Using and analysing focus groups: Limitations and possibilities
01 Jan 2000-International Journal of Social Research Methodology (Taylor & Francis Group)-Vol. 3, Iss: 2, pp 103-119
TL;DR: The authors examined some methodological issues associated with the use and analysis of focus groups in social science research and argued that what distinguishes this methodology from other methods is the interactions which take place within focus groups, and that this should be reflected in analysis of the data.
Abstract: The paper examines some methodological issues associated with the use and analysis of focus groups in social science research. It is argued that what distinguishes this methodology from other methods is the interactions which take place within focus groups, and that this should be reflected in analysis of the data. Interactive features considered here include individuals dominating within the groups, constructing the Other, tendencies towards normative discourses, and conflicts and arguments within focus groups. These are considered in relation to examples from a study of young adults' expectations of the future, and their orientations towards work and family. Possible moderator strategies and analysis approaches which take account of the interactions are discussed.
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07 Nov 2013
TL;DR: What is Qualitative Interviewing? as mentioned in this paper is an accessible and comprehensive "what is" and "how to" methods book, which is distinctive in emphasizing the importance of good practice in understanding and undertaking qualitative interviews within the framework of a clear philosophical position.
Abstract: What is Qualitative Interviewing? is an accessible and comprehensive ‘what is’ and ‘how to’ methods book. It is distinctive in emphasizing the importance of good practice in understanding and undertaking qualitative interviews within the framework of a clear philosophical position. Rosalind Edwards and Janet Holland provide clear and succinct explanations of relevant philosophies and theories of how to know about the social world, and a thorough discussion of how to go about researching it using interviews. A series of short chapters explain a range of interview types and practices. Drawing on their own and colleagues’ experiences Edwards and Holland provide real research examples as informative illustrations of qualitative interviewing in practice and the use of creative interview tools. They discuss the use of new technologies as well as tackling enduring issues around asking and listening, and power dynamics in research. Written in a clear and accessible style the book concludes with a useful annotated bibliography of key texts and journals in the field. What is Qualitative Interviewing? provides a vital resource for both new and experienced researchers across the social science disciplines.
2,396 citations
TL;DR: Focus group discussion is frequently used as a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth understanding of social issues as mentioned in this paper, which aims to obtain data from a purposely selected group of individuals rather than from a statistically representative sample of a broader population.
Abstract: Focus group discussion is frequently used as a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth understanding of social issues. The method aims to obtain data from a purposely selected group of individuals rather than from a statistically representative sample of a broader population. Even though the application of this method in conservation research has been extensive, there are no critical assessment of the application of the technique. In addition, there are no readily available guidelines for conservation researchers. Here, we reviewed the applications of focus group discussion within biodiversity and conservation research between 1996 and April 2017. We begin with a brief explanation of the technique for first-time users. We then discuss in detail the empirical applications of this technique in conservation based on a structured literature review (using Scopus). The screening process resulted in 170 articles, the majority of which (67, n = 114,) were published between 2011 and 2017. Rarely was the method used as a stand-alone technique. The number of participants per focus group (where reported) ranged from 3 to 21 participants with a median of 10 participants. There were seven (median) focus group meetings per study. Focus group discussion sessions lasted for 90 (median) minutes. Four main themes emerged from the review: understanding of people's perspectives regarding conservation (32), followed by the assessment of conservation and livelihoods practices (21), examination of challenges and impacts of resource management interventions (19) and documenting the value of indigenous knowledge systems (16). Most of the studies were in Africa (n=76), followed by Asia (n=44), and Europe (n=30). We noted serious gaps in the reporting of the methodological details in the reviewed papers. More than half of the studies (n=101) did not report the sample size and group size (n=93), whereas 54 studies did not mention the number of focus group discussion sessions while reporting results. Rarely have the studies provided any information on the rationale for choosing the technique. We have provided guidelines to improve the standard of reporting and future application of the technique for conservation. © 2018 The Authors. Methods in Ecology and Evolution © 2018 British Ecological Society
950 citations
TL;DR: Suggestions for good practices in planning, executing, and documenting qualitative studies that are used to support the content validity of PRO instruments to be used in medical product evaluation are offered.
768 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors draw upon their own experiences of using focus groups in educational and 'community' user-group environments in order to provide an overview of recent issues and debates surrounding the deployment of focus group methods and to pick out specific areas of contention in relation to both their epistemological and practical implications.
Abstract: This paper considers the contemporary use of focus groups as a method of data collection within qualitative research settings. The authors draw upon their own experiences of using focus groups in educational and 'community' user-group environments in order to provide an overview of recent issues and debates surrounding the deployment of focus group methods and to pick out specific areas of contention in relation to both their epistemological and practical implications. Accordingly, the paper reflects on some of the realities of 'doing' focus groups whilst, at the same time, highlighting common problems and dilemmas which beginning researchers might encounter in their application. In turn, the paper raises a number of related issues around which there appears to have been a lack of academic discussion to date.
464 citations
Cites background from "Using and analysing focus groups: L..."
...…with the views of a number of other writers in this field, we are of the opinion that there is a fundamental difference between these two research techniques and that the critical point of distinction surrounds the role of the researcher and her/ his relationship to the researched (Smithson, 2000)....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: This paper presents a general introduction of the use of focus groups as a research tool within the context of health research, with the intention of promoting its use among researchers in healthcare.
