Focus Group Discussions

A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is a qualitative research method and data collection technique in which a selected group of people discusses a given topic or issue in-depth, facilitated by a professional, external moderator. Focus group discussions should be used when you need to understand an issue at a deeper level than you can access with a survey. They are helpful for adding meaning and understanding to existing knowledge or getting at the “why” and “how” of a topic. This presentation explains the key aims of the focus group discussions. The presentation is focused on small focus groups and the methodology and theoretical framework to conduct them. The presentation elaborates on the ethical issues and defines the different validation methods. The different roles of moderators, note-takers, and assistance are presented. The presentation is part of a series of qualitative research methodologies.