Introduction to Focus Groups

Description:

This live online course helps participants to improve the quality of their focus groups and moderation skills. (Foundation level). * Price: £180 for SRA members, £235 for non-members. It runs in one day and uses Zoom software *

 

 

Introduction/Overview

Focus groups are a popular qualitative research method which allow us to explore a variety of views and experiences from participants. They produce a particular type of qualitative data via the interaction which participations have with each other and the activities they engage in. As a qualitative method, focus groups also rely on effective moderation and facilitation skills. This online interactive course helps participants to improve the quality of their focus groups and moderation skills, and provides strategies to help them generate a participative and effective focus group discussion.

The course aims to give participants a clear understanding of when and how to use focus groups as a qualitative method and to provide first-hand experience of one of the key roles: moderator and group member. We also consider research ethics, how to modify the style and approach depending on the sensitivity of the topic, and the nature of the participants. Although the focus is primarily on in person focus groups, participants will consider strategies for conducting focus groups in both in-person and online settings, and the different challenges these focus group styles present for moderators. Through practical hands-on activities on designing focus group schedules and moderation, participants will gain skills in focus group design, questioning, moderation, and facilitation.

By the end of the course, participants will have knowledge of focus groups as a qualitative method and the type of data they generate. They will have knowledge of the role of the moderator and how to effectively design, plan and conduct a focus group. They will also have an awareness of the different ways in which focus groups can be facilitated (i.e. in-person, online, text) although the focus of this course will be on designing and facilitating in-person focus groups.

Learning outcomes

 

• Have an understanding of the principles of focus groups and when we should use them;
• Be able to independently design and moderate focus group discussions;
• Understand the importance of group composition and its impact on group dynamics;
• Be aware of contexts when in-person or online focus groups are appropriate;
• Be aware of effective moderation skills including: strategies for building rapport and trust, involving participants in group discussions, and dealing with difficult participants;
• Be aware of the ethical challenges specific to focus groups as research method;
• Practical exercises in focus group schedule and question design, and moderation, will enable participants to be able to experience and reflect on designing and moderating a focus group.

Topics

 

• The principles of focus groups;
• The nature of focus group data;
• When we should use focus groups in qualitative research;
• Designing focus group discussion guides;
• Questioning and moderating skills;
• Composition of focus groups;
• Practicalities of designing and facilitating group discussions;
• In-person and online focus groups and their different challenges;
• Ethics in focus groups.

Who will benefit

 

This foundation course will be of value to researchers who are new to qualitative research or the focus group method. It will also be beneficial for researchers who wish to update their skills in focus groups. It provides a basic overview of the principles of focus groups, and also more in-depth knowledge of how to plan, design, moderate and facilitate focus groups. It is also designed to support those who need to know what to look for when commissioning good quality research. Participants come from diverse academic and policy backgrounds and very diverse topic areas. Some knowledge of qualitative research or attendance on an introductory qualitative methods course is advisable.

Course tutor

 

Karen Lumsden, PhD, is a qualitative trainer, consultant, and ICF qualified professional coach and mentor. She has over 20 years’ experience delivering qualitative methods courses and training to academics, PhD students, social researchers, and practitioners. She regularly delivers training courses for the Social Research Association, the European Consortium for Political Research, government departments, NHS Trusts, charities, police constabularies, and social and market research companies.

She also has extensive experience of the design and delivery of social research methods education and training for universities in the UK and internationally including, for example, the University of Auckland, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, King’s College London, Loughborough University, the University of Aberdeen, the University of Glasgow, Cardiff University, and University of Essex. She has held a number of academic posts including Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Aberdeen and Loughborough University, and Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Leicester and the University of Nottingham.

Over the years, Karen has been involved in a number of funded research projects and evaluations in social sciences, policing and health, for a range of partners and clients. She regularly undertakes research, training, consultancy, and coaching/mentoring on qualitative research for PhD students, social researchers, and research teams. In particular, she has an established reputation for her work in policing studies and online harm. She has published on qualitative methods including the books Crafting Autoethnography (Routledge, 2023) and Reflexivity: Theory, Method, Practice (Routledge, 2019). She is on the Editorial Board of the journal Qualitative Research. For more info see www.qualitativetraining.com

 

 This course contributes 6 hours to the MRS CPD programme

Cost:

£180 for SRA members, £235 for non-members.

Website and registration:

Register for this course

Region:

International

Keywords:

Data Collection, Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination

Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:

Data Collection
Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination

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