Illegal People in America Research Questions

For your audience insights assignment you will:

• Develop a focus group discussion guide following your research objectives (submit as discussion assignment on Sep 30 to discuss in Oct 1 class)
• Conduct focus group or interviews to answer the following RQs.

Research Questions:

• What is your target audience’s understanding or misunderstanding of your topic
• What is your target audience’s perceptions of current messaging about your topic
• What does/does not motivate them
• Reactions to different persuasive appeals
• Ideal communication vehicles and tactics
• Do they have topic-specific opinions: what do you think about (whatever your specific campaign idea is)
• Where to they get information on this topic and who do they see as opinion leaders?

Research questions are not the same as the specific questions you will ask your participants during the focus group. The specific questions to the participants will vary depending on your topic.

Written Assignment Required Sections:

1. Purpose (of the Focus Groups or Interview)

2. Participants

– Overview of the participants’ demographics (no identifying information)

– Criteria for selection

– Method of recruitment

3. Methods

– When and how data were collected (via zoom, telephone, email, etc)

– how were responses recorded (zoom, iphone, etc.)

– Hod responses were analyzed (if you’ve never taken a research class, you don’t have to be technical in your description of the analysis)

4. Results

– General conclusions on the research questions above (those that apply to your project)

5. Audience insights

– Findings that will be particularly helpful in designing messages or strategies to reach this audience

– Verbatim quotes from participants that illustrate the insights

6. Recommendations for strategy

Main takeaways to guide strategy and messaging.

Expected length: 5-10 pages single spaced.

Communication grad students only: required to demonstrate and apply knowledge learned in research and strategy courses