Developing Questions for Focus Groups
- Richard A. Krueger - Professor Emeritus and Senior Fellow, University of Minnesota, USA
September 1997 | 128 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Asking the right questions is critical in focus group interviewing. This book describes a practical process for identifying powerful themes and then offers an easy-to-understand strategy for translating those themes into questions. Richard Krueger suggests ways of categorizing, phrasing and sequencing focus group questions. Going beyond material presented in his earlier books, Krueger shares ideas for questions that get participants actively involved in the focus group interview. For example, asking participants to make lists, make report cards, sort pictures, draw, cut and paste, or participate in a mini-debate. The results of these activities not only yield insightful information but are also interesting and fun. This book helps make the process of developing good questions easier by outlining a process and offering many examples.
PART ONE: THINKING ABOUT QUESTIONS
Guiding Principles of Asking Questions
The Topic Guide Versus the Questioning Route
How and Where to Begin
PART TWO: THE ART AND MECHANICS OF ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS
Categories of Questions
Phrasing the Questions
Sequencing the Questions
Probes, Follow-Ups, and Unplanned Questions
Know the Limits
Changing Questions
Pilot Testing and Reviewing the Plan
PART THREE: QUESTIONS THAT ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS
Listing, Rating, and Choosing Questions
Projective Questions
Group Activities