Computers, Survey Research, and Focus Groups in Public Administration Research and Practice

2013 ◽  
pp. 196-219
Author(s):  
Michael L. Vasu ◽  
Ellen Storey Vasu
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Survey Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Audience Response ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Survey Research Methods ◽  
Audience Response Technology

The integration of computing into survey research and focus groups in research and practice in public administration and related fields is the focus of this chapter. Coverage applies to other social science disciplines as well. This chapter reviews uses of computers in computer-assisted survey research (CASR), computer-assisted interviewing, computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), computerassisted personal interviewing (CAPI), and transferring survey research methods onto the Internet. A second portion of the chapter gives special attention to continuous audience response technology (CART). An example of a citizen survey focused on growth issues combined with a focus group dealing with the same topic in Cary, North Carolina, is also provided. <BR>

Survey Research, Focus Groups, and Information Technology in Research and Practice

2003 ◽  
pp. 221-251
Author(s):  
Michael L. Vasu ◽  
Ellen Storey Vasu
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Survey Research ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Audience Response ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Survey Research Methods ◽  
Audience Response Technology ◽  
The Web

The integration of computing into survey research and focus groups in research and practice in public administration and related fields is the focus of this chapter. Coverage applies to other social science disciplines as well. This chapter reviews uses of computers in computer-assisted information collection (CASIC), computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), and transferring survey research methods onto the Web. A second portion of the chapter gives special attention to continuous audience response technology (CART). An example of a citizen survey focused on growth issues combined with a focus group dealing with the same topic in Cary, North Carolina, is also discussed.

Computers and Social Survey Research for Public Administration

2011 ◽  
pp. 265-292
Author(s):  
Michael L. Vasu ◽  
Ellen Storey Vasu ◽  
Al O. Ozturk
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Survey Research ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Survey Error ◽  
Survey Research Methods

The integration of social survey methods into public-administration research and practice is the focus of this chapter. Coverage applies to other social science disciplines as well. This chapter reviews the use of computers in computer-assisted survey research (CASR), computer-assisted interviewing, computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), and survey research methods. The chapter takes the perspective of total survey error.

Information Technology in Survey Research

2011 ◽  
pp. 2024-2029
Author(s):  
Jernej Berzelak ◽  
Vasja Vehovar
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Survey Research ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The Usa

Data collection based on standardized questionnaires represents one of the central tools in many research areas. Early surveys date back to the 18th century (de Leeuw, 2005), while a major breakthrough came in the 1930s with the application of probability samples. By using surveys, today governments monitor conditions in the country, social scientists obtain data on social phenomena and managers direct their business by studying the characteristics of their target customers. The importance of survey research stimulates ongoing efforts to achieve higher data quality and optimized costs. Early on researchers recognized the potential of technological advances for the achievement of these goals. In the early 1970s telephone surveys started replacing expensive face-to-face interviews. Computer technology developments soon enabled computer-assisted telephone interviewing (“CATI”). The 1980s brought new approaches based on personal computers. Interviewers started to use laptops and respondents sometimes completed questionnaires on their own computers. Another revolution occurred with the Internet in the subsequent decade. The pervasive availability of Internet access, and the growing number of Internetsupported devices, coupled with the advance of interactive Web technologies (like Ajax) are facilitating developments in contemporary survey research. Internet surveys show the potential to become the leading survey approach in the future. According to the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (“CASRO”), the Internet already represents the primary data collection mode for 39% of research companies in the USA (DeAngelis, 2006). The rate of adoption is slower in academic and official research but it is far from negligible. These technological innovations have, however, created several new methodological challenges.

Using Focus Groups to Improve Survey Research

1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 72-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elinor Kelley Grusin ◽  
Gerald C. Stone
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Survey Research ◽  
Mass Communication

Mass communication researchers often ask questions that require individuals to recall past behaviors and events, but little attention has been given to how interviewers can stimulate recall. This study – applying focus group techniques – indicates survey respondents may have more to say than they initially think.

scholarly journals Establishing Patient Perceptions and Preferences for a Journal Authenticator Tool To Support Health Literacy: A Mixed-Methods Survey and Focus Group Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Ricketts ◽  
Manoj M. Lalu ◽  
Laurie Proulx ◽  
Michael Halas ◽  
Gisell Castillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Thematic Content Analysis ◽  
Predatory Journals ◽  
Thematic Content ◽  
Online Focus Groups

Abstract Background Predatory journals are illegitimate journals that do not meet expected publication best practices. Many of these journals can be found using Google, making them readily available to patients searching online for health information. The goal of this study was to obtain information about how patients use the internet to get health information and to determine patient preferences and needs for a journal authenticator tool which would highlight journal transparency practices. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Canadian-based adult patients and caregivers and then a series of online focus groups to further explore the survey responses. Descriptive statistics (counts and percentages) were reported for all quantitative survey items. For text-based responses, we used thematic content analysis. Online focus groups asked patients about the content they would like to see in a journal authenticator tool, how they would like the content visually displayed, how to best share the tool with patients, and how to determine whether the tool was successful over time. Thematic content analysis was conducted to identify core themes discussed. Focus group participants completed a follow-up survey in which they rank ordered the themes identified by perceived importance. Results 183 participants completed our online survey. A total of 146 (82%) participants indicated they use the internet most often when looking for health information. Sixty-six (37%) indicated they sometimes read original research articles when searching for health information and 92 (52%) participants indicated they sometimes have difficulty knowing if the information they read online is reliable. Eighty-six (49%) participants had never heard of predatory journals. Thirty-nine survey participants indicated their willingness to contribute to subsequent focus groups and a total of 29 participated. Four key topic areas were discussed and 32 themes were identified. Conclusions Our findings suggest that patients have expressed a need for a journal authenticator tool and that this tool may provide value to them. The results from this study will help inform the tool’s development to help ensure that it meets the needs of patients. Trial registration: This mixed-methods study has been registered on the Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/56ead/

Focus Groups as a Useful Qualitative Methodology in Sport Management

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Inglis
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Sport Management ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Focus Group Methodology ◽  
Research Questions

This review paper presents recent critiques regarding research in sport management and suggests that focus groups are a qualitative methodology particularly suited to research and practice in sport management. Features of qualitative methodology and merits of focus groups are presented. The challenge to scholars working in sport management is (a) to consider using focus-group methodology in situations where such usage will advance the understanding of and response to research questions, and (b) to consider using focus groups as a self-contained methodology or in triangulation with other methodologies.

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 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.

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