Maintaining your focus in focus groups: Avoiding common mistakes

Research in Nursing & HealthPublished 18 March 2005Open access

Denise Côté‐Arsenault, Dianne Morrison‐Beedy

DOI10.1002/nur.20063

Citations131

TL;DR

A well-defined purpose, carefully planned environment, and well trained personnel are discussed as the cornerstones to focus group success.

Abstract

Focus groups are used frequently in nursing research as a method for collecting qualitative data. However, due to inadequate planning or execution, the results can be of poor quality or even worthless. A well-defined purpose, carefully planned environment, and well trained personnel are discussed as the cornerstones to focus group success. This article sets the stage with a description of a well conducted focus group, then provides examples and a critique of less-than-effective groups. Focus groups can be powerful and effective when their use is appropriate to the study purpose, the environment is non-judgmental and welcoming, and the personnel are skilled.

Keywords

Social Sciences

Focus Groups as Qualitative Research

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Analytical challenges inherent in the interpretation of focus group data are described and approaches for enhancing the rigor of analysis and the reliability and validity of focus groups findings are suggested.

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To maximize the collection of high-quality data, pay specific attention to the selection and training of the moderator, the development of the interview guide, and the analysis that addresses intragroup and intergroup processes.

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Suggestions are provided for adapting focus group guidelines to facilitate data collection and ensure optimal use of resources and insights gained from focus groups conducted with women at risk for HIV and women with a history of pregnancy after perinatal loss will be presented.

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This paper has been compiled in an attempt to synthesise, condense and simplify the information from an extremely wide and varied focus group literature and provide a comprehensive review to assist nurses who are considering utilising this methodology in their research studies.

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Racial identity development theory, models of communication style differences, ethnographic studies of cultural archetypes or ethnic markers, and the author's experiences in facilitating focus groups that explore the sensitive topic of race/ethnicity provide insights for researchers and practitioners who want to ensure that focus groups conducted in the context of diversity produce valid results.

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A comprehensive overview of the literature concerning the interviewing process, methodology and analysis is provided and the characteristics of the moderator and the way in which a focus group is conducted are discussed.