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.

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 Embracement as an analyzer of the relationships between professionals, managers and users

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinira Magali Fortuna ◽  
Karemme Ferreira de Oliveira ◽  
Adriana Barbieri Feliciano ◽  
Mônica Vilchez da Silva ◽  
Flávio Adriano Borges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Institutional Analysis ◽  
Party Politics ◽  
The Media ◽  
Group Sessions ◽  
Service Managers

Abstract OBJECTIVE Analyzing the relationships among professionals and between professionals with managers and users based on the user embracement analyzer. METHOD A qualitative study incorporating the theoretical-methodological reference of institutional analysis. The data were produced through focus groups and organized from transcription, transposition and reconstitution. Seventeen (17) focus group sessions were conducted involving six municipalities and health professionals from various backgrounds. RESULTS 137 professionals participated in this study. User embracement has been carried out with the aim to organize spontaneous demand. Doctors have not been directly involved, although they have the final say. Intermediate nursing deals with the users and nurses perform important negotiation work among the network sectors. The receptionists and the community agents develop the first approach to the users, forwarding them to nursing to negotiate the service. Managers hope to avoid complaints by attending everyone. Users take advantage of party politics and of the media for services when there is no access. CONCLUSION User embracement is an analyzer, since it produces visibility and readability of the relations being produced in health services, and when analyzed can lead to denaturalizing these actions.

scholarly journals Focus Groups as a Tool to Collect Data in a Community Informatics Project Involving Elderly Rural Women

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronel Smith
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Collecte De Données ◽  
Groupes De Discussion ◽  
Groupe De Discussion

English abstractFocus group research is increasingly being used as a tool when working with traditionally marginalised communities. This paper describes a case study of how focus groups were used as a data-gathering tool by a research team working with middle-aged women in a remote rural community to design an ICT platform which meets their specific needs. The paper makes a methodological contribution by making a normative comparison between traditional focus groups and a community-based focus group in a rural community in South Africa. Feminist and critical views are discussed as sensitising dimensions and techniques for a community-based focus group approach. A description is given of the informed consent process and how the focus group discussions were piloted and are being used as a data-gathering tool. To date six focus groups have been conducted with a number of participants ranging from fifteen to twenty-three women per focus group. Extracts from the focus group discussions are given to show how appropriate this approach is in a rural community where the culture is inherently oral and decisions are reached by consensus. Group interaction, the need for openness and transparency, and the assurance that everybody gets the same information and is given the opportunity to voice their opinions, are very important in rural communities.French abtract -RÉSUMÉ  Cet article décrit une étude de la façon dont les groupes de discussion ont été utilisés comme un outil de collecte de données, par une équipe de recherche qui travaille avec les femmes d'âge moyen, dans une communauté rurale éloignée de la conception d'un forum pour la technologie de communication et de l’information (TCI) qui répondent à leurs besoins spécifiques . L’article apporte une contribution méthodologique en faisant une comparaison normative entre les groupes de discussion traditionnels et un groupe de discussion communautaire dans une communauté rurale en Afrique du Sud. Des vues féministes et critiques sont discutées comme dimensions de sensibilisation et techniques pour une approche de groupe de discussion communautaire. Une description est donnée du processus de consentement annoncée et la façon dont les groupes de discussion ont été mis à l'essai et sont utilisés comme un outil de collecte de données. À ce jour, six groupes de discussion composés d'une moyenne de vingt-trois femmes chacun ont été etudiés . Des extraits des discussions de groupe sont presentés pour montrer comment cette approche est appropriée dans une communauté rurale où la culture est intrinsèquement orale et les décisions prises par consensus. L'interaction en groupe, le besoin d'ouverture et de transparence, et l'assurance que tout le monde reçoit la même information et a la possibilité d'exprimer leurs opinions, sont très importants dans les communautés rurales.Russian abstract - РЕЗЮМЕ Эта статья описывает конкретный пример того, как фокус группы были использованы в качестве инструмента сбора данных группой исследователей, работающих с женщинами среднего возраста в отдаленной сельской общине для проектирования артефакта ИКТ, которая отвечает их конкретным потребностям. Методологический вклад статьи в нормативном сравнении между традиционными фокус-группами и общинными фокус-группами в сельской общинe в Южной Африке. Феминистские и критические взгляды обсуждаются в качестве сенсибилизирующих размерностей и методов подходящих для общинных фокус-групп . Дано описание процесса обоснованного согласия и как дискуссии в фокус-группах были опробованы и используются в качестве инструмента для сбора данных. На сегодняшний день шесть фокус-групп были опробированы, состоящих в среднем из двадцати трех женщин каждая. Выдержки из обсуждений в фокус-группах показывают, как хорошо подходит этот метод в сельской общине, где культура по своей сути устная и решения на основе консенсуса. Взаимодействие в группах, потребность в открытости и ясности, а также уверенность в том что каждый получает ту же информацию и имеет возможность высказать свое мнение, очень важны в сельских общинах.

