FOCUS GROUP METHODOLOGY
Abstract
The paper discusses ‘focus group methodology’ with its advantages and disadvantages and reviews two studies which use the method and discuss the further use-focused lessons which emerge from these studies. Focus group is relatively cost-effective technique and it produces a lot of information in a short period of time compared to other alternatives such as survey or individual interview. The most valuable aspect of focus group is group interaction which produces rich information, may not be obtained by using other methodologies. Main challenges in focus group methodology are tendency for the discussion to degenerate into a negative critique, dominant characters, data saturation and group size.
Keywords
References
- 1. Bloor, M., Frankland, J., Thomas, M., Robson, K. (2001). Focus groups in social research. Thousand Oak, CA: Sage.
- 2. Edmund, H. (1999). The focus group research handbook. Chicago, IL: Contemporary publishing.
- 3. Erickson, F. (1990). Qualitative methods. New York: Macmillan.
- 4. Jackson, B. (1987). Fieldwork. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.
- 5. Krueger, R. A. (1994). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. Thousand Oak, CA: Sage.
- 6. Langford, J., McDonagh, D. (2003). Focus groups. New York: Taylor & Francis.
- 7. Morgan, D.L. (1998). Planning focus groups. Thousand Oak, CA: Sage.
- 8. Osborne, J. & Collins, S. (2001). Sought to pupils’ views of the role and value of the science curriculum. International journal of science education, 23, 441-467.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
-
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
November 29, 2007
Submission Date
June 19, 2007
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2007 Volume: 6 Number: 1