Test Your Understanding 1

What is a focus group?

A) A qualitative research technique used to gain information on a specific issue from a group of individuals who share common characteristics

B) A structured process for collecting primarily quantitative data directly from individuals by asking questions

C) A group process that generates a consensus through a series of questionnaires

D) An exchange of information between two people

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The correct answer is A:
A qualitative research technique used to gain information on a specific issue from a group of people who share common characteristics.

a structured process for collecting qualitative data is as survey
a group process that generates consensus via questionnaires is the Delphi Technique
an exchange of information between two people is an interview

What is the role of the focus group moderator?

A) To listen and capture the essence of what people say and capture it in writing

B) To make sure all participants are actively engaged, set ground rules, pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues, keep conversation going, manage various personalities of the participants to ensure everyone has a chance to share, gather informed consent

C) To answer questions on a specific topic, ask questions of the other participants, participate in the ice breaker, conversation, and collection of demographic materials

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The correct answer is B:
To make sure all participants are actively engaged, set ground rules, pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues, keep conversation going, manage various personalities of the participants to ensure everyone has a chance to share, gather informed consent

Capturing what people say in writing is the role of the note taker or recorder.
Answering questions and participating in conversation is the role of each participant.

What does high moderator involvement look like?

A) When a moderator guides the conversation in a way that is more exploratory in nature. This is best suited for research studies where the goal is to put aside preconceived notions. The interview guide has a list of questions that can be asked in any order and lacks probes and follow-up questions.

B) When a moderator guides the conversation in a highly structured manner through questioning and probing. This is best-suited for research studies with predetermined questions the researcher wants answered. The interview guide contains questions that must be asked exactly as they appear and has a list of probes and follow-up questions that must be brought up for discussion.

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The correct answer is B:
High moderator involvement includes highly structured conversation, questions and probing. Low moderator involvement is more exploratory and less structured.

Test Your Understanding 1

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