Youth Voice
Stages of Youth Voice
Successfully Involving Youth
Youth Focus Group Protocol for ISY
Youth Voice Assessment
Youth Focus Group Tip Sheet
Youth Focus Group Protocol for OSY
Link to Youth Voice Websites
Youth Focus Group Tip Sheet
What is a Youth Focus Group?
A Youth Focus Group is a small group of selected youth who are asked open-ended questions in a discussion type atmosphere to generate data.
What Can Focus Groups Tell You?
- Give information on how groups of youth think or feel about a particular topic
- Give greater insight into why certain opinions are held
- Help improve the planning and design of new programs
- Provide a means of evaluating existing programs
- Produce insights for developing strategies for outreach
What are the Elements of Sucssessful Youth Focus Groups?
A focus group is typically 7-10 youth who are unfamiliar with each other. These participants are selected because they have certain characteristics in common that relate to the topic of the focus group.
The moderator of the Focus Group must attempt to build rapport in the group. It may be wise to have the group members introduce themselves and tell a little about themselves. This method can help "break the ice." The moderator creates a permissive and nurturing environment that encourages different perceptions and points of view, without pressuring participants.
Develop a list of less than ten unstructured, open-ended questions to allow youth to answer; use questions that include how and why.
The group discussion is conducted several times with similar types of participants to identify trends and patterns in perceptions.
Careful and systematic analysis of the discussions provide clues and insights as to how a service is perceived by the group.
Youth Focus Group Tips
- Avoid recruiting the participants from one clique.
- Arrange chairs in a circular formation for participants, facilitator and notetaker.
- Provide snacks for the youth.
- Have nametags and black markers available for youth to write their first names.
- Ask participants to turn off cell phones.
- Have the participants help to set the group rules. Discuss confidentiality.
- Provide gift certificates to the youth for participating in the focus group.
- Keep the pace moving.
- Avoid long discussions.
