Planning and Conducting Data Collection – Community and Focus Group Discussions

Session 3.1

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

Session Objectives

After this session, participants should be able to:•Describe the fundamentals of using focus group and community discussions in applied qualitative research.•Improve their skills in moderation and note-taking.•Moderate a focus group discussion.

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

Discussions VS. Interviews (reminders)

Discussions (FGDs and CDs) Interviews

Appropriate for

Eliciting opinions about group norms

Discovering variety within a population

Eliciting individual experiences, opinions, feelings.

Addressing sensitive topics

Strength Elicits information on a range of norms and opinions in a short time.

Group dynamic stimulates conversation and reactions

Elicits in-depth responses, with nuances and contradictions.

Gets interpretive perspective

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

Why do some FGDs and CDs go wrong?

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

FGDs & CDs: Success Fundamentals

Team

Participants

Place and Facilities

Time

1- Plan

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

– Know your objective and develop discussion guide– How to kick-off– Build rapport– Establish Ground rules– use participatory tools when possible– Be aware of group dynamics and different

personalities and emotional states

2- Be Aware of Effective Moderation

FGDs: Success Fundamentals

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

FGD & CD Moderating Tips

• A good moderator….– Shows flexibility– Shows sensitivity– Has a sense of (acceptable) humor– Links ideas together and probes– Encourages everyone to participate

• Tries not to– Dictate course of discussion– Lose control over conversation– Judge comments– Use leading question

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

FGDs & CDS: Success Fundamentals

3- Effective Note-Taking (Reminder)– Review discussion guide thoroughly– Develop note-taking form– Make room for observations– Identify areas for improvement/gap filling– Note quotes (but be strategic)– Make sure to expand your notes (same day)– Make room for your own conclusions (but mark as

such)– Record participant identifiers– Record both question and response

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

Exercise 7

Group Task• One assessment team, 3 members.

• A group of 8 focus group participants.

• The Rest: Observers.

• 10-15 minutes for assessment team to prepare for moderating FGD (during which other group members will prepare roles)

• 35-40 minutes for undertaking FGD.

50 min for group work

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

Debriefing

• Were the aims accomplished? • Was the essential information

extracted? • What were the conclusions? • What lessons did you learn.

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

Break

30 min

Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments