Focus Groups - PERVERT Flashcards
Practical factors
Strengths: Focus groups can be more time-efficient than individual interviews, allowing researchers to gather data from multiple participants simultaneously.
Weaknesses: However, coordinating schedules and managing group dynamics can be challenging, and researchers may struggle to ensure equal participation among all group members.
Ethical factors
Strengths: Focus groups can foster a sense of community and support among participants, potentially enhancing their comfort level and willingness to share experiences.
Weaknesses: Nonetheless, researchers must ensure that all participants feel comfortable expressing their views and that confidentiality is maintained, particularly when discussing sensitive topics in a group setting.
Reliability
Strengths: Focus groups can yield consistent and reliable data when conducted with a well-defined protocol and standardized procedures for data collection.
Weaknesses: However, reliability may be compromised if group dynamics or social pressures influence participants’ responses, leading to conformity or reluctance to express dissenting opinions.
Validity
Strengths: Focus groups can enhance the validity of findings by facilitating interaction and discussion among participants, allowing researchers to explore diverse perspectives and gain deeper insights into the research topic.
Weaknesses: Yet, the presence of group dynamics may also introduce biases or social desirability effects, potentially affecting the accuracy and authenticity of participants’ responses.
Examples
Strengths: Focus groups are commonly used in market research, organizational studies, and community development initiatives to gather insights from stakeholders and explore shared experiences and preferences.
Weaknesses: However, focus groups may not be suitable for all research contexts, particularly those involving sensitive or confidential topics that participants may be reluctant to discuss in a group setting.
Representativeness
Strengths: Focus groups can enhance the representativeness of findings by capturing diverse perspectives and experiences within the group, providing a broader understanding of the research topic.
Weaknesses: Nonetheless, the representativeness of focus groups may be limited by factors such as group composition, participant selection bias, and the extent to which participants’ views align with those of the broader population.
Theoretical factors
Strengths: Focus groups can contribute to theoretical development by generating rich qualitative data and facilitating the exploration of complex social dynamics and interactions.
Weaknesses: However, the interpretation of data from focus groups may be influenced by group dynamics and social influences, requiring researchers to critically analyse and contextualize participants’ responses within the broader theoretical framework.
