Developing Questions for Focus Groups / Edition 1

by Richard A. Krueger

Overview

Asking the right questions is critical in focus group interviewing. This book describes a practical process for identifying powerful themes and then offers an easy-to-understand strategy for translating those themes into questions. Richard Krueger suggests ways of categorizing, phrasing and sequencing focus group questions. Going beyond material presented in his earlier books, Krueger shares ideas for questions that get participants actively involved in the focus group interview. For example, he suggests asking participants to make lists, create report cards, sort pictures, draw, cut and paste, or participate in a mini-debate. The results of these activities not only yield insightful information but are also interesting and fun. This book helps make the process of developing good questions easier by outlining a process and offering many examples.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761908197
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	07/24/1997
Series:	Focus Group Kit , #3
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.27(d)

About the Author

Richard Krueger is professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota. He is an internationally recognized authority on the use of focus group interviewing within the public environment. For 25 years he served as evaluation leader for the University of Minnesota Extension Service followed by 10 years teaching graduate courses in program evaluation and research methodology. He is a former president of the American Evaluation Association and a member of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. In his spare time he repairs his motorcycle, swaps stories with friends, and shops for tools at the local hardware store. Maybe you’ve seen him there.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: THINKING ABOUT QUESTIONS
Guiding Principles of Asking Questions
The Topic Guide Versus the Questioning Route
How and Where to Begin
Sequence for Developing Questions
PART TWO: THE ART AND MECHANICS OF ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS
Categories of Questions
Phrasing the Questions
Sequencing the Questions
Probes, Follow-Ups, and Unplanned Questions
Know the Limits
Changing Questions
The Importance of Consistency
Pilot Testing and Reviewing the Plan
PART THREE: QUESTIONS THAT ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS
Listing, Rating, and Choosing Questions
Projective Questions
Group Activities