Part II Collecting and analysing data 7.4. HOW TO CONDUCT A FOCUS GROUP Focus groups are a good tool for a targeted exploration of complex human rights issues. They can generate analytically rich information, as one participant’s insights will tend to trigger others to share their personal experiences and perspectives. This allows you to explore the nuances and tensions of complex topics and subjects. Focus groups also have the advantage of providing information directly from individuals invested in the issue, who can provide insights about actual conditions and situations on the ground. When conducting a focus group, it is important to think about the four steps shown in the diagram and discussed below. 1. Recruit participants 2. Design questions 3. Conduct the focus group 4. Analyse the data 7.4.1. Recruiting participants Focus groups normally have between seven and ten participants. Groups with fewer than seven participants often result in a limited range of ideas and opinions being represented. Groups larger than ten may be hard to manage and record. When recruiting for focus groups, participants must fit the criteria established for inclusion in the study. If, for example, a researcher wants to learn about access to justice for indigenous people from a certain community, participation in the focus group should be limited to indigenous people from that community. It is important that the participants recruited reflect the diversity of the larger group under analysis; for example, recruiters must pay attention to gender and age. Additionally, when studying a complex issue like access to services, it is important to learn from those who have successfully navigated such systems, as well as those who have struggled to do so. As there may be an element of shame associated with those who have been less successful, these conversations may need to take place in different focus groups. 7.4.2. Designing questions The overall goal of the research must be kept in mind when designing the focus group questions. This will ensure that the topics covered relate to the research objectives and address the research questions in a manner appropriate to the goals of the study. Questions should be crafted to elicit the sharing of experiences among participants in a focused and meaningful manner. “When”, “what”, “where”, “how” and “which” questions should be asked, as they encourage more detailed responses. It can be helpful to structure the focus group around three types of questions: 1. Engagement questions: introduce participants to and make them comfortable with the topic 2. Exploration questions: get to the heart of the discussion 3. Exit questions: check to see if anything was missed in the discussion. Certain types of questions can actually impede discussion and should be avoided in question design. For example, “yes or no” questions (“closed” questions) are one-dimensional and will not stimulate discussion. Additionally, “why” questions can put people on the defensive and should be used carefully. Chapter 7: Collecting primary data | 75