scholarly journals Using focus groups to give voice to school underachievers

2009 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-296
Author(s):  
Vladimir Dzinovic
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
School Success ◽  
School Failure ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Social Position ◽  
Dominant Strategies ◽  
Emancipatory Practice

This paper analyses discourses on school failure of gymnasium students. Research strategy for establishment of dialogue with students is focus group. The method of analysis of the material obtained in the conversations with students is discourse analysis. First, two dominant strategies of focus group usage are discussed: as means for collecting data from subjects and as a social emancipatory practice. The prevailing discourses about school failure of students are mapped: the discourse of school as an insecure investment, the discourse of school marginalisation, the discourse of disinterest of students, the discourse of disinterest of teachers and the discourse 'school success does not have an alternative'. The concluding part discusses research implications on social position of students in power relations in education.

scholarly journals ¿El Brasil se encuentra aquí? La construcción de mundos posibles a través de la marca Brasil por jóvenes catalanes / Is Brazil Found Here? The construction of possible worlds through of the Brazil brand by young Catalans

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
Adriano De Oliveira Sampaio ◽  
Inés Martins
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Possible Worlds ◽  
Brand Positioning ◽  
Advertising Campaign ◽  
The World

ABSTRACTThis article analyzes the sense production that a group of young Catalans came up with after seeing some advertising pieces about Brazil’s self-promotion campaign (2011-2014) abroad and after some posters’ presentations about the advertising campaign “Brazil. The world is here”. Discourse Analysis and focus groups were used as a technique to analyze and to collect the interviews. The results show us that the binomial similarity / difference - essential for a brand positioning construction - is practically non-existent in those campaigns, which causes a homogenization of them in several countries.RESUMENEl artículo se centra en el análisis sobre los significados que un grupo de jóvenes catalanes elaboran de las campañas turísticas de autopromoción de Brasil (2011-2014) en el exterior antes y después de la presentación de los carteles de la campaña publicitaria “Brasil. O mundo se encontra aquí”. Fueron utilizados el análisis del discurso y el focus-group como técnica de recolección de las entrevistas. Los resultados obtenidos nos han permitido comprobar que el binomio semejanza/diferencia –esencial para la construcción do posicionamiento de marcas- es prácticamente inexistente en las campañas analizadas, lo que provoca la homogenización de las campañas turísticas de diferentes países.

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.

scholarly journals Counter-talk as symbolic boundary drawing: Challenging legitimate cultural practices in individual and focus group interviews in the lower regions of social space

2021 ◽  
pp. 003802612110144
Author(s):  
Riie Heikkilä ◽  
Anu Katainen
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Moral Boundaries ◽  
Popular Classes ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Symbolic Boundary

In qualitative interviews, challenges such as deviations from the topic, interruptions, silences or counter-questions are inevitable. It is debatable whether the researcher should try to alleviate them or consider them as important indicators of power relations. In this methodological article, we adopt the latter view and examine the episodes of counter-talk that emerge in qualitative interviews on cultural practices among underprivileged popular classes by drawing on 49 individual and focus group interviews conducted in the highly egalitarian context of Finland. Our main aim is to demonstrate how counter-talk emerging in interview situations could be fruitfully analysed as moral boundary drawing. We identify three types of counter-talk: resisting the situation, resisting the topic, and resisting the interviewer. While the first type unites many of the typical challenges inherent to qualitative interviewing in general (silences, deviations from the topic and so forth), the second one shows that explicit taste distinctions are an important feature of counter-talk, yet the interviewees mostly discuss them as something belonging to the personal sphere. Finally, the third type reveals how the strongest counter-talk and clearest moral boundary stemmed from the interviewees’ attitudes towards the interviewer herself. We argue that counter-talk in general should be given more importance as a key element of the qualitative interview. We demonstrate that all three types of counter-talk are crucial to properly understanding the power relations and moral boundaries present in qualitative interviews and that cultural practices are a particularly good topic to tease them out.

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.

