Objectives: After completing this class, you will be able to:

• Identify situations in which the use of focus groups as a data collection method is appropriate
• Analyze the strengths and weaknesses in focus group protocols in reported research
• Evaluate the data analysis and interpretation of results from focus group research
• Assess the impact of weaknesses in focus group protocol, analysis and interpretation on your ability to apply research findings in your work
• Develop focus group protocols, including all instrumentation needed to conduct the focus group
• Test the protocol and instruments, using qualitative and quantitative techniques to assess the validity and reliability of procedures and instruments

Assigned Readings

Bryman Ch. 19 required. Also consult Ch. 20 and 22 in Third Ed. You need to decide how you will analyze (score in some way) the information from the focus groups. This is part of your protocol. Ch. 20 and 22 will give you some approaches. Also refer to the resources about qualitative data analysis from last week.

Stewart, D.W., Shamdasani, P.N. & Rook, D.W. (2007). Focus groups. Theory and practice. Sage Publications, London. Pp. 69-86 (The focus group moderator). e-reserve.

Berg, B.L. (2004) Qualitative Research Methods, Fifth Edition. Boston, Pearson, Focus Group Interviewing, p. 123-146. e-reserve

Research Review Articles

Fontana, A. & Prokos, A.H. (2007) The interview, from formal to postmodern. Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA. pp 29-38. e-reserve

Breen, R.L. (2006). A practical guide to focus-group research. Journal of Geography in Higher Education 30(3), 463-475. e-reserve

Zacharakis, J., Steichen, M., de Sabates, G.D. & Glass, D. (2011) Understanding the experiences of adult learners: Content analysis of focus group data. Adult Basic Education & Literacy Journal 5(2), 84-95.

Class Preparation

Come to class tonight prepared to work on your second small group project -- the focus group. I strongly encourage you to assign responsibilities among group members prior to class so that you can come prepared to work.

Additional Resources

Berg, B.L. (2007). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Sixth edition. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA. See pages 144-168 -- Focus group interviewing.

Bloor, M., Frankland, J., Thomas, M. & Robson, K. (2001). Focus groups in social research. Sage Publications, London. Pp. 74-88 (Virtual focus groups). e-reserve.

Carlsen, B. & Glenton, C. (2011) What about N? A methodological study of sample-size reporting in focus group studies. BMC Medical Research Methodology 11(1), 26-35.

Duggleby, W. (2005). What about focus group interaction data? Qualitative Health Research 15(6), 832-840.

Freeman, T. (2006). "Best practice" in focus group research: making sense of different views. Journal of Advanced Nursing 56(5), 491-497.

Goltz, D. (2009). Investigating queer future meanings: Destructive perceptions of "the harder path." Qualitative Inquiry 15(3), 561-586.

Halcomb, E.J., Gholizadeh, L., DiGiacomo, L. et al. (2007) Literature review: Considerations in undertaking focus group research with culturally and linguistically diverse groups. Journal of Clinical Nursing 16(6), 1000-1011.

Huer, M.B. & Saenz, T.I. (2003). Challenges and strategies for conducting survey and focus group research with culturally diverse groups. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 12(2), 209-221.

Jones, A.R., Hyland, R.M., Parkinson, K.N. & Adamson, A.J. (2009). Developing a focus group approach for exploring parents' perspectives on childhood overweight. Nutrition Bulletin 34(2), 214-219.

Kaehne, A. & O'Connell, C. (2010) Focus groups with people with learning disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disabiities 14(2), 133-145.

Keilty, B., LaRocco, D.J. & Cassell, F.B. (2009). Early interventionists' reports of authentic assessment methods through focus group research. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education 28(4), 244-256.

Kidd, P.S. & Parshall, M.B. (2000). Getting the focus and the group: Enhancing analytical rigor in focus group research. Qualitative Health Research 10(3), 293-309.

Krueger, R.A. & Casey, M.A. (2000) Focus Groups: A practical guide for applied research. Third Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage.

Liebert, M.A. (2003) Telephone focus groups: An emerging method in public health research. Journal of Women's Health 12(10), 945-951.

