10.3.3  Questionnaires, interviews and focus groups

Questionnaires are a list of questions with a space under each one for the researcher to write the answers given by the respondent (the person ‘responding’ to the questionnaire). Alternatively, questionnaires can have several possible answers to each question and the respondent chooses which one best represents their status, knowledge or opinions. Interviews are less formal and the interviewer has a structured conversation with one or more respondents about topics of interest, and writes down the answers based on what the respondent says. Focus groups are guided discussions in a group of people who have agreed to ‘focus’ on a particular subject, sharing their views and experiences in order to shed light on a problem and its possible solutions. The group has a facilitator, who keeps the group focused on the agreed topic and records the points made in the discussion (Figure 10.6). You will learn more about these (and other) data collection methods in Study Session 12.

Figure 10.6  A focus group is a good way of collecting qualitative data for your community survey.