Focus Group Discussion

Focus Group Discussion FGD is a rapid assessment, semi‐structured data gathering method in which a purposively selected set of participants gather to discuss issues and concerns based on a list of key themes drawn up by the researcher/facilitator (Kumar 1987). This qualitative research technique was originally developed to give marketing researchers a better understanding of the data from quantitative consumer surveys.

Purpose of FGD To gain knowledge about a particular topic or need by interviewing a group of people directly affected by the issue. To understand local perceptions about the issues To identify and understand constraints To identify and strategise coping mechnisms FGD is used to conduct a needs assessment or evaluating a program.

Methods Semi-structured group interview Ranking Matrix

familiarity with the discussion topic ability to speak the language spoken of the area cultural sensitivity, genuine interest in people sensitivity to men and women politeness empathy respect for participants Facilitator – he is moderator of FGD

How to conduct FGD After a brief introduction, the purpose and scope of the discussion are explained. Participants are asked to give their names and short background information about themselves. The discussion is structured around the key themes using the probe questions prepared in advance. During the discussion, all participants are given the opportunity to participate.

Encourage shy participants to speak. Use a variety of moderating tactics to facilitate the group Stimulate the participants to talk to each other, not necessarily to the moderator. Encourage shy participants to speak. Pay close attention to what is said in order to encourage that behavior in other participants. Use in‐depth probing

Discourage dominant participants Call on other participants Politely intervene by saying, “Maybe we can discuss that in another occasion...” Look in another direction Take advantage of a pause and suggest that the subject can be discussed in detail in another session Discourage dominant participants

Rice Planthopper Outbreaks Sample FGD Guide Rice Planthopper Outbreaks How are outbreaks reported? What is the flow of outbreak information from the field upwards? And usually how long will this take to reach Agril.directors? How do Agril. directors act on reports of outbreaks? Are reports of outbreaks from the field communicated upwards to the central offices or contained within the province? What is AD’s management procedure for dealing with a pest outbreak? What about the People’s Committee?

During the outbreak last season, what do you think was expected of you as an extension official? As a People’s Committee vice chairman? What steps did AD take to manage the problem last season? What about the People’s Committee in the area? What management options were preferred and recommended by PPD? (Chemical, escape strategy, etc.) Why was that option chosen? What were your worries about the outbreak? What were your worries about the disease/pest management option you have chosen and recommended to farmers?

How much was the budget allocation for disease control How much was the budget allocation for disease control? How was this amount determined? What was the basis for the budget allocation? How was the budget allocation decided in PPD? Who decides the budget allocation for pest outbreaks? What extension mechanisms were used to communicate to farmers about virus disease/pest control?

Multi-disciplinary team of KVK ld by Home Scientist on area of health and nutritional issues What are the major problems that members community have? Who was affected by what illness?(rank problems in order of importance, indicate nutrition related problems) In your view, what are the reasons for these problems and what I commonly done to resolve the problems?(Draw a matrix with these problems, causes, actions taken by community and households; Probe deep enough to understand the underlying problem and causes) How do the families address the problems?

Multi-disciplinary team of KVK ld by Home Scientist on area of health and nutritional issues How are decisions me in the household with regard to health or in response to health problems? Who makes specific decisions? how are household resources allocated in case of ill health? What resources are needed by the community, households and individuals to become more successful at preventing health and utrition problems from recurring

Information gathered: Nutritional related problems, their intensity and importance Causes of these problems Actions initiated by the target group for solving these problems Resources allocated at family level for addressing these problems Community level actions Determining interventions

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