Using Face‐to‐Face and Online Focus Groups to Study Motivators and Barriers to Maintaining Healthy Weights in Young Adult College Males

In this chapter, we will first discuss what stance is and highlight how we identify and measure stance using multivariate techniques, using an ongoing example taken from an Online Financial Focus Group. We review differences in stance between online real-time focus groups and online chat, as well as between online and face-to-face focus groups; and finally, proffer examples of stance analysis in two very different online focus groups: older adults discussing financial services and teens discussing clothes. As marketers see that online focus groups offer valuable marketing information by understanding the significance of how something is said as well as what is said, their confidence in the use of online focus-group data should increase.

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STEER: Factors to Consider When Designing Online Focus Groups Using Audiovisual Technology in Health Research

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/1609406919885786 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 160940691988578 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nicola Daniels ◽

Patricia Gillen ◽

Karen Casson ◽

Iseult Wilson

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Face To Face ◽

Geographically Dispersed ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Online Focus Groups ◽

Health Care Practitioners ◽

Academic Researchers ◽

Journal Entries

Technological advancements and ease of Internet accessibility have made using Internet-based audiovisual software a viable option for researchers conducting focus groups. Online platforms overcome any geographical limitations placed on sampling by the location of potential participants and so enhance opportunities for real-time discussions and data collection in groups that otherwise might not be feasible. Although researchers have been adopting Internet-based options for some time, empirical evaluations and published examples of focus groups conducted using audiovisual technology are sparse. It therefore cannot yet be established whether conducting focus groups in this way can truly mirror face-to-face discussions in achieving the authentic interaction to generate data. We use our experiences to add to the developing body of literature by analyzing our critical reflections on how procedural aspects had the potential to influence the data we collected using audiovisual technology to conduct synchronous focus groups. As part of a mixed methods study, we chose to conduct focus groups in this way to access geographically dispersed populations and to enhance sample variation. We conducted eight online focus groups using audiovisual technology with both academic researchers and health-care practitioners across the four regions of the United Kingdom. A reflexive journal was completed throughout the planning, conduct and analysis of the focus groups. Content analysis of journal entries was carried out to identify procedural factors that had the potential to affect the data collected during this study. Five themes were identified ( Stability of group numbers, Technology, Environment, Evaluation, and Recruitment), incorporating several categories of issues for consideration. Combined with the reflections of the researcher and published experiences of others, suggested actions to minimize any potential impacts of issues which could affect interactions are presented to assist others who are contemplating this method of data collection.

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Using Message Boards to Conduct Online Focus Groups

The Qualitative Report ◽

10.46743/2160-3715/2010.1200 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

David Deggs ◽

Kenda Grover ◽

Kit Kacirek

Keyword(s):

Graduate Students ◽

Focus Group ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Message Board ◽

Research Subjects ◽

Message Boards ◽

Face To Face ◽

Geographic Dispersion ◽

Online Focus Groups ◽

Board System

Geographic dispersion of research subjects can make traditional face-to-face focus groups difficult if not impractical to conduct. Online focus groups have many advantages such as enabling researchers to save costs, allowing for more efficient collection of data, and allowing researchers to accommodate research subjects' schedules. However, online focus groups require greater skill on the part of the researcher and research subjects alike. This manuscript chronicles the process that we recently used to conduct an online focus group using a message board system with graduate students enrolled in an online degree program. We explain the processes that were followed in conducting our study and the rationale behind the decisions that we made as qualitative researchers. Finally, we offer guidance and insight for other qualitative researchers who wish to utilize message boards to conduct online focus groups.

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A Critical Exploration into whether E-Recruitment is an Effective E-Entrepreneurship Method in Attracting Appropriate Employees for Enterprises

International Journal of E-Entrepreneurship and Innovation ◽

10.4018/jeei.2010040103 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 30-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anthony Lewis ◽

Lyn Daunton ◽

Brychan Thomas ◽

Gwenllian Sanders

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Competitive Advantage ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Recruitment Strategies ◽

Direct Impact ◽

Primary Research ◽

Face To Face ◽

Online Focus Groups ◽

Critical Exploration

This study critically explores e-recruitment and whether it is an effective e-entrepreneurship method in attracting appropriate employees for enterprises. The research was conducted by using both primary and secondary data. The secondary data primarily concentrated on the direct impact to enterprises and how changes in recruitment strategies could affect individuals. The primary research attempted to look at e-recruitment from the perspective of a recruitment agency and potential users of recruitment agencies. Using face-to-face interviews, online focus groups, and questionnaires, the authors investigate and show the various reasons behind individuals’ decisions to use recruitment agencies. By examining the methods employed by the Prime Recruitment agency to meet their clients’ needs (both underlying employer and potential candidates) as well as sustaining a competitive advantage in a declining recruitment market, the authors attempt to resolve outstanding grey areas.

