--- title: How to Be a Successful Moderator in Focus Groups | Angelfish Fieldwork description: What does it mean to be a great moderator in focus groups? In short, you need to bring out the best in your participants! Read this blog for our top tips. image: https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hubfs/Research%20participants%20sat%20in%20a%20circle%20with%20a%20moderator%20in%20a%20focus%20group..png --- [![Angelfish Fieldwork](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hubfs/2019%20Logo%20PNG.png)](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/) - [About Us](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/) - [What makes us different](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/what-makes-us-different/) - [What we do](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/what-we-do/) - [Meet the team](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Our Community](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/) - Sectors - [Media](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/our-community-media-market-research-recruitment/) - [Retail](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/recruiting-retail-market-research/) - [Charity](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/charity-market-research/) - [FMCG](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/market-research-fmcg-sector/) - [Consumer Health](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/consumer-health-market-research/) - [Audiences](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/audience-research/) - [Baby Boomer](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/participant-recruitment-for-over-60s/) - [Generation Alpha](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/market-research-with-children/) - [Generation X](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/gen-x-research/) - [Generation Z](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-gen-z/) - [Millennials](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/recruiting-for-market-research-with-millennials/) - [Angelfish Opinions](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/angelfish-opinions/) - [Recruitment](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/research-participant-recruitment/) - [Customer Closeness](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/customer-closeness/) - [Accompanied Shopping](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/accompanied-shopping/) - [Customer Workshops](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/customer-workshops/) - [Digital Ethnography](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/ethnography/) - [Intercept Interviews](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/intercept-interviews/) - [Design Sprints](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/design-sprints/) - [Focus Groups](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/focus-groups/) - [Market Research Online Communities](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/market-research-online-communities/) - [User Experience Testing](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/user-experience-testing/) - [User Research](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/user-research-recruitment/) - Our Work - [Case Studies](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-case-studies/) - [Clients](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/clients/) - [Data Quality](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-data-quality/) - [Project Showcase](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/showcase/) - [Testimonials](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/testimonials) - Insights - [Blog](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog) - [Useful Resources](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/resources) - [Let’s Talk](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-quote) ![A moderator with a focus group.](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hubfs/Research%20participants%20sat%20in%20a%20circle%20with%20a%20moderator%20in%20a%20focus%20group..png) # Top 10 Tips for Moderating Successful Focus Groups in [Focus Groups](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/focus-groups) by [Lisa Boughton](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/author/lisa-boughton) ## Running successful focus groups requires a great moderator who can bring out the best in participants. By being a great moderator, you'll be sure to get the insights you're looking for. In short, being a successful moderator in [focus groups](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/focus-groups/) requires a particular skill set, as well as being a great people-person!  Read on to discover our top tips for moderating focus groups, whether they're face-to-face or [online focus groups](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/a-beginners-guide-to-online-focus-groups), to ensure you get the best possible outcomes from your project below... ## 10 top tips for successful focus group moderation: ### **1. Learn the skills required** Before taking on the role of a moderator, one must first understand what it takes to guide a productive conversation. This includes honing people skills and developing the ability to [tease out informative responses](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/top-focus-group-tips-beginners-guide) from a variety of people in a timely manner. Important skills an effective moderator should build on include listening skills, ability to be flexible, management and organisation skills. ### **2. Develop an interview schedule** First up, you need a solid discussion guide of course, but it’s also a good idea to have a plan and a timing structure for which questions you will ask and at approximately what point you will ask them during the session. This will also help you keep the group on track for your available time. Questions should start out fairly general and then get more specific as the session progresses whilst adhering to the outlined discussion guide. ![Research participants with a moderator in a focus group.](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Research%20participants%20sat%20in%20a%20circle%20with%20a%20moderator%20in%20a%20focus%20group..png?width=1500&name=Research%20participants%20sat%20in%20a%20circle%20with%20a%20moderator%20in%20a%20focus%20group..png) ### **3. Include a variety of exercises** Being a moderator in a [focus group](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/focus-groups/) means you should always try to vary the exercises in order to maintain interest and enthusiastic engagement among the participants. An example of this could be rating scales, role-playing or word associations to try and keep the session varied. This can be especially critical in a longer focus group, which can run two to three hours, as opposed to a more typical 90-minute session. ### **4. Create a relaxed