Notepads and pencils flip charts or easel paper focus group script. A focus group could be formed of a group of care providers or of a group of patients who provide their opinions regarding a number of different treatments or types of care provision. As a qualitative data collection technique, the focus group has advantages over other qualitative methods, such as the indepth interview and the nominal group technique. How to conduct a successful focus group discussion atlan. A qualitative framework for collecting and analyzing data in. Evaluating the efficacy of focus group discussion fgd in. This is an exploratory research done through a real time focus group discussion carried on with the purpose of analysing the expert opinions of the focus group participants and generating more relevant research questions for which the study can be. Focus groups, unlike individual interviews, provide the added dimension of the interactions among members. We conclude that focus groupsare not a quick and easy methodof collecting. As discussed previously, fg may be considered as much a standalone research method as one used in conjunction with other methods. This paper highlights these advantages after providing guidelines on group composition, the management of group discussion and the process of analysing results. The use of focus group in the research design the goal of a focus group is to have the participants understand the topic of interest to the researcher, irrespective of its use, alone or together with other research methods. The focus group fg has been actually employed by marketing, and is becoming importanct also in other areas. In a brief time the moderator must create a thoughtful, permissive atmosphere, provide ground rules, and set the tone of the discussion.
Journal of extension, spring 1993, volume 31, number 1. Evaluating the efficacy of focus group discussion fgd in qualitative social. The group proved to be very interested and, in just a few minutes, students were enrolled to participate. A focus group discussion involves gathering people from similar backgrounds or experiences together to discuss a specific topic of interest. The focus group is a frequently used method in the social sciences. Focus groups involve gathering target users together for a relatively informal discussion on a specific topic or issue. Article pdf available in singapore medical journal 493. The data collected in focus group sessions typically consist of taperecorded group discussions among four to ten participants who share their thoughts and experiences on a set of topics selected by the researcher. Wheeler, in the social validity manual second edition, 2019. In focus group discussion participants are free to. It is a form of qualitative research where questions are asked about their perceptions attitudes, beliefs, opinion or ideas. The goal of todays meeting is to understand if the internal communications and news you currently receive is effective, relevant and valuable to you. While this publication provides basic information about putting together a focus group project, the researcher or facilitator will play a critical.
This is an exploratory research done through a real time focus group discussion carried on with the purpose of analysing the expert opinions of the focus group. A focus group discussion fgd is a good way to gather together people from similar backgrounds or experiences to discuss a specific topic of interest. International journal of business and social science. Focus groups have received little attention from sociologists, although they are a commonly used qualitative technique in market research. Focus group methodology, interviews, students, research methods, student experience introduction. It has become the subject of important methodological discussions and it is now considered a very innovative research method. A qualitative framework for collecting and analyzing data. In this chapter, i will focus on the importance of the focus group method, its history, and its benefits and pitfalls. More focus groups are needed for more complex questions and fewer. International journal of qualitative methods 2009, 83 2 keywords. Focus groups explicitly use group interaction as part of the method kitzinger 1995. A focus group discussion fgd is a qualitative research method and data collection technique in which a selected group of people discusses a given topic or issue indepth, facilitated by a professional, external moderator.
Qualitative research is research understanding phenomenon, exploring issues and. The who, what, when, where, why, and how many of focus. Breen faculty of education, university of technology, sydney, australia abstract this article guides readers through the decisions and considerations involved in conducting focusgroup research. Therefore, the instructor must be cognizant of how best to facilitate effective collaborative learning environments. It is particularly useful when researchers seek to discover participants meanings and ways of understanding. Some studies have used as little as one focus group. Depending on the research objective, the focus group can be used alone or in conjunction with other methods.
Focus group discussion is frequently used as a qualitative approach to gain an indepth. However, merely assigning a group does not itself create critical thinking outcomes. Rethinking the focus group in media and communications. Schneider, kerwin, frechtling, and vivari 2002 found that ftf focus group participants are more likely to discuss their opinions and insights in detail than those participating in online textonly focus groups, and moore, mckee, and mc loughlin 2015 found that lack of human interaction was the main limitation to online textonly focus groups. Abstract focus group discussion is frequently used as a qualitative approach to gain an in. Focus groups focus groups are essentially a series of discussions to obtain perceptions on a defined area of interest krueger and casey, 2009.
Pdf a case study based on a focus group discussion on the. Focus group discussion diskusi kelompok terfokus sebagai. A tool for health and medical research article pdf available in singapore medical journal 493. A focus group discussion or fgd is a qualitative research method in the social sciences, with a particular emphasis and application in the developmental program evaluation sphere. This paper uses the definition of focus group as a controlled group discussion, on the basis that the group interaction generated through discussion is of prior importance to this methodology. Heong the focus group discussion fgd is a rapid assessment, semi. A chair also referred to as a moderator promotes the discussion amongst the group, while carefully ensuring not to direct, but guide the group through the issues of importance to them. The impression is that fg is often adopted without any prior consideration of whether it. Group a, below 30, group b between 30 and 50 with two subgroups, b1 with little involvement. The materials that you will need for focus groups are. The discussion provided a framework for preparation of a detailed questionnaire to be used for ascertaining stakeholders perceptions about the industry and. Focus groups, unlike individual interviews, provide the added dimension of. It is always a good idea to check which reporting standard is preferred by the journal. Focus group discussion is a form of qualitative research method in which the interviewer also called the moderator asks research participants specific questions about a topic or an issue in a group discussion.
