Respondent Co-Operation in Focus Groups: A Field Study using Moderator Ratings

Abstract

This research links the quality of respondents’ participation in focus groups as judged by moderators with an array of respondents’ background characteristics. This array includes: previous experience with focus groups; attitudes towards and motivation for attendance; age, sex, employment status, level of education; and different measures of civic involvement. The findings show that respondents who place less emphasis on the monetary incentive as a reason for attendance, who are better educated and who have a stronger civic orientation are judged by moderators to be more invested in the research process.