A combination of selection techniques can result in a focus group of people well-versed in transportation issues along with those who are solely consumers of trans portation services. A focus group leader explores attitudes in depth through follow-up questions. It offers an opportunity to get behind people's expressed attitudes and assess policy directions and program objectives. It is a chance to review allocation of resources. It helps confirm or deny established goals or set new directions.
Informality encourages full participation.
The small size of the group lowers barriers to speaking out. A focus group is a place for people to speak out without criticism of their comments. Spontaneity in responding produces fresh information. Participants are not required to prepare for the discussion. Many focus groups have found that participants readily volunteer ideas and comments that have not been recor ded elsewhere.