How to Give Good Comments in Focus Groups

Participating in focus groups can be an excellent way to earn a few extra dollars in your free time. It is especially good for college students who do not have much time for a regular job. A number of different kinds of focus groups exist including "mock juries" in which lawyers practice their legal arguments before going to trial, product use focus groups, which ask you questions about products and even medical testing focus groups like the kind done at learning hospitals, which study the effects of certain medications or behaviors.

Instructions

1. Listen attentively and obey all instructions. Some groups will ask you to focus on a taste or smell, while others will ask you to study a scenario and form an opinion. Some groups, such as the mock juries, will have lawyers trying to convince you that they are right. Your job is to pay attention to everything and express an opinion based on everything you have heard. Medical focus groups may require you to take a medication for a certain time period or to do exercise or quit something you are addicted to.

   It is important that you know exactly what is expected of you so that you can fulfill your obligation. Not following the instructions can flaw the results and may end up with you not being invited to other focus groups.

2. Form an opinion. A simple "it's ok" or "I'd eat it" isn't good enough. You should know why you like or dislike something and why you believe or do not believe something. If you are comparing products, try to decide whether it is something you would buy for yourself or not and why. For medical focus groups the major question is usually "do the side effects outweigh the benefits?" Jury groups usually require that you set an "award" for the winning party in a law suit. You should know why you want to give the diabetic patient $2,000,000 for losing his leg, for example.

3. Express your opinion clearly and concisely. You should explain why you feel the way you do and how you came to your decision. Variables such as personal experience and lifestyle can also have an effect and should be explained, since that will help the reviewer get a clear idea of why you have come to the results you have given.