Maintaining your focus in focus groups: Avoiding common mistakes (original) (raw)
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Preparing for and conducting focus groups in nursing research: part 2
British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
Focus group interviews are widely used in health research to explore phenomena and are accepted as a legitimate qualitative methodology. They are used to draw out interaction data from discussions among participants; researchers running these groups need to be skilled in interviewing and in managing groups, group dynamics and group discussions. This article follows Doody et al's (2013) article on the theory of focus group research; it addresses the preparation for focus groups relating to the research environment, interview process, duration, participation of group members and the role of the moderator. The article aims to assist researchers to prepare and plan for focus groups and to develop an understanding of them, so information from the groups can be used for academic studies or as part of a research proposal.
Focus group interviews in nursing research: part 1
2013
Abstract Focus groups are used by researchers in the social and behavioural sciences to explore phenomena and are accepted as a legitimate qualitative methodology. The primary goal of focus groups is to use interaction data resulting from discussion among participants to increase the depth of the enquiry and reveal aspects of the phenomenon assumed to be otherwise less accessible.
Focus Group Methodology: Explanatory Notes for the Novice Nurse Researcher
Contemporary Nurse, 2003
Focus group methodology is a qualitative research approach that provides the potential for authentic quality data to be captured by using the candour and spontaneity of participants in an atmosphere of dynamic group interaction.The use of this methodology within nursing research is growing as it provides a qualitative approach that can produce quality data and can be used effectively by both experienced and novice researchers.The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to the novice nurse researcher who may be considering using this methodology so that appropriate use is promoted and practical advice for its use may generate quality data.
Maximizing results with focus groups: Moderator and analysis issues
Applied Nursing Research, 2001
Focus groups can be used to gather rich, detailed descriptions of shared individual experiences and beliefs. Group process enhances the richness of the data obtained via this method. Nurses are skilled in gathering detailed and often sensitive information and applying therapeutic communication and interviewing techniques within groups. They can take advantage of these skills by using focus groups to collect qualitative data. To maximize the collection of high-quality data, pay specific attention to the selection and training of the moderator, the development of the interview guide, and the analysis that addresses intragroup and intergroup processes.
Focus groups in health research: A methodological review
Health Sociology …, 1992
In recent years, public health and medical researchers have increasingly employed the concepts and methodologies of the social and behavioural sciences. Much public health research involves the collection of information from people concerning their health knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviours and customs.
Nurse Researcher, 2001
... Lane, P., McKenna, HP, Ryan, AA and Fleming, P. (2001) Focus Group Methodology. NurseResearcher, 8 (3). pp. 45-59. Full text not available from this repository. URL: http:// nurseresearcher.rcnpublishing.co.uk/archive/browse-by-year/2001/3. Item Type: Journal article. ...
The What, Why and How of Conducting Focus-Group Research
International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 2019
Qualitative research methodology is considered to be appropriate if a researcher plans to scrutinise a new area of study or research a topic when it is not suitable to use observational techniques such as attitudes and decision-making. The choice of any research methodology depends on the purpose of the research. In social science research, the three most common qualitative methods are observation, interviews, and focus groups. Each method is particularly suitable for obtaining a specific type of data. For example, the use of observation is suitable for collecting data on naturally occurring behaviour found in their usual contexts. Interviews are most appropriate for collecting data on people's personal histories, perspectives, and experiences, particularly when exploring sensitive topics. Focus groups are effective in obtaining information on how groups of individuals think or feel about a specific issue and they also give greater insight into why certain beliefs are held. This paper aims to highlight different issues with regard to using focus groups as a qualitative method in the field of social sciences that can be integrated into an overall study design or can occur independently when a specific issue is being investigated. It starts off with an overview of focus groups and presents the values and limitations of using focus groups followed by some principles for composing them. The paper also discusses the role of the moderator. It concludes with the ethical considerations that should be taken into account when planning to use the focus group methodology.
Focus group interviews part 3: analysis
British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
The use of focus group interviews as a means of qualitative data collection has gained popularity in health service research in recent years. Despite their popularity, analysing qualitative data-particularly focus-group interviews-poses a challenge to most researchers. This article follows the authors' previous articles on; focus group theory, and the preparation and conduct of focus group interviews. Despite the publications on conducting focus groups, little information exists regarding the analysis of data gathered in such groups in health services. The present paper focuses on the concepts and application of data analysis and the use of analysis frameworks. The article aims to assist researchers and provide practical steps for the analysis of focus-group data. Thus, the authors provide a framework for analysing focus group data through identifying data analysis techniques suited for the study of these data.
Conducting the Focus Group of Novice Nurse Qualitative Researchers: A Literature Review
2018
This study aims to provide a guideline description of how to conduct an effective focus group for This study aims to provide a guideline description of how to conduct an effective focus group for the novice nurse researchers. The qualitative research is increasingly popular in health care. The focus group is one of the main methods used for data collection in this research type. However, conducting the focus group can be complicated and challenging for the novice nurse researchers as how to obtain substantial, meaningful data for further understanding of the topic. This study uses literature review of previous studies to draw on significant recurring themes. Relatedjournal articles that appeared during 2007-2016, relevant grey literature included, were investigated using three health-related databases namely CINAHL, Science Direct, and PsycINFO. The searches, which yielded 142 articles, were the results of using the following keywords of “pioneer qualitative researcher” or “novice n...
The Focus Group -A Key Method for Qualitative Data Collection
2012
The paper critically examines the key components involved in the implementation of focus groups as a research technique. To accomplish this, the paper provides a nuanced and multifaceted insight into the theoretical underpinnings of focus group with a view to enabling a clear comprehension of the technique. It then delves into the operational context and an array of diverse phases involved in organizing and conducting the focus groups, having become an established and accepted part of the range of methodological tools available to academic researchers. Part three, the last, deals with the strengths, the weaknesses as well as the suggested solutions to mitigate the limitations associated with the usage of the instrument.