Reflecting on asynchronous internet mediated focus groups for researching culturally sensitive issues

Absence, multiplicity and the boundaries of research? Reflections on online asynchronous focus groups

“…At base, these comparisons reflect the perception that face-toface focus groups are the 'gold standard', reinforce the dichotomy of offline/online, and neglect considerable variety in form and content amongst online focus groups (which can be text-based, video-based, platform-based, email-based, synchronous or asynchronous). Now, much recent work on online focus groups has been primarily oriented toward text-based communication, not least as conducted on platforms dedicated to the research (Hallam, 2021;Gordon et al, 2021;MacNamara et al, 2021;Ranieri et al, 2019;Biedermann, 2018). Typically, it is noted that not all potential participants can access the platform, that there is a need for literacy skills to use the platform, that group dynamics, particularly if synchronous, can be challenging for participants and moderators to follow (Stewart and Williams, 2005;Forrestal et al, 2015;Fox et al, 2007).…”

“…Usually, in online forums, as in other online platforms, participants are considered direct or indirect recipients of messages (Meredith et al, 2021). Amongst the various users, there are so-called 'lurkers ' (MacNamara et al, 2021) who are unknown people who read messages or posts but tend not to interact, particularly on large sites (Meredith et al, 2021). Cautiously, the term 'lurker' or perhaps, better still, 'onlooker' can be applied within the OAFG setting, insofar as there are participants who do not participate in every topic, who it is assumed (rightly or wrongly) do watch other views being expressed but do not put forward their own.…”

“…As Lobe and Morgan (2021) put it, an online focus group is a ‘communication event’ mediated through a computer that mimics what happens in an offline focus group. Others (Woodyatt et al, 2016; MacNamara et al, 2021) state that online focus groups are adaptations of in-person focus groups and can overcome some of the limitations that face-to-face focus groups represent in terms of recruitment, costs, confidentiality and anonymity.…”

“…Now, much recent work on online focus groups has been primarily oriented toward text-based communication, not least as conducted on platforms dedicated to the research (Hallam, 2021; Gordon et al, 2021; MacNamara et al, 2021; Ranieri et al, 2019; Biedermann, 2018). Typically, it is noted that not all potential participants can access the platform, that there is a need for literacy skills to use the platform, that group dynamics, particularly if synchronous, can be challenging for participants and moderators to follow (Stewart and Williams, 2005; Forrestal et al, 2015; Fox et al, 2007).…”

“…In the present case, a period of 3 days for the online focus group was set up. The aim was to ensure that the groups did not lose momentum, that withdrawals were limited, and that the likelihood of becoming a ‘silent’ group due to ‘tiredness’ or exhaustion was kept to a minimum (MacNamara et al, 2021; Gordon et al, 2021; Hallam, 2021). A more compressed period such as Colom’s (2021) 24 h was discounted due to constraints related to availability, work, parenting and family responsibilities and data signal: 3 days were opted for to allow more time for interaction.…”