Generic Clearance for Voluntary Surveys to Implement E.O. 12862

U.S. Mint Youth Focused Research

Discussion Guide

Study 27-884

United States Mint Youth Focus Groups Research
Discussion Guide

1. INTRODUCTION (0:00 – 0:10)

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB number.  The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1525-0012. 

• Ground Rules: Audio-taping, anonymity, candor, cell phones, etc.

• Background & Objectives: The purpose of today’s discussion is to talk about some possible new concepts the U.S. Mint is considering.

• Introductions: First name (parent/guardian and child), and…

• Structure: For the first half hour, I will have a conversation with your children, and then for the second half hour, they will wait for you in a nearby room. While each of you is waiting, we will ask that you fill in a sheet with some information.

2. Youth (0:10 – 0:30)

Explain to participants: The United States Mint wants to produce products designed for children your age. Today we are going to look at a few options the United States Mint is exploring.

Hand out Youth Oriented Products Ratings Sheet (Children).

Note: Order of products can change by group, the order listed below is for reference.

Pass around the first concept: Youth Happy Birthday Set ($18.95-$20.95).

• What do you like about this product? Probe: colors, characters, coins included, information

• What would you change?

Pass around the second concept: Youth Coin and Currency Set, styles A & B ($15.95-$19.95 each, <$40 for both)

Set A has 5 quarters, Set B has a Kennedy half dollar and a Native American Dollar

• What do you like about this product?

• What would you change?

Pass around the third concept: Rocket Ship ($7.95-$9.95)

• What do you like about this product?

• What would you change?

Pass around the fourth concept: Collecting 1-2-3 ($18.95-$22.95)

• What do you like about this product?

• What would you change?

Pass around the fifth concept: 51₵ Coin Series ($7.95-$10.95 each, all 4 <$45.00)

• What do you like about this product?

• What would you change?

• Which product would you most like to receive as a gift?

  • Why?

Show 4-5 free gift ideas

• Which gift ideas do you like most? Why?

• Any other ideas?

Note: As a parameter, any free gift needs to be small enough to fit in a hand/pocket.

Pass around cardboard characters.

• What characters do you like most?

• Why?

[IF TIME PERMITS, otherwise hand out Children - Apps, Websites, and Collections Ratings Sheet to be completed in the lobby]

• The U.S. Mint is considering a few different names for these products. Which of the following names do you most prefer…

Out of…

• Collecting 1-2-3

• Beginner Basics

• Coins – Magic in Your Pocket

• Explore & Discover Coins

• A Little Change Goes A Long Way

Why?

And out of…

• 51¢ Coin Series

• Once A Quarter

• Circle Of Fun Collecting Coin Series

• 51¢ Circle Of Coins

• 51 Fun Cents To Collecting

Why?

Pass out Children - Apps, Websites, and Collections Ratings Sheet.

• What apps and websites do you use most often?

  • How often do you use them?

• Do you have any collections?

Parents/Guardians (0:30 – 0:57)

Explain to participants: The United States Mint wants to produce products designed for kids. Today we are going to look at a few options the United States Mint is exploring.

Moderators Note:

• Youth Happy Birthday Set ($18.95-$20.95)

• Coin and Currency Set ($15.95-$19.95 each, both <$40.00)

• Rocket Ship ($7.95-$9.95)

• Collecting 1-2-3 ($18.95-$22.95)

• 51₵ Coin Series ($7.95-$10.95 each, all 4 <$45.00)

Hand out Youth Oriented Products Ranking Ratings Sheet (Parents/Guardians).

To start, we’ll look at the first product idea.

Pass around the first concept: Youth Happy Birthday Set ($18.95-$20.95).

• What do you like about this product? Probe: colors, characters, coins included, information

• What would you change?

Pass around the second concept: Youth Coin and Currency Set, styles A & B ($15.95-$19.95 each, <$40 for both)

Set A has 5 quarters, Set B has a Kennedy half dollar and a Native American Dollar

• What do you like about this product?

• What would you change?

Pass around the third concept: Rocket Ship ($7.95-$9.95)

• What do you like about this product?

• What would you change?

Pass around the fourth concept: Collecting 1-2-3 ($18.95-$22.95)

• What do you like about this product?

• What would you change?

Pass around the fifth concept: 51₵ Coin Series ($7.95-$10.95 each, all 4 <$45.00)

• What do you like about this product?

• What would you change?

Collect Youth Oriented Products Ranking Ratings Sheet (Parents/Guardians).

Hand out Youth Oriented Products Ratings Sheet (Parents/Guardians).

• How likely would you be to purchase the products we looked at today as a gift for a child 7-12 years old?

• Is the price point too low, just right or too high? Why?

  • Youth Happy Birthday Set ($18.95-$20.95)

  • Coin and Currency Set ($15.95-$19.95 each, both <$40.00)

  • Rocket Ship ($7.95-$9.95)

  • Collecting 1-2-3 ($18.95-$22.95)

  • 51₵ Coin Series ($7.95-$10.95 each, all 4 <$45.00)

• The U.S. Mint is considering a few different names for these products. Which of the following names do you most prefer…

Out of…

• Collecting 1-2-3

• Beginner Basics

• Coins – Magic in Your Pocket

• Explore & Discover Coins

• A Little Change Goes A Long Way

Why?

And out of…

• 51¢ Coin Series

• Once A Quarter

• Circle Of Fun Collecting Coin Series

• 51¢ Circle Of Coins

• 51 Fun Cents To Collecting

Why?

Instruct participants to take out their completed Children Gifts Ratings Sheet.

[IF TIME PERMITS THIS WILL BE DISCUSSED IN GROUP, SHEETS WILL ALREADY BE COMPLETED]

• Which children do you typically buy gifts for?

  • Your own family’s?

  • Your friends’?

  • Your coworkers’?

  • For what occasions and/or holidays?

• How much do you typically spend on a gift for a child?

  • For kids in your family?

  • For non-family children?

• How do you prefer to shop for gifts?

  • Online? On what websites?

  • In store? In what stores?

• What do you look for in purchasing a gift for a child?

  • Educational value?

  • Looks fun/will make child happy?

  • Reflects child’s interests?

  • Good quality?

  • Other

• What social media websites or apps do you use most often?

  • Which of those do you use every day?

• What websites and apps do you use most often?

  • Do you use these every day?

3. WRAP UP (0:58 – 1:00)

• Thank participants. Ask for any other comments.

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