Hi all
A number of you were interested in any responses I got from my question about focus groups, so here is the summary:
· The main point was that an incentive is essential; some places offered £10, £30 in Amazon vouchers, tea and cake, print credits and even an iPod Nano!
· Trying to get support from other departments is useful; some institutions had got support from academics who had had experience of running focus groups, another one got help from their marketing department
· Having an impartial person to run the group is ideal as this would be more likely to encourage honesty.
· If possible, the group needs to be run by two people - one to run the group and the other to be in charge of recording responses and taking notes
· Try to publicise the focus groups as widely as possible to recruit people with a range of opinions. One respondent uses course and year representatives via the Student Union to get volunteers
· General tips included; tape recording the meeting as well as taking notes, being careful not to let individuals dominate the group and stress that there are no right or wrong answer and everyone's opinion is valid
· Most respondents also said that although the groups were hard work they were worth the effort as they got some very interesting and useful feedback
· I also got sent a useful article written by staff from Swansea University after they conducted a focus group with their research staff. It was published in SCONUL Focus and can be accessed from the website http://www.sconul.ac.uk/publications/newsletter/45/28.pdf
I hope all of those who were interested find this useful and a big thank you to everyone who responded and shared their experiences!
Kind Regards
Katie
Katie Bennett BA (Hons) MA
Liaison Librarian
Library
Newman University College
Birmingham B32 3NT
Tel : 0121 476 1181. Ext 2413
Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
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