Should You do an In-house Implementation of ERP? My question is, if the interns and mentors do not want to do all the items listed above, is it okay to allow them to only participate in focus groups. 6 0 obj
When an employee feels that their uniqueness is valued, they are more likely to bring their whole selves to work, including those aspects of their identity that distinguish them from the dominant or leadership group.To encourage focus group participants to think about what makes them unique, I ask each participant to draw a tree with bare branches. Student Focus Groups & Interviews. Some participants might not be willing to share their opinions due to fear of backlash. They provide the opportunity to ask follow-up questions. These focus group discussions lasted from 60 to 90 minutes. This phenomenon can directly impact focus group observations and conclusions. Utilize the deep-dive questions to probe into pain points. Making sure you cover all of these areas when formulating your questions is extremely important, as well as the way you word and ask them. As one group conducts their study, the other group observes the discussion. Will managers support me in this venture? How familiar are you with the product? • How can the focus group findings be used? The ideal leader never dismisses comments as “bad ideas” or “illogical” because they understand that the goal of focus groups is to gauge perceptions. Focus groups allow for additional probing and follow-up questions. Clearly state the scope, purpose and desired outcome of the focus group. • What will schools gain by using focus groups? It gets details and expands answers. 2) What do teachers do to promote high levels of parent involvement in their children’s education? College Student Focus Group Discussion Guide Prepared by Peter D. Hart Research for the Association of American Colleges and Universities This guide was originally prepared for a set of focus groups commissioned by the Association of American Colleges and Universities and conducted by Peter D. Hart Research in Summer, 2004. 7 0 obj
Before we talk about how to conduct a focus group, let’s take a look at the definition of a focus group and some of the pros and cons. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. She recommends starting with “something that elicits stories about a common experience,” stimulating the participants to engage one another and quickly foster a sense of community Engagement questions are also commonly used to get participants talking about … %����
For many companies, answers to these questions will only be answered days or weeks after the project begins. Keep an eye on participants’ energy levels and intersperse focus-group questions with calm or energizing activities as needed. They can save time and money when compared to the cost of individual interviews. Develop deep-dive questions focused on the why, how and what. What do you think the role of e-learning is in Higher Education? endobj
In the end, the group that observed the first session performs their conversation. Decide whether focus groups are appropriate 2. Here are some sample focus groups questions to obtain answers to help with these two objectives. endobj
endobj
Develop a summary report of the key findings to share with executives. • What are the advantages and disadvantages of focus groups? According to a recent survey, most supply chain managers are looking for ways to improve warehouse automation processes. You can view our cookie policy anytime to learn more or change your settings. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Change is never easy, but with guidance from business transformation consultants, like Panorama, you can minimize change resistance. For a calming activity example, have the group close their eyes, raise their hands, and listen to the ringing of a bell or chime. <>
1. Outcomes for the Entering Students Focus Group Discussion: 1. The focus group leader must be prepared to quell this type of behavior and redirect emotion into productive conversation. Focus groups promote self-reflection and allow students to see that they are not alone in the way they feel about a topic. endstream
This can be a good way to facilitate the cascading of conversation as participants discuss and rank issues amongst themselves. Identify patterns in responses and general themes. 17. This is especially true for an ERP implementation. Review the minutes and reach a consensus on the top priorities. conducting student focus groups (Hollander, 2004; Hyde et al., 2005; Raby, 2010). <>>>
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Much attention has been given to focus groups across the change management community. Explain more about that . An example of this can be seen in group sessions where there is a very animated and emotional participant. Readiness assessments also are helpful. • What questions and decisions can focus groups address? 5 0 obj
A survey would be a good way to learn that 54% of the population prefers Program A. We use cookies to improve your experience, for traffic analytics and advertising. endobj
How can we fix the problems you talked about? endobj
Listen for comments that are vague and seek clarification. 1 0 obj
To understand students’ earliest experiences with the college 3. Ensure the questions are open-ended and do not lead participants to certain answers. 2 Project Team Wendy Marson Student Success Implementation Team: Student Focus Group Lead Director of Institutional Research Inver Hills Community College 651-450-3392 … Taking a deeper look at this definition, there are some key terms that should be clarified: This includes employees, managers, executives, customers and anyone who might be impacted by the topic of interest. Exploration questions will make up the bulk of your focus group questions. To understand what students expect from higher education 2. What do you mean when you say_____? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A focus group is a gathering of stakeholders who are selected to participate in a planned discussion intended to uncover perceptions about a particular topic in a non-threatening environment. endobj
Topics covered in this publication include focus group basics, preparing for the focus group, developing effective questions, planning the focus group session and analyzing the data. Focus groups findings can be difficult to analyze. Similar, yet different, questions would be developed for administrators, technology specialists, or other populations within a school. As such, they are intended to be used for discussion where an interviewer asks the question and likely follows up with another question in response. By all accounts, there has been a dramatic increase in the last decade in the number of schools using focus groups. :D�'���C�xh����o�$�.��Y��!�Vz��|h�n��dz���M����[��6h�R��4l�8r��1�ޢ�>�S�������v#E��vR�lr`�C3|�B��bfexr�:P�U�0F�2��ù�bw�^�;�1�
These activities will help you address the concerns you uncover. The leader must listen deeply, think carefully and be empathetic to each participants’ opinion. Inclusive workplaces recognise and value individual differences. ",#(7),01444'9=82. This resource provides parent focus group and survey questions that district leaders can use or adapt as part of their local assessment inventory process. Often, this is an ERP consultant. The focus group leader must be well-versed enough in the topic of interest to react to participants’ comments. However, while a majority recognize the importance of this goal, only 43% of companies say they're prepared to achieve it. This is just one of many organizational change management tools companies can use to anticipate change resistance. by Panorama Consulting Group | Oct 28, 2019. This focus group guide contains sections that are adaptable for your local context. <>
An approach to deciding whether to use focus groups is suggested, which includes a consideration of when focus groups are preferred over one-to-one interviews. Listen to your target audience 4. I like to use ranking questions in focus groups, where members discuss and rank challenges or priorities. x�m�M�@����cuXwt�U~$B��! Agendas and relevant training materials must be created in advance. Select participants based on who will be most impacted by the change. whether to use focus groups or surveys to gauge student perceptions.
