Focus Group FAQs

All California Lutheran University students, staff, or faculty members who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to participate in a campus climate focus group. To be considered for participation please complete the focus group interest form at the end of the campus climate survey.

Note: completion of the focus group interest form does not guarantee you will be selected to participate in a focus group. Focus groups participants will be selected by Rankin Climate.

Approximately 80-100 people are expected to participate in a focus group.

Your participation in this research is entirely voluntary. You can choose to participate or not.

If you choose to participate, you will be invited to attend a virtual focus group via Zoom, where you will be asked a series of questions by Rankin Climate facilitators.

You can leave the focus group at any time without any negative consequences. Your participation is voluntary, and you can choose not to answer questions or leave the session as needed.

• Participation in a focus group is entirely voluntary. If you submit an interest form and are selected, you have the choice to participate or decline.
• Your decision whether or not to participate will not have any negative consequences.
• You can ask any questions you have before making a decision.

• The focus group is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.
• You will be asked to respond to a series of questions.
• Further details about the study procedures can be found in "What happens if I say yes, I want to be in this research?"

• While the focus group topics are generally broad, they may involve sensitive topics that could cause discomfort for some participants.
• Focus group facilitators are trained to monitor and minimize risks during online meetings.
• Participants are encouraged to use pseudonyms and maintain confidentiality during the discussion.
• While the questions do not directly identify you, it is possible that others in the group might recognize you.
• You are not obliged to answer any question that makes you uncomfortable, and you can leave the focus group at any time without repercussions.
• There is a very low likelihood of a breach of confidentiality based on past experiences with similar studies.

While no specific benefits are guaranteed, participating in this study could contribute to making the California Lutheran University community more inclusive.

Information shared during the focus group will be kept confidential, and no identifying information will be shared with California Lutheran University staff members.

No payment or reimbursement will be provided for participating in this study.

• You can reach out to the Principal Investigator, Melinda Medlen, at mmedlen@CalLutheran.edu, or contact the research team at research@rankinclimate.com.
• If you feel your questions, concerns, or complaints are not adequately addressed by the research team, you may contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at irb@CalLutheran.edu.