Participatory development of the food literacy intervention “GUSTO” for older adults in Germany

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Zastrow ◽  
K Neher ◽  
H Hassel
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Participatory Approach ◽  
Target Group ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Food Literacy

Abstract Background Healthy aging is one of the major challenges currently faced by an aging population. Food literacy (FL) refers to the ability to apply knowledge and practical skills regarding healthy and sustainable nutrition into everyday life. The project “GUSTO” is sponsored by the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care and aims to contribute to enjoyable aging by developing the nutritional skills of people aged 65 and over. This community-based program comprises independent working groups of older adults guided by peer moderators. The FL intervention is developed in cooperation with the target group. Methods The nutritional situation of older adults was first established through a literature research. The results of this research were compared to the “self-perceived food literacy scale” by Poelman et al. (2018) and the “nutritional framework for literacy courses” by Johannsen et al. (2019). The resulting data provided a basis for focus group discussions carried out in six municipalities, supported by local practice partners. In six guided focus group discussions, a number of recurring themes were identified and summarized. Results The focus groups consisted of a total of 44 people between 62 and 88 years of age (average age: 73.1 ± 6.1 years). 22.7 % were men. The group discussions revealed resources used and barriers encountered in terms of FL and interests of older adults. It was evident that, due to the high density of information available, the participants found it difficult to identify reliable information and to implement it in their everyday life. At the request of the focus groups, topics such as the best before date and the use of food waste were added to the intervention. Conclusions Older adults find it challenging to identify reliable nutritional information and implement it in their everyday life. With the help of the participatory approach outlined in this study, target group-related issues can be identified and taken into account in the intervention. Key messages Older adults can be involved in the development of an FL intervention. A participatory approach allows target group-related issues and specific needs to be taken into account in the intervention.

scholarly journals 136. In Their Own words: a Qualitative Analysis of Factors Contributing to Gender Bias in Academic Advancement in Infectious Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S198-S198
Author(s):  
Wendy Stead ◽  
Jennifer Manne-Goehler ◽  
Jasmine R Marcelin ◽  
Carlos Del Rio ◽  
Douglas Krakower
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Gender Bias ◽  
Implicit Bias ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Full Professor ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Academic Advancement ◽  
Assistant Professors ◽  
Implicit And Explicit

Abstract Background Large and persistent inequities in academic advancement exist between men and women faculty in academic Infectious Diseases (ID). To identify and characterize beliefs about why these inequities persist in ID, we asked ID faculty members to share their thoughts and experiences with the advancement process. Characteristics of Focus Group Participants Summary of Main Emergent Themes from Focus Group Analysis Methods We conducted four 60-minute focus groups with ID faculty members during IDWeek 2019. We enrolled women that were diverse geographically and in academic rank (i.e., Instructor/Assistant, Associate, Full Professor). We assigned women to focus groups by rank to minimize social desirability bias across rank. Our fourth focus group included only men who were Full Professors, to capture additional perspectives about barriers to advancement and solutions. (Table 1) We analyzed focus group discussion transcripts using content analysis. Results We identified nine main themes regarding inequities in academic advancement of women in ID. (Table 2) In all 4 focus groups, gender bias as a barrier to academic advancement was a major theme. Women Full Professors emphasized explicit gender bias such as sexual harassment and “predatory mentoring,” whereas women Instructors/Assistant Professors more frequently cited barriers related to implicit bias, such as obscure maternity leave policies and divisional meetings scheduled during childcare hours. Women Associate Professors cited implicit and explicit gender bias, while men Full Professors focused primarily on implicit bias. Women Instructors/Assistant Professors experienced the greatest difficulty in balancing demands of family with career, though this was a prominent theme in all groups. The perception that women less often utilize negotiation to advance themselves was a dominant theme for women Associate Professors, though all groups raised examples of this theme. Conclusion Gender bias, both implicit and explicit, is an important and ongoing barrier to equitable academic advancement of women in ID. Difficulty balancing demands of family with career and gender differences in professional negotiation are also perceived barriers that can be targeted by innovative programs and interventions to address gender disparities in academic advancement. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

User-centered Requirements for Patient Fluid Intake Monitoring Support

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 736-740
Author(s):  
Ellen J. Bass ◽  
Andrew J. Abbate ◽  
Yaman Noaiseh ◽  
Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Fluid Intake ◽  
Fluid Consumption ◽  
Registered Dietitians ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data

