Doing Sociology – Mock Focus Group Module
Writing essays and doing assignments is normally a very solitary experience. We can talk about our work and issues with friends and family. But seldom do we do this in a structured way.
A mock focus group allows you to explore issues and topics in a way that elicits group views. There are many benefits to the focus group over one-to-one interviews where interviewees do not have to consider their ‘truth-claims’ in relation to group norms. Also, one-to-one interviews can often be unduly influenced and guided by the interviewer. Focus groups are used in sociology because they are useful in highlighting how meanings are socially produced and maintained. Attitudes and opinions are socially formed and focus groups are proved an ideal environment to observe this formation.
Focus groups can overcome these problems. Typically a group of between four and ten people participate in a focus group. You will need to provide a list of question, either in person or in a running sheet.
You may or may not be present. If present you can take notes about the discussion or alternatively ask participants for their consent to record the discussion.
To facilitate the discussion you will need a list of, say, what you consider to be the ten most important questions about an issue. If you are moderating the discussion in person you can put those questions to the group directly or else give everyone a copy of the questions before the meeting.
There are a number of purposes to which focus groups can be put. On topical issues, they may provide qualitative information that could inform an essay that you are writing or at least help you clarify your thoughts about what are the really important questions to ask about a given issue. Focus groups are very good at helping you do this. You might find that the ten questions you began with need to be radically changed into a different order of questions altogether.
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