Facilitating Focus Groups

Click on the appropriate button to begin. If you are employed by NYS or a local health department in NYS, we recommend that you register for this course through the NYS Department of Health Learning Management System (DOH LMS) .

I am NOT a New York State Employee I Work for NYSDOH or a LHD in NYS

Overview

In this video-based training program, participants sit in on a mock focus group and watch as the moderator models different techniques to carry out the focus group. The program addresses techniques including ice-breaker exercises, validation techniques, and other strategies to probe group members for clarity and deeper meaning, while encouraging group interactions and active conversation.

Who should take this course?

This course is designed for individuals who have a background in designing or implementing quantitative research and who would like to expand their work to include conducting focus groups. The course is ideal for those with a Master’s in public health or another social/behavioral or health science discipline or who have equivalent experience in the design or conduct of quantitative research.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:

  • Identify focus group standards for planning and logistics.

  • Moderate a focus group utilizing listening, open-ended questioning, and probing techniques while encouraging active participation.

  • Manage the logistical execution of the focus group with attention to conversation flow, group participation, and time-keeping.

Council on Linkages Core Competencies

  • 1B4 – Uses methods and instruments for collecting valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data
  • 1B8 – Employs ethical principles in the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information
  • 1B9 – Interprets quantitative and qualitative data
  • 1B10 – Makes community-specific inferences from quantitative and qualitative data
  • 3B2 – Communicates in writing and orally, in person, and through electronic means, with linguistic and cultural proficiency
  • 3B6 – Applies communication and group dynamics strategies in interactions with individuals and groups
  • 4B2 – Considers the role of cultural, social, and behavioral factors in the accessibility, availability, acceptability and delivery of public health services

Prerequisites

Through prior training or experience, students are expected to have some background knowledge of the following topics: Qualitative research methods Focus group research. For those without this background knowledge, it is recommended that you complete the follow training before beginning this program: Introduction to Qualitative Research. .

Continuing Education Credits

0.5 CPH credit. The New York City-Long Island-Lower Tri-County Public Health Training Center is a NBPHE pre-approved provider of CPH continuing education credits.  0.5 CPH CE will be awarded for participation in this activity.

Estimated time to complete

30 minutes

Is NYNJ: