Focus group task

Focus groups are basically a context for observing people interacting and discussing. The group normally needs to be given some discussion topics or similar activity. This is an example of the instructions given to a focus group.

Context: a small group of secondary PGCE students (graduates training for school teaching), mostly science, but including a few religious studies specialists. They were being asked about the issue of science and religion, which is part of the UK recommended curriculum for religious studies in lower secondary school (i.e. ages 11-14).

Instructions/guide questions given to participants:

Instructions. The questions (below) are not meant to close down discussion around the issues. We (the research team) will try to let the discussion flow and just observe, but we may interject – for example if we feel an interesting point needs following up, or discussion seems to have ground to a halt.

There are two sets of questions.

The first are intended to allow us to explore the different views and experiences among the group.

We will then ask the group if they can to reach an agreed consensus response to two further questions.

Exploratory questions for discussion:

1. It has been suggested that there are various ways to consider how science relates to religion. What different possible viewpoints are you aware of?

2. Have you come across any explicit comments on how science and religion are related during your school experience – either from students or from teachers or other staff? (This is meant to refer to placements, but could also be answered in relation to prior experience.)

3. What different views do you think children and teachers might have – can you foresee any potential problems when teachers with particular views teach specific groups of students? If so, which aspects?

4. 4.Do you have any concerns about this issue arising in your own teaching? Why? Are there particular issues / topics that feel could be problematic? (Why) How do you think you might respond to any such issues that arise? (There may already have been situations that you have responded to?)
   

Can the group consider, and (if possible) agree responses to the following questions?

5. Do you feel there are any aspects of the ‘science and religion’ issue that should be brought to teachers’ attention before they take up posts in schools? (Is this all teachers, just science teachers, only secondary teachers…?)

6. Do you feel there are adequate sources of information and support available in schools to help teachers plan for and respond to any issues that arise in the classroom? If not, what kind of resources would be useful to support teachers in this area?

Thank you all for your time.

You can read a small extract form the transcript of this discussion.

Index of topics