Focus Group Discussions
FGDs are a qualitative method of research which assembles a small group of participants for discussion based on their shared experiences and knowledge regarding a particular subject 7. The discussions were guided by TSI facilitators and were made up of 3-15 individuals. All FGDs were semi-structures, following discussion points intended to promote conversation. FGDs were administered with EIP students, parents and guardians of beneficiary students, community leaders, WASH management members, and community beneficiaries. As with KIIs, FGDs were guided by informed consent to audio record the administration of a semi-structured questionnaire and were supplemented with written notes, capturing both verbal and non-verbal context. Personal identifiers were anonymized in order to ensure confidentiality.
Two FGDs were conducted with current EIP students, involving a mix of learners from different schools supported by The Sonder Project who attended the EIP annual camp at Chayamba Secondary School. Other targeted FGD groups included parents and guardians of EIP students, community leaders, water resource management committees, and beneficiary communities of the WASH project. These discussions were facilitated by trained data collectors to ensure voluntary participation, open dialogue, and confidentiality in handling the talking points.
The table below demonstrates the final figures for the data collection for each tool and participant group.
Tool |
Schools / Communities |
Count |
Total Participants |
Student Surveys |
17 |
41 |
41 |
Student FGDs |
1 |
2 |
11 |
Parent FGDs |
2 |
2 |
23 |
Head / Teachers and School Staff KIIs |
3 |
7 |
7 |
Community Leaders FGDs |
1 |
1 |
9 |
WASH Community FGDs |
6 |
6 |
31 |
WASH Committee FGDs |
2 |
2 |
13 |
The Sonder Project Kasungu staff KIIs |
n / a |
3 |
3 |
The Sonder Project Trustee / Partners KIIs |
n / a |
2 |
2 |
3.4 Data Analysis
Quantitative analysis of the 41 student survey responses was conducted in Excel, with data disaggregated by gender and visualised through graphs aligned to the main research questions. For qualitative data, audio files were translated into English and transcribed using Microsoft Word. Data was coded using Dedoose, an online qualitative analysis software. TSI employed both deductive and inductive qualitative data analysis methods. For deductive analysis of FGDs and KII data, the evaluation team developed a coding tree based on the Evaluation Matrix and incorporating‘ parent’ and‘ child’ codes. For inductive data analysis, TSI allowed themes to emerge naturally through familiarization with the data. All data excerpts were exported for detailed analysis to address the research questions. Highly relevant quotes were then drawn from all stakeholder groups as illustrative examples of findings.
7
WONG( 2008); Focus Group Discussion
11