Adapted from Varkevisser, C. M., Pathmanathan, I., and Brownlee, A. (1991). Designing and Conducting Health Systems Research Projects, Vol. 2. Ottawa: International Development Research Centre.

A focus group discussion is an informal conversation among 6-10 people that is guided by a facilitator, during which group members talk freely and spontaneously about a certain subject. The purpose of a focus group discussion is to obtain in-depth information on concepts, perceptions, and ideas from the perspective of group members. It is important to realize that a focus group discussion is much more than a question-and-answer session. Although the facilitator poses many questions, these questions are designed to stimulate discussion among the group members. They-not the facilitator-are the recognized experts.

Below are some tips that will help you prepare for and conduct focus groups that are both enjoyable and informative:

• Make sure that there are two of you: Each focus group should include a facilitator and a recorder. The facilitator is responsible for leading the discussion. The recorder is responsible for keeping a record of the content of the discussion. This person must also note emotional reactions of group members and important aspects of group interaction.

• Prepare the room: It is important to encourage communication and interaction during the discussion in every way possible. Select a room that is conducive to discussion: quiet, well-lit, and private. If possible, arrange chairs in a circle or around a table. Provide refreshments, but do so before the session begins so that conversation isn't interrupted by people getting up for food.

• Check for consent forms: If you are convening groups of youth, make sure to collect an informed consent form from each participant, signed by his or her parent or guardian.

• Introduce the session: The group facilitator should introduce himself and the recorder, then briefly explain the purpose of the focus group, the kind of information being sought, and how it will be used. This is also when the facilitator should ask participants if they agree to have the session recorded. The session may be recorded only if all participants agree.

• Stress the importance of confidentiality: Instruct participants not to use anyone's name when answering questions or describing situations, and to respect the privacy of others after the discussion by not mentioning the names of participants or what they said in the group.

• Stimulate discussion: Here are some techniques:
  • Ask for clarification (e.g., "Can you tell me more about that?").
    
  • Expand the discussion circle (e.g., "What do others think about that?").
    
  • Encourage divergent views (e.g., "Does everyone agree with that?").
  
  To encourage silent participants to speak, it may be useful to make more frequent eye contact or directly request their opinions.

• Keep the conversation on track: Statements that can bring a discussion back into focus include, "Wait, how does this relate to X?" and "That's a very interesting point, but what do you think about Y?"

• Build rapport: Be observant of nonverbal communication. Ask yourself, "What are they saying?" Be aware of your own tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language, as well as participants'. Do whatever you can to appear interested but neutral.

• Avoid being placed in the role of expert: Don't try to comment on everything that is said. If asked for your ideas or views, remember that your role is not to inform or educate. Always direct questions back to the group by asking, "What do you think?" If necessary, set time aside after the session to give participants the information they have requested.

• Control the rhythm of the meeting, but do so subtly: Listen closely to what participants are saying, and move the discussion from topic to topic. Don't let one person dominate. Control the time allocated to various topics so as to maintain interest. If participants spontaneously jump from one topic to another, let the discussion continue for a while to see if it yields any useful information. Then summarize the points brought up and reorient the discussion. Finally, don't feel as if it is necessary to say something during every pause in the discussion. Take a breath, and see if anything more is said.

• Take time at the end to summarize and check for agreement:Summarize the main issues brought up during the group, ask the participants if they agree, and ask if there are additional comments.

• Thank participants for their assistance: Let participants know that their assistance is greatly appreciated.

• Provide compensation: It is standard procedure to compensate focus group participants for their time. You can provide cash, gift certificates, or an appropriate gift. Let participants know how they will be compensated when they first agree to join the group.

• Listen for additional comments after the session has ended: As participants are leaving, be alert for comments about the topic and the session. Also, let participants know that you will be available after the session has ended in case they would like to talk about anything.

• Debrief right away: Immediately after the session, the facilitator and the recorder should meet to evaluate how things went and/or how future groups might be improved.

Additional Tips for the Recorder
For each focus group, make sure to record the following information:

• Date, time, and place of discussion

• Demographic characteristics of the group (e.g., number of males and females, age range)

• General description of group dynamics (e.g., level of participation, presence of a dominant participant, level of interest)

• Opinions of participants, recorded as much as possible in their own words, especially for key statements

• Emotional aspects (e.g., reluctance to respond to some questions, strong feelings attached to certain opinions)

• Vocabulary used. This is particularly important for helping you craft your prevention message.

The recorder should be prepared to take notes even if participants agree to have the session tape-recorded. There are two major reasons for this: so that information will be available immediately after the session to review, and that if the tape recorder malfunctions, the discussion won't be lost.