Focus Groups
Focus Groups are organized meetings where a trained facilitator leads discussions with a small group of people to gather their opinions, feedback, and experiences about products, services, or environments from an accessibility perspective. This research method is particularly valuable in accessibility consulting because it helps companies understand how their products or services work for people with different abilities. Focus Groups are different from one-on-one interviews because they allow participants to build on each other's ideas and provide richer feedback through group interaction.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted Focus Groups with diverse participants to evaluate website accessibility features
Led Focus Group sessions to gather feedback on accessible product design
Analyzed Focus Group findings to improve digital accessibility guidelines
Typical job title: "Focus Group Moderators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Focus Group Moderators
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle difficult group dynamics in a focus group setting?
Expected Answer: Should discuss strategies for managing dominant personalities, encouraging quieter participants, and maintaining productive discussion while ensuring all voices are heard, particularly when dealing with sensitive accessibility topics.
Q: How do you ensure focus group findings lead to actionable recommendations?
Expected Answer: Should explain methods for analyzing qualitative data, identifying patterns, and translating participant feedback into clear, practical recommendations for improving accessibility.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you recruit diverse participants for accessibility-focused groups?
Expected Answer: Should explain strategies for finding and screening participants with various abilities, ensuring representative sampling, and maintaining ethical recruitment practices.
Q: What considerations do you take when designing focus group questions?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating open-ended questions, avoiding leading questions, and ensuring questions are accessible and inclusive for all participants.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the key components of a focus group discussion guide?
Expected Answer: Should mention introduction, warm-up questions, main discussion topics, and closing questions, while emphasizing the importance of timing and flow.
Q: How do you prepare a focus group room for accessibility?
Expected Answer: Should discuss considerations like physical access, seating arrangements, lighting, sound, and ensuring accommodations for various disabilities.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic facilitation skills
- Note-taking during sessions
- Following discussion guides
- Basic participant recruitment
Mid (2-5 years)
- Creating discussion guides
- Managing group dynamics
- Analysis of feedback
- Report writing
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic research planning
- Multiple group coordination
- Advanced analysis techniques
- Training other moderators
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience working with diverse populations
- Poor listening and communication skills
- Lack of empathy or patience
- No knowledge of accessibility considerations
- Unable to manage group discussions effectively
Related Terms
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