Determine the exact order of questioning, establishing a flow from general issues to specific issues. Make preparations for people to observe the group. Put a process in place that allows observers the opportunity to forward additional questions. In order to leave out biases until the end, specific issues should be discussed after general issues have been discussed. The moderator asks a question.
Participants write down their first, gut reaction to the question, without consulting others.
When everyone has written down their answers, the issue is opened for discussion. The moderator should be part of the group, but should move the flow of conversation evenly around the group allowing everybody to express their feelings. In some occasions people dominate the conversation so much that only their thoughts are heard and everybody just agrees with them. Either these leaders must be quieted down and told to allow others to speak first, or in severe instances they must be removed in order to eliminate a potential bias in the results. In order to keep the moderator's attention focused entirely on keeping the discussion flowing in the right direction, notes should be taken after the focus group.