Conducting Focus Groups

Description:

Focus groups are an increasingly popular qualitative research method but it is vital to understand the kind of data they generate so that they are chosen wisely. As a method they require considerable questioning and facilitation skills. This highly interactive course shows how to improve the quality of focus group research by achieving optimum group composition, and ensuring a lively and fully participative discussion. Objectives:

By the end of the workshop, delegates will:

• understand appropriate and inappropriate uses of focus groups as a method
• appreciate the impact of group composition on group dynamics
• be familiar with techniques for involving participants, keeping the discussion on track and ensuring sufficient depth of coverage
• have experienced one of three key roles: facilitator, group member, observer

Topics

• the nature of focus groups and focus group data
• using focus groups appropriately
• discussion guides and focusing exercises
• questioning and moderating skills
• the composition of focus groups
• practicalities of recruiting and running group

1. venues
2. recording
3. transcription

Who will benefit?

Researchers who are new to qualitative interviewing or who want to improve their focus group skills

Learning outcomes

Participants will appreciate the skills involved in conducting effective and productive focus groups, and know how to criticise their work in future, ensuring that: · the composition of groups encourages rather than inhibits the exchange of ideas· topics are explored in an open-ended and sufficiently detailed manner· the range of views and experiences among members of the group is identified and examined· all members of the group take part and the discussion is not dominated by one or two people.

Course tutor

Liz Spencer is a Sociologist and an Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences who has specialised in qualitative methods since 1973. She has held research posts at a number of British universities, including the London School of Economics, The London Graduate School of Business Studies, and the University of Essex, and was a Research Director at the National Centre for Social Research. She teaches a range of courses for the Social Research Association and for the Universities of Hong Kong and Essex, and has been a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Higher Studies in Vienna.

Currently Liz is a Research Associate of the Institute for Social and Economic Research as well as an independent research consultant. Her recent methodological publications include chapters in Qualitative Research Practice and a report for the Cabinet Office on judging the quality of qualitative research and evaluation. Together with Jane Ritchie, she pioneered ‘Framework’, a matrix-based approach to data management and display.

Cost:

£260 but SRA members pay £195

Website and registration:

www.the-sra.org.uk/training

Region:

Greater London

Keywords:

Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Focus Groups

Related publications and presentations:

Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis

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