A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is a qualitative data collection method involving a small group of participants (typically 6–12 people) who share their opinions, experiences, and perceptions about a specific topic. The session is guided by a moderator who uses open-ended questions to encourage meaningful discussion.

Key Features

• Small group size (6–12 participants)

• Interactive group conversation

• Moderator facilitates but stays neutral

• Open-ended questions

• Duration: 60–120 minutes

• Useful for exploring motivations, perceptions, and behaviours

Common Uses

• Needs assessment

• Gathering feedback on products, modules, or systems

• Understanding user or learner experiences

• Identifying themes and patterns

• Common in education, social research, marketing, and policy studies

A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is important because:

1. Provides deep insights

FGDs help researchers understand the reasons behind behaviours, opinions, and experiences.

2. Group interaction generates richer data

Participants trigger each other's ideas, producing insights that may not appear in one-on-one interviews.

3. Cost- and time-efficient

Multiple perspectives can be collected simultaneously in one session.

4. Useful for exploring complex issues

FGDs help researchers uncover motivations, thought processes, and hidden meanings.

5. Essential for needs assessment

They help identify needs, gaps, challenges, and expectations.

6. Useful for testing ideas, modules, or products

Researchers can get immediate feedback for improvement.

7. Produces natural and spontaneous data

Participants speak freely, creating authentic and realistic data.

A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) supports qualitative researchers in several important ways:

1. Generates rich and detailed data

Group interaction creates deeper insights, real-life examples, and nuanced perspectives.

2. Provides multiple views at once

Researchers gain diverse experiences and viewpoints within a single session.

3. Enables data triangulation

FGD strengthens credibility when combined with interviews and observations.

4. Reveals hidden meanings

Emotions, reactions, and social dynamics emerge naturally during discussion.

5. Helps identify preliminary themes

FGDs provide early clues about patterns, categories, and key issues.

6. Validates the researcher’s initial understanding

Researchers can confirm or adjust early assumptions.

7. Supports development of research questions

FGDs refine interview guides, constructs, and research focus.

8. Provides feedback for interventions or program design

Useful in education, instructional design, curriculum development, and user experience research.