Focus Groups: An Effective Tool for Continuing Higher Education

Ashar, Hanna; Lane, Maureen

doi:10.1080/07377366.1993.10400881

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…We used focus group interviews to gather students' perceptions of the course. Focus groups have been used effectively for programme evaluation in higher education 10 , 11 and are particularly useful in obtaining information about the student's perspective. 12…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Student perceptions of GP teachers’ role in community-based undergraduate surgical education: a qualitative study

Powell

Easton

2012

JRSM Short Reports

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ObjectivesTo evaluate medical students' perceptions of a new community-based surgical module being delivered as part of a third-year clinical methods teaching (CMT) course at Imperial College, London.DesignA qualitative study using focus group interviews with medical students who had recently completed the surgical module. Focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed to identify key categories that reflected the positive and negative aspects of the student's perspectives.SettingImperial College, LondonParticipantsTwo groups of fourth-year medical students were invited to participate in the focus groups. The first group consisted of seven students from the surgery and Anaesthesia BSc course. The second group consisted of a random sample of five students from other BSc courses at Imperial College.Main Outcome MeasuresThese were not defined pre-study as the purpose of the study was to obtain student perceptions of the surgical module. Facilitators were given guide questions to aid consistency and prompted discussion where required using an inductive approach to the topics discussed by the students.ResultsStudent opinions of surgical teaching delivered in the community compared favourably with the surgical teaching delivered in hospitals. Students identified the key benefits as: having protected time to learn, regular access to suitable patients, and teaching that was more learner-centred. Challenges identified by students included the GPs' lack of specialist knowledge and teaching that was dictated by individual interests rather than the syllabus.ConclusionsCommunity-based teaching has been widely used to deliver teaching traditionally taught in hospital settings. However, surgical skills are still taught largely by surgical specialists within hospitals. Our study suggests that students are receptive to GPs teaching surgical topics in the community and perceive GPs as competent teachers. This study suggests that there may be benefits in delivering traditional surgical modules in community settings. Providing training for teachers may be a key factor in ensuring quality of surgical teaching for all students.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Student perceptions of GP teachers’ role in community-based undergraduate surgical education: a qualitative study

Powell

Easton

2012

JRSM Short Reports

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“…Focus groups were used to assess student perceptions of effective small group teaching in the Basis of Medicine . Focus groups have been used effectively for programme evaluation in higher education 11,12 and for curriculum planning and evaluation in medicine 13–16 . This technique is considered to be an inexpensive method of gathering qualitative data 17 and is well suited to obtaining such information from the consumer's point of view 13 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Student perceptions of effective small group teaching

2004

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This study highlighted the benefits of soliciting student impressions of effective small group teaching. The students' emphasis on group atmosphere and facilitation skills underscored the value of the tutor as a 'guide' to student learning. Similarly, their comments on effective cases emphasised the importance of clinical relevance, critical thinking and the integration of basic and clinical sciences. This study also suggested future avenues for research, such as a comparison of student and teacher perceptions of small group teaching as well as an analysis of perceptions of effective small group learning across the educational continuum, including undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional education.

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“…We gathered our data in focus group discussions because these interactions are known to help to capturing youth experiences more effectively than structured survey research (see, for example, Berg, 1995). Further, over time it has been shown that focus group discussion generates data that are extremely rich and of high quality (Ashar & Lane, 1991), and that this method has a unique ability to generate data based on the synergy and the stimulation of the group interaction (Hess, 1968;Catterall & Maclaran, 1997) because group members influence each other by responding to ideas and comments in the discussion (Barnet, 2002;Glitz, 1998;Krueger & Casey, 2000).…”

Section: Field Population Of the Study And Selection Of Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Challenging Absence of Adults in Youth-Headed Households: The Case of Dissension Management Among the Family Members of Households Headed by a Sibling in Rwanda

Mukashema

2014

ijcyfs

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This exploratory study looks at conflict and dissension occurring in youthheaded households in Rwanda. To gather qualitative data about these issues, seven focus group discussions were conducted with the heads of 41 youth-headed households. Results show that based on a participant's personal experiences, conflict and dissension are common in youth-headed households, manifested in poor communication and the absence of positive interaction between members. The most often reported consequences of this conflict and dissension include household members leaving home and becoming separated from the family, coupled with and exacerbated by health problems and poverty. Participants also reported feeling psychological distress, social isolation, a lack of motivation, and suicidal thoughts. Where there is conflict, participants turn to their own friends or their parents' friends for support. Participants also reported needing economic assistance and psychosocial support. Based on the focus group interviews, the researcher concludes that it would be beneficial to set up specific community-based structures that could deal with all issues of daily life and regulation facing youth-headed households. The researcher recommends that the training of youth-headed households in how to take on family responsibilities should be a national policy.

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Focus Groups: An Effective Tool for Continuing Higher Education

Cited by 10 publications

References 3 publications

Student perceptions of GP teachers’ role in community-based undergraduate surgical education: a qualitative study

Student perceptions of GP teachers’ role in community-based undergraduate surgical education: a qualitative study

Student perceptions of effective small group teaching

The Challenging Absence of Adults in Youth-Headed Households: The Case of Dissension Management Among the Family Members of Households Headed by a Sibling in Rwanda

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