LeTSEvaluation Resources

Example- Student Focus Group Guide

Course: [Module no and title] Student Cohort: [Cohort identifier, academic year] Evaluator:

Background
Summarise your rationale for choosing this method, how findings are expected to contribute to the evaluation, and how the students were selected (e.g. possible expected differences and/or similarities in perspectives and experiences, demographics etc).

Purpose
Summarise the evaluation questions you hope to explore with the focus group.

Housekeeping checklist
Introduce evaluator to group and thank for participation. Information to provide students: - the purpose of the discussion - the intended recipients of findings and how they will be used - how feedback will be handled (issues of anonymity, confidentiality, data protection etc). - how students will be informed of the outcomes of findings of the evaluation and follow up action emerging from the evaluation - how the discussion will work rules of engagement, who speaks when, e.g. one at a time, indicate want to speak, speak clearly - the amount of time the discussion is anticipated to take Seek consent to tape record, transcribe and circulate discussion to intended recipients (if this is what is planned). Answer any questions students may have with regard to the evaluation activity.

The Discussion
[Questions included here are examples of issues that may need to be explored in the group, depending on how this method fits in with other data collection methods you are using. Questions will tend to be open.] 1. Explore student expectations of the learning experience and their achievement e.g. How did you expect this course to be different/similar to other courses? What do you hope to get out of it? 2. Explore how students feel about their actual learning experience and achievement e.g. How did your experience of the course compare to what you expected? What do you think you learnt? Is there anything else you would you have liked to learn from this course?

3. Explore factors students feel have influenced their learning experience and achievement e.g. What do you think have been the key factors that have influenced your experience of this course? How? Explore in relation to key themes being addressed by the change being introduced e.g. learning activities, assessment, resources, learning environment, course organisation.

DH, Toolkit/07-08 development/Downloads/Example Focus Group Guide.doc, February 2008

LeTSEvaluation Resources

4. Explore principles that might be transferable to other courses e.g. Is there anything you have experienced in this course that you would like to see more of in other courses? What?

5. Explore potential improvements e.g. How do you think your experience of this course/learning activity could have been improved?

Rounding up Is there anything further anyone would like to add about any of the issues weve already discussed, that you feel youve not had a chance to say? Is there anything anyone would like to add about any issue weve not really covered which you feel reflects an important aspect of your learning experience for this course?

End of Discussion
Thank students for attending and giving feedback. Remind them of consent and confidentiality issues. If appropriate, give students email contact details so they can feedback anything else they would like to add. Give timescale for this feedback.

DH, Toolkit/07-08 development/Downloads/Example Focus Group Guide.doc, February 2008