Focus Groups

2020 ◽  
pp. 103-120
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Cucina ◽  
Ilene F. Gast
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Organizational Psychology ◽  
Survey Development ◽  
Employee Survey ◽  
Annotated List ◽  
Survey Questions ◽  
Industrial Organizational Psychology

When used in conjunction with employee surveys, focus groups can provide valuable qualitative data to support the employee survey process. Focus groups held prior to survey development and administration can uncover issues worthy of investigation and evaluate draft survey questions for sensitivity and readability. Post-survey focus groups can elucidate issues identified by the survey, solicit organizational members’ suggestions for resolving these issues, and gain management and employee feedback on possible programs to address identified issues. After describing how focus groups fit into the context of industrial–organizational psychology methodology, the authors outline steps for designing and conducting focus group studies and for analyzing the resulting data and reporting findings. The chapter concludes with an annotated list of additional resources for conducting focus groups.

Macroergonomic Methods: Interviews and Focus Groups

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (15) ◽  
pp. 1355-1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah C. Newman
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Group Processes ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Individual Interview ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Human Condition

Both the interviewing and focus group processes have been around and in use as tools for gathering information for decades. For someone who is interested in learning more about people and their experiences, what better way to accomplish this than by speaking directly with an individual or group of individuals? Individual as well as group interviews are windows to an understanding of the behaviors of those being interviewed. Focus groups, specifically, are viewed as a window into the human condition and human interaction. Although, the individual interview is one of the most widely used methods for collecting qualitative data, focus groups have recently gained more popularity among qualitative researchers as a method of choice.

scholarly journals Validating The Düsseldorf Orthorexie Scale (DOS) For Use In Adolescents Aged 14–17

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 217-217
Author(s):  
Elizabeth King ◽  
Heidi Wengreen ◽  
April Litchford ◽  
Caitlyn Bailey ◽  
Chante Beck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Key Words ◽  
School Health ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Survey Questions ◽  
Dos Scale

Abstract Objectives To determine the face validity of the survey instrument, Düsseldorf Orthorexie Scale (DOS), in adolescents aged 14–17 years. The DOS has been validated for use in adults to identify individuals at-risk for symptoms and behaviors consistent with the condition of Orthorexia Nervosa (ON). This condition is characterized by a pathological obsession with healthy or “clean” eating which leads to psychological and physical impairment. Methods Researchers conducted seven focus groups with male and female students currently enrolled in a high school health class (n = 40; 11 males, 29 females aged 14–17). Participants first completed the DOS scale and then were asked to participate in a group discussion regarding their understanding of the meaning of the questions in the DOS survey. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded to identify recurring themes. Codes for each of the 10 questions in the DOS scale were analyzed to determine group understanding of key words identified for each question. Results Key words in the original DOS survey questions were in agreement with the codes identified from the transcript of the focus groups for eight of the 10 DOS survey questions. The key words in the other two questions (indulgence in question one and colleague in question seven) were either not understood by focus group population or would need to be altered due to incorrect or inadequate understanding by focus group participants. 38 participants completed the DOS (M = 18.5, SD = 4.88). 7.9% of participants DOS responses indicated they were at moderate (n = 2) or high (n = 1) risk of practicing orthorexic behavior. Conclusions The DOS scale demonstrated good face validity in an adolescent population and the modification of two questions may improve its face validity. Though our sample was small, results indicate that a sizeable proportion of adolescents may already be practicing orthorexic behaviors. This demonstrates a need for further research to be conducted on effective prevention and intervention strategies for this age group. Funding Sources The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Identifying and understanding how to address the gaps in care experienced by adolescent and young adult cancer patients at UIHC.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18238-e18238
Author(s):  
Erin Michele Mobley ◽  
Kristin Foster ◽  
William W. Terry
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Survey Questions

e18238 Background: Cancer survival rates for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) have not improved at the same rate as other age groups. According to the National Cancer Institute, these patients may fall into a gap between pediatric and adult practices. In an effort to counteract the decreased survival rates of AYAs, the Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center joined forces to develop an AYA cancer program at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Methods: The target population included patients aged 13-31 treated for malignancy in one of the following diseases or disease sites: central nervous system, leukemia, lymphoma, neuroendocrine, sarcoma, thyroid, and other. Four focus groups were held to identify and describe gaps in care, as well as provide suggestions for program development. A convergent-parallel mixed-methods design was used. Qualitative data were derived from focus group discussion and selected free-response survey questions, while quantitative data were derived from objective survey questions. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted to gain targeted feedback from participants. Results: Across the four focus groups, the number of participants ranged from 8 – 19 (n = 24). Topics discussed included: communication, treatment experience, overall AYA program; finances, work, school, late effects; relationships, emotions, spirituality; and body image, infertility, sexuality, risky behavior, and suicide. The results of the analyses found three unique domains that are important to AYAs across the cancer continuum: autonomy, communication, and relationships. The three primary domains make the AYA population different from traditional adult or pediatric populations. The surveys corroborated the focus group discussion findings. Conclusions: Information obtained from these analyses have been used to inform specific projects within the development of the AYA program to address patient-identified gaps. For AYAs, the importance of autonomy, communication, and relationships should be considered when developing an AYA program, as well as for potential policy or health services research utilization in the future.

