GUIDELINES FOR FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS As a part of the data collection for this project focus groups were queried in relation to the objectives of the study. These guidelines apply to the conduct of the focus group discussion for both participants drawn from public agencies involved in residential mortgages and from low-income households seeking residential real estate mortgages. Focus group participants will be informed that the researcher has no specific agenda and is not seeking responses to support any particular position on the issues. Rather, it is important for the integrity of the study for participants to be as candid as possible in rendering their responses. Focus group participants also will be informed that the confidentiality of all responses will be protected. Within this context, no records will be generated that will identify any specific person with any specific position on any of the issues discussed.
Focus group participants will be informed that, although the researcher is seeki