0 courses selected
Series 5 - Focus groups: How to deal with tricky situations (22 Jan 10)
What to do with someone who looks bored
Focus groups work best if people want to be there and want to participate.
Sometimes, however, participants may have been nominated by others to attend and may be resistant or unwilling to participate.
This way of recruiting people is best avoided. If unavoidable, make sure they attend with their consent and with encouragement from you, both beforehand and again at the start of the discussion.
Express your appreciation. Spell out any ways by which the research may prove beneficial and anything specific that may come out of it.
It is in any case worth stressing the value of the research at the start of the focus group session. Make people feel they are part of a worthwhile venture and how important it is that they contribute as fully as possible.
If you also say that there are ‘no right answers’ regarding the subjects to be discussed, and people may both agree and disagree, this could remove a possible reason for people later looking bored.
Their ‘boredom’ may actually be
Like to read more or make a comment? Log in or register below
Why not join the discussion!
Or even better still offer your own advice and tell us about things that others can learn from.
We moderate comments lightly so bear with us and we'll get your thoughts listed as soon as we can.
You must be logged in to post comments.
Not registered yet? Simply fill in the box below.
