In evaluating a program, which is NOT a guideline for using focus groups?

In evaluating a program, which is NOT a guideline for using focus groups?

• A. Focus groups should discuss the same program across groups
• B. Moderators should guide the discussion
• C. Focus groups should only include those who have participated in the program
• D. Focus groups should include diverse participants

Answer: (C)

When evaluating a program, focus groups are used to gather in-depth feedback from a range of people who interact with the program. The strongest practice is to have groups discuss the same program across groups so you can compare what different participants think and experience. A moderator should guide the discussion to keep it on track, invite quieter voices, and probe for deeper insights. Including diverse participants is important to capture a broad set of experiences and viewpoints, helping to avoid biased conclusions. Restricting groups to only those who have participated misses important perspectives—such as potential participants, those who tried but didn’t engage, or other stakeholders—and can skew findings toward the experiences of a single group. That’s why the guideline to include only participants is not appropriate.

When evaluating a program, focus groups are used to gather in-depth feedback from a range of people who interact with the program. The strongest practice is to have groups discuss the same program across groups so you can compare what different participants think and experience. A moderator should guide the discussion to keep it on track, invite quieter voices, and probe for deeper insights. Including diverse participants is important to capture a broad set of experiences and viewpoints, helping to avoid biased conclusions.

Restricting groups to only those who have participated misses important perspectives—such as potential participants, those who tried but didn’t engage, or other stakeholders—and can skew findings toward the experiences of a single group. That’s why the guideline to include only participants is not appropriate.