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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Focus Groups With International Groups and Organizations
By international groups, we are referring to groups conducted in developing countries that are sponsored by an international agency, a research agency, or even an individual researcher. In these situations, there are often clear power differences between those sponsoring the research and those who are subjects of the research. This power differential plus cultural differences have the potential for communication problems.
TIP
Focus Groups With International Groups and Organizations
1. Avoid power differentials.
2. Consider cultural differences.
3. Use the local language.
4. Be less concerned about time.
5. Provide adequate confidentiality.
6. Provide benefit to participants.
Power differences almost always cause difficulties in focus group research. For a focus group to work, the participants must be willing to talk without feeling threatened.
Consider cultural differences that various people have when sharing insights on programs and products. In some environments, the cultural norm is to avoid criticism. Participants are not expected to identify problems or talk about solution strategies. Some individuals are exceedingly polite and diplomatic and talk only about the positive qualities. Or some participants assume that the purpose of the group is to find reasons to cut funding, so they are extremely positive.
Conduct the groups in the primary language of the participants. Avoid interpreters. This means that the moderator should be fluent in the language. If the moderator is not fluent, find someone who is and train him or her to lead the group. Have notes taken in the same language the moderator is using. Then translate the notes or audiotape back into English.
Think about who should moderate the group. Avoid moderators who occupy positions of power. Sometimes local residents are able to lead the group discussion, and in other situations, the international guest researcher is quite capable and nonthreatening.
Plan the study carefully so that you have listened to relevant agencies and groups that need to sanction the study. Also, listen to local wise people about timing, locations, and other factors relevant to the study.
Each culture has distinctive senses of time. The group may not begin at the designated time, and the two-hour time limit may be unimportant. The critical factor is the quality of the information that the researcher is obtaining.
Don't forget the importance of confidentiality. Participants may not necessarily trust the researchers, depending on what has happened in the past. Avoid group discussions on topics that can put individuals at risk after the researcher leaves the village or community.
Finally, consider how the study can be of benefit to the participants. Will study results be shared with participants? Will the study inform policy or future decisions?
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