Have an assigned note-taker to write down notes during conversation.
Only video or audio record with permission.
See the academic sources used to compile these recommendations.
Bibliography
Step Five
Discuss findings and next steps.
Step Four
Conduct focus group.
Step Three
Identify moderator, note taker, and space.
Step Two
Write guiding questions.
Step One
Ask community members to participate.
Grace Klinefelter, Zoe Parish, and Erica Collin
St. Olaf CollegeFocus Groups
Moderator: asks questions to guide focus group conversation.
Note taker: takes notes on focus group.
Researcher Roles
Recording
The moderator asks questions and guides conversation — but most importantly, the moderator must create space for participants to speak freely.
The moderator establishes group rules and maintains confidentiality.
The moderator should critically consider their own social position and how it impacts the focus group.
The moderator establishes group rules and maintains confidentiality.
The moderator should critically consider their own social position and how it impacts the focus group.
6 to 12 community members.
Accessible, comfortable space.
Round or oval table is ideal.
Moderator Considerations
Setting
What is a focus group?
Focus groups are small-group discussions in which a moderator asks a series of questions and the participants answer them in an open, unstructured conversation.
Who is My Neighbor: Guides for Congregational Research
