Focus Groups: Design, Method, and Practice

By Sandra L. Faulkner

Bridging the gap between theory and practice in a warm, accessible manner, this book addresses the "whats," "whys," and "how-tos" of designing, conducting, analyzing, and presenting focus groups in research and community settings. Key topics include when to use a focus group (versus when not to); group modes; purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling strategies; homogenous versus diverse group composition; managing group dynamics; and recruitment, incentives, and scheduling. The text describes different types of probes and analytic approaches--such as thematic, content, conversational, and poetic analysis--along with ways to represent data, present quotes, and address data quality issues. Illustrated with annotated excerpts from real focus groups, the book highlights feminist, critical, and community-based participatory approaches, in addition to traditional approaches. Chapter objectives, tables and planning guides, and ethical reflection questions support learning.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1462566022
• ISBN13: 9781462566020
• Release Date: March 2027
• Publisher: Guilford Publications
• Length: 161 Pages