Consequently, krueger 1994 suggests that participants should share. American college health association annual meeting. The focus on language earns focus group methodology the label, qualitative creswell, 1998. The central topics are the appropriate reasons for using focus groups and what you can expect to accomplish with them. A major topic is making the basic decisions about the groups format, such as the size of the groups, their composition, the total number of groups. Research stories presents information on using stories for research and evaluation and in this section we offer suggestions on obtaining and telling stories. As richard krueger points out in focus groups, they are appropriate for gathering indepth information from past, current, or potential consumers, pro.
The focus group is the collaboration of people who come together to make an opinion, put forth their belief and perspective for the product or service initiate, in the company. Krueger and mary anne casey draw on their many years of handson experience in the field to cut through theory and offer practical guidance on every facet of the. Articulate the skills needed to moderate and record a focus group. Imagine for a moment that focus group method was the only. Krueger and mary anne casey draw on their many years of handson experience in the field to cut through theory and. Krueger 2000 provides a useful guide on different categories of questions, and on. Focus groups enable us to see not only what people think, but how they think. Kitzinger, 1995 interchange between the participants that is the valuable data barbour, 2007 learning from the discussions about aspects of the phenomenon that were not previously known. Developing questions for focus groups by krueger, richard a. Going beyond material presented in his earlier books, krueger. Developing questions for focus groups ebook written by richard a.
An effective tool for involving people in measuring quality and impact judith a. This volume provides a general introduction to focus group research. Focus groups are defined as group discussions exploring a set of specific issues. It is the solely palmson book which explores the tactic of focus group evaluation. Pdf designing and conducting focus group interviews semantic. Focus groups are a powerful qualitative research method which, especially when designed to be culturally responsive, facilitate collection of rich and authentic data. Precincts and prospects in the use of focus groups in social. A practical guide for applied research 3rd edition.
Abstract focus group discussion is frequently used as a qualitative approach. Richard krueger leads a focus group on healthy living. Pdf on jan 1, 2007, asa gerger swartling and others published focus groups find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. The process depicted is unbiased, nonjudgmental and is respectful of all views. In this section we would like to tell you a bit about our past work with focus groups, the factors that led to the creation of this series, and an overview of how the book is organized. The focus group technique is a type of qualitative research methodology, generally. Sage publications, 206 pages, isbn 0761920706 cloth.
As a qualitative research method, focus groups have gained significant. The association of ideas from various participants often resulted in the discussion taking an unexpected turn or revealing new topic. A report based on focus groups will feature patterns formed by words, called themes or perspectives. This new edition retains the emphasis on applied research, the practical advice on setting up and running focus groups, and the coverage of the entire process from designing a project to reporting the results. International journal of qualitative methods volume 17. Social science researchers can derive multiple benefits from using focus groups. Characteristics of focus groups the uses of focus groups how focus groups can be used with other research methods criticisms of focus groups. Using an engaging, straightforward writing style, authors richard a. This book is intended to help those who are new to focus groups. This book offers countless tips, advice, and exercises for preparing people to conduct focus groups, whether you are preparing a team to conduct a community study or teaching one person to help in a study.
Much of the work presented here is taken from two sources. Planning, implementing, and interpreting focus group research. When to use focus groups and why sage research methods. Krueger too often, decision making about focus groups is governed by myths. An empathetic study on young people and museums in luxembourg. A practical guide for applied research walks readers step.
Krueger 1994 describes other techniques such as nominations, snowball samples, and. Pdf on jan 1, 2007, asa gerger swartling and others published focus groups. The fourth edition of the bestselling focus groups. Typically, these seemingly informal discussions occur in a group of no more than 12 individuals asbury, 1995. Depending on the research objective, the focus group can. Focus groups can help guide marketers in providing better goods and services. Focus groups procedural guide this overview of procedures used in developing and implementing a focus group are just that an overview.
Krueger cites the case of a movie studio that has received numerous awards and quintupled profits in five years by using focus groups to test audience reactions to possible endings for. For 25 years he served as evaluation leader for the university of minnesota extension service followed by 10 years teaching graduate courses in program evaluation and research methodology. The first edition of richard krueger s focus groups has become the standard introduction to a technique that is used across the social sciences and professions. Richard krueger suggests ways of categorizing, phrasing and sequencing focus group questions. Moderating focus groups require special skills, including. Conducting focus groups is an ideal opportunity for sociologists to practice their profession and to make datadriven recommendations for political, social, economic, and consumer change. More detailed information can be found in the reference section below. Using an engaging, straightforward writing style, the authors draw on their many years of handson experience in the field to cut. Focus groups are most productive when used to determine information on new proposals or programs, determine the strengths and weaknesses of a program, assessing whether a. The principle of theoretical saturation, where focus group discussion sessions are run until a clear pattern emerges and subsequent groups produce no new information krueger, 1994 has been applied for studies covering larger study areas, wider interest groups and complex topics. Other chapters in this volume address the myths that surround the technical issues of how to do focus groups see also morgan, 1992. Depending on the research objective, the focus group can be used alone or in conjunction with other methods.
We welcome you to this series of books on focus group interviewing. Apr 26, 2000 for it offers commonsense advice about planning and running focus groups which i will want to revisit. Krueger and caseys book does a magnificent job of incorporating both theoretical and practical approaches to the study of focus groups. We propose that focus groups should be designed with a focus on the type of evidence to be generated e. A practical guide for applied research offers an easytoready overview of sound focus group practices authors richard a. Vignettes drawn from small and large focus groups that illustrate problems that come up and effective ways to resolve the issues.
