Voevodins' Library _ "Focus Groups" 3rd edition / Richard A. Krueger & Mary Anne Casey ... Interview, People, Discussion, Decision Making, Development, Single-Category Design, Multiple-Category Design, Double-Layer Design, Broad-Involvement Design, Audience, Written Plan, Questioning Route, Categories of Questions, Opening Questions, Introductory Questions, Transition Questions, Key Questions, Ending Questions, Campaign, Strategies for Selecting Participants, Sampling Procedures for Focus Groups, Moderating Skills, Moderator, Discussion, Head Nodding, Question, Analysis Strategies, Long-Table Approach, Using the Computer to Help Manage the Data, Rapid Approach, Sound Approach, Principles of Reporting, Written Reports, Narrative Report, Top-Line Report, Bulleted Report, Report Letter to Participants, Oral Reports, Styles of Focus Group Research, Telephone Focus Groups, Internet Focus Groups, Media Focus Groups Voevodin's Library: Interview, People, Discussion, Decision Making, Development, Single-Category Design, Multiple-Category Design, Double-Layer Design, Broad-Involvement Design, Audience, Written Plan, Questioning Route, Categories of Questions, Opening Questions, Introductory Questions, Transition Questions, Key Questions, Ending Questions, Campaign, Strategies for Selecting Participants, Sampling Procedures for Focus Groups, Moderating Skills, Moderator, Discussion, Head Nodding, Question, Analysis Strategies, Long-Table Approach, Using the Computer to Help Manage the Data, Rapid Approach, Sound Approach, Principles of Reporting, Written Reports, Narrative Report, Top-Line Report, Bulleted Report, Report Letter to Participants, Oral Reports, Styles of Focus Group Research, Telephone Focus Groups, Internet Focus Groups, Media Focus Groups



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The Size of a Focus Group
The traditionally recommended size of the focus group within marketing research is ten to twelve people. However, when dealing with complex topics or with knowledgeable participants, this size is too large. The ideal size of a focus group for most noncommercial topics is six to eight participants. Don't plan focus groups with more than ten participants because they are difficult to control, and they limit each person's opportunity to share insights and observations. In addition, group dynamics change when participants want to but aren't able to describe their experiences. For example, if people do not have an opportunity to share experiences in the total group, they may lean over to the next person to whisper.
TIP
Ideal Size of a Focus Group
The ideal size of a focus group is usually from six to eight participants.

This phenomenon is a signal that the group is too large. Small focus groups, or mini-focus groups, with four to six participants are becoming increasingly popular because the smaller groups are easier to recruit and host, and they are more comfortable for participants. The disadvantage of the mini-focus group is that it limits the total range of experiences simply because the group is smaller. Four people will have had fewer total experiences than a dozen.
Often the questioning route and participant characteristics yield clues as to the ideal size of the groups. If the questions are meant to gain understanding of people's experiences, the researcher typically wants more in-depth insights. This is usually best accomplished with smaller groups. Also, smaller groups are preferable when the participants have a great deal to share about the topic or have had intense or lengthy experiences with the topic of discussion. For example, parents of children in special education programs have a lot to share when talking about special education. They feel strongly about this experience. And they often want to share tips and information with the other participants. Because of their passion and experience, it is wise to plan for smaller groups so everyone has a chance to share. Larger groups (eight people) work well when the questions are meant to pilot test materials or ideas and when the participants don't have a lot of knowledge about the topic. For example, users of a program will have more to say about a program than nonusers will. Therefore, you can recruit larger groups of nonusers than users.

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