Module 1

The presentations for this week on formative research helped clarify some of the questions I had. I was unaware of the many forms that can be used to collect formative research and how they can be combined to gain knowledge on perceptions of communities. I have participated in the data collection process of formative research by conducting focus groups. The most difficult barrier I have noticed moderators face (which were also addressed in class) is attempting to stay neutral when leading the group. Focus group conversations can easily be deviated by the moderator and/ or the respondents, leading responses to become become bias or not touch upon the topic of intrest being researched. In public health research and marketing formative research is an effective method in the data collection process of understanding the wants, needs, and reactions of certain specific populations.

My favorite presentation this week was the one about the STD campaign. I was unaware that there would be so many differences in tailoring marketing techniques across the United States for the same health intervention.

Module 1

I think the only section I would suggest spending more time on is the section on formative research as I felt it was short. However, since we are in the data collection process of conducting one-on-one interviews I think this will help us understand how to maintain a neutral stance during the data collection process in order to prevent bias. While conducting research for my group project I came across this focus group on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbwIeI2Jde0

I think working with models is beneficial when coming up with a campaign so that it can help in narrowing a specific behavior to target.