$.' You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. <>
In addition, the meeting date must be set at a time that encourages maximum participation from the stakeholders. They can provide a broader range of information than individual interviews. The vividness effect is a well-researched phenomenon in cognitive psychology that describes how peoples’ opinions are often shaped by highly graphic and dramatic situations. If you’re wondering how your ERP implementation or business transformation is going to impact employees, focus groups are one way to find out. Parent Involvement Focus Group Questions for Parents, Teachers and Administrators . This quiz will test you on the methodologies used with focus groups, as well as the general idea of focus groups. The insights revealed from using tools like this can be used to convince executives to invest in critical change management activities, such as communication planning and end-user training. Decide who to involve 3. For example, they should be willing to interrupt (politely) and redirect tangential topics to focus on the topic of discussion. c. Can you give an example of _____ 1) What do parents do that tell you they are involved in their children’s education? To understand what factors students believe would help them start right in college Your focus groups should include 8-12 people per session (any more and it becomes unwieldy) and the sessions should be held in two or three primary alumni cities or regions. Join us February 9-11, 2021 to for a training event that equips executives, IT directors and project managers with the skills to transform their people, processes and technology. 4 0 obj
Following are some tips for finding the right person to conduct your focus groups: The atmosphere of the focus group is set by the focus group leader. All of these different types of focus groups would be part of a comprehensive data collection effort, which in itself would be part of a comprehensive evaluation … ERP projects and business transformations are exciting ventures for executives. <>
(extremely, somewhat, or not familiar at all) Follow-Up Questions. The ideal group size is 6-8 per focus group. They are more likely to be candid in a group, especially if others willingly share similar feelings. Do you know what you are expected to know and be able to do at the end of the When they can no … <>
During the fall of 2019 (when most students were in 11th grade). If you participate in this study, you will be in a group of approximately seven to nine students. Disagreements between group members and irrelevant discussion can distract from the main topic. Two-way focus group: A two-way group involves two separate groups having discussions on the topic at different times. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Select a focus group leader who is outside of the organization, so employees aren’t fearful of backlash. Identify reasons for disagreement and agreement. A focus group is an integral part of marketing research. 2 0 obj
Probes: a. The facilitator is the person guiding the discussion. • When should focus groups not be used? A focus group is a guided discussion whose intent is to gather open-ended comments about a specific issue For student learning assessment, “specific issue” usually means student learning objectives Usually involves a moderator, and between six and twelve participants who are chosen from a … Asked right at the beginning of a focus group session, introductory questions should, in Salmons’ words, “establish a safe space within the group”. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. They help obtain information about personal and group opinions. Toolkit for Conducting Focus Groups, provided by Omni, is a great resource intended to assist in conducting focus groups and enhance one’s facilitation skills. Write main questions in the focus group questionnaire - moderator's guide. However, among the many items in an executive’s repertoire exists a powerful tool that can help them answer these questions before the project commences: focus groups. b. Focus groups allows for an intimate, small group and creates an accepting environment that encourages participants to share their different insights and opinions without fear of … Focus group discussions should be used when you need to understand an issue at a deeper level than you can access with a survey. A Focus Group is a very useful assessment method for helping to determine the why and dive in deeper on student experiences. This tool is intended to help the moderator obtain more in-depth information about perceptions and experiences of mitigation strategies used to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when schools are in in-person learning mode. endobj
It’s important to find someone unbiased who will seek to create an atmosphere where participants feel safe to speak freely. This is because, if orchestrated correctly, focus groups can yield valuable and actionable information. Focus groups are often used in concert with other product research methods to determine not only how the product could be improved but also how the product should be marketed. ���� JFIF x x �� C The curriculum and intended learning outcomes . Student Focus Group Results Fall 2014 Prepared For: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Prepared By: The Organizational Effectiveness Research Group Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota . This is one of the most important aspects of the focus group definition. The questions asked in a focus group are crucial. We have found that... 1732 Wazee St.Suite 202Denver, CO 80202[email protected]orClick Here. stream
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Determine the number of questions necessary to fill the duration of the meeting. These cookies do not store any personal information. <>
endobj
Verify that focus groups are the best way to gauge employee perceptions. Focus Group Interviewing --- Richard Krueger 3 First Steps With Focus Group Studies 1. Surveys allow districts to gather information On each branch, I ask t… <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>>
