Conducting Focus Groups: Experience from Nursing Research
Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: The focus group is a prevalent methodology in contemporary nursing research. Its favour amongst nursing graduate students probably reflects their perception that qualitative research in general is easier, and that focus groups in particular are simpler and more expedient than other approaches. A lack of confidence in their own ability to undertake statistical analysis adds to the attraction of this method. As nurse educators, we too have used focus groups in a number of studies with nursing students, other educators and patients and, while we are convinced of their benefits, we have learned some valuable lessons about using focus groups – in some cases the hard way! In this paper we discuss some of these experiences in the hope that they may help others avoid some of the pits into which we have fallen.
Authors: Christine Webb, Maggie Doman
Institution: University of Plymouth
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1798537523