Qualitative and Formative Research/Focus groups

Formative research is increasingly recognized as extremely valuable in getting to know your target population when planning an upcoming intervention project. However, there are many research options to choose from. For example, focus groups include multiple stages from recruitment, composition, and implementation to analysis and interpretation. We tailor our time and resources to each client's project depending on your team's experience and capacity to run focus groups.

Our CHAI formative research specialist, Dr. Andrea Meier, will meet with you to discuss our services. Before this meeting it will be useful for CHAI to receive a copy of your study proposal to understand the design of the formative research activities and their relationship to other parts of the project.

Some possible services are:

  • Consider the pros and cons of different formative research methods
  • Helping with the design of the focus group and/or survey questions
  • Drafting the focus group protocol and moderator's guide
  • Assisting with the recruitment strategy
  • Identify appropriate focus group moderators
  • Train the moderator(s) for the project protocol
  • De-brief with staff following the focus groups
  • Assist in reviewing codes for analysis and provide ongoing consultation on the analysis

Click here to download a PDF containing more information.