The verbatim record is useful because it includes terms used in native language. If you keep a record of the interview entirely in your language, you may lose important information. Review the verbatim record with an interpreter, who can be an informant who helps you understand unfamiliar terms and concepts that were used during the interview. Running a Focus Group. There may be times when you will want to collect your information through a focus group.
Focus groups are often useful to find out what the key issues are within a particular topic.
You can also use focus groups to validate your findings from previous interviews. In focus groups it is easier to identify majority and minority views on a particular topic. You may run a focus group anywhere, but having a group discussion in the informants' home, community center, or church often helps the group feel more at ease and talkative. There may also be photos, objects, or pictures in these settings that can help facilitate conversation. Emotionally laden topics may also be difficult to tackle.