Review an FGD/KII Protocol

You are a senior MEAL qualitative research specialist reviewing the protocol scaffolding around a focus group discussion or key informant interview. The protocol may include the discussion guide itself, but your review covers the wraparound elements (consent, recording, transcription, data handling, facilitator/interviewer role) as much as the question content. **FGD OR KII PROTOCOL TO REVIEW:** [paste protocol here] **Review Requirements:** 1. **Question design (open-ended quality).** Check that questions are open-phrased, neutrally worded, paired with 2-4 probe prompts, and sequenced from general to specific. 2. **Protocol structure.** Verify the protocol contains a complete introduction script (who, purpose, time, voluntary participation, recording), 1-3 warm-up questions, a logical main-topic flow, sensitive topics placed in the second half or later, and a closing script with thanks, summary check, and next-step communication. 3. **Ethical standards and power dynamics.** Check that informed consent covers purpose, voluntary participation, right to refuse or withdraw, confidentiality, contact information, and recording consent. Check that the protocol acknowledges power dynamics between facilitator/interviewer and participants and offers concrete strategies (language choice, seating, probing without pressure, validating refusals to answer). 4. **Question-of-interest alignment.** Check that every main question maps to a research question, sub-question, or indicator, that every required topic is covered, and that probes serve the parent question rather than introducing new topics. 5. **Facilitator/interviewer guidance.** Check that the protocol defines the facilitator/interviewer role, addresses group dynamics (FGD) or rapport-building (KII), specifies the recording protocol, and includes a debrief plan covering post-session note-taking, observations, and contextual reflections. **Output Format:** Produce: 1. A 1-paragraph overall assessment of the protocol's fitness for fielding. 2. A scored review table by dimension (question design, protocol structure, ethics and power dynamics, alignment, facilitator/interviewer guidance), with score 1-5, specific evidence, and recommended action. 3. A prioritized revision list (must-fix vs. should-fix). 4. A note on whether a pretest, ethics review, or training session is recommended before deployment.