Focus groups are facilitated discussions
A focus group is a moderated discussion group of anywhere
from 6 to 10 participants
. Each participant is chosen after filling in a screener questionnaire, which allows the researcher to ensure a good mix of people represents the target audience for the project.
How do you choose a participant in a focus group?
The common (and simplest) method for selecting participants for focus groups is called
“purposive” or “convenience” sampling
. This means that you select those members of the community who you think will provide you with the best information. It need not be a random selection; indeed, a random sample may be foolish.
Who should be in a focus group?
The ideal size of a focus group is usually
between five and eight participants
. If the topic is of minor concern to participants, and if they have little experience with the topic, then a group size of 10 could be productive.
Who should be invited to the focus group and why?
Individuals tend to censor their ideas in the presence of people who differ greatly from them. To get a cross section of views it is necessary to conduct multiple sessions. Generally people are invited to a focus group
because they are alike based on certain criteria
.
How many participants is ideal for a focus group?
Population: The ideal size of a focus group is
8-10 subjects, plus a facilitator and a note taker
, about the size of a lively seminar class. A larger group will limit the detail of some responses because participants feel a pressure to share airtime with others.
What are the three types of focus groups?
- Single Focus Group. This is what most people think about when asked about focus groups. …
- Mini Focus Group. …
- Two-Way Focus Group. …
- Dual Moderator Focus Group. …
- Dueling Moderator Focus Group. …
- Respondent Moderator Focus Group. …
- Remote Focus Group.
How long should focus groups last?
Focus groups typically last
about 60 to 90 minutes
. A focus group lasting more than 90 minutes probably includes too many questions or topics for discussion. The focus group needs to be appropriate for the type of participants in the group.
Do you get paid for focus groups?
How Much You Can Expect to Earn With Paid Focus Groups. Each focus group will be different, but you can expect to make from
$30 to $150 per focus group
(although some very specific focus groups can pay up to $450 for an hour of your time!).
What are the pros and cons of focus groups?
- Advantage: Easily Measure Customer Reaction. …
- Disadvantage: Not as In-Depth as Other Market Research. …
- Advantage: Time-Saving Opportunity. …
- Disadvantage: Expense. …
- Disadvantage: Moderator Bias.
What do focus groups allow for?
Focus groups are one of the most effective and popular market research methods available. Used to gather qualitative data and in-depth insights, they enable
researchers to collect information on anything from products and services to beliefs and perceptions in order to reveal true customer attitudes and opinions
.
Can a focus group have 2 people?
What Exactly is a Focus Group? A focus group is a sampling of people—usually an average of 2-8 participants—that get together to have a
discussion
about a similar topic. The contributors can feed off and influence one another to give honest opinions and perspectives about the topic.
What are the disadvantages of focus groups?
- More Expensive to Execute Than Surveys. …
- Participants Can’t Voice Their Opinion Freely. …
- Hard to Get Honest Opinions For Sensitive Topics. …
- Results Are Biased. …
- Might Not Be a True Representation of Your Target Group. …
- Not Ideal For B2B Research.
What is an example of a focus group?
A focus group is a small-group discussion guided by a trained leader. It is used to learn about opinions on a designated topic, and to guide future action. Examples:
A focus group of parents of preschoolers meets to discuss child care needs
.
What should I ask in a focus group?
- Introductory Questions. …
- Competitor Questions. …
- Improvements & Dissatisfaction Questions. …
- Positive Aspects of the Product Questions. …
- Specific Feature Information Questions. …
- Overall Usage and Opinion Questions. …
- Probing Questions. …
- Closed-ended Questions.
How do you run a good focus group?
- Ensure you have clear objectives. …
- Recruit the right people for you. …
- Pilot your focus group before the ‘real thing’ …
- Create a happy atmosphere. …
- Keep control of the session. …
- Avoid leading questions. …
- Rope a colleague in to be your ‘assistant’ moderator.
How many questions should you have in a focus group?
Most focus group moderators ask
no more than eight to 12 questions
. Know what information you can get from other methods to ensure you’re not asking unnecessary questions.
