Which term refers to a discussion with a small group of participants about library topics?

• A. Focus groups
• B. Diverse participant selection
• C. Database usage
• D. Computer lab utilization

Answer: (A)

Focus groups are facilitated conversations with a small number of participants that concentrate on a library topic. The essence is a guided yet open discussion led by a moderator who uses open-ended questions to elicit opinions, experiences, and ideas. This format brings out how users think about services, collections, or spaces, providing rich qualitative insights that can illuminate needs and preferences beyond what surveys or individual interviews might reveal. In practice, a typical session gathers a handful of participants for a set period, encouraging interaction among members so one person’s comment can spark others’ thoughts.

Diverse participant selection is about who you invite, not the discussion format. Database usage and computer lab utilization describe activities or resources, not a discussion method.