Focus Group Resources

Hi Cara,  One option would be to check out Doug McKenzie-Mohr’s book Fostering Sustainable Behaviour on this website. In Step 2: Identifying Barriers & Benefits, there is a brief section on how to conduct focus groups. In order to access it, you will need a Pro membership, which also gives you access to CBSM workshop discounts. If that interests you, you can sign up here. 

You can also access free how-to information on focus groups through the University of Kansas’ Community Toolbox. They have a chapter on Conducting Focus Groups, which you can find here. If you scroll to the bottom of that webpage, you will see links to other free focus group-related resources.

With regard to case studies, the best one I could find was Alameda County’s Green Purchasing Program in California. The organizers exceeded their campaign goals and applied focus groups as part of the data gathering process. They did not go into detail on how they conducted the focus groups, but the organizers’ contact information is publicly available, so you may be able to access their project plan by reaching out to them. You can access their contact information here.

If you are looking for very detailed, comprehensive information on how to conduct focus groups, you might consider purchasing the following book: “Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research”, which helps you to choose focus group participants, arrange meetings, develop suitable questions, hone your moderating skills, as well as analyze and report results. It is a bit pricey but may be worth it depending on how in depth you would like to go. 

I hope this helps.

Thanks so much! This is great information. 

You're welcome!