Morgan, David L. (2001). Focus group interviewing. In J.F. Gubrium & J.A. Holstein (eds.), Handbook of Interview Research, pp. 141-160. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA. Get from Dr. Swisher.

Morgan, D.L. (2010). Reconsidering the role of interaction in analyzing and reporting focus groups. Qualitative Health Research 20(5), 718-722.

Myers, G. (1998). Displaying opinions: topics and disagreement in focus groups. Language in Society 27(1), 85-111.

Padula, C.A., Rossi, S., Nigg, C., Lees, F. et al. (2003). Using focus groups for instrument development: Application of the transtheoretical model to fruit and vegetable behaviors of older adults. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly 22(4), 13-33.

Puchta, C. & Potter, J. (1999). Asking elaborate questions: focus groups and the management of spontaneity. Journal of Sociolinguistics 3(3), 314-335.

Stewart, D.W., Shamdasani, P.N. & Rook, D.W. (2007). Focus groups. Theory and practice. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Tilley, S.A. (2003). "Challenging" research practices: Turning a critical lens on the work of transcription. Qualitative Inquiry 9(5), 750-773.

Walden, G.R. (2006). CBQ essay review: Recent books on focus group interviewing and mass communication. Communication Booknotes Quarterly 37(2), 76-93.

Watson, M., Peacock, S. & Jones, D. (2006) The analysis of interaction in online focus groups. International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation 13(12), 551-557.

Wilkinson, S. (2004) Focus group research. In D. Silverman (ed.) Qualitative Research. Theory, Method & Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage, p. 177-199.

Examples of Research Using Focus Groups

Abbott, P.A., Turmov, S. & Wallace, C. (2006) Health world view of post-soviet citizens. Social Science & Medicine 62(1), 228-238.

Bakken, L. & Huber, T. (2005) Ego development at the crossroads: identity and intimacy among black men and white women in cross-racial relationships. Journal of Adult Development 12(1), 63-73.

Blanc, A.K. & Tsui, A.O. (2005) The dilemma of past success: insiders' view on the future of the international family planning movement. Studies in Family Planning 36(4), 263-277.

Borland, H. (2005) Heritage languages and community identity building: the case of a language of lesser status. The International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. 8(2/3), 109-123.

Bunnell, R.E., Nassozi, J., Marum, E. et al. (2005) Living with discordance: knowledge, challenges and prevention strategies of HIV-discordant couples in Uganda. AIDS Care 17(8), 999-1012.

Cottrell, B. & Monk, P. (2004) Adolescent-to-parent abuse. A qualitative overview of common themes. Journal of Family Issues 25(8), 1072-1095.

Jennings, P.K. (2004) What mothers want: welfare reform and maternal desire. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare 31(3), 113-130.

Johnson, S.B., Frattaroll, S., Campbell, J. et al. 2005) "I know what love means." Gender-based violence in the lives of urban adolescents. Journal of Women's Health. 14(2), 172-179.

Kossak, S.N. (2005) Exploring the elements of culturally relevant service delivery. Families in Society 86(2), 189-195.

Morojele, N.K., Kachieng'a, M.A., Mokoko, E. et al. (2006) Alcohol use and sexual behaviour among risky drinkers and bar and shebeen patrons in Gauteng province, South Africa. Social Science & Medicine 62(1), 217-227.

Nadal, K.L., Issa, M.A., Leon, J. et al. (2011) Sexual orientation microaggressions: "Death by a thousand cuts" for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. Journal of LGBT Youth 8(3), 234-259.

Santoro, N & Allard, A. (2005) Examining identities: working with diversity in the pre-service teaching experience. Teaching & Teacher Education 21(7), 863-873.

Vazou, S., Ntoumanis, N. & Duda, J.L. (2005) Peer motivational climate in youth sport: a qualitative inquiry. Psychology of Sport and Exercise 6(5), 497-516.

Yan, L. & Kember, D. (2004) Engager and avoider behaviour in types of activities performed by out-of-class learning groups. Higher Education 48, 419-438.