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PART I: PLANNING STEPS

1. Focus Group Basics

What is a Focus Group?
Focus Group Methodology
Advantages and Disadvantages as a Research Tool
Special Considerations of Low-income Parent Focus Groups

2. Your Management Plan

Bringing in Research Expertise
Forming an Advisory Committee
Staffing Your Project
The Role of Community Groups
Developing a Timeline
Developing a Budget

3. Planning Your Research

Developing Your Research Questions
Identifying Your Study Population
Identifying Your Subpopulations
Collecting Information about Programs and Policies

4. Focus Group Documents

Creating Your Focus Group Documents
General Issues to Consider
Specific Documents
Project Description
Recruitment Materials
Screening Form
Registration Form
Focus Group Protocol
Consent Form

5. Planning for the Focus Group Sessions

Scheduling the Focus Groups
Choosing Sites for the Sessions

Part II: Putting the Plan into Action

6. Recruitment, Screening, and Selection of Participants

Recruitment Strategies
Publicizing Your Project
The Screening Process
Selecting the Focus Group Participants
Grouping Participants
Inviting Parents to Participate

7. Conducting the Focus Groups

Parent Supports at the Sessions
Equipment and Supplies
Setting Up
Facilitating the Focus Group Sessions
Note taking and Observing
Ending the Session
Conducting a Pilot
Language Barriers
Ethical Obligations to Parents

8. Analyzing and Reporting Focus Group Findings

Transcribing the Tapes
Analyzing the Transcripts
Writing the Final Report
Using Focus Groups to Design Further Research
Parent Engagement

Conclusion

References

Appendices

A. Project Timeline
B. Questions for Community Groups
C. Fact Sheet for Community Groups
D. Recruitment Flyer
E. Recruitment Ideas
F. Screening Tool
G. Project Description
H. Consent Form
I. Staff Assurance Form
J. Registration Form
K. Focus Group Protocol

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