FOCUS GROUPS - Flinders University in Adelaide, South 焦点小组-佛林德斯大学在阿德莱德，南.ppt

Using Focus Groups in research: more than just a fashion statement? A/Prof Paul Ward Discipline of Public Health paul.ward@flinders.edu.au Plan of Session Introductions – expectations, needs/wants What are focus groups and why/when might you use them? Epistemological and methodological issues Critique - advantages and disadvantages Research Ethics Practicalities Thinking about analysis Introductions What are your knowledges and experiences of focus groups? Why are you here? (and why now?) What do you want out of this session? What are focus groups and why/when might we use them? Remember…… As with all research methods, let your research question determine your methodology and methods (NOT the other way around!!!) Just because they may be seen to be trendy (Tony Blair seemed to lead the UK on the basis of them) – don’t be fooled into just using them uncritically What are Focus Groups? Group discussions/ group interviews Facilitated by researcher (often helped by another person) Getting people to think about, discuss/debate an issue (or set of issues) – related to your research question More than just a bunch of individuals responding to your questions Allows for interaction (new data, conflicting data) Allows participants to interpret each others’ responses Not just a series of separate conversations with you!! The sum should be more than it’s individual parts!!!! Why/when might you use them? MAIN REASON – when you want to generate discussion/debate about your research question/ area of research You do not think that individual responses will yield the kinds of data you want When you think that individuals may not be able to provide adequate responses on your research question Haven’t thought about the issues The issue requires discussions Might be normal/ everyday/ taken for granted issues When people may not feel ‘safe’ talking in individual interviews Young people? Groups that may work on basis of collective discourse Why/when might you use t