While the aim of the discussion is to hear participants’ views, make sure to explain the purpose of the focus
group at the start, including what will happen with the information gathered. Participants need to know they can
speak honestly and that all viewpoints and perspectives are valued.
Review the Gender Audit principles and ethical considerations (Fig 2, 3 & 4) early in the workshop and make
sure to forward this information to participants when they are invited to partake in the organisation-wide survey,
and as part of the invitation to participate in the focus group.
Step 5: Write up the findings
Once you have facilitated the focus group session (Tools 9 and/or 10) you will have data in two formats:
• Sticky notes contributed by the participants and the themes developed from them, having already
checked with participants this information is accurate and a fair representation of their contributions OR
• Collated notes from the participants and the themes developed from them, as recorded during an online
focus group AND
• Observation notes from the recorder, even though you will not have the opportunity to check this
information with participants. It is important the facilitator and recorder discuss the notes soon after the
focus group, and definitely before the next one, to ‘debrief’ with each other and discuss any intangible
observations or body language.
Store the data you gather in a safe place until you are ready to analyse it.
2.4 Deciding how to store data12
Organising, referencing and storing your data takes time but is very worthwhile and an important discipline to
have. Your analysis will be difficult if your data is not available in a useful format.
There are many ways of storing data, both in hard copy and digitally. Consider your available resources and
select an appropriate storage system that works for you and the data.
The ethical considerations of data storage are covered in Figure 3, but some pointers will help you with the
logistics. The aim is to:
• Be able to access the information easily
• Ensure data are referenced correctly with the title, the author, when it was gathered,
how it can be accessed, what version it is and what level of sensitivity it has.
Note: the UN uses three levels (strictly confidential, confidential and unclassified13)
• Make sure the data are secure and safe from physical threats such as fire, water, exposure to light or theft
• Be clear about who can access the data
12 APF
(2020), Monitoring, Evaluating, Accountability and Learning: A Guide for NHRIs,
www.asiapacificforum.net/resources/monitoring-evaluation-accountability-and-learning-guide-national-human-rights-institutions/
Archives and Records Management Section, UN Records and Information Management Guidance,
13 UN
archives.un.org/sites/archives.un.org/files/7-guidance_secure_records.pdf
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