‘It's Good to Talk’: The Focus Group and the Sociological Imagination

1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 517-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Communicative Action ◽  
World View ◽  
Social Scientist ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Sociological Imagination ◽  
Focus Group Research

This paper argues that the critical social scientist can employ the focus group – group discussions focused by a facilitator around a particular topic or area of experience – to recast radically both the social relations and the object of the research process. I explore the potential of the focus group to cultivate the sociological imagination in both the facilitating social scientist and the participants: in Bhaskarian terms, a ‘transformational act’, raising consciousness and empowering participants, rupturing rather than reproducing underlying relations of exploitation and domination. The hitherto dominant forms of focus group research are criticised as being embedded in the epistemological and methodological assumptions of positivism, behaviourism and empiricism, and in social relations which service power. The qualities of the focus group which have attracted the marketer and advertiser – access to the experiential knowledge, opinions and world-view of the participants, in a context of synergic interaction – are examined. The paper argues for an alternative, radical use of focus groups, based on the new politics of knowledge associated with movements of social resistance. The relationship between this radical conception of focus groups and both Habermas's theory of communicative action and Bhaskar's critical realism is discussed and examples of the potential for focus groups to democratise governance and service provision are offered.

scholarly journals Homelessness: Emotion Discourse and the Reproduction of Social Inequality

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Moral Identity ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Group Context ◽  
The Media ◽  
Groupes De Discussion ◽  
Negative Feelings

This article draws on data gathered in focus groups to analyze how people talk about homelessness and compares the findings to how homelessness is represented in the media, specifically newspapers. It examines how ideas about homelessness that circulate in society are taken up, used, and reproduced by people in social interaction. People “care” about homelessness and use emotion discourse in the focus group context to construct a moral identity and to manage interactional dilemmas. They express sympathy for homeless people, deflect responsibility for any negative feelings they may have, and shift responsibility for doing something about homelessness. In using emotion discourse, they reproduce conceptions of homelessness that circulate widely in the media and in society generally; this, in turn, reproduces existing social relations of inequality and exclusion.Cet article a recours à des données provenant de groupes de discussion afin d’analyser comment les gens parlent d’itinérance entre eux, puis il compare les résultats de cette analyse à la représentation de l’itinérance dans les médias contemporains, particulièrement les journaux. Il examine comment les gens dans leurs interactions adoptent, utilisent et reproduisent des idées sur l’itinérance qui circulent déjà dans la société. Les gens se « soucient » de l’itinérance et ont recours à un discours émotif dans leurs groupes de discussion pour se construire une identité morale et gérer les dilemmes interactionnels. Ils expriment de la sympathie pour les sans-abris, tout en déclinant toute responsabilité pour les sentiments négatifs que ces derniers peuvent éprouver et rejetant sur autrui le devoir d’agir sur l’itinérance. En utilisant un discours émotif, ils reproduisent des conceptions sur l’itinérance qui circulent abondamment dans les médias et dans la société en général. Leurs pratiques reproduisent ainsi des rapports d’inégalité et d’exclusion.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Framework for Collecting and Analyzing Data in Focus Group Research

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie ◽  
Wendy B. Dickinson ◽  
Nancy L. Leech ◽  
Annmarie G. Zoran
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data

Despite the abundance of published material on conducting focus groups, scant specific information exists on how to analyze focus group data in social science research. Thus, the authors provide a new qualitative framework for collecting and analyzing focus group data. First, they identify types of data that can be collected during focus groups. Second, they identify the qualitative data analysis techniques best suited for analyzing these data. Third, they introduce what they term as a micro-interlocutor analysis, wherein meticulous information about which participant responds to each question, the order in which each participant responds, response characteristics, the nonverbal communication used, and the like is collected, analyzed, and interpreted. They conceptualize how conversation analysis offers great potential for analyzing focus group data. They believe that their framework goes far beyond analyzing only the verbal communication of focus group participants, thereby increasing the rigor of focus group analyses in social science research.

Education Research with Electronic Focus Groups

2011 ◽  
pp. 345-357
Author(s):  
Kathryn Moyle ◽  
Robert Fitzgerald
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Ethical Problems ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Innovative Tool ◽  
Traditional Approaches

An emerging trend in education research methods is to integrate digital technologies into the research process. Electronic focus groups represent one such innovation. Drawing on four examples of research and practice undertaken using a synchronous, digital system, this chapter reflects on how an innovative tool can assist in focus group research in the fields of school and higher education. The examples presented illustrate how some of the theoretical, practical and ethical problems that have arisen with traditional approaches to focus groups research can be overcome. It is anticipated that reflecting on such experiences and building upon the findings of these research projects will enable an understandings about the potential for innovative practices in education research that are possible with digital technologies.

scholarly journals Management Guidelines For Universal Quality Challenges Across The Focus Group Research Process

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 239
Author(s):  
Busani Dube ◽  
Mornay Roberts-Lombard ◽  
Estelle Van Tonder
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Group Process ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Research Information ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Group Research

The general misuse of the focus group method may have quality implications for decision-making processes of organisations across the industry spectrum and for further research. To assist in addressing the problem, this study sought to uncover the challenges that impede the quality of the focus group research process and develop a set of management guidelines for redress by stakeholder organisations. The population of interest for the study consisted of all South African organisations that supply or use marketing research information generated through the use of focus groups. The empirical part of the research study comprised of both a qualitative and a quantitative phase. A CATI approach was used for data collection and the research method employed for the study was a questionnaire survey. An ordinal, 5-point Likert scale was used to measure the responses in the study. The Pearson chi-square test was also employed to compare the research quality perceptions of research suppliers and users within the focus group process. The findings revealed numerous instances of similarities between research suppliers and users regarding their views on focus group research and the quality challenges thereof. Following the research findings, a number of management guidelines were developed that research practitioners could employ to improve the standard of focus group research in South Africa.

