Rating conference

The following text introduces a relatively new mixed-method instrument called “rating conference.” It combines a short preceding questionnaire (“rating”) with a subsequent structured focus group interview (“conference”). A core characteristic of a rating conference is the integration of qualitative and quantitative data assessment: Individual item ratings are transferred onto a sheet or screen visible to all participants, which stimulates and guides a subsequent group discussion. While the rating of the questionnaire items gives a quick overview of the participants’ general perspectives on a given topic, the subsequent focus group discussion uncovers an individual’s experiences, attitudes, evaluations, and emotions with regard to the ratings and in the light of a group view. Thus, the integration of the two methods into one instrument reveals an individual’s as well as a collective perspective on the research topic and helps to understand distinct as well as shared knowledge. In the case of the assessment of several rating conferences, comparisons between different groups can be drawn.