Customize this
sample to meet your
study’s needs. The
APPENDIX ?? confidentiality
FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEW GUIDE statement below is
very important.
Short title of study [ ]
Researcher(s): name
NOTE: TEXT WRITTEN IN INTALICZED BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS CONSTITUTES ADDITIONAL
REMINDERS MEANT TO GUIDE THE FOCUS GROUP FACILITATOR ONLY.
[THE COMPLETION OF THE INTRODUCTORY SECTION OF THE FOCUS GROUP SHOULD
TAKE APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES]
I) INTRODUCTION AND INSTRUCTIONS:
Hello, my name is _______. Thank you for agreeing to participate in this focus group meeting. Just
to remind everyone, I’m looking at opinions about [ ]
[POINT OUT REFRESHMENTS if available, NAME TAGS if used – people should use their first
name or pseudonym only].
In a minute, we will all introduce ourselves – first names only. But first, I would like to walk you
through the consent form that is in front of you.
[FOR FACILITATOR: REVIEW INFORMED CONSENT FORM AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS
ABOUT IT. COLLECT SIGNED CONSENT FORMS AND ENSURE THAT PARTICIPANTS HAVE A
COPY OF THE LETTER OF INFORMATION TO TAKE WITH THEM (IF APPROPRIATE FOR THE
TOPIC AND GROUP).
Confidentiality: [READ ALOUD] Before we begin our discussion of [ ], I want
to spend a few moments talking about confidentiality and to go over some basic ground rules for
our focus group discussion today:
Everyone’s views are welcomed and important.
The information which we will collect today will be attributable (connected or associated) to you as
a group.
We will not identify quotes or ideas any one person of this group. Because of the nature of small
communities or groups, it is possible that people could link participants in this room to quotes in
the report. This is why we need to talk about confidentiality.
We are assuming that when we learn about one another's views, they remain confidential. In a
small community (group) like this, people are identifiable to some degree by their views and
opinions.
Having said this, and having made these requests, you know that we cannot guarantee that the
request will be honoured by everyone in the room.
So we are asking you to make only those comments that you would be comfortable making in a
public setting; and to hold back making comments that you would not say publicly.
Anything heard in the room should stay in the room.
All voices are to be heard, so I will step in if too many people are speaking at once or to make
sure that everyone has a chance to speak.
I may also step in if I feel the conversation is straying off topic.
After the discussion, I will invite you to fill in an anonymous “post-workgroup information sheet” ( If
appropriate) to us help generally describe the kind of people who were part of the group today.
You can expect this discussion group to last about [ ] minutes/hours.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
[Insert your name here] - Focus Group Interview Guide – [Insert short study name here] Study
Page 1 of 3
Use of Tape Recorder [If applicable]
As you will recall, this focus/discussion group will be recorded to increase accuracy and to
reduce the chance of misinterpreting what anyone says.
All tapes and transcripts will be kept under lock and key by the researcher.
Names will be removed from transcripts. Participants will have coded numbers attached to
their name which only I will know.
Only I and (alternate wording, my thesis supervisor or co- researchers) will have access to
transcripts (with personal names removed) of this focus group.
For transcription purposes, I might remind you to say your first name for the first few times you
speak so that when I’m transcribing the tape I can get used to recognizing your voice. That
will ensure we assign the correct code to each person’s answers. I will give you a gentle
reminder.
I’ll also ask that when using abbreviations or acronyms, you say the full name at least once to
aid transcription.
We may also use a “flip chart” to write down key points during the focus group and take notes.
[AT THIS POINT, GROUP MEMBERS CAN QUICKLY INTRODUCE THEMSELVES –remind them
that it is ‘first names only’.]
[HAND OUT ANY MATERIALS (IF APPLICABLE) THAT THE PARTICIPANTS WILL NEED
DURING THE FOCUS GROUP INCLUDING PENS OR SCRAP PAPER. GIVE THEM A FEW
MINUTES TO READ OVER ANY WRITTEN MATERIAL NOTING THAT THEY CAN MAKE NOTES
IN THE MARGINS BEFORE THE DISCUSSION BEGINS.]
II. INTERVIEW
Focus group discussion begins with the facilitator asking the first question.
Open up discussion for general responses of participants to each question.
Interview questions: [Insert your interview questions here.]
Is there anything we forgot or something important that we should know about
______________
Wrap-up:
[If it is appropriate], introduce the following anonymous “post-workgroup information sheet”
now.
Remind participants that “what is said in the room should stay in the room”.
Thank the participants.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
[Insert your name here] - Focus Group Interview Guide – [Insert short study name here] Study
Page 2 of 3
Appendix ??
[INSERT STUDY NAME HERE]
FOCUS GROUP BACKGROUND INFORMATION SHEET
Remind your participants not to DO NOT
write their name anywhere. A box Put your name
like this helps.
on this sheet.
INSTRUCTIONS: Please fill in this that will provide us with some basic background
information about you.
Each study is different. Customize your
demographic questions for the specific
1. I’m a (Check one): requirements of your study. Here are just
[ ] Male a few sample questions.
[ ] Female
2. I’m (Check one):
[ ] between the ages of 18-20
[ ] between the ages of 21-29
[ ] between the ages of ……
3. I’m (Check one):
[ ] single
[ ] married
[ ] separated
[ ] divorced
[ ] a common-law spouse
[ ] prefer not to answer
Please turn over this brief information sheet and leave it on the table when you leave.
Thanks.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
[Insert your name here] - Focus Group Interview Guide – [Insert short study name here] Study
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