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

10.2196/preprints.24108 ◽

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.

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Toward Theory and Technique for Online Focus Groups

Handbook of Research on Digital Information Technologies ◽

10.4018/978-1-59904-970-0.ch014 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 193-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Albino Claudio Bosio ◽

Guendaline Graffigna ◽

Edoardo Lozza

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Young Adults ◽

Focus Group ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Discussion Groups ◽

Systematic Analysis ◽

Face To Face ◽

Online Focus Groups ◽

Health Related ◽

Different Levels

Starting from a review of current dominant points of view about online focus groups, the authors outline the results of a research project in which they compared face-to-face discussion groups with different formats of online focus groups (forum; chat; forum plus chat) in order to identify their methodological specificities. The comparison was conducted with young adults on three health-related topics with different levels of social sensitivity. Systematic analysis of the conversational and thematic characteristics of all discussion transcripts revealed interesting characteristics of the four focus group techniques considered. The results corroborate the view that the research setting influences the findings production process in qualitative research, and might be the basis for a theory of online focus group techniques that can orient the researcher in choosing the online focus group technique best suited to his or her study aims and topics.

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Face-to-Face versus Online Focus Groups in Two Different Countries: Do Qualitative Data Collection Strategies Work the Same Way in Different Cultural Contexts?

Doing Cross-Cultural Research - Social Indicators Research Series ◽

10.1007/978-1-4020-8567-3_17 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 265-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Guendalina Graffigna ◽

Albino Claudio Bosio ◽

Karin Olson

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Cultural Contexts ◽

Face To Face ◽

Online Focus Groups ◽

Collection Strategies ◽

Qualitative Data Collection

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Exploring Identities and Preferences for Intervention Among LGBTQ+ Young Adult Smokers Through Online Focus Groups

Journal of Adolescent Health ◽

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.09.022 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 64 (3) ◽

pp. 390-397 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Danielle E. Ramo ◽

Meredith Meacham ◽

Johannes Thrul ◽

Alina Belohlavek ◽

Urmimala Sarkar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adult ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Online Focus Groups

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Insights for conducting real-time focus groups online using a web conferencing service

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.10427.2 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 122 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

James Kite ◽

Philayrath Phongsavan

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Real Time ◽

Web Conferencing ◽

Online Groups ◽

Face To Face ◽

Geographically Dispersed ◽

Online Focus Groups ◽

Health Related Research ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact

Background: Online focus groups have been increasing in use over the last 2 decades, including in biomedical and health-related research. However, most of this research has made use of text-based services such as email, discussion boards, and chat rooms that do not replicate the experience of face-to-face focus groups. Web conferencing services have the potential to more closely match the face-to-face focus group experience, including important visual and aural cues. This paper provides critical reflections on using a web conferencing service to conduct online focus groups.Methods: We conducted both online and face-to-face focus groups as part of the same study. The online groups were conducted in real-time using the web conferencing service, Blackboard CollaborateTM. We used reflective practice to assess the similarities and differences in the conduct and content of the groups across the two platforms.Results: We found that further research using such services is warranted, particularly when working with hard-to-reach or geographically dispersed populations. The level of discussion and the quality of the data obtained was similar to that found in face-to-face groups. However, some issues remain, particularly in relation to managing technical issues experienced by participants and ensuring adequate recording quality to facilitate transcription and analysis.Conclusions: Our experience with using web conferencing for online focus groups suggests that they have the potential to offer a realistic and comparable alternative to face-to-face focus groups, especially for geographically dispersed populations such as rural and remote health practitioners. Further testing of these services is warranted but researchers should carefully consider the service they use to minimise the impact of technical difficulties.

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Utilization of online focus groups to include mothers: A use-case design, reflection, and recommendations

Digital Health ◽

10.1177/2055207618777675 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 205520761877767 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kara Skelton ◽

Retta Evans ◽

Jenna LaChenaye ◽

Jonathan Amsbary ◽

Martha Wingate ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Face To Face ◽

The Past ◽

Sensitive Topics ◽

Online Focus Groups ◽

Hard To Reach Populations ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Almost All ◽

Case Design

Advances in technology over the past decade have allowed unique methodologies to emerge, enabling the engagement of hard-to-reach populations on sensitive topics in a way that was before thought not possible with traditional face-to-face modalities. This study aimed to use online focus group discussions (FGDs) to explore breastfeeding mothers’ use of social media. Results indicate participants had a positive experience with online FGDs, and almost all preferred this method to traditional face-to-face focus groups. We discuss reflections of the online FGD experience, including best practices and recommendations for innovative ways to include time-constrained or hard-to-reach participants, for yielding rich qualitative data.

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