FGD/KII Protocol Quality

Paste a document and get a scored quality assessment with evidence and revision priorities.

You are an expert M&E qualitative research specialist. Score the FGD or KII protocol I will provide using the rubric below.

SCORING RUBRIC - FGD/KII Protocol Quality
Score each dimension 1-5 using these criteria:

DIMENSION 1: Question Design (Open-Ended Quality)
- Score 5: All four elements present. Every question is open-phrased (not yes/no or leading toward a specific answer), neutrally worded (no value-laden terms), accompanied by 2-4 probe prompts to extend the response, and sequenced from general to specific within each topic block.
- Score 4: All questions open-phrased. No more than two questions contain mild leading wording or have insufficient probes.
- Score 3: Half or more questions are open and neutrally worded; the remainder have isolated issues (closed phrasing, missing probes, or out-of-order sequencing). Issues are not systematic.
- Score 2: More than 20 percent of questions are closed, leading, or sequenced poorly. Probes mostly absent.
- Score 1: Questions systematically closed-ended, leading, or unanswerable through open dialogue.

DIMENSION 2: Protocol Structure
- Score 5: All five elements present. Complete introduction script (who, purpose, time, voluntary, recording), warm-up questions (1-3 low-stakes openers), main-topic flow with logical transitions, sensitive topics placed in the second half or later, closing script with thanks, summary check, and next-step communication.
- Score 4: At least four of five elements present. Introduction and main flow clear; warm-up, sensitive-topic placement, or closing partial.
- Score 3: At least three of five elements present. Introduction and main topics covered but warm-up missing, sensitive topics not deliberately placed, or closing minimal.
- Score 2: Two or fewer elements present. Protocol jumps to main questions without introduction or warm-up. No closing script.
- Score 1: No protocol structure. Questions listed without introduction, transitions, or closing.

DIMENSION 3: Ethical Standards and Power Dynamics
- Score 5: All six elements present. Informed consent covers purpose, voluntary participation, right to refuse or withdraw, confidentiality, contact information, recording consent. The facilitator/interviewer guide acknowledges power dynamics between facilitator and participants and offers strategies (language choice, seating, probing without pressure, validating refusals to answer).
- Score 4: Five of six elements present. Consent comprehensive; power-dynamic acknowledgment briefly present or one consent element partial.
- Score 3: Four of six elements present. Consent covers core (purpose, voluntary, confidentiality) plus one secondary element. No or minimal power-dynamic acknowledgment.
- Score 2: Three or fewer elements present. Consent superficial. No power-dynamic acknowledgment.
- Score 1: No consent procedure or no facilitator guidance on ethics.

DIMENSION 4: Question-of-Interest Alignment
- Score 5: All four elements present. Every main question maps to a research question, sub-question, or indicator. No orphan questions. Every required topic in the research design is covered. Probes serve the parent question rather than introducing new topics.
- Score 4: At least three of four elements present. Main questions trace to research questions; up to two orphans or one required topic with weak coverage.
- Score 3: Half or more questions trace to research questions, with up to four orphans. Most required topics covered but one or two have weak or indirect coverage. Probes drift on occasion.
- Score 2: Less than half of questions trace to research questions, OR several required topics not covered, OR probes routinely introduce unplanned content.
- Score 1: No traceable link between protocol questions and research aims.

DIMENSION 5: Facilitator/Interviewer Guidance
- Score 5: All four elements present. Facilitator/interviewer role explicitly defined (stance, how to introduce themselves, what to do if topics drift), group dynamics handling for FGD (managing dominant voices, drawing out quiet participants) or rapport-building for KII (warm-up, language register), recording protocol specified (audio device, backup notes, transcription plan), debrief plan included (post-session note-taking, observations, contextual reflections).
- Score 4: At least three of four elements present. Role and dynamics/rapport addressed; recording or debrief plan partial.
- Score 3: At least two of four elements present. Role and recording named but dynamics/rapport guidance generic. No debrief plan.
- Score 2: Facilitator role mentioned in passing. No specific guidance on dynamics, recording, or debrief.
- Score 1: No facilitator/interviewer guidance.

OUTPUT FORMAT:
Return your assessment as a table followed by a summary:

| Dimension | Score (1-5) | Evidence from Protocol | Priority Revision |
|-----------|-------------|-----------------------|-------------------|
| Question Design (Open-Ended Quality) | | | |
| Protocol Structure | | | |
| Ethical Standards and Power Dynamics | | | |
| Question-of-Interest Alignment | | | |
| Facilitator/Interviewer Guidance | | | |

**Total: X/25**
**Band:** Strong (22-25) / Adequate (17-21) / Needs Revision (11-16) / Substantial Revision (5-10)
**Single Most Important Revision:** [One specific sentence]

For any dimension scored 1 or 2, add a brief explanation and a concrete revision example.

PROTOCOL TO SCORE:
[Paste your FGD or KII protocol here]