Last Updated on December 19, 2022 by Ossian Muscad
A focus group template is a guide that research teams use to streamline focus group discussions. By creating a focus group template, researchers can ensure that each discussion is organized and flows smoothly. But how do you create a focus group template from scratch? This article will discuss how to create a focus group template and the benefits of doing so. That way, your focus group discussions will be more effective and successful.
What is a Focus Group Template?
First things first, let’s discuss what a focus group template is and why it’s important for research teams to use one. A focus group template is an outline used to guide focus groups. This helps ensure that each focus group discussion follows the same format and sticks to specific topics. Having a focus group template also ensures that focus groups are conducted promptly and efficiently.
The Importance of a Focus Group Template
Focus group discussions are most effective when moderators clearly view the flow of conversation. They tend to achieve a more streamlined data collection process with the help of a structured and well-created template. That’s why focus group templates are so critical for research teams.
Not only do focus group templates provide focus groups with a structure, but they also help moderators focus on the key points that need to be discussed. This way, focus groups can get the valuable feedback they need without wasting time on irrelevant topics or questions.
In addition, focus group templates help focus groups stay on track and avoid going off-topic. By outlining what needs to be discussed, focus groups can stay organized and get the best out of each discussion.
What To Include In a Focus Group Template?
Focus group templates come in many shapes and sizes, so it’s essential to consider what information should be included in your focus group template. However, the following are consistent across all variations of focus group templates:
- Introduction: Start your focus group template with a brief introduction. This should explain the purpose of the focus group discussion and what topics will be covered.
- Respondent information: Include basic information about focus group participants, such as their age, gender, occupation, and other relevant details.
- Discussion points: Outline the main focus group discussion topics. This should include questions to be asked, and activities participants will undertake during the focus group session.
- Questions: Define the focus group questions that will be asked. This should include open-ended questions encouraging focus group participants to provide meaningful feedback.
- Reactions: Discuss how focus group participants should react to the focus group discussion. This should include guidelines for focus group moderators about responding to different responses.
- Conclusion: Finally, state how the focus group discussion will conclude and what information will be taken away from it.
Examples of Focus Group Questions
Focus group discussions often involve a lot of questions about the topic being discussed. While these questions are diverse, they tend to follow a particular sequence: engauge, explore, and ext. Using this pattern, here are some sample questions that fall under each category:
Engaugement Questions
- What’s your favorite product or service?
- When you think about this product or service, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?
- How familiar are you with this product or service?
Exploratory Questions
- What influences you to buy your product or service?
- What are the things you like or dislike about this product or service?
- Suppose we will cancel a program; which one do you think we should discontinue and why?
Exit Questions
- Will you recommend our product or service to a friend or family member?
- What could we do differently to make this product or service better for you?
- Is there anything you want to say about why you purchased our product or service?
How To Create a Focus Group Report Template
Documentation and reporting are crucial parts of focus group research. After focus group discussions occur, the focus group report should be written up to summarize the key findings. Here’s a step-by-step process on how to create a focus group report template:
Step 1: Draft the program information
Every focus group report should start with a cover page containing basic information about the focus group discussion that was conducted. This part of the focus group report should include focus group participants, their roles, and the focus group’s objective.
Step 2: Introduce the Participants of the Focus Group Discussion
After drafting the basic information about the focus group, focus group moderators should introduce the focus group participants. This part of the focus group report should include a brief introduction about each participant and the focus group moderator.
Step 3: Describe the Background and Purpose of the Focus Group Discussion
It’s essential to explain the focus group’s background and purpose. This should include an overview of the focus group discussion topics and their objectives. At the same time, focus group moderators should discuss how the focus group discussion helps to provide answers and insights about the focus topics.
Step 4: Record and Document the Responses of the Participants
After focus group moderators discuss the focus group’s background, focus group participants should provide their answers to focus group questions. Focus Group Moderators must record the focus group participants’ responses in the focus group report. At the same time, focus group moderators should focus on capturing the group’s overall sentiment and how it relates to focus topics.
Step 5: Sign Off on the Focus Group Report
After focus group moderators finish documenting focus group participants’ responses, focus group reports should be signed off by the focus group moderators. This would indicate that the focus group report is completed and the discussion has concluded.
Create Focus Group Templates Using a Low-Code Platform
Now that you have all the information you need to create focus group templates, it’s time to start building them out. A low-code platform like DATAMYTE can help you quickly develop focus group templates that focus group moderators can use during focus group discussions.
The DataMyte Digital Clipboard, in particular, features a smart form builder tool that lets you create comprehensive focus group templates for moderators. These focus group templates can be customized with focus group topics, questions, and other elements that focus group moderators need to focus on during discussions.
Using its drag-and-drop interface, creating focus group templates using the DataMyte Digital Clipboard is fast and easy. Plus, you can customize your templates with elements such as images, audio recordings, et cetera. You won’t need to enter any line of code and can focus more on refining focus group templates for focus group discussions.
With the DataMyte Digital Clipboard, you have an all-in-one solution to create focus group templates that focus group moderators can use to streamline focus group discussions. Get started with the DataMyte Digital Clipboard by booking a demo without our team. Then, we’ll be happy to guide you through focus group template development.
Conclusion
Creating focus group templates can help research teams streamline focus group discussions. By following the five steps outlined in this article, focus group moderators can learn how to create focus group templates for focus group discussions. Additionally, using a low-code platform like DataMyte Digital Clipboard can help focus group moderators quickly develop focus group templates with ease. Get started now!