Pdf a case study based on a focus group discussion on. Student experience of group work and group assessment in. It is the manner of thoughts that happens when the desire for harmony in a decisionmaking group overshadows a pragmatic appraisal of alternatives. This method is effectively used in research on aging 51, 52, and it is considered appropriate for collecting the views and experiences of a selected group through dynamic interaction. It can impact focus group discussion if the facilitator is anxious because materials are missing or purchased at the last minute. The ideal focus group moderator has the following traits. Focus group discussion in qualitative research new delhi. The moderator asks broad questions to elicit responses and generate discussion among. Accordingly, the findings reported here are based on a survey and a focus group with some final year tourism and hospitality students n 72 at the university of wolverhampton. Focus groups international journal for quality in health. The group of participants is guided by a moderator or group facilitator who introduces topics for discussion and helps the group to participate in a lively and natural discussion amongst.
Fgds are a predetermined semistructured interview led by a skilled moderator. The value of the information gathered is dependent on defined objectives. The discussion provided a framework for preparation of a detailed questionnaire to be used for ascertaining stakeholders perceptions about the industry and to solicit their comments and suggestions. The focus group fg technique has been recently rediscovered by social scientists. Furthermore, there are no current studies of elementary discussion that look. Onwuegbuzie, department of educational leadership and. Qualitative research, focus group discussion, interview. Can listen attentively with sensitivity and empathy. Typically, these seemingly informal discussions occur in a group of no more than 12 individuals asbury, 1995. Conducting a focus group discussion with a natural group may reveal. Number of focus groups conducted date of focus group case study area number of participants. Focus group discussion relies on facilitators or moderators to guide the group s discussion berg, 1989. Interestingly, students felt that group work is a method that significantly fosters the development of a wider breadth of knowledge through discussion, clarification.
The main purpose is to provide data to enhance, change or create a product or service targeted at a key customer group. Focus group interview is one of the valuable tools for collecting qualitative data. Online focus groups and qualitative research in the social sciences. There are only a few basic rules to keep in mind while participating today. Focus groups have advantages for researchers in the field of health and medicine. In this paper we relate the history of the focus group as a research tool, from its original uses by lazarsfeld and merton in early communications research to its decline as social science research became more strongly. A focus group discussion is a qualitative data collection method that engages 6 to 12 peoplewith. A practical guide to focusgroup research rosanna l. It is the manner of thoughts that happens when the desire for harmony in a decisionmaking group. Using focus group discussion as a method of data collection has enabled the researchers to get both individual and interactive opinions by the participants.
Smithson, 2008, who share some common characteristics franz, 2011 and have a direct experience of the topic acocella. Rather, a focus group consists of participants who are guided via a facilitated discussion. Methodological aspects of focus groups in health research. Online focus groups and qualitative research in the social. Two approaches to focus group data collection for qualitative. The facilitator can steer the participants back to the focus group questions or go along with the direction of the focus group discussions, depending on the research questions posed. Focus group discussions helped identify the broad thematic areas and the issues which should be researched. If the facilitator is anxious, this may make the participants uncomfortable and limit discussion. Potential impact of groupthink on the outcome of focus group discussion groupthink is a psychological observable fact that occurs within groups of people. What focus group discussions are and when to use them. The focus group is the collaboration of people who come together to make an opinion, put forth their belief and perspective for the product or service initiate, in the company.
A focus group discussion fgd is a qualitative research method and data. Focus group interview as a tool for qualitative research. Academics were grouped in three categories, according to age and involvement in research. To enhance the credibility of focus group evidence and maximize potential learning from this popular qualitative data collection method, we offer a set of questions to guide evaluators reflection and decision making about focus group design and implementation. The above example targeted improving the experience of parents of sick children. A set of openended questions initiates focus group discussions. Guidelines for conducting a focus group data innovation project. Pdf focus group discussion is a research methodology in which a small group of participants gather to discuss a specified topic or an issue to. Focus group research is used to develop or improve products or services. Institution of engineering designers journal, september. Conducting the focus group ideally, the focus group is conducted by a team consisting of a moderator and assistant moderator. Focus groups can offer some insights on the opinions and underlying rationales for different groups of people. After the due explanations about the nature of the work, the date of the first focus group meeting was scheduled. The selection of the participants of the focus group must be very cautious and adhere to the most specific criteria as.
Taking focus groups as controlled group discussions, with their hallmark being their. The focus groups are the groups of intellectuals, professionals who come together to form an opinion for the new product in the company. However, such a widespread use of fg seems to have become a fashionable research technique. Metode focus group discussion fgd merupakan pendekatan yang umum digunakan untuk mengumpulkan datainformasi pada penelitian kualitatif, tidak terkecuali penelitian keperawatan yang saat ini semakin populer menggunakan metode fgd sebagai metode pengumpulan data. Interview focus group complex subject matter and knowledgeable respondents, promote discussion between participants on a specific topic when interviewing one person at a time will yield the best info ex. This method serves to solicit participants attitudes and perceptions, knowledge and experiences, and. Focus group discussion is frequently used as a qualitative approach to gain an indepth understanding of social issues. The number of focus groups depends on the amount of information needed. Focus group discussion relies on facilitators or moderators to guide the groups discussion berg, 1989.
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