Basic and Advanced Focus Groups

Basic and Advanced Focus Groups illustrates both the different types of focus groups and how to decide among those options in order to produce the most effective focus groups possible. A variety of approaches to doing research with focus groups gives readers the tools to develop and examine their research designs, starting with the basics. Advanced coverage in each chapter takes an in-depth look at topics such as moderating focus groups, using mixed methods, and working with different sizes of groups. By taking a practical, applied approach, the author gives even novice students the knowledge and confidence to design and conduct effective focus group research, while simultaneously providing more advanced researchers with the tools and knowledge to refine their current practices.

Table of Contents:
Preface About the Author PART I. BASIC ISSUES Chapter 1. Introducing Focus Groups Basic Issues Advanced Topics Chapter 2. Uses for Focus Groups Basic Issues Advanced Topics Chapter 3. The Importance of Interaction Basic Issues Advanced Topics PART II. DESIGNING FOCUS GROUPS Chapter 4. Research Design for Focus Groups Basic Issues Advanced Topics Chapter 5. Group Composition, Group Size, and Number of Groups Basic Issues Advanced Topics Chapter 6. Asking Questions in Focus Groups Basic Issues Advanced Topics Chapter 7. Moderating the Discussion Basic Issues Advanced Topics Chapter 8. Analyzing Focus Groups Basic Issues Advanced Topics PART III. ADVANCED TOPICS AND CONCLUSIONS Chapter 9. Working Cross-Culturally Basic Issues Chapter 10. Specialized Age Groups Basic Issues Chapter 11. Online Focus Groups Basic Issues Chapter 12. Conclusions: Future Directions for Focus Groups Basic Issues APPENDICES Appendix 1 Statement of Informed Consent Appendix 2 Generic Focus Group Introduction Appendix 3 Three Examples of Interview Guides Appendix 4 Experiences as Graduate Students Glossary References Index

About the Author :
David L. Morgan is a professor emeritus in Department of Sociology at Portland State University. He is a sociological social psychologist, who is widely known for his work on focus groups, including his book, Focus Groups as Qualitative Research, and as coauthor of The Focus Group Kit. In addition, he has worked extensively on mixed methods, including a book for SAGE, Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods. Most recently, he has published Essentials of Dyadic Interviewing for Routledge, and A New Era in Focus Group Research, co-edited, with Rosaline Barbour, for Palgrave.

Review :
"This is great tool for their students or themselves if they want to use focus groups as a research approach. There is a lot of value for the price of this text." "This introductory text provides students with a solid understanding of principles, methods, and contributions of focus group methodology. It provides good coverage of the topic and essential components for consideration in using focus groups. Morgan is among the most well-known experts on focus group research; this current volume reflects how his insight and own research have evolved over the years to show how the field has changed." "This book provides accessible, practical information that is targeted toward an audience unfamiliar with the logistics of conducting focus groups." "The chapters contain enough depth for the text to serve as a one-stop shop for designing and using a focus group methodology." "Overall, the book is written in a language that is easy to understand (despite the topics the book is covering) for undergraduate students who may not be interested in research methods and have taken it as a required course in their curriculum." "I was pleasantly surprised at how useful the appendices are. Each of them provides information that will help a researcher. Including transcribed text is good because new researchers may not have been exposed to this type of data. In addition, the interview guides are useful tools and can be used in other forms of research as well."