‘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.

Children’s Web Portals: Are Adult Designers on Target?

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Large ◽  
Jamshid Beheshti ◽  
Valerie Nesset ◽  
Leanne Bowler
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
Elementary School Students ◽  
Web Portals ◽  
School Students ◽  
Student Focus ◽  
Groupes De Discussion ◽  
Groupe De Discussion

This paper evaluates a web portal designed for elementary students not by adult professionals but by an intergenerational team of grade-six elementary school students and the researchers. The evaluation itself was undertaken by a focus group of six volunteer students. It is compared with the evaluations made by other student focus groups of web portals also designed for children but this time by adults.Cette étude évalue un portail Web destinés aux élèves de l'école primaire, conçu non par des professionnels adultes, mais plutôt par une équipe multi-génération rassemblant des élèves de sixième année primaire et des chercheurs. L’évaluation a été effectuée par un groupe de discussion composé de six élèves volontaires. Elle est comparée aux évaluations réalisées par d’autres groupes de discussion composés d’élèves et portant sur des portails Web pour enfants conçus cette fois par des adultes. 

scholarly journals Negotiating What Constitutes Depression: Focus Group Conversations in Response to Viewing Direct-to-Consumer Advertisements for Antidepressants

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Babineau ◽  
Linda McMullen ◽  
Pamela Downe
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Nous Avons ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
Analyse Du Discours ◽  
Nous Montrons ◽  
Television Advertisements ◽  
Groupes De Discussion ◽  
Discursive Patterns

Background  Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements for medication communicate a distinct image of illness and have the potential to shape how we understand what constitutes illness.Analysis  The purpose of this study was to explore discursive patterns in how women interact with the messages related to depression in DTC television advertisements for antidepressants. We conducted six focus groups of 1 to 2 hours, with 4 to 6 female participants per group. Within each group, participants viewed and discussed 2 to 3 DTC advertisements.Conclusions and implications  Using discourse analysis to explore how the women engaged with the messages in the advertisements, we show how participants reclaimed what constitutes “normal” and “depression” and often positioned the ads as falling short in their presentations of these categories.Keywords  Antidepressants; Discourse analysis; Advertisement; DepressionContexte  La publicité directe au consommateur (PDC) sur les médicaments véhicule une image particulière de la maladie qui peut infléchir notre avis sur ce qu’est celle-ci.Analyse  L’objectif de cette étude était d’explorer des structures discursives relatives à la manière dont les femmes perçoivent les messages sur la dépression communiqués par des PDC sur les antidépresseurs. Pour ce faire, nous avons mené six groupes de discussion d’une à deux heures comptant 4 à 6 femmes par groupe. Au sein de chaque groupe, les participantes ont regardé et commenté 2 ou 3 PDC.Conclusion et implications  Nous avons effectué une analyse du discours afin d’explorer la manière dont les femmes interprètent les messages des PDC. Nous montrons comment les participantes se sont accordées sur le sens de « normal » et de « dépression » tout en percevant les PDC comme inadéquats dans leur présentation de ces concepts.Mots clés  Antidépresseurs; Analyse du discours; Publicité; Dépression

59. General medicine residents' perception of the mini-CEXs

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
S. Malhotra ◽  
R. Hatala ◽  
C.-A. Courneya
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Medical Teacher ◽  
The Impact

