18 • PART TWO: FACILITATOR’S GUIDE
TOOLS TO COLLECT DATA- Asking Questions:
A set of questions is easy to administer as long
as questions are simple, well-formulated and
can be answered in a checklist format—such as
yes/no or agree, partially agree, disagree, or in a
multiple-choice format. These are also known
as closed ended questions. Close ended
questions are useful because they help us to
count our answers easily. Survey methods are
useful when we collect quantitative data such as,
“How many cigarettes do you smoke in a day?”
The other kinds of questions are called open
ended, because the answers are not limited by
given choices, but depend on what the person
says. For example, “What is your opinion
about....? What do you feel about...?” When we
ask these kinds of questions, we get answers that
are qualitative. They are useful because they
provide us with clues about why children
behave in a certain way.
It is important to remember not to ask
questions one does not need or will not use,
even though it may be interesting to find out
the answers. When more questions are asked,
more analysis will be required. Questions
should not be judgmental, such as, “Do you
think it is right for adolescents to have sex
before marriage?” The more difficult or
sensitive questions should be left for the latter
part of the interview or questionnaire or when
adequate rapport has been established. - Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
A FGD provides valuable and rich information
on a particular problem or need. Survey
methods that rely on close ended questions tell
us “what” the problems are; the FGD help us to
find out the “why” behind the problems.
There are many uses for a FGD. It can be used
to collect data on children’s needs, or can be
used later to monitor progress or for
evaluation. A good FGD involves:- Eight to 12 persons who are
homogenous, i.e. of the same age, same
sex, or share a common concern; - A facilitator and a note taker, preferably
of the same sex as the group; - A list of broad areas for questioning,
including items from the questionnaire; and - Good facilitation with probing (but not
leading) questions, listening, ensuring
that all get a chance to voice their
opinion and the group keeps on track.
The group does most of the talking, and
the facilitator’s role is to steer the
discussion and to keep it focused.
The FGD allows the group to think deeply on an
issue, which they may not have pondered as
individuals. As members of the group voice their
opinions, others may modify or contribute,
allowing the facilitator to understand the range of
perceptions in the group.
Good note taking is an essential part of the FGD.
Notes must be transcribed as quickly as possible.
Once the FGD is over, it is a good idea for the
facilitator and note taker to share notes and
fill in gaps.