Section outline

  • Course Overview

    This course provides clear guidance on running effective focus groups. It explains how to prepare an environment, shares key moderation skills, provides advice on managing group dynamics, and shares tips for analyzing the suitability of captured data. 

    Learning Outcomes

    This course will help you to:

    1. Prepare an appropriate environment for each focus group conversation 
    2. Show leadership when moderating 
    3. Manage a variety of group dynamics 
    4. Verify that all necessary research data were captured 

    • Course Instructor: Dr. Terri A. Thorkildsen

      • Dr. Terri A. Thorkildsen

        Dr. Theresa (Terri) A. Thorkildsen is Professor of Education and Psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago. She specializes in educational and developmental psychology, with PhD and MS degrees from Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN), and a BS degree in psychology from the University of Washington (Seattle, WA). Best known for her research on moral motivation, Terri focuses on how individuals form intentions about their personal well-being, civic engagement, and participation in civil society. Conclusions generated after planning and running focus groups are captured in her book Adolescents' Self-Discovery in Groups (2017, Routledge). More information on her research can be found at this website.

        View Bio for Dr. Terri A. Thorkildsen

      • Pre-Course Self Assessment

        Before you dive into this course, spend a few moments reflecting on your familiarity with the topic and your current level of skills confidence. 

        You will then re-visit the same questions in our Post-Course Self Assessment and reflect on how the course has helped you develop in confidence and grow your skills. 

        • Module One: How Should I Prepare for a Focus Group?

          This module will help you to:

          1. Recognize the key steps for running a successful focus group  
          2. Prepare an appropriate environment for each conversation  
          3. Identify how to capture multiple types of data 

        • Module Two: What Are the Responsibilities of a Moderator?

          This module will help you to:

          1. Evaluate your skills as a moderator  
          2. Show leadership when moderating  
          3. Listen actively and direct attention confidently
          4. Collaborate with other team members 

        • Module Three: How Should I Lead a Focus Group?

          This module will help you to:

          1. Bring a group together for a focus group conversation  
          2. Respond to cultural diversity   
          3. Manage a variety of group dynamics  
          4. Reach closure at the end of a focus group  

        • Module Four: How Can I Evaluate a Focus Group?

          This module will help you to:

          1. Recognize levels of evaluation    
          2. Review focus group materials  
          3. Evaluate if captured data align with the research design  
          4. Verify that all necessary research data were captured 

        • Glossary of Key Terms

          In addition to the glossary you’ll find woven throughout the course, you can find the full glossary collated in one place here.

        • Post-Course Self Assessment

          Now you’ve completed the course, spend a few moments reflecting on where your familiarity with the topics and your confidence skills levels are at now. 

          Has the course helped you develop new skills and grow your confidence?

          You'll need to complete the Post-Course Self Assessment in order to download your certificate. If you didn't do the Pre-Course Self Assessment before starting the course, please go to the top of the page and reflect on your familiarity with the topic and your level of skills confidence before you started the course.

          • Completion: Certificate

            Completing all modules (plus the pre and post-course assessments) will unlock the course certificate, which you can then download here. Your course certificate will only be made available once you have completed all these sections.

            If you have difficulty accessing your certificate, please contact the Sage support team at: onlinesupport@sagepub.co.uk. You can also check out this FAQ page which may be helpful.

            • Give Feedback About This Course

              Did you enjoy the course? Please take two minutes to share your feedback. We use learner feedback in future course updates and developments to provide an excellent learning experience.

            • Accessibility

              We have high standards of accessibility on Sage Campus and as of May/June 2024 all activities within this course are keyboard and screen reader compatible. For more details on accessibility standards, please see the Sage Campus Accessibility Guide.

              For those using assistive technology, please note that within this course:

              • Tab components: JAWS and NVDA behave slightly differently. For NVDA to keep reading, it is best to exit focus mode and go back to browse mode. 
              • Matching: JAWS does not read out question label on dropdown focus.