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.

If the material is incomplete: Work only from the FGD or KII protocol provided. If a section needs a consent script, recording or data-handling procedure, facilitator guidance, or question detail the protocol does not include, say what is missing there and how it limits that part of the review, then continue with the rest. Do not invent protocol content, questions, or procedures it does not contain.

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.