Strengths Of Focus Groups
Method Review
Focus Groups
Introduction
Focus groups are a kind of research method used to collect qualitative data. The technique is often under-used in social research. Most commonly it is used in medical research (Powell and Single, 1996) and market research (Morgan, 1988).
This method review will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of focus groups, in order to shine a light on how and when the method can be useful for social and political researchers. In order to do so, I will touch upon different aspects of focus groups.
What is a focus group?
Many scholars explain the focus group method differently. For example, Morgan defines focus groups as a research technique that collects data through group interaction on a topic determined …show more content…
Especially when the researcher wants to gather more knowledge on different views and on the group dynamic of the participants, focus groups can be very useful.
Moreover, focus groups are a good method to give a voice to marginalized groups and to gain a better understanding of these at-risk groups with whom researchers had little prior experience. (Morgan, 1996)
Furthermore, focus groups can be very helpful when there are power differences between the participants and decision-makers or professionals, and when one wants to explore the degree of consensus on a given topic.
A big advantage of focus groups is that input of one participant can bring about memories of others and therefore produce data that would not have been produced in for example an individual interview. In addition, focus groups can make participants feel reassured and therefore sensitive topics will be more approachable and easier to talk about. Also, the dynamic of the interaction between participants can provide the researcher a lot of information . …show more content…
Millward argues that after ten focus groups the data is likely to get redundant. Nyamathi and Shuler suggest the four focus groups are satisfactory when the response rate is adequate. Krueger (1994) however, says the minimum should not be less than three focus groups and the maximum not more than twelve. And at last, Stewart and Shamdasani argue that there is no general norm about the ideal amount of focus groups. The way a researcher conducts focus groups too can vary. Sometimes researchers hold one meeting with several groups , while others meet several times with the same
Focus Groups
Introduction
Focus groups are a kind of research method used to collect qualitative data. The technique is often under-used in social research. Most commonly it is used in medical research (Powell and Single, 1996) and market research (Morgan, 1988).
This method review will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of focus groups, in order to shine a light on how and when the method can be useful for social and political researchers. In order to do so, I will touch upon different aspects of focus groups.
What is a focus group?
Many scholars explain the focus group method differently. For example, Morgan defines focus groups as a research technique that collects data through group interaction on a topic determined …show more content…
Especially when the researcher wants to gather more knowledge on different views and on the group dynamic of the participants, focus groups can be very useful.
Moreover, focus groups are a good method to give a voice to marginalized groups and to gain a better understanding of these at-risk groups with whom researchers had little prior experience. (Morgan, 1996)
Furthermore, focus groups can be very helpful when there are power differences between the participants and decision-makers or professionals, and when one wants to explore the degree of consensus on a given topic.
A big advantage of focus groups is that input of one participant can bring about memories of others and therefore produce data that would not have been produced in for example an individual interview. In addition, focus groups can make participants feel reassured and therefore sensitive topics will be more approachable and easier to talk about. Also, the dynamic of the interaction between participants can provide the researcher a lot of information . …show more content…
Millward argues that after ten focus groups the data is likely to get redundant. Nyamathi and Shuler suggest the four focus groups are satisfactory when the response rate is adequate. Krueger (1994) however, says the minimum should not be less than three focus groups and the maximum not more than twelve. And at last, Stewart and Shamdasani argue that there is no general norm about the ideal amount of focus groups. The way a researcher conducts focus groups too can vary. Sometimes researchers hold one meeting with several groups , while others meet several times with the same