Diane,

I agree with Dan. Focus group can be helpful if you choose representative participants, have good teasers to start the discussion, ask the right questions and if you combine it with other methods (surveys, interviews, user tests, or others). I wouldn't rely on focus group results alone as there is a big difference between what people say and what they do (an Italian proverb states that this gap is as big as the ocean). 

To answer your question, more information about the scope of your project would be necessary. As I suppose that you don't want to share this with the list, I would recommend to contact a university in your area and ask professors of sociology or psychology for help. Maybe you can do a project class with them. When I was teaching usability evaluation at a university we were quite happy to find a partner for an interesting project.

When you got your results, you will face the challenge to make the abstract data actionable. For this issue I would recommend to use personas. For more information about personas see Wikipedia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personas>. If you really want to get into this topic I would recommend Pruitt, John & Adlin, Tamara. The Persona Lifecycle : Keeping People in Mind Throughout Product Design. Morgan Kaufmann, 2006.

Best regards,
Werner Schweibenz

MuseumsInformationsSystem
Bibliotheksservice-Zentrum Baden-Württemberg
Universität Konstanz
D-78457 Konstanz
Tel. +49-7531/88-4279
Fax  +49-7531/88-3703 

> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Museum discussion list 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Im Auftrag von Dan Bartlett
> Gesendet: Donnerstag, 27. März 2008 16:46
> An: [log in to unmask]
> Betreff: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Focus Group Questions
> 
> Wow, Randy, that's a little harsh...
> 
> We recently did a focus group with members asking how we 
> could improve the member's experience at the museum.  It 
> never occurred to us before the focus group to provide a 
> special members sign in table for special events so members 
> wouldn't have to stand in line with general admission guests. 
>  The group suggested it, we implemented it at the next 
> special event, and the entire membership loved it.  And it 
> was also noticed by general admission visitors that members 
> got a special express line to enter...  Cost to the museum?  Nothing.
> 
> Like every evaluation measure, you have to know how to use 
> the information.  As Randy points out, it's foolish to take 
> what the group says as gospel and implement it even if it 
> goes against your best instincts.  All it is is another 
> perspective; another piece of information to put into the 
> decision-making pot.  But don't underestimate their value.  A 
> focus group may help you learn more about your public's 
> perceptions of your institution and the quality of their 
> experiences when they visit than any other type of survey or 
> observation.
> 
> Just my 2 cents.
> 
> Dan
> 
> Randy Little wrote:
> > Focus groups?  I would highly recommend agaist their use.   
> they don't 
> > work in most cases.   (see new coke as a world class 
> example of that 
> > not working) There is even a really funny example of a focus group 
> > saying that the 1984 apple Mac Ad was horrible and bad.   People 
> > generally don't know what they want until you give it to 
> them.  Even 
> > when it is explained to them they don't get it until they 
> actually use
> > it in the real world.   On top of people in the groups feeling the 
> > power and wanted to make it there own.   Best episode of family guy 
> > ever was  a focus group with Seth Mcfarleen where people basically 
> > tell him the show will never work.   (sorry advertising and 
> marketing 
> > is half of my life.)
> >
> > On Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 10:59 AM, Diane Hutsell <[log in to unmask] 
> > <mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
> >
> >     Does anyone on the list use focus groups, either kids, families,
> >     educators, as a part of their museum evaluation and if so, would
> >     you be willing to share what questions you ask? Thanks!
> >      
> >     Diane
> >      
> >     Diane Hutsell
> >     Executive Director
> >     McMinn County Living Heritage Museum
> >     PO Box 889
> >     Athens, TN 37303
> >     423-745-0329
> >     www.livingheritagemuseum.com 
> <http://www.livingheritagemuseum.com>
> >     [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
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> >
> > --
> > Randy S. Little
> > http://reel.rslittle.com
> > http://imdb.com/name/nm2325729/
> > http://www.linkedin.com/in/rslittle
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> 
> --
> Dan Bartlett, BFA, MA
> Curator of Exhibits
> Midway Village & Museum Center
> Rockford, IL
> 
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