environment** It is important to help [focus group participants](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/focus-groups/) feel comfortable right away by establishing a warm atmosphere. Personally greet participants and thank them for coming – make them feel comfortable. Give everyone a badge so that they know each other’s names and this can also make the environment feel friendlier. ### **5. Establish the rules at the start** Moderators should begin focus groups by going over some basic “housekeeping” rules, such as a recap of the focus group duration, what’s going to be included in the session and telling people if they need to turn off their phones. If a session is taking place at a [market research facility](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/where-should-i-host-my-focus-group-top-tips-for-finding-the-right-venue), you should be certain that participants are informed of that fact the session will be recorded at recruitment stage but also include a reminder before the session starts. Find out more about this in the [MRS Codes of Conduct](https://www.mrs.org.uk/pdf/MRS-code-of-conduct-2023.pdf). ### **6. Conduct an ice-breaker** An ice-breaker can be a moderator’s best friend, as it helps to ease the participants into the swing of things. Starting off by asking everyone to answer one or two simple questions – such as ‘where do you live?’ or ‘tell us something unusual about yourself’ – can help make them more comfortable with each other and more willing to provide in-depth answers during the focus group. ### **7. Moderate without actually participating** It’s important for the moderator to remain neutral and to avoid asking leading questions that might influence participant’s answers. Remember that the job is to guide the discussion and keep it focused, not to join in or dominate it. ![A focus group of young people in discussion, representing the importance of a successful moderator in focus groups.](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hs-fs/hubfs/A%20focus%20group%20of%20young%20people%20in%20discussion%2c%20representing%20the%20importance%20of%20a%20successful%20moderator%20in%20focus%20groups..png?width=1500&name=A%20focus%20group%20of%20young%20people%20in%20discussion%2c%20representing%20the%20importance%20of%20a%20successful%20moderator%20in%20focus%20groups..png) ### **8. Ask open-ended questions** Although you will be directed by your discussion guide, try not to ask ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions. Moderators should take care to phrase questions in a way that encourages the participants to elaborate on their answers and that avoids misleading them. ### **9. Always seek clarity** Never just assume that you know what the participant means. If there is anything fuzzy or hard to understand about a person’s answer, the moderator should probe the respondent to get a clearer understanding of what he or she is trying to say. ### **10. Watch your body language** As a moderator in a focus group, it’s not just what you ask, but *how* you ask and [*how* you listen](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/customers-want-to-be-heard). Your body language and posture should demonstrate to participants that you are interested in what they have to say. Listening attentively and making eye contact helps participants understand that you find their input valuable, which encourages them to share even more. ## Before you can put these moderation best-practices into practice, however... ... you need to know how to [find the right participants](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/how-to-recruit-respondents-for-your-qualitative-market-research) for your [focus groups](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/focus-groups/)! This is where Angelfish Fieldwork comes in. Our goal is to provide you with the very best people for your qualitative research through our refined recruitment process for modern day researchers. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, get in touch with us today! [![Let's Talk](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/483852/6383da26-b357-49af-a6cc-18ce854e69cd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/483852/6383da26-b357-49af-a6cc-18ce854e69cd) ##### Recent Posts - [![What do people think about the UK under-16 social media ban?](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hubfs/AI%20AND%20THE%20CONSUMER%20HEALTH%20JOURNEY%20(1).png)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/uk-under-16-social-media-ban-pulse-1) ##### [UK Under-16 Social Media Ban: Pulse 1 Findings](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/uk-under-16-social-media-ban-pulse-1) - [![Consumer health product journey](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hubfs/110.png)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/ai-and-consumer-behaviour) ##### [How AI Is Reshaping Consumer Behaviour and Health](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/ai-and-consumer-behaviour) - [![GLP-1 user participating in consumer health research](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hubfs/107.png)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/glp-1-consumer-insights) ##### [GLP-1 Consumer Insights: How Weight-Loss Drugs Are Changing Behaviour](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/glp-1-consumer-insights) ### Posts by Tag - [Accessibility Recruitment (2)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/accessibility-recruitment) - [Accompanied Shopping (10)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/accompanied-shopping) - [AI & Market Research (5)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/ai-market-research) - [Audiences (4)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/audiences) - [Baby Boomers (5)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/baby-boomers) - [Charity Market Research (3)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/charity-market-research) - [Consumer Health (2)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/consumer-health) - [Customer Closeness (7)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/customer-closeness) - [Data Quality (4)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/data-quality) - [Design Sprint (4)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/design-sprint) - [Digital Ethnography (8)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/digital-ethnography) - [FMCG (3)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/fmcg) - [Focus Groups (14)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/focus-groups) - [Generation Alpha (13)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/generation-alpha) - [Generation X (3)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/generation-x) - [Generation Z (12)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/generation-z) - [Market Research Recruitment (25)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/market-research-recruitment) - [Market Research