Immunization and child health materials development guide pdf

. Ground Rules. In a group setting, the facilitator will need to explain the ground rules for
how the group will operate. Ground rules usually include:
• Logistics, such as the timeframe for the discussion, restroom breaks, and availability
of refreshments;
• Group etiquette, such as the importance of talking one at a time, respecting divergent
opinions, and not needing a response for each question from every participant; and
• Encouragement, such as telling participants that you are available to answer questions
after the session and reminding them that they are the experts and that you want to
hear from all of them.
c. Discussion Questions and Topics. A discussion guide includes a list of questions, ranging
from general to specific, that a facilitator will ask during a discussion. How these questions
are designed and worded can make a difference in data quality. Qualitative research
uses open-ended questions, requiring participants to respond in their own words. Be
sure to design questions that are unbiased and non-threatening to participants who
might know very little about the topic at hand. Questions should give them a chance to
respond from their own experience. Figure 11 provides guidelines for designing discussion
questions.
d. Conclusion. At the end of the discussion guide, include questions that help process the
information that participants have shared. These questions should help identify and
refine key themes and test the depth of participants’ feelings about them. They should
also encourage participants to share any last thoughts on the discussion topic. A sample
focus group discussion guide can be found in Appendix 1.
ALLOW THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION TO EMERGE SLOWLY
The introduction to a focus group sets the tone for the discussion. The ultimate topic of discussion
should emerge slowly and naturally within the discussion context. This way, participants can reveal
what they know about the subject, whether they feel it is important, and how it relates to other
issues in their experience.
Imagine, for example, that you are invited to participate in a focus group discussion about health
issues. The facilitator might start by asking you to name the three most important things you can do
to ensure your children are healthy. You might respond: “Feed them,” or “Take them to the doctor,”
or “Keep them warm.” Perhaps the word “immunization” doesn’t even come to mind.
By letting the subject of your discussion emerge naturally, you will learn a great deal about your
audience and how they feel about the topic in relation to other issues and priorities.
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