Focus Group Interview Norms and Confidentiality Guidelines Group Norms
• The interview moderator will ask a series of 6-8 questions one question at a time. Each participant will have a turn to answer the first question before the second question is asked. Each participant will have a turn to answer the second question before the third question is asked and so on through each of the questions. Each student will be given a number and the participant starting order will systematically change from question to question.
• The questions will be free response with no right or wrong answers. I am looking for each of you to share your own thoughts and feelings and not what you think the researcher wants to hear.
• Only one person at a time can talk (everyone needs to hear what is being said).
• At the end of each question, participants will be asked to summarize what they heard and share any additional comments.
• Please try to answer every question without passing or skipping. However, you are free to pass if for any reason you are not comfortable answering a question.
• Please try not to name anyone by name during the interview. Instead use descriptors (i.e. the principal, the counselor, my math teacher, my friend, etc.).
Confidentiality Guidelines
• Your participation here today is completely voluntary. If at any point, you become uncomfortable or want to withdraw from participation you are free to do so. Simply raise your hand and indicate that you would like to be dismissed. If necessary, we will stop recording to allow you to gather your belongings and leave with no questions asked.
• Be assured that your participation or your withdrawal here today will in no way affect you as a student at this high school. Your participation or your withdrawal will be kept strictly confidential and there will be no impact to any course grade at this high school. Your help in gaining an understanding about the factors that both enhance and impede student enrollment in Advanced Placement coursework at this high school is appreciated.
• Everything that is shared by another person during this interview must stay here. You may share your own thoughts and feelings after you leave here today. You may not share the
thoughts or feelings of others outside of this interview session.
• This interview will be digitally recorded. The digital recording will be destroyed after it has been transcribed by an outside and confidentiality-bound transcriber. The digital recording and the transcript will be stored in a locked file cabinet. Following transcription, only the researcher and two University of Northern Colorado professors will have access to the digital recording and the transcript.
AP Student Focus Group Interview Questions and Format
Prior to the start of the interview, the researcher will briefly discuss the Risks-Benefits portion of the assent and consent forms as well as the Focus Group Norms and Confidentiality Guidelines.
________________________________________________________________________
Opening Question Please introduce yourself with your first
name only and share one thing outside of
school that is important to you or that you are interested in.
Transition Question What is your overall experience as a student
at this high school? Key Question/s
Following each question, participants will be asked to summarize what they heard and add additional comments.
Did anyone encourage you to enroll in an AP course at this high school? From your perspective, what are the ways that students access enrollment in AP coursework at this high school?
Final summary statements will be shared. Sub Question 1 (if not addressed)
If needed, this question will follow the key question as a sub key question.
From your perspective, what are some things that helped you in your AP coursework at this high school? What are some things that made AP participation challenging or difficult? Final summary statements will be shared. Sub Question 2 (if not addressed)
If needed, this question will follow the key question as a sub key question.
From your perspective, what are some factors that cause students to decide not to participate in AP coursework at this high school? What are some fears about participating in AP courses?
Final summary statements will be shared. Sub Question 3 (if not addressed)
If needed, this question will follow the key question as a sub key question.
What do your friends say about enrolling in advanced courses while in high school? What do your parents say about enrolling in
advanced courses while in high school? Final summary statements will be shared.
Main Issue Question Of all the issues discussed here this afternoon
which one is the most important to you?
Final Question Is there anything about student enrollment in
AP coursework that we should have talked about but did not?
Closing Remarks The researcher will explain the review and
confirmation process and will confirm participant interest in receiving a summary of the research findings.
________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: 1) go around with opening question; 2) go around with transition question; 3) one by one ask key question, pursue sub-questions as necessary; 4) allow each participant to summarize and comment after each question; 5) go around with main issues question; 6) finish interview with final question asked to group as whole; 7) explain the transcript review process as voluntary. Extend appreciation and dismiss group.
Non-AP Student Focus Group Interview Questions and Format
Prior to the start of the interview, the researcher will briefly discuss the Risks-Benefits portion of the assent and consent forms as well as the Focus Group Norms and Confidentiality Guidelines.
________________________________________________________________________
Opening Question Please introduce yourself with your first
name only and share one thing outside of
school that is important to you or that you are interested in.
Transition Question What is your overall experience as a student
at this high school? Key Question/s
Following each question, participants will be asked to summarize what they heard and add additional comments.
Has anyone encouraged you to enroll in an AP course at this high school? From your perspective, what are some things that discouraged you from taking high school AP courses?
Final summary statements will be shared. Sub Question 1 (if not addressed)
If needed, this question will follow the key question as a sub key question.
From your perspective, what are the ways that students access enrollment in AP coursework at this high school? What are some things that made AP participation challenging or
difficult?
Final summary statements will be shared. Sub Question 2 (if not addressed)
If needed, this question will follow the key question as a sub key question.
From your perspective, what are some factors that cause students to decide not to participate in AP coursework at this high school? What are some fears about participating in AP courses?
Final summary statements will be shared. Sub Question 3 (if not addressed)
If needed, this question will follow the key question as a sub key question.
What do your friends say about enrolling in advanced courses while in high school? What do your parents say about enrolling in
advanced courses while in high school? Final summary statements will be shared.
Main Issue Question Of all the issues discussed here this afternoon
which one is the most important to you?
Final Question Is there anything about enrollment in AP
coursework that we should have talked about but did not?
Closing Remarks The researcher will explain the review and
confirmation process and will confirm participant interest in receiving a summary of the research findings.
________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: 1) go around with opening question; 2) go around with transition question; 3) one by one ask key question, pursue sub-questions as necessary; 4) allow each participant to summarize and comment after each question; 5) go around with main issues question; 6) finish interview with final question asked to group as whole; 7) explain the transcript review process as voluntary. Extend appreciation and dismiss group.