scholarly journals Conducting Virtual Focus Groups to Identify How Rewards Have Affected the Valuation of Technology in Engineering Education

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flora McMartin ◽  
Sarah Holsted ◽  
Joshua Morrill ◽  
Joseph Tront
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups

Navigating the online world of lifestyle health information: an adolescent perspective (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Raeside ◽  
Si Si Jia ◽  
Julie Redfern ◽  
Stephanie R Partridge
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Online Lifestyle

BACKGROUND Adolescence is a critical life stage characterised by an interplay of biological, social and environmental factors. Such factors influence lifestyle health related trajectories, including dietary behaviours, physical activity levels, body weight and sleep hygiene. Generation Z (born 1995-2015) are the most internet-dependent and technologically savvy generation in history with increasing rates of smartphone ownership in both developed and developing nations. Gaps exist in our understanding of what online platforms adolescents are using and the barriers and facilitators of these platforms to seek lifestyle health information. OBJECTIVE We evaluated adolescents’ perceptions on the use of contemporary digital platforms (websites, social media platforms and smartphone apps) to seek information or advice related to lifestyle heath. METHODS Virtual focus groups were held via Zoom teleconference between July to August 2021. Eligible participants were 13-18 years, living in Australia and had searched for online lifestyle health information in the previous three months. For this study, lifestyle health information referred to key behaviours and risk factors for chronic disease, namely, diet, physical activity, weight management and sleep. Participants were recruited through an existing database of research participants and networks of the research team. Focus groups were analysed using the Framework approach, where data is systematically searched to recognize patterns in the data and manage, analyse and identify themes. Focus group audio files were transcribed verbatim and independently coded by two researchers (RR, SJ). Through an iterative and reflexive process, a final coding matrix was agreed on by all researchers and used to thematically analyse the data. RESULTS Five focus groups were held (n=32, mean age 16.3(1.4), 18/32, 56% female, 13/32, 41% spoke language other than English at home). Thematic analysis revealed participants searched for information both actively (e.g., on Google or YouTube) and passively (e.g., scrolling social media and using existing apps preloaded to their smartphone such as Apple ‘Health’, Samsung ‘Health’ or ‘Google Fit’ apps). Participants identified that the most helpful information was well-organised in terms of aesthetic appeal and layout, came from a credible and reliable source (e.g. any sponsorships disclosed) and expressed the need for the information to be relatable. Mixed views were reported for the application of lifestyle health information found online. Some participants reported behaviour change, while others noted that certain advice was hard to maintain and incorporate into their lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the abundance and complexity of lifestyle health information online for adolescents. Adolescents in the digital age seek access to information that is appealing, credible, relevant and actionable for lifestyle health behaviours. To appeal to the needs of adolescents, future interventions for adolescents relating to lifestyle health must consider co-design methodological approaches. Furthermore, the regulation of lifestyle health information available online warrants further investigation.

scholarly journals Implementation of virtual focus groups for qualitative data collection in a global pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel C. Dos Santos Marques ◽  
Lauren M. Theiss ◽  
Cynthia Y. Johnson ◽  
Elise McLin ◽  
Beth A. Ruf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Data Collection

Applying Pattern Theory in the Effective Management of Virtual Projects

2008 ◽  
pp. 93-112
Author(s):  
Ilze Zigurs ◽  
Deepack Khazanchi
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Pattern Theory ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Unified View ◽  
Virtual Project ◽  
Theoretical Frame ◽  
Virtual Projects

The management of virtual projects is fundamentally different from that of traditional projects. Furthermore, the research in this area comes from different reference disciplines and perspectives, and a unified view or theory of best practices does not yet exist. We use the theoretical frame of patterns to propose a unified view. We focus on three concepts as the underlying theoretical elements for identifying patterns of effectiveness in virtual project management: (a) coordination, (b) communication, and (c) control. As a first step in the identification of specific patterns, we conducted a series of virtual focus groups with participants from industry who had real experience with virtual projects. The brainstorming data from the focus groups were analyzed to develop an initial set of patterns. Based on this first step, we also present a structured process for the discovery and continuing validation of patterns of effectiveness in virtual projects, and discuss the issues involved in applying the process.

