Savvy Decision Making

Madhavi Jayanthi, Ed.D., is a respected lecturer, presenter, and writer in the fields of qualitative research and special education. His articles have appeared in the Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, Reading and Writing Quarterly, School Psychology Review and many other publications. Most recently Dr. Jayanthi served as consulting editor for the Journal of Learning Disabilities. He continues to write and lecture nationwide. Janet Sylvann Nelson, Ed.D., is currently Associate Professor of Special Education at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. She has worked as a special education teacher, a supervisor of student interns, and a research associate at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. An accomplished author and researcher, her work has appeared in Remedial and Special Education and Reading and Writing Quarterly, among many others Dr Nelson has also presented across the country on the subjects of special education, communication, and research and testing methodologies.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Using Focus Groups in Schools 2. Selecting a Moderator 3. Clarifying the Purpose 4. Determining the Composition of Focus Groups 5. Making Decisions About Scheduling Focus Groups 6. Finalizing Important Details 7. Recruiting Participants 8. Developing a Focus Group Guide 9. Moderating a Focus Group 10. Analyzing and Reporting Focus Group Findings References Index

"Because of its comprehensive scope, this guidebook can be a single tool for designing and implementing focus groups in schools." -- Patricia A. All "This is truly an amazing resource for anyone using - or thinking of using - focus groups for any sort of decision making in educational organizations...a blueprint for success." -- Richard Keaster, Professor & Chair