There is a need to support patients with monitoring liquid intake. This work addresses development of requirements for real-time and historical displays and reports with respect to fluid consumption as well as alerts based on critical clinical thresholds. We conducted focus groups with registered nurses and registered dietitians in order to identify the information needs and alerting criteria to support fluid consumption measurement. This paper presents results of the focus group data analysis and the related requirements resulting from the analysis.

scholarly journals Assessing Knowledge and Perceptions About Cancer Among American Indians of the Zuni Pueblo, NM

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safia Safi ◽  
Donica Ghahate ◽  
Jeanette Bobelu ◽  
Andrew L. Sussman ◽  
Joseph Rodman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Community Health ◽  
American Indians ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
Zuni Pueblo

AbstractAmerican Indians (AIs) in New Mexico have lower cancer screening rates compared to other populations and are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at an advanced stage of the disease as reported by Li et al. (Archives of Internal Medicine 163(1):49–56, 2003). AIs also have the lowest 5-year cancer survival rates compared to any ethnic/racial group in the USA as reported by Clegg et al. (Arch Intern Med 162:1985–1993, 2002) and Edwards et al. (Cancer 97:1407–1427, 2005). Numerous barriers such as cultural beliefs, fear, fatalism, mistrust, stigma, and lack of culturally appropriate interventions could contribute to low cancer screening rates as reported by Daley et al. (J Health Dispar Res Pract 5(2), 2012); Filippi et al. (J Prim Care Community Health 4(3):160–166, 2013); James et al. (Prev Chronic Dis 10:E170, 2013); and Schumacher et al. (Cancer Causes Control 19(7):725–737, 2008). Trained Community Health Representatives (CHRs) from the Zuni Pueblo and native Zuni undergraduate students led six 1-h focus group sessions using a structured focus group guide with probes. The focus groups were conducted among 51 participants from different age groups (20–29 years, n = 19; 30–49 years, n = 17; and 50 years and older, n = 15) stratified by sex. Focus groups were conducted in both English and Shiwi (Zuni) languages. Sessions were audio recorded, and team members took notes. CHRs transcribed the notes and audio recordings, and created a codebook for qualitative data analysis. In the focus groups, participants provided Zuni-specific cultural context, opinion, and experience regarding (1) general knowledge about cancer, (2) cancer risk, (3) cancer risk reduction, (4) personal experiences with cancer, and (5) culturally competent delivery of cancer information and resources. Understanding the perceptions of cancer within the Zuni Pueblo is an essential component in the development of interventional/preventative measures and improvement of current care. Ultimately, this information will provide a basis for the next steps in culturally sensitive cancer care for the Zuni Pueblo.

scholarly journals Developing a recovery-focused therapy for older people with bipolar disorder: a qualitative focus group study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e049829
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Tyler ◽  
Fiona Lobban ◽  
Rita Long ◽  
Steven H Jones
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Older People ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Age Related Changes

ObjectivesAs awareness of bipolar disorder (BD) increases and the world experiences a rapid ageing of the population, the number of people living with BD in later life is expected to rise substantially. There is no current evidence base for the effectiveness of psychological interventions for older adults with BD. This focus group study explored a number of topics to inform the development and delivery of a recovery-focused therapy (RfT) for older adults with BD.DesignA qualitative focus group study.SettingThree focus groups were conducted at a university in the North West of England.ParticipantsEight people took part in the focus groups; six older adults with BD, one carer and one friend.ResultsParticipant’s responses clustered into six themes: (1) health-related and age-related changes in later life, (2) the experience of BD in later life, (3) managing and coping with BD in later life, (4) recovery in later life, (5) seeking helping in the future and (6) adapting RfT for older people.ConclusionsParticipants reported a range of health-related and age-related changes and strategies to manage their BD. Participants held mixed views about using the term ‘recovery’ in later life. Participants were in agreement that certain adaptations were needed for delivering RfT for older adults, based on their experience of living with BD in later life. The data collected as part of the focus groups have led to a number of recommendations for delivering RfT for older adults with BD in a randomised controlled trial (Clinical Trial Registration: ISRCTN13875321).

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