Educators' Guide to Collecting and Using Data: Conducting Focus Group Research

This booklet provides an understanding of focus groups and when they are appropriate to use and for what purposes a focus group makes sense. Additionally, the reader is provided with clear direction regarding a process for designing a focus group research project. These include: documenting research objectives; selecting the right methodology; designing the research; and planning and logistics, along with preparing the discussion guide. Information is also provided on conducting the focus group, including moderation skills, as well as how to analyze focus group results.

The Educator’s Guide to Collecting and Using Data series of publications was developed to provide educators with easy to use and understand materials that provide research, insights, and increased understanding of various data gathering processes and their interpretation to improve student performance. These booklets help to “demystify” the data gathering and interpretation process and make it more useful for educators.