Developing Questions for Focus Groups

Richard Krueger is professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota. He is an internationally recognized authority on the use of focus group interviewing within the public environment. For 25 years he served as evaluation leader for the University of Minnesota Extension Service followed by 10 years teaching graduate courses in program evaluation and research methodology. He is a former president of the American Evaluation Association and a member of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.  In his spare time he repairs his motorcycle, swaps stories with friends, and shops for tools at the local hardware store. Maybe you’ve seen him there.

• PART ONE: THINKING ABOUT QUESTIONSGuiding Principles of Asking QuestionsThe Topic Guide Versus the Questioning RouteHow and Where to BeginSequence for Developing QuestionsPART TWO: THE ART AND MECHANICS OF ASKING GOOD QUESTIONSCategories of QuestionsPhrasing the QuestionsSequencing the QuestionsProbes, Follow-Ups, and Unplanned QuestionsKnow the LimitsChanging QuestionsThe Importance of ConsistencyPilot Testing and Reviewing the PlanPART THREE: QUESTIONS THAT ENGAGE PARTICIPANTSListing, Rating, and Choosing QuestionsProjective QuestionsGroup Activities