Qualitative Research: Introducing focus groups

Abstract

This paper introduces focus group methodology, gives advice on group composition, running the groups, and analysing the results. Focus groups have advantages for researchers in the field of health and medicine: they do not discriminate against people who cannot read or write and they can encourage participation from people reluctant to be interviewed on their own or who feel they have nothing to say.

Sustaining care for a parent with dementia: an indefinite and intertwined process

“…We employed this methodology in order to explore the depth and complexity of a phenomenon through group interactions (Carlsen & Glenton, 2011). As related work has commonly used individual interviews with family care partners, focus groups were employed to explore and clarify views and experiences of caring as an adult child; encourage explanations of how and why these views are held; and facilitate critical discussion about structural factors (Kitzinger, 1995) that influence care experiences. The two focus groups were gender-segregated (i.e., one with adult daughters and one with adult sons) based on literature that highlights gender-based differences in how adult children experience caring (e.g., males tend to approach care as tasks to be completed, while females take a more emotional approach) (McDonnell & Ryan, 2013).…”

“…With open sampling followed by purposive sampling, we recruited a sample to explore a range of experiences (Hallberg, 2006; Kitzinger, 1995). Initially, we recruited through public advertisements (print, radio, website), word-of-mouth, and a participant database at the University of Toronto that included family care partners who had expressed interests in participating in rehabilitation research.…”

“…Both focus group sessions extended over an afternoon (i.e., approximately 4 h), including lunch and refreshment breaks (Kitzinger, 1995). This duration afforded a comfortable pace for participants to establish rapport and discuss a set of open-ended themes (Table 2).…”

“…This duration afforded a comfortable pace for participants to establish rapport and discuss a set of open-ended themes (Table 2). Participants were encouraged to discuss with each other and explore issues they felt most important to them (Kitzinger, 1995). The daughters’ group was co-facilitated by a hired facilitator and the first author (i.e., who was new to focus group methodology).…”

“…One limitation common to any focus group study is that group norms and viewpoints may discourage individuals from voicing deviant viewpoints (Kitzinger, 1995). The advantage offered by group dynamics, however, is that individuals have the opportunity to concur or challenge others’ views, thus eliciting depth, range, and complexity of experiences across participants.…”