Running focus group sessions for part-time MBA students or else: a plan

Running focus group sessions for part-time MBA students (or else): a plan 

My question: "I intend to teach my students on the focus group by running a 2-hour focus group session in the classroom for my part-time MBA students (or as a HK campus integration learning workshop). The following is a concrete focus group research method session plan. The research theme is as follows:

For the part-time MBA class (or other university participants): "how the local retail SMEs should respond to the tough business environment facing them in 2025 and the next 10 years".

The reply: "Here is a concrete 2-hour focus group session plan, aligned with the specified research theme:

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Focus Group Session Plan Template (2 hours)

Common Elements for the Focus Group Session participants

• Group size: 6–8 participants each (part-time students in your classes, or else)

• Setting: Classroom, arranged in a circle or semi-circle for open discussion

• Recording: Audio (or video if consented) for transcription and analysis

• Facilitator: You or a co-facilitator to guide discussion neutrally

• Materials: Discussion guide, note-taking tools, consent forms

• Duration: 120 minutes total

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Session Breakdown

1. Introduction and Warm-up (15 minutes)

• Welcome participants and introduce yourself.

• Explain the purpose of the focus group linked to the theme.

• Clarify ground rules: respect, confidentiality, no interruptions, encourage all voices.

• Obtain informed consent and permission for recording.

• Icebreaker question related to personal experience with the theme (brief round of introductions).

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2. Main Discussion (90 minutes)

• Use semi-structured open-ended questions tailored to the session theme.

• Encourage discussion among participants, probe deeper with follow-up questions.

• Ensure equitable participation, gently invite quieter members to contribute.

For MBA Students (or other participants) (Theme: Retail SMEs responding to tough business environment)

Example questions:

• How have you observed local retail SMEs adapting so far in 2025?

• What are the main challenges they face in the current business environment?

• What strategies should SMEs adopt to survive and thrive in the next 10 years?

• How important is digital transformation and innovation?

• How can local retail SMEs leverage relationships with customers and communities?

• What support or policies would help SMEs in this tough environment?

This plan incorporates best practices from established focus group methodologies such as clear purpose, open-ended questioning, balanced participation, and structured timing while being flexible to the specific theme to explore in the classroom setting."

*** a pre-reading material for the participants.

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.