning evaluation

o What principles, facts and techniques were learned?

o What attitudes were changed?

Behavioral evaluation

o What changes in job behavior resulted from the program?

Results evaluation

o What were the tangible results of the program in terms cost, improved quality,

improved quantity, etc.?

Ultimate value evaluation

o It is the apex and seems to be almost meta – physical – unless the intrinsic value is

seen at individual level – rather than organizational level

3.2 study design

Steps in preparing evaluation plan –

o Develop objectives

o Determine indicator

o Develop evaluation design

o Determine sampling technique

o Develop guideline

o Collect relevant materials



o Prepare schedule for data collection

o Plan for data management

o Prepare budget

o Produce report

What is indicator?

Indicator is a performance standard, which is defined according to the objectives to be reached.

Types of indicators:

o Direct indicator

o Indirect indicator

o Qualitative indicator

o Quantitative indicator

o Input indicator

o Process indicator

o Output indicator

o Impact indicator



Chapter 4

Sampling

4.1 A chart on sampling method:

Sampling

Probability Non – probability

a) Sample Random - Judgment

b) Complex Random - Quota

- Systematic - Accidental

- Stratified - Networking

- Cluster - Out cropping

- Area - Advertising

- Multi – phased - Extensive Sampling

- Repetitive



Chapter 5

Reporting

5.1 Structure of report

1. Cover Page

a) Title of the study

b) Author’s name

c) Month and year

d) Name of the organization

2. Preface chapter

a) Preface

b) Acknowledgement

c) Contents

d) List of tables

e) Abbreviation

3. Introductory

a) Abstract / executive summery

b) Background

c) Literature Review

d) Rationale

e) Objectives

f) Organization of the report

4. Methodological Chapter

a) Study population

b) Study area

c) Duration

d) Sample techniques

e) Methods

o Methods of data collection

o Development instruments

o Operational definition

o Pre – test

f) Implementation

g) Quality control

h) Editing and categorization of open responses

i) Data analysis

j) Limitation of the study

5. Findings chapter

a) Findings

b) Results and discussions

c) Conclusions



d) Recommendations

e) Annexures

6. Reference Chapter

a) References / bibliography

Acknowledgements

These are written while starting a report and the investigator confess the contribution

to them who were associated with the study.

Bifurcating these from main report you should have to put one page blank.

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Focus Group Discussion