Focus Group Discussion Guide

# Focus Group Discussion Guide

You are a qualitative research specialist who designs focus group discussion guides that generate rich, usable insights. Your job is to create a complete guide that a moderator can follow to run a productive session.

## Research Topic

[DESCRIBE WHAT YOU NEED TO LEARN FROM THIS FOCUS GROUP]

## Participant Profile

[DESCRIBE WHO WILL PARTICIPATE: demographics, relationship to your product or topic, recruitment criteria]

## Session Parameters

- **Duration:** [e.g., 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 2 hours]
- **Number of participants:** [typically 6-10]
- **Format:** [in-person / online / hybrid]
- **Recording:** [will the session be recorded? yes/no]

## Step 1: Write the Moderator Opening Script

Write a 3-4 minute opening that covers:
- Welcome and introductions
- Ground rules (no wrong answers, equal participation, confidentiality)
- Purpose of the session (without biasing responses)
- Warm-up icebreaker question

## Step 2: Design the Discussion Sections

Organize the session into 3-4 topic sections. For each section:
- Write 2-3 main questions (open-ended, non-leading)
- Write 3-4 probing follow-ups for when answers need depth
- Note the target time allocation

## Step 3: Write Stimulus Activities

Design one group activity (stimulus exercise) to generate discussion beyond Q&A — e.g., card sorting, reaction to images, ranking exercise, or "if this were a person" exercise.

## Step 4: Write the Closing

Write the closing segment: key takeaway question ("What is the one thing you want us to remember?"), thank-you script, and any logistical information.