PaLA CRD Workshop - Brian Mathews

Wonderful video on a wacky focus group (Luxury!) Focus groups seems easy like a round robin Q&A, but can be very complicated, like results interpreted in many ways or "can you believe what they tell you". So you can combine different activities, not just focus on opinions. Be careful of conflict even by who is running the study, he is almost an internal consultant since he isn't in reference. Six focus groups break down like: 2 for an environmental scan, 2 for assessing what you have heard, 2 for (he trailed off). They use observations too, for example why are students using spaces other than the library. How to manage personalities is interesting; am I the free pizza guy or the joker? Ask question broadly then narrow and keep them the type that draw out stories. These slides are really good, too bad I am running out of battery power.

* Peer to peer study is a frequent observation implies that the library needs to be a social space.
* A one shot library session has been described as a "field trip" or "substitute teacher".
* Promotion and marketing are successful if they "appeal to their lifestyle".
* He talks pretty fast and sometimes drops names or runs through a statement that might be profound but it is hard to catch.
* Talk to "the Dominator" before the committee meeting to get them on board with you. The applications of focus group tactics to committees is the best part of this talk!
* This could be experiential research that the hospitality industry focuses on.