6b, Pilot Focus Group

Focus Groups are a new research idea to me.  Getting people discussing topics in a structured environment is a challenging task, however I believe that it will be an excellent research tool for my inquiry. 

My pilot focus group took place in the green room at work.  I thought mutual ground such as this would ensure my participants were relaxed and able to discuss the topic freely.  However we were disturbed a few times so I think that next time I will use my living room to avoid interruptions.

I felt that it was important to trial the focus group on a small scale so I could build my confidence and address any issues before I commit to my research with a larger group.  This was a helpful way to start, however I do feel that more participants will allow for more discussions.  I was careful to choose people who would be willing to speak but also willing to listen to each other.  The discussions took place with me suggesting questions and then my participants putting forward their points of view.  I recorded the session on Dictaphone and wrote some notes so I was sure who was talking when I listened to the recording later.  For my next focus group I am considering asking each participant to state their name as they speak, however my feeling initially is that it may stunt the conversational flow.

Ensuring my participants were aware of my research and what the results of the focus group will be used for was of upmost importance to me.  I wanted to be sure that everyone knows why the research is taking place, what it will be used for and how the data collected will be managed.  This is something I will definitely keep the same for my future focus groups.

Initially my participants were a little nervous but soon got started, some important outcomes of the focus group were;

The participants said they found that it was hard to find a suitable work/life balance in their current holiday park contract.  Issues of living with, working with and socialising with colleagues were raised and also the location of the park.  The focus group felt only having one day off a week was standard for the performing industry.  They suggested that the company they work for could help them by putting them on later shifts the day after their day off so going home would be easier.  Holiday pay was discussed and it was thought that as performers they are lucky that their company allows them paid holiday days.

They then discussed careers advice and feel that industry specific careers advice is required for performers, and that companies such as 'The Job Centre' are unable to give this.  This was the same outcome as my pilot survey and interview, however my pilot focus group agreed with each other that they would like face to face, local careers advice rather than website based advice that some companies offer.  Similarly to my interviewee the participants felt that talking to other performers was a good way of getting careers advice, but said in their current contract they would need to be careful as to who they spoke to.

When I asked the participants about their plans for the future they all agreed that it was something they hadn't given much thought too.  None of the participants have any ISA savings or pension plans and similarly to my interviewee felt this issue was harder for their families to understand than for them personally.  They also mentioned that they have concerns about their lack of non performance qualifications.

When we discussed future family plans the participants felt that they could only consider having a family after they have finished with their performing career.  They felt they would have to give up their performing jobs prematurely to financially manage a family and house.  The female participants felt that having children would be to big a toll on a body for women to continue performing.


Moving forward with my research I think that Focus groups will provide a lot of information.  I feel that my initial research will be surveys to collect mass data, focus group to discuss the survey data and then progress onto interviews to hone in on the issues raised.