Screener (3)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/market-research-screener) - [Media Market Research (1)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/media-market-research) - [Millennials (7)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/millennials) - [News (3)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/news) - [Online Communities (19)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/online-communities) - [Online Focus Groups (5)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/online-focus-groups) - [Online Qual (6)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/online-qual) - [Participant Recruitment (19)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/participant-recruitment) - [Pulse Surveys (16)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/pulse-surveys) - [Qualitative Market Research (35)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/qualitative-market-research) - [Retail Market Research (12)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/retail-market-research) - [User Experience Testing (9)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/user-experience-testing) - [User Research Recruitment (8)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/user-research-recruitment) - [Ways of Recruiting Participants for Research (1)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/ways-of-recruiting-participants-for-research) See all ## Related Articles [![4 people on screen and one talking to them, representing a remote focus group](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hs-fs/hubfs/remote%20focus%20group.png?width=500&name=remote%20focus%20group.png)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/face-to-face-vs-remote-focus-groups) [Focus Groups](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/focus-groups), [Online Focus Groups](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/online-focus-groups) --- ### [Face-to-face vs remote focus groups: whi...](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/face-to-face-vs-remote-focus-groups) Focus groups have reigned supreme in market research for nearly 100 years now. In fact, if you want ... [Continue Reading](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/face-to-face-vs-remote-focus-groups) [![Focus group team](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Croped%20Moderator%20Tips.jpg?width=500&name=Croped%20Moderator%20Tips.jpg)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/5-ways-to-give-your-focus-group-a-makeover) [Focus Groups](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/focus-groups) --- ### [Five Ways to Give Your Focus Group a Mak...](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/5-ways-to-give-your-focus-group-a-makeover) A focus group, no matter how intricately you’ve planned it, will only work with the right participan... [Continue Reading](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/5-ways-to-give-your-focus-group-a-makeover) [![A face-to-face focus group taking place following the advice of a focus group recruitment agency.](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hs-fs/hubfs/A%20face-to-face%20focus%20group%20taking%20place%20following%20the%20advice%20of%20a%20focus%20group%20recruitment%20agency%20.%20(1).png?width=500&name=A%20face-to-face%20focus%20group%20taking%20place%20following%20the%20advice%20of%20a%20focus%20group%20recruitment%20agency%20.%20(1).png)](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/task-ideas-focus-group-recruitment-agency) [Focus Groups](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/focus-groups) --- ### [5 Fantastic Focus Group Task Ideas to Bo...](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/task-ideas-focus-group-recruitment-agency) Read this blog to discover some fantastic focus group activities to get you the insights you need fr... [Continue Reading](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/task-ideas-focus-group-recruitment-agency)   [![Angelfish Fieldwork ](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AngelfishFieldwork%20_January2019/Images/af-wo2.png?width=200&height=68&name=af-wo2.png)](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/) [![MRS evidence matters](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/em-new.png)](https://www.mrs.org.uk/) [![MRS evidence matters](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/rac-new.png)](https://www.mrs.org.uk/learningCPD/recruiter-accreditation-scheme) [![highly commended logo white](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/mrs-2024.png)](https://www.mrs.org.uk/awards/oppies)[![cyberEssentials logo](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cyberEssentials-logo-300x142.png)](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/overview) [![GDQ Logo](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/gdq-footer.png)](https://www.globaldataquality.org/excellence-pledge)[![](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/mrs-inclusion-wo.png)](https://www.mrs.org.uk/resources/ceo-inclusion-pledge) ##### RECRUITMENT - [ACCOMPANIED SHOPPING](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/accompanied-shopping/) - [FOCUS GROUPS](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/focus-groups/) - [FOCUS GROUPS LONDON](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/focus-groups/focus-groups-london/) - [ONLINE COMMUNITIES](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/market-research-online-communities/) - [ONLINE INTERVIEWS](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/online-focus-groups/) - [QUALITATIVE MARKET RESEARCH](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/qualitative-market-research/) - [RECRUITMENT](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/) - [REMOTE USER RESEARCH](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/remote-user-research/) ##### ABOUT US - [WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/what-makes-us-different/) - [WHAT WE DO AND DON’T DO](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/what-we-do/) - [OUR COMMUNITY STATS](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/community-stats) - [MEET THE TEAM](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [LET'S TALK](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-quote) - [FIND US](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/find-us/) - [CONTACT US](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-quote) ##### CONTACT US [+44 (0)1242 908872](tel:01242908872) Angelfish Fieldwork, Dodo Works, 7 Ambrose Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3LH © Angelfish Fieldwork  |  [Privacy](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/privacy-policy/)  |  [Cookies](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/cookies/)  |  [Terms & Conditions ](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/terms-conditions/) |  [Find us](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/find-us/)