scholarly journals Using Focus Groups to Understand Military Veteran Students’ Pathways in Engineering Education

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Main ◽  
Michelle Camacho ◽  
Catherine Mobley ◽  
Catherine Brawner ◽  
Susan Lord
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Veteran Students ◽  
Military Veteran

scholarly journals Voicing the Less Heard: A Review of Focus Group Methodology: Principles and Practice

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derya Kulavuz-Onal
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Cross Cultural Research ◽  
Focus Group Methodology ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Educational Sciences

Focus Group Methodology: Principles and Practice is a powerful text in not only equipping novice researchers with all the stages of designing a focus group, but also facilitating their understanding of the philosophies and in-depth principles of focus group methodology. Although the text seems to have specifically aimed at researchers in health and social sciences, beginning qualitative researchers in other fields, such as educational sciences, can also gain valuable insights. The text also provides detailed accounts of previous research where focus groups have been used as well as an intensive discussion of more specific topics such as focus groups with vulnerable groups, focus groups in cross-cultural research, and virtual focus groups.

scholarly journals Improving the design of an online course with virtual focus group feedback

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1191
Author(s):  
Celine Young ◽  
Olivia M. Chesniak ◽  
Denise Drane ◽  
Henry Campa III ◽  
Noah Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Massive Open Online Course ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Development Programming ◽  
Program Content ◽  
Professional Aspirations

Virtual focus groups played a significant role in guiding the design and development of an innovative professional development program for postdoctoral scholars, called The Postdoc Academy. The primary goal of obtaining feedback from postdocs was to ensure the program content is relevant, approachable, and inclusive for participants of all backgrounds, career stages, professional aspirations, and disciplines. The data collected in 13 focus groups shaped the final content and structure for the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), ‘The Postdoc Academy: Succeeding as a Postdoc’. Evaluation of participant experience in a post-focus group survey suggests that engaging a target audience is an effective approach to obtain participant feedback and engage learners in the material. Content and activities modified by this feedback were highly rated by course participants in self-reported post-module evaluations. This article describes a method on how structured virtual focus groups of diverse future course participants can provide valuable feedback on developing the content and structure of professional development programming.

scholarly journals Exploring COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Stakeholders in African American and Latinx Communities in the Deep South Through the Lens of the Health Belief Model

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110450
Author(s):  
Lori B. Bateman ◽  
Allyson G. Hall ◽  
William A. Anderson ◽  
Andrea L. Cherrington ◽  
Anna Helova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Belief Model ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
The Health Belief Model

Purpose The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore perceptions related to COVID-19 vaccination intention among African American and Latinx participants and suggest intervention strategies. Approach Ninety minute virtual focus groups (N = 8), segmented by county, race and ethnicity were conducted with stakeholders from 3 vulnerable Alabama counties. Participants Participants (N = 67) were primarily African American and Latinx, at least 19 years, and residents or stakeholders in Jefferson, Mobile, and Dallas counties. Setting Focus groups took place virtually over Zoom. Methods The semi-structured guide explored perceptions of COVID-19, with an emphasis on barriers and facilitators to vaccine uptake. Focus groups lasted approximately 90 minutes and were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by a team of 3 investigators, according to the guidelines of Thematic Analysis using NVivo 12. To provide guidance in the development of interventions to decrease vaccine hesitancy, we examined how themes fit with the constructs of the Health Belief Model. Results We found that primary themes driving COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, ordered from most to least discussed, are mistrust, fear, and lack of information. Additionally, interventions to decrease vaccine hesitancy should be multi-modal, community engaged, and provide consistent, comprehensive messages delivered by trusted sources.

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