Questioning Route – Practice Focus Groups

Graduation?

Intro (Krueger and Casey, p. 107):

Thanks for agreeing to be part of this group. My name is __________ (you already know me, of course) and the purpose of this group is to talk with you about your feelings and expectations about graduation.

You are here because you are all students in the program and you entered the program in the same year (more or less). Not only do you have individual perspectives on the question, you also are part of a cohort that has worked together and probably have much to say to and with each other around this question.

There are no right or wrong answers. We expect you will have differing viewpoints. Please share your views, even if they are different from others.

Around this room are several note takers (raise your hands and wave). No names will be included in our notes and your comments will be held confidential. Keep in mind we are interested in negative as well as positive comments – sometimes negative comments can be very helpful.

You all know one another so it should be easy to follow up on what each other says – please do so, agree or disagree. Don’t feel like you have to respond to me all the time. Have a conversation with each other. I am here to ask questions, listen and make sure everyone has a chance to be part of the conversation. I am not here to influence your answers.

I will facilitate the group – since we want to hear from everyone, if you are talking a lot, I may ask you to give others a chance. If you aren’t saying much, I may call on you. If we get too off topic, I will pull us back. We want to make sure we all have a chance to give our perspectives on the topic. That’s my job – to “manage” the process. Nothing else.

Ok, let’s begin.

1) Let’s start by going around the circle and having everyone introduce him or herself, tell us where you live now, and why you decided to pursue an MPA here at TESC.

2) Who is going to “walk” in the graduation ceremony this year (show of hands)? What are your plans for graduation day/week, if any?

Note: “Walk” means participate in the ceremonies; you completed all graduation requirements or intend to do so within a quarter or two.

PROBE: family, parties, sleep, etc.

3) What kinds of things are you looking for in the ceremony? What do you want to happen as part of the official events?

PROBES: guest speakers, time to celebrate with families, honors/awards, recognition, honor of families/friends, etc.

4) IF NOT ALREADY DISCUSSED: You probably know there are two ceremonies for grad students – the hooding ceremony that is organized by the grad programs and the main ceremony?

What do you want from the hooding ceremony?

What do you want from the main ceremony?

5) IF NOT ALREADY DISCUSSED: How can we appropriately honor families and friends?

6) What else do you want to tell us about graduation?

7) If the TESC MPA program were an insect, which insect would it be?

Thanks for your time!