Health Needs Assessment Toolkit

Transition questions move the conversation toward the key questions that
drive the study by going into more depth.
Key questions drive the study. These are the questions that really explore the
issues.
Ending questions bring the discussion to a close and enable participants to
reflect on previous comments.
You will be offered assistance to produce a set of questions using this format
should you require it.
Running the group
It is really necessary to use two people to run the group. One will facilitate the
process whilst the other takes notes.
Small talk is essential just prior to beginning the group discussion.
During this time observe participant interaction, noting individuals who tend to
dominate the group, are excessively shy, or consider themselves experts.
It is vital to take careful notes throughout the process, you could consider
using a flip chart to record key issues. Audio recording can assist in the
process of analysis.
The following format is recommended:
Welcome, introductions
Overview of topic, why you are here
Guidelines or ground rules – some things that will help the discussion go
better eg. allow people to contribute, listen
Opening question
Introductory question
Transition questions
Key questions
End questions
Summarise and ask group to agree with your summary
Thank them for their time and contribution
Analysis and Writing Up
Draw together and compare discussions of similar themes and examine how
these relate to variables in the sample population.
It is important to distinguish between individual opinions and group
consensus.
Attention must be given to minority opinions and examples which don’t fit with
the researchers overall theory.
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