Krueger and mary anne caseys book focus groups aims to educate. A practical guide to focusgroup research rosanna l. Developing questions for focus groups focus group kit series by richard a. This publication, introduction to conducting focus groups, is the fifth in a series of guides developed to bring information to this audience about the use of social science tools in their field of work. Focus groups are social experiences, and the discussions resemble conversations rather than interviews krueger and casey 2015. Focus groups a practical guide for applied research 2nd ed. The focus group is a special type of group the story behind focus group interviews why do focus groups work. This book describes a practical process for identifying powerful themes and then offers an easytounderstand strategy for translating those themes into questions. Focus groups conducted by trained, independent facilitators ensure open, honest communication with conclusions that are unbiased. Focus group interviewing richard krueger 3 first steps with focus group studies 1. Focus group interviewing richard krueger 4 beginning the focus group discussion the first few moments in focus group discussion are critical. Focus group international journal of applied science and.
It is the only handson book which explores the process of focus group research. While it is not as spontaneous as a typical focus group session, this technique still allows participants to react to and be influenced by comments made by others. They are too caught up with reaching saturation of opinions. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read developing questions for focus groups. The use of focus groups in social science research focus groups originated in sociology merton and kendall 1946 were primarily used by market researchers in recent years templeton 1987 and are increasingly being used as a research tool in the social sciences. Breen faculty of education, university of technology, sydney, australia abstract this article guides readers through the decisions and considerations involved in conducting focus group research. The focus groups are the groups of intellectuals, professionals who come together to form an opinion for the new product in the company. Breen faculty of education, university of technology, sydney, australia abstract this article guides readers through the decisions and considerations involved in conducting focusgroup research investigations into students learning experiences.
Focus groups overview the focus group is an exploratory research method used to help researchers gather indepth, qualitative information of their participants attitudes and perceptions relating to. Focus groups focus groups are essentially a series of discussions to obtain perceptions on a defined area of interest krueger and casey, 2009. This is the most recent edition of our popular book on focus group interviewing. It was refreshing to find more than i anticipated in its pages. Krueger, richard a autor krueger, mary anne casey sage, apr 26, 2000 social science 215 pages. This updated edition of krueger and caseys bestselling, practical book walks readers step by step through the howtos of conducting focus group research. In this chapter, i will focus on the importance of the focus group method, its history, and its benefits and pitfalls. Focus group resources websites american college health association health promotion section research committee.
Put your thoughts in writing bulleted outline welcome introduce moderator and assistant our topic is. Focus group discussion is perceived to be a costeffective and promising. This book describes a practical process for identifying powerful themes and then offers an easytounderstand strategy. Focus groups are defined as group discussions exploring a. Focus groups as an interview strategy krueger and casey 2009 define a focus group as a carefully planned series of discussions designed to obtain perceptions on a defined area of interest in a permissive, nonthreatening environment p.
In a brief time the moderator must create a thoughtful, permissive atmosphere, provide ground rules, and set the tone of the discussion. How to conduct focus groups to enhance college health practice. Richard krueger is professor emeritus at the university of minnesota. The use of focus groups in social science research focus groups originated in sociology merton and kendall 1946 were primarily used by market researchers in recent years templeton 1987 and. In this postmodern age, selfhelp books purport to create instant expertise in many fields. Focus group fundamentals isu extension store iowa state. An empathetic study on young people and museums in. Analyzing and reporting focus group results by richard a.
Focus groups can excel at revealing emotional orientations as well as cognitive viewpoints. Overview of focus groups planning the focus group study developing a questioning route participants in a focus group moderating skills analyzing focus group results reporting styles of focus group research adapting focus groups to audiences and environments modifications of focus groups answering questions about the quality. Developing questions for focus groups by krueger, richard. In focus group interviewing you will find a collection of practical tips, instructional guides, examples, and reflections. Precincts and prospects in the use of focus groups in. A growing literature on the setting up and running of focus groups for social. Smithson, 2008, who share some common characteristics franz, 2011 and have a direct experience of the topic acocella. This highly acclaimed book in its third edition includes numerous updates and improvements. Krueger and caseys book does a strong job of incorporating every theoretical and smart approaches to the analysis of focus groups. Sage books planning focus groups sage publications. An excellent focused book on focus groups anyone who reads this book. Extension richland county, the ohio state university 1495 w.
Krueger and casey give insufficient attention to the focus group purposes of uncovering feelings and unique linguistic constructions. The focus group fg has been actually employed by marketing, and is becoming importanct also in other areas. Ideally, each focus group would be guided by a moderator who asks questions and a scribe responsible for taking notes andor recording the session. A practical guide for applied research walks readers step by step through the howtos of conducting focus group research. With so much variety from which to choose, focus group design decisions may be more complex and nuanced than meets the eye. Focus groups are about interaction that is a part of the method.
A qualitative framework for collecting and analyzing data. In this case, the idea is to use a small number of exploratory groups, in an initial stage of the research, to guide the construction of the topics of the interview. He is an internationally recognized authority on the use of focus group interviewing within the public environment. Villard extension agent, 4h youth development, chair and associate professor ohio state univ. Developing questions for focus groups by richard a. Definition focus group interviews typically have five characteristics or features. A practical guide for applied research was the standard for learning how to conduct a focus group. A practical guide for applied research offers an easytoready overview of sound focus group practices. Precincts and prospects in the use of focus groups in social and behavioral science research dominic sagoe norwegian university of science and technology, trondheim, norway over the past few years, the focus group method has assumed a very important role as a method for collecting qualitative data in social and behavioural science research. Asking the right questions is critical in focus group interviewing. A qualitative framework for collecting and analyzing data in. Planning focus groups this volume covers the wide range of practical tasks that need to get done in the course of a research project using focus groups. Its straightforward, commonsense approach is represented with such eloquent language.
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