scholarly journals Re-Thinking the Boundaries of the Focus Group: A Reflexive Analysis on the Use and Legitimacy of Group Methodologies in Qualitative Research

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 58-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Angela Caretta ◽  
Elena Vacchelli
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Group A ◽  
Data Collection Technique ◽  
Qualitative Data Collection

This article aims at problematizing the boundaries of what counts as focus group and in so doing it identifies some continuity between focus group and workshop, especially when it comes to arts informed and activity laden focus groups. The workshop [1] is often marginalized as a legitimate method for qualitative data collection outside PAR (Participatory Action Research)-based methodologies. Using examples from our research projects in East Africa and in London we argue that there are areas of overlap between these two methods, yet we tend to use concepts and definitions associated with focus groups because of the lack of visibility of workshops in qualitative research methods academic literature. The article argues that focus groups and workshops present a series of intertwined features resulting in a blending of the two which needs further exploration. In problematizing the boundaries of focus groups and recognizing the increasing usage of art-based and activity-based processes for the production of qualitative data during focus groups, we argue that focus groups and workshop are increasingly converging. We use a specifically feminist epistemology in order to critically unveil the myth around the non-hierarchical nature of consensus and group interaction during focus group discussions and other multi-vocal qualitative methods and contend that more methodological research should be carried out on the workshop as a legitimate qualitative data collection technique situated outside the cycle of action research.

Understanding Incarcerated Girls: The Results of a Focus Group Study

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOANNE BELKNAP ◽  
KRISTI HOLSINGER ◽  
MELISSA DUNN
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Female Offenders ◽  
The State ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Incarcerated Females ◽  
Delinquent Girls ◽  
Female Offending

Until recent years, the causes of female offending and the experiences of incarcerated females have been largely ignored. Female offenders are being incarcerated at unprecedented rates, and there has been considerable attention given to the “new” violent female delinquent. In an effort to better understand delinquent girls' experiences before and during institutionalization, focus groups were conducted across the state of Ohio in 1996 with institutionalized delinquent girls and the professionals who work with them. The findings from these focus groups point out some serious problems among many of these girls before and while they are incarcerated. Policy implications are discussed in terms of the findings from the qualitative data garnered from 11 focus groups, which included 48 delinquent girls and 42 professionals who deal with delinquent girls.

scholarly journals Using Social Media in health research with women of reproductive age: Online Focus Groups on Facebook (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Gry Temmesen ◽  
Henriette Svarre Nielsen ◽  
Heidi Lene Myglegård Andersen ◽  
Kathrine Birch Petersen ◽  
Jane Clemensen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Qualitative Health Research ◽  
Online Focus Groups

BACKGROUND Social media provides new possibilities within health research, especially in hard-to-reach populations. Women in Denmark and around the world postpone motherhood and risk infertility due to their advanced age when they try to conceive. To this date, no studies have explored Danish women’s reflections on timing of motherhood within a social media setting. OBJECTIVE To explore Facebook as a platform for qualitative health research for women of reproductive age. METHODS A qualitative study based on three online focus groups on the social media Facebook with 26 Danish women of reproductive age discussing timing of motherhood in January 2020. RESULTS Conducting online focus groups on Facebook were successful to this study as it made recruitment easy and free of charge, and the online approach was found eligible for qualitative data collection. All participants found it to be a positive experience to participate in an online focus group. More than half of the women participating in the online focus groups, felt that it was an advantage to meet on Facebook instead of meeting face-to-face. CONCLUSIONS Conducting online focus groups on Facebook is an eligible method to access qualitative data from women of reproductive age. Participants were positive towards being a part of an online focus group. Online focus groups on social media have the potential to give women of reproductive age a voice in the debate of motherhood.

scholarly journals Lessons Learned in Abruptly Switching from In-Person to Remote Data Collection in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Crystal Walker ◽  
Loretta Williams ◽  
Trimika Bowdre
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Consent Forms ◽  
Research Population ◽  
Scheduling Tool ◽  
Demographic Surveys

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a research study that utilized in-person focus groups to collect qualitative data was abruptly shifted to videoconference focus groups to minimize risk to subjects. Protocol amendments consisted of using an online scheduling tool to arrange focus groups by Zoom, providing electronic versions of consent forms and demographic surveys, and highlighting security features of the videoconference software. Lessons were learned from making an abrupt switch from in-person to remote focus groups. Making this type of shift is not simply a matter of switching for researcher convenience but includes determining the appropriateness of an abrupt switch for the research population of interest, fully understanding videoconference software best practices, decreasing focus group sizes, and increasing the incentive for participation.

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