Focus groups
Public Agenda
Normally one-off discussions of a particular topic, focus groups usually involve between 6 – 12 individuals selected to meet specific criteria and thus categorized as being broadly representative of people from that segment of society. Selection is usually undertaken by a specialized recruitment agency by phone, or through street side interviews. There is often a small payment to participants. While their small, intimate, settings are often seen as an advantage in opening people up to discuss issues, the focus group background in private sector marketing has made it suspect in the eyes of some.
Examples:
See readings below.
Readings:
UKCEED, Focus Group Element, “Integrated Public and Stakeholder Consultation to Inform the Energy White Paper”
Dürrenberger, Gregor , et al. "Integrated assessment focus groups: Bridging the gap between science and policy", Science and Public Policy,26(5) October 1999, 341-350
Barnes, Ian, et al. "‘What do you think about genetic medicine? Facilitating sociable public discourse on developments in the new genetics", Science, Technology and Human Values,25(3) Summer 2000, 283-308
IPAC Events