Abstract: Focus group discussion is a research methodology in which a small group of participants gather to discuss a specified topic or an issue to generate data. The main characteristic of a focus group is the interaction between the moderator and the group, as well as the interaction between group members. The objective is to give the researcher an understanding of the participants' perspective on the topic in discussion. Focus groups are rapidly gaining popularity in health and medical research. This paper presents a general introduction of the use of focus groups as a research tool within the context of health research, with the intention of promoting its use among researchers in healthcare. A detailed methodology for the conduct of focus groups and analysis of focus group data are discussed. The potentials and limitations of this qualitative research technique are also highlighted.
395 citations
References
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Journal Article•
12,717 citations
"Using and analysing focus groups: L..." refers background in this paper
...These issues may be treated as procedural ‘problems’ for the moderator to minimize (Kreuger 1994, Vaughn et al. 1996)....
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...An important characteristic of focus groups is that it is often stated that groups, rather than individuals within groups, are the main unit of analysis (Kreuger 1994, Morgan 1988)....
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Book•
01 Sep 1988TL;DR: Introduction Focus Groups as Qualitative Method The Uses of Focus Groups Planning and Research Design for Focus Groups Conducting and Analyzing Focus Groups Additional Possibilities Conclusions
Abstract: Introduction Focus Groups as Qualitative Method The Uses of Focus Groups Planning and Research Design for Focus Groups Conducting and Analyzing Focus Groups Additional Possibilities Conclusions
7,977 citations
"Using and analysing focus groups: L..." refers background in this paper
...An important characteristic of focus groups is that it is often stated that groups, rather than individuals within groups, are the main unit of analysis (Kreuger 1994, Morgan 1988)....
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Book•
05 Jan 1994TL;DR: This book has been substantially rewritten with the aim of greater clarity and a considerably expanded treatment of discourse analysis are provided in the new edition as discussed by the authors, which takes account of the growing interest in qualitative research outside sociology and anthropology from psychology to information systems, health promotion, management and many other disciplines.
Abstract: This a much expanded and updated version of David Silvermans best-selling introductory textbook for the beginning qualitative researcher.
Features of the New Edition:
• Takes account of the flood of qualitative work since the 1990s
• All chapters have been substantially rewritten with the aim of greater clarity
• A new chapter on Visual Images and a considerably expanded treatment of discourse analysis are provided
• The number of student exercises has been considerably increased and are now present at the end of every chapter
• An even greater degree of student accessibility: Key Points and Recommended Readings appear at the end of each chapter and technical terms are highlighted and appear in a Glossary
• A more inter-disciplinary social science text which takes account of the growing interest in qualitative research outside sociology and anthropology from psychology to geography, information systems, health promotion, management and many other disciplines
• Expanded coverage 50% longer than the First Edition
This book has a more recent edition (2006)
7,584 citations
TL;DR: This paper introduces focus group methodology, gives advice on group composition, running the groups, and analysing the results, and gives advice to researchers on how to run and manage focus groups.
Abstract: This paper introduces focus group methodology, gives advice on group composition, running the groups, and analysing the results. Focus groups have advantages for researchers in the field of health and medicine: they do not discriminate against people who cannot read or write and they can encourage participation from people reluctant to be interviewed on their own or who feel they have nothing to say.
This is the fifth in a series of seven articles describing non-quantitative techniques and showing their value in health research
**FIGURE OMITTED**
Focus groups are a form of group interview that capitalises on communication between research participants in order to generate data. Although group interviews are often used simply as a quick and convenient way to collect data from several people simultaneously, focus groups explicitly use group interaction as part of the method. This means that instead of the researcher asking each person to respond to a question in turn, people are encouraged to talk to one another: asking questions, exchanging anecdotes and commenting on each other's experiences and points of view.1 The method is particularly useful for exploring people's knowledge and experiences and can be used to examine not only what people think but how they think and why they think that way.
Focus groups were originally used within communication studies to explore the effects of films and television programmes,2 and are a popular method for assessing health education messages and examining public understandings of illness and of health behaviours.3 4 5 6 7 They are widely used to examine people's experiences of disease and of health services.8 9 and are an effective technique for exploring the attitudes and needs of staff.10 11
The idea behind the focus group method is that group processes can help people to explore and …
6,256 citations
"Using and analysing focus groups: L..." refers background or methods in this paper
...Possible analytic approaches Normative values have been viewed as a positive feature of focus group methodology, making it ‘a data collection technique particularly sensitive to cultural variables’ (Kitzinger 1995: 300)....
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...A growing literature on the setting up and running of focus groups for social scientists, including some of their strengths and weaknesses, is becoming available, for example by Hughes and DuMont (1993), Kitzinger (1995), Vaughn et al. (1996) and Morgan and Kreuger (1998)....
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...It is stated that the interaction within groups generates a particular type of data: ‘Focus groups explicitly use group interaction as part of the method’ (Kitzinger 1995: 299)....
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4,867 citations
"Using and analysing focus groups: L..." refers background in this paper
...However, ‘natural’ discussion is also a performance (Goffman 1981) there is not a ‘simple opposition of the institutional and the everyday, the artificial and the real’ (Myers 1998: 107)....
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...Opinions also vary across time within a discussion (Goffman 1981)....
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