On the other hand, focus groups are generally more costly than surveys to organize, staff and analyze, and they require access to skilled focus group moderators. Often there are several follow-up questions to one main question. Eleven international students participated in the student focus groups. They will set the tone and drive the entire discussion, which will make or break the results for your company and your product. If you are conducting a feasibility study at a college or university, you can gain additional insights by asking what we feel are the 9 best questions for focus groups. Here is an example, Main question “What is the biggest problem with brand X?” Without adequate planning, any effort you attempt could fail to meet its potential. There will be a facilitator who will ask questions and facilitate the discussion, and two note-takers to write down the ideas expressed within the group. Where it is necessary and/or helpful to hold a focus group to ascertain the views of a cross-section of students from across the subject, the following questions can be used: a. However, among the many items in an executive’s repertoire exists a powerful tool that can help them answer these questions before the project commences: focus groups. 9 0 obj
However, this excitement is almost always accompanied by apprehension. 3 0 obj
By continuing you agree to our use of cookies. There must be a clearly established closing time for discussion, so all participants know they have a specific window in which to share their opinions. Focus Group Guide cover . How to Manage Scope Creep Before it Devours Your ERP Project, ERP Project Scope: How to Keep Your Team Focused on What Matters, Warehouse Best Practices You Might Find in an ERP System, Webinar: How Manufacturing & Distribution Organizations are Responding to the Long-term Impact of 2020. There should be an open floor for discussion to encourage maximum participation. Select a meeting location appropriate for discussion to avoid outside interruptions. The questions on this page are focus group or interview questions. Will this initiative be successful? No personal information is shared or stored. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. We’ll help you prepare for and conduct focus groups, enabling you to understand and address employees’ fears. These questions are also good for building consensus or focusing in on particular issues in a group interview (focus group). 8 0 obj
This is why it’s important to find a focus group leader who is organized enough to plan and adhere to a schedule. These data deliver the "what" about the student experience, but through focus groups, colleges can also learn the "why." With this apprehension comes questions like: Will my employees reject the proposed changes? The first round included two student focus groups, one undergraduate and one graduate, and one faculty focus group. Select no less than four people but no more than 12 people. %PDF-1.5
Invite participants with a positive message and inform them of the benefits of participating. Here are the broad focus group questions and prompts for discussion (although they're subject to change): What do you understand by the term e-learning? Carry out a focus group study if you want to understand people’s views and experiences. The objective of the focus group is to pull information from stakeholders. Develop and produce the required materials for the meeting, including training pamphlets, project one-pager, etc. To understand how students perceive the college’s effectiveness in meeting their needs 4. They are helpful for adding meaning and understanding to existing knowledge, or getting at the “why” and “how” of a topic. Topics to be covered are drawn from the following list. Information about each of these focus group timepoints is presented below. The focus group must be designed in a way that allows participants to feel free to discuss potential pain points. published focus-group study is used as an illustrative example, along with other examples from the field of pedagogic research in geography higher education. Questions for student focus groups . Emphasize that anonymity will be paramount when sharing results with executives. This is a sample set of focus group questions designed for for use with teachers. The follow-up question inquires about the answer to the main question. stream
Considering the potential benefits, disadvantages and role within an institution that pre-dominantly teaches through face-to-face sessions. Often, this individual can rally opinion to align with his beliefs, thereby skewing the potential for accurate conclusions. Following are some advantages of using focus groups: While there are distinct advantages to conducting a focus group, there are some disadvantages, as well: In order for a focus group to be most impactful, it’s important to adhere to the following six-step process: As mentioned earlier, the focus group leader should be someone outside your organization. Before we talk about how to conduct a focus group, let’s take a look at the definition of a focus group … One way to ensure this is to conduct different focus groups for employees at different levels to ensure they are not filtering their opinions due to their managers being present. <>
Focus Group Questions for Students ... Group information (indicate the number of individuals for each category): Code (identifier): _____ ... number of female students and professionals in agriculture? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Focus Group Timeline We conducted focus groups on this project at two timepoints: During the fall of 2016 (when most students were in 8th grade). Focus groups are facilitated group discussions. “What’s more important in a breakfast cereal: taste or health?” “How often do you download large files at home?” In addition to gathering specific detail about the experiences students and others are having, these structured discussions will also help uncover possible strategies to consider for improvement.