Focus groups are a form of qualitative research in which a group of participants are asked to discuss their opinions or attitude to a particular topic.  The interative group setting encourages participants to talk freely within the group in response to questions asked by the facilitator or moderator.  There are usually 6 to 12 participants in a focus group and the discussion lasts from 1-2 hours.

Focus group variants include:

• Two way focus groups - one focus group observes another and discusses observed interactions and conclusions.
• Dual moderator focus groups - one moderator facilitates the discussion while the other ensures all topics are adequately discussed.
• Mini focus groups - focus groups with 4 to 5 participants rather than 6 to 12.
• Dueling moderator focus group - two moderators take opposite sides on the issue under discussion.
• Respondent moderator focus group - one or more of the respondents are asked to act as a temporary moderator.
• Client participant focus group - client representatives participate in the group discussion.
• Teleconference focus group - conducted over the telephone network.
• Online focus group - conducted via the internet. 
  

Factors which influence the time taken to transcribe a focus group recording include:

• The quality of the recording.
• The number of external microphones used (preferably one per two participants).
• The clarity and number of speakers.
• Whether speakers need to be identified.
• The speed at which speakers are talking and if they are coherent.
• Regional or foreign accents.
• Background noise.
• Terminology.
  

Improve the quality of your focus group by:

1. Choosing the right environment to record (watch out for things that contribute to background noise).
2. Use an effective moderator to control the discussion.
3. Remind participants not to talk over each other.
4. Conduct a rehearsal in the venue, if possible, to check sound quality and microphone positions.
5. Brief all the participants before you start to save time during the recording.
6. Turn off all mobile phones as they causes  interference.
7. If participants need to be identified, ask them to say their name or an assigned letter/number before they speak.  Alternatively, ask the moderator to say their name when thanking them after they have made their contribution.

Focus group transcript quality can be aided by providing the transcription service provider with:

• Questions used and/or an interview schedule.
• List of participant names or assigned letters/numbers.
• Keywords referred to in the discussion.
• Any terminology-specific content.
  

Focus group transcription projects are completed to each client's specifications and requirements with an emphasis on high standards of accuracy.