Thread: Putting together an online focus group

I'm part of the VisionsLive team and we provide online qualitative tools which include a platform for online focus groups.

Would you like to share more about the project with me? being more specific about your goals would help me to give better advice. You can contact me via the LinkedIn icon to the left of this post.

Generally, in terms of supporting any qualitative research I would recommend using text chat and online focus groups to achieve the objectives. We see a lot of projects on our software where it can be very effective to roll out an international study using the online methodology.

Originally Posted by SportsFan438

I am wanting to put together an online focus group to discover problems that people are having and wondered if anyone had any advice. Thanks

Hi, I've run over a thousand online focus groups for InsideHeads. For any focus group project you'll want to consider logistics and costs for:

1. Recruiting (requirements, incentives, sources)
2. Research Design/Project Management
3. Focus Facility (online platform provider) & features needed)
4. Group Administrator/Live Tech Support during the session
5. Moderator (discussion guide design & analysis)

I'm happy to provide you with general information or answer your questions to help get you started, just LMK. Whether you're looking to hire a research service or DIY, I'd recommend checking out Greenbook's New Qualitative website for more information (New Qualitative Research | User Guide + Blog + Directory of Platforms & Providers). Search for "online focus groups" and start reading!

Holler if I can help, good luck!
Jen

Apparently this thread has the *magic* of attracting folks who want to sell us on their services.

Would love if you guys stuck around and contributed to the community in a manner beyond this thread.

Thanks,
~ The Management

Originally Posted by SportsFan438

I am wanting to put together an online focus group to discover problems that people are having and wondered if anyone had any advice. Thanks

I would put together a substantially more detailed plan, or you're basically guaranteeing failure.

Originally Posted by snowbank

I would put together a substantially more detailed plan, or you're basically guaranteeing failure.

Do you believe its too random and needs to be more focused on a single market, say sports, and figure out the problems people are having there?

Originally Posted by SportsFan438

Do you believe its too random and needs to be more focused on a single market, say sports, and figure out the problems people are having there?

@SportsFan You need to think about (and possibly share more with us if you want a more meaningful response)...

- who is the group you want to talk to?
- how are you going to find them?
- how are you going to motivate/reward them for taking part?

You'd also need to think about the software you're going to use. Who is going to prepare the discussion guide and stimulus (based on the objectives of the focus group)? who is going to moderate the study? Whether to use a Webcam or Text based group? Or possibly an online bulletin board as a discussion alternative?

Originally Posted by BenOHanlon

@SportsFan You need to think about (and possibly share more with us if you want a more meaningful response)...

- who is the group you want to talk to?
- how are you going to find them?
- how are you going to motivate/reward them for taking part?

You'd also need to think about the software you're going to use. Who is going to prepare the discussion guide and stimulus (based on the objectives of the focus group)? who is going to moderate the study? Whether to use a Webcam or Text based group? Or possibly an online bulletin board as a discussion alternative?

Or just make a Skype group dude, it's free and you don't have to buy a thing from this guy.

Originally Posted by Mike39

Or just make a Skype group dude, it's free and you don't have to buy a thing from this guy.

I'm not suggesting anyone buy anything from me.

I've given some general advice about running an online focus group because that is what the OP asked for.

I've mentioned my role and the company I work for so you could trust that my advice was credible (i.e. we have experience running online focus groups).

Originally Posted by MJ DeMarco

Apparently this thread has the *magic* of attracting folks who want to sell us on their services.

Would love if you guys stuck around and contributed to the community in a manner beyond this thread.

Thanks,
~ The Management

A wee challenging to answer the original question truthfully without suggesting that SportsFan438 hire a professional qualitative researcher. For those not familiar, Greenbook.org is not a research company, it offers a collection of educational articles about research written by experts, as well as a directory of service providers, from which you can take your pick.

Based on the original question and the way it was worded, I don't think SportsFan438 knows where to even begin. But hey, that's just my professional opinion as a 20-year veteran in the field.

Clearly anyone can try to conduct their own "focus group" with any number of free tools available on the internet (Skype, Google chat, Facebook pages, etc.). Good research is a lot more than just a communication tool, but DIY adventurers will figure that out eventually.

Originally Posted by jdale

I don't think SportsFan438 knows where to even begin

Thats correct, as I havent identified a narrowed problem or market, so right now Im not sure who my focus group would be.