Using a professional moderator in library focus group research

Abstract

Brown University Library hired a professional marketing and opinion research firm to conduct focus group meetings with library users and to provide data analysis. The discussion includes a review of the library literature on focus group use, practical aspects of focus group methodology, and the benefits of employing professionals where librarian expertise is low. Logistics of focus group preparation, meetings, and report are discussed. Findings and lessons learned are presented along with outcomes for the library.