What is a focus group?
It is a group of 8-15 randomly selected people gathered in one room for 1-1½ hours to answer questions asked by a leader.
What is the goal?
The purpose of a focus group is to have participants talk and react to each other’s answers in a positive, constructive forum moderated by a leader.
Why is it helpful?
- Getting a group of young people together to talk about what they are interested in and what type of volunteer work they would like to do can help your affiliate determine the best strategy for marketing your Youth United project to young people in your community.
- The meeting is only for 1-1½ hours and is much less time-consuming than individual interviews.
- The people attending this first focus group may be interested in joining Youth United.
What are some of the challenges?
- It can be hard to get young people to come unless you offer some sort of reward (pizza or cookies, for instance).
- Arranging a meeting can be hard when there are so many schedules to work with.
- A strong leader is needed to keep the meeting on-point and focused and reinforce the message that all points of view are important to discuss.
Focus Group Tips
- Send an invitation early announcing the group, then send a reminder a few days before
- Offer an incentive for attending, e.g., snacks, coupons, etc.
- Be flexible with size (though no larger than 15)
- Provide a good facilitator who knows how to keep a meeting flowing in a positive environment where people feel comfortable
- Prepare 5-6 thoughtful questions to spur discussion
- Should last 1 – 1 ½ hours
- Provide a good secretary; the leader cannot be effective if they are also taking notes
- Prepare a timed agenda that includes an introduction of the leader and the purpose of the meeting
- Prepare a brief introduction to Youth United, including its goals and accomplishments in the community
- Arrange for a flip chart; write the meeting title and agenda in clear, large letters before participants arrive
- Write participants' thoughts on a whiteboard, blackboard or other note-taking tool as they are discussed
- If someone presents and idea that should be revisited later, write it in a separate corner of the spaces available, calling it the "Parking Lot", so that it's not forgotten
Sample Agenda
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 3:00 PM | Introductions |
| Review refreshments location and Restroom location | |
| Review Agenda | |
| Review purpose and goals | |
| 3:10 PM | First Question |
| 3:25 PM | Second Question |
| 3:40 PM | Third Question |
| 4:00 PM | Review responses and summarize |
| 4:15 - 4:30 PM | Dismissal |
Click here to download a sample agenda.
