Information to potential / confirmed participants on:

Suitability of venue (e.g. Does it have flipcharts? Sound? Location?)

Can tables (if used) be set out for the numbers expected?

Is tea/coffee/water being provided? (At least provide water if group is expected to last over 1 hour and 45 minutes.)

What information gathered in the group/s can be sent to participants?

Flip-chart pads and pens

Blu-tack (for signs if not flip charts)

Copy of information participants should have received

Ground Rules for participants

A4 paper / name plate cards

Sticky labels for people to put address on if they want output

Pens

Business card or contact details

Does reception know of focus group, do they have a list?

Fire alarm testing? Fire drill and assembly points

Are signs needed to help people find room?

Check location of toilets, tea/coffee/restaurant,

Is there a telephone that participants can use?

Can furniture be arranged to either bring the group closer together or

To add to the comfort of the group?

Provide name plates (can be made out of folded A4)

Flip chart preparation

Welcome

Introduce self / note-taker / any observers

Participant introductions

(e.g. name, job, where they work, any experience of focus groups)

Domestics – toilets, fire, telephones, tea/coffee/restaurant

Check if they have received a written invitation to group

Purpose of the Focus Group

Who is the client?

What will happen with the information?

Output that will be made available (sticky labels for self-addressing?)

What is a focus group?

What is expected / wanted?

Roles of leader / note-taker

(e.g. My job today is to help each of you speak freely and make known your own views and what you know to be the views of other people. I do need to keep you focused on particular topics and I may need to intervene to make best use of our time together.

I am not here to express my own views so please don’t assume my silence or nodding when someone speaks is agreement.

Please do comment and respond to what other people say. It is this interaction that is what makes Focus Groups useful, provided everyone accepts that people have different experiences and the right to hold different views.

Most people enjoy the experience of being in a focus group and part of my job is to make it an enjoyable experience for you.)

Confidentiality – I work to a Code of Ethics

Confidentiality – group contract with each other

Data will be as accurate as possible provided it is not likely to identify an individual

Timings / break (if scheduled)

Topics to be covered (if multiple)

Your comfort is important to getting quality information – let me know if you need a break or anything else that will help you feel more comfortable

Any questions before we begin?