Accessing Habitus: Relating Structure and Agency through Focus Group Research

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Collective Agency ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Structure And Agency ◽  
Group Research ◽  
The Relationship

The article focuses on the intersection of theory methodology and empirical research to argue that we can learn about habitus through certain types of focus groups. An account of the relationship between structure, individual and collective agency is developed to provide a grounding for the methodological argument. The article suggests, on the basis of this understanding, that focus groups can be constituted to give us access to interactions which draw upon the collective basis of habitus. Some empirical work is drawn upon for illustrative purposes.

Lessons Learned: One Experience With Focus Groups in a School Setting

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Patterson ◽  
Lynn E. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Low Income ◽  
School Achievement ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Research Process ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Focus Group Research

Focus group research is an effective way for school nurses to gain knowledge about a diverse range of issues that children in schools may face. It is a means to gather information about perceptions, feelings, points of view, and manners of thinking from a group of individuals about a specific topic. This article overviews focus groups as a research methodology and describes an experience of using them to gain information about low-income caretakers’ knowledge of childhood nutrition. Several important lessons were learned from this study. These included the need to be flexible during the research process, to be creative in recruitment strategies, to maintain open communication with all the involved parties, and to share enthusiasm for the study. Learning more about children and their families can assist school nurses in planning and implementing interventions that enhance health and school achievement.

The challenges of conducting focus-group research among Asian older adults

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
KALYANI K. MEHTA
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Group Setting ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Group Context ◽  
Conducting Research

ABSTRACTThe paper demonstrates the particular value of focus groups as a data collection method in studies of older people with particular reference to those living in large cities in Asia. The strengths and limitations of focus groups as a modality of qualitative research are discussed and a case study is presented. Some of the method's strengths derive from the synergy of the interactions among elders with a shared history and lived experiences. Focus-group exchanges have the potential for inter-personal learning and reminiscence benefits. One difficulty with the method, however, is that many Asian people are inhibited about sharing personal problems in a group context. Drawing from a number of empirical studies based in Singapore, the challenges of conducting focus groups with older participants are detailed and appropriate ways of addressing them considered. The article elaborates on the author's use of software such as NVivo to expedite the analysis of large volumes of transcribed data, and on the retrieval of relevant quotes. Software is useful in extracting themes from codes, as well as allowing the researcher to appreciate the links between codes. Ethical issues such as confidentiality, cultural sensitivities such as language and respect for religion and tradition, and lessons learnt from conducting research using the group setting are discussed. Culturally relevant responses to these challenges are offered which could be useful for future researchers conducting focus groups in Asia.

scholarly journals Issues in the Analysis of Focus Groups: Generalisability, Quantifiability, Treatment of Context and Quotations

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilla Vicsek
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Concrete Situation ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Group Research ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Quantifying In

In this paper I discuss some concerns related to the analysis of focus groups: (a) the issue of generalisation; (b) the problems of using numbers and quantifying in the analysis; (c) how the concrete situation of the focus groups could be included in the analysis, and (d) what formats can be used when quoting from focus groups. Problems with respect to generalisation are discussed; types of generalisation are presented which can be used in focus group research. Arguments are made against using a primarily quantitative perspective in the evaluation of focus group data. It is argued that the situation of the particular group discussion should be taken into account in the analysis. A scheme for analysis that has been developed by the author is presented. Suggestions are made for the characteristics of the quotations in the analyses.

scholarly journals Advantages, Disadvantages, and Lessons Learned in Conducting Telephone Focus Groups to Discuss Biospecimen Research Concerns of Individuals Genetically at Risk for Cancer

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Koskan ◽  
Janique Rice ◽  
Clement Gwede ◽  
Cathy Meade ◽  
Ivana Sehovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Telecommunication Technology ◽  
Group Research

Advances in telecommunication technology allow biomedical researchers to explore new, inexpensive opportunities for conducting focus group research. This article reports our experiences using such technology to engage individuals genetically at risk for cancer about biospecimen research. Telephone-based focus groups were conducted with a total of 40 individuals, and participants were asked about their experiences and perceived benefits and limitations of participating in a telephone focus group about biospecimen research. The lessons learned can effectively be applied to other areas of health research. In particular, this method may be most useful to engage individuals who are less apt to speak in public, and/or when there are concerns over privacy if face-to-face discussions methods are used.

scholarly journals How I Learned to Conduct Focus Groups

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maribel Del Rio-Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Human Services ◽  
Group Interaction ◽  
Human Experience ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Group Research ◽  
Research Questions

The use of focus groups may provide researchers with important insights into research questions via participant discussion and interaction. As a human services practitioner and researcher, I became interested in learning how to conduct focus groups in order to apply these steps to my research and gain valuable insights about the human experience that the focus group interaction aims to bring to light. In this review, I will highlight the steps that I took to learn to conduct focus group research and through my experience I hope that readers gain familiarity and clarity into this unique qualitative research approach.

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