Conducting Focus Groups with College Students: Strategies to Ensure Success. Professional File. Number 127, Fall 2012

N

16

Researchers

Focus Groups; College Students; Student Characteristics; Institutional Research; Interviews; Interaction; Research Design

Institutional researchers (IRs) are often asked to conduct focus groups as an efficient way to address an institutional concern or problem. Typically, IR professionals depend on external consultants and specialists to conduct these group interviews for them; however, due to recent resource constraints (staffing, budgets), they are increasingly assuming responsibility for conducting the focus group sessions themselves. Institutional researchers require specialized skills in order to engage college students in this type of group interviewing; college students present specific characteristics and preferences that require careful consideration. As student research programs continue to expand and support campus decision-making, it is important that practitioners develop the necessary skills to effectively plan and conduct focus groups with college students. While some researchers have discussed the challenges of conducting focus groups with children and teens, few studies highlight the methods required to work effectively with college students. This paper is intended to assist practitioners by recommending practical interviewing strategies, with particular emphasis on the opportunities and challenges encountered when working with this unique population. [For "Integrating the Functions of Institutional Research, Institutional Effectiveness, and Information Management. Professional File. Number 126, Summer 2012," see ED573088.]

ERIC

52

2017

ED573089