The mini-CEX is a 30 minute observed clinical encounter. It can be done in the outpatient, inpatient or emergency room setting. It strives to look at several parameters including a clinical history, physical, professionalism and overall clinical competence. Trainees are rated using a 9-point scoring system: 1-3 unsatisfactory, 4-6 satisfactory and 7-9 superior. Eight months after the introduction of the mini-CEX to the core University of British Columbia Internal Medicine Residents, a one hour semi-structured focus group for residents in each of the three years took place. The focus groups were conducted by an independent moderator, audio-recorded and transcribed. Using a phenomenological approach the comments made by the focus groups participants were read independently by three authors, organized into major themes. In doing so, several intriguing common patterns were revealed on how General Medicine Residents perceive their experience in completing a mini-CEX. The themes include Education, Assessment and Preparation for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Internal Medicine exam. Resident learners perceived that the mini-CEX process provided insight into their clinical strengths and weaknesses. Focus group participants favored that the mini-CEX experience will benefit them in preparation, and successful completion of their licensing exam. Daelmans HE, Overmeer RM, van der Hem-Stockroos HH, Scherpbier AJ, Stehouwer CD, van der Vleuten CP. In-training assessment: qualitative study of effects on supervision and feedback in an undergraduate clinical rotation. Medical Education 2006; 40(1):51-8. De Lima AA, Henquin R, Thierer J, Paulin J, Lamari S, Belcastro F, Van der Vleuten CPM. A qualitative study of the impact on learning of the mini clinical evaluation exercise in postgraduate training. Medical Teacher January 2005; 27(1):46-52. DiCicco-Bloom B, Crabtree BF. The Qualitative Research Interview. Medical Education 2006; 40:314-32.

Information-seeking to Support Personal and Community Wellbeing: Report of a study of New Zealand Men Using Focus Groups

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peta Wellstead
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Structural Constraints ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Groupes De Discussion

This paper reports part of an ongoing study exploring the information behaviour of New Zealand men during periods of diminished health and wellbeing. Focus groups were used for this iteration of the study. Results indicate that New Zealand men face both personal and structural constraints to their information-seeking during periods when their health and wellbeing may be compromised. This study highlights that service providers need to develop more effective information delivery mechanisms and support services for men. These services need to be appealing to men and reflect men’s information seeking preferences. The role of LIS professionals in supporting this endeavour is discussed. Cet article présente une étude en cours explorant le comportement informationnel d’ hommes néo-zélandais durant des périodes où leur état de santé et de bien-être est amoindri. Des groupes de discussion ont été utilisés pour cette itération de l'étude. Les résultats indiquent que les hommes en Nouvelle-Zélande font face à des contraintes à la fois  personnelles et structurelles dans leur recherche d'information pendant les périodes où leur santé et leur bien-être peuvent être affaiblis. Cette étude met en évidence le besoin pour les fournisseurs de services de développer des mécanismes de diffusion de l'information plus efficaces et des services de soutien pour les hommes. Ces services doivent être attrayants et refléter les préférences des hommes dans leurs recherches d’information. Le rôle des professionnels de l'information dans le soutien à cette entreprise est discuté.

scholarly journals Blending Indigenous Sharing Circle and Western Focus Group Methodologies for the Study of Indigenous Children’s Health: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692110151
Author(s):  
Sarah C. Hunt ◽  
Nancy L. Young
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Sharing Circles

The primary objective of this systematic review was to investigate how Western focus groups and Indigenous sharing circles have been blended for the study of Indigenous children’s health. The secondary objective of this study was to propose recommendations for adapting focus groups to include elements of sharing circles. This systematic review was conducted using a systematic search of original research articles published between 2009 and 2020 that (a) focused on North American Indigenous children’s health and (b) used group-based qualitative methods including focus groups and sharing circles. Each of the articles was screened for relevance and quality. The methods sections were reviewed, subjected to qualitative content analysis, and codes were analyzed to identify common themes and synthesize results. We identified 29 articles, most of which followed a community-based participatory research approach. In these publications, most included a community advisory board, ethics approval was obtained, and in some cases, community members were included as research assistants. There was evidence that sharing circles and focus group methods had been blended in the recent Indigenous children’s health literature. This was particularly apparent in the authors’ approaches to recruitment, location, facilitation techniques, question format and reimbursement. Several groups have published results that describe approaches that successfully incorporated aspects of Indigenous sharing circles into Western focus groups, thus establishing a research method that is culturally safe and appropriate for the study of Indigenous children’s health.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document