Focus groups

Robinson, J. (2019) Focus groups. In: Atkinson, P., Delamont, S., Cernat, A., Sakshaug, J. W. and Williams, R. A. (eds.) SAGE Research Methods: an Encyclopedia. SAGE. ISBN 9781526421036 (doi: 10.4135/9781526421036821959)

Abstract

Focus group discussions represent a useful way to bring people together to generate new insights and ideas about a research topic. The advantages of using focus groups include the potential to gain a rapid insight into how a topic is viewed and discussed from complementary or contrasting perspectives. Participants are invited to present their views in turn, and as they can hear and reflect on what others in the group are saying, they can also give their response to what they have heard. While this open and discursive approach to data collection can produce a consensus in the group, as people may find it easy or polite to broadly agree with what other participants have already said, it can also highlight tensions and disagreements between group members as they interact. As focus groups represent a dynamic and potentially provocative research method, this entry highlight the advantages as well as the limitations of including focus group discussions in a research project. Moving through the practicalities of designing and setting up focus group discussion, there are discussions around the composition of focus groups, ethical considerations, and the role of technologies to facilitate and capture group discussions in real and virtual settings. By highlighting both the opportunities and issues researchers may encounter if they are using focus groups in research. this reflective overview guides the reader through the process of moderating a group discussion through to the analysis and presentation of data.

• Item Type: Book Sections (Encyclopaedia entry)
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Robinson, Professor Jude
• Authors: Robinson, J.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences
• Research Group: Sociology
• Publisher: SAGE
• ISBN: 9781526421036
• Published Online: 09 September 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 SAGE Publications, Inc.
• First Published: First published in SAGE Research Methods: an Encyclopedia
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy