Book Description:
This book critically examines the potential of, and suggests ways forward in, harnessing a versatile and powerful method of research focus groups.Although focus groups are currently enjoying unprecedented popularity, many researchers have unquestioningly accepted guidelines designed for their use in a narrow market research arena. Thus the full potential of focus groups is frequently overlooked. This volume challenges some of the emerging orthodoxies and presents a series of accessible, insightful and reflective discussions about the political, theoretical and practical issues around focus group work.The editors have brought together an impressive collection of experienced researchers from a range of disciplines and theoretical traditions (including sociology, psychology, anthropology, media studies and health services research). Together, the contributors discuss different ways of designing, conducting and analysing focus group research. They address questions such as:o How do sampling strategies and research settings influence the data generated?o What are the implications of combining focus groups with other methods? o Can focus groups be used to access the views of minority' groups or different communities'? Are they appropriate for sensitive' topics?o How can focus groups contribute to participatory or feminist research? o How can data analysis soft ware packages be used with focus group transcripts?o What is the role of discourse analysis?o How can we make full use of interaction between participants in analysing focus group work?o What are the epistemological and political underpinnings of such research?The book examines all stages of the research process (from gaining access to the presentation of findings). The arguments are illustrated with fascinating case studies, ranging from group discussions about sex to exploring community reactions to the nuclear industry, from children's perceptions of accidents to the negotiation of ethnic identity as a refugee. It will both challenge and inspire, providing readers, whether new to the area or not, with a solid basis from which to make their own decisions and to confront both the promise and the pitfalls of focus group research.
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