Electronic Resources for Research Methods

Research methods

Group methods - Focus Groups

• Consortium of University Research Libraries. The Cedars Project (1998) Cedars Focus Group with CURL Library Directors. Report and Analysis. Leeds: University of Leeds, Cedars Project.

  "As an integral part of the Cedars Project, focus groups are being run throughout the duration of the project to solicit views from the wider CURL community on digital archiving. As a CURL project, it is critical that the project is developed in line with the needs and concerns of CURL libraries. Events are also scheduled throughout the project to include viewpoints from other stakeholding communities. "

• Davies, Rod (2000)  Focus groups in Asia: a management guide. Kuala Lumpur: Orient Pacific Century.

  "We have compiled below some tips and advice for running successful market research focus groups based on our work in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and Indonesia over many years. It is written for the manager who needs to know what is involved, especially in Asian markets."

• Gibbs, Anita (1997) Focus groups. Social Research Update, Issue 19.

  "Focus groups are under-used in social research, although they have a long history in market research..., and more recently in medical research... . This Update examines the value of focus groups as a tool for social researchers and considers their potential and their limitations."

• Greenbaum, Tom (1996) The focus group Bill of Rights.  Wilton, CT: Groups Plus, Inc.

  Deals briefly with the 'rights' of various parties in the focus group process.

• Greenbaum, Tom (1998) The Focus Group Report: What is the moderator's responsibility?  Wilton, CT: Groups Plus, Inc.

  Deals with the question of moderator integrity in reporting the results of focus groups.

• Greenbaum, Tom (1998) 10 tips for running successful focus groups.  Wilton, CT: Groups Plus, Inc.

  Some brief points to bear in mind when running focus groups.

• Henthorn, Susan & Royse, Molly (1999) Hutchins library bibliographic instruction program evaluation. Focus group interviews  Berea, KY: Berea College, Hutchins Library.

  "In the fall of 1991, work began on the process of conducting focus group interviews with a sample of students from the class of 1993. The sample was drawn from the total number of students who had completed both pre-test and post-test in a usable manner and were still enrolled in school. Students who had worked in the library were discarded from the sample pool because of potential for bias. Instead, eight student library workers from this class were selected, trained and used as student interviewers in the focus group sessions."

• Learning Technology Dissemination Initiative (1999) Evaluation cookbook: focus groups.  Edinburgh: Heriot-Watt University, Institute for Computer Based Learning, Learning Technology Dissemination Initiative

  Part of "A practical guide to evaluation methods for lecturers."

• McNamara, Carter (1999)  Basics of conducting focus groups.  St. Paul, MN: Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits.

  Note form, basic introduction with links to related resources.

• Market Navigation, Inc. (2000) Beneath the surface in focus groups. Orangeburg, NY: Market Navigation, Inc.

  "It should come as no surprise that you can't always believe what you hear in focus groups, or anywhere else." Goes on to deal with this issue - how to determine the 'truth' of what is said in focus groups. Useful site, although directed towards market research. Another part of the site notes "Reminder: you need permission (and must pay a reasonable fee) to use it." by which I assume, to reproduce and use in training.

• Market Navigation, Inc. (2000) Client guide to the focus group.  Orangeburg, NY: Market Navigation, Inc.

  "This is an advanced guide to the rationale behind focus groups and how to use them best. It will tell you how focus groups differ psychologically from individual interviews, and how to take advantage of these differences. It will also help you understand the different uses of focus groups and the uses to avoid."

• Market Navigation, Inc. (2000) Everything in moderation. Orangeburg, NY: Market Navigation, Inc.

  Guidelines for the role of moderator of focus groups.

• Market Navigation, Inc. (2000) Getting to the right psychological level in your focus groups. Orangeburg, NY: Market Navigation, Inc.

  "An awareness of the levels of group interaction can improve your focus groups." Deals with the superficial level, the games level ("The level of social gambits, bluffs, one-upmanship and role playing."), the defensive or protective level, the authentic level, and the core level.

• Market Navigation, Inc. (2000) How to get more out of your focus groups. Orangeburg, NY: Market Navigation, Inc.

  "No matter how good you think your focus groups are, you almost certainly can get much more useful information by avoiding some of the pitfalls and removing some of the constraints that reduce their effectiveness. You can also greatly improve what you are getting by holding moderators to a higher standard of professionalism. This article will show you how."

• Scheuren, Fritz. (2004) What is a survey? Chapter 5: What are focus groups? Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association. Retrieved 3rd August, 2008 from http://www.amstat.org/sections/srms/pamphlet.pdf (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/5Zp6d10re)  

  ":Focus groups are not polls but in-depth, qualitative interviews with a small number of carefully selected people brought together to discuss a host of topics ranging from pizza to safe sex.
  Unlike the one-way flow of information in a one-on-one interview, focus groups generate data through the give and take of group discussion. Listening as people share and compare their different points of view provides a wealth of information—not just about what they think, but why they think the way they do."

• Silverman, George (2000) Special report... Introduction to telephone focus groups.   Orangeburg, NY: Market Navigation, Inc.

  "This Special Report is for marketing executives, marketing managers and marketing researchers of client companies, agencies, marketing research companies and independent moderators who are just learning about telephone focus groups. It is intended as an introduction to acquaint you with the basics: when to use them, how they compare with face-to-face groups, and some of the logistics." [This report may be removed from the site. The top page notes, "$50.00 (Free for a limited time on the Internet)"]

• UK. Cabinet Office. Modernising public services group. Service first. (1998)  Focus groups.  London: Cabinet Office.

  This is Chapter 12 of a handbook, 'An introductory guide - How to consult your users.' intended for public sector organizations.

• US Army. Community and Family Support Center, Family Advocacy Program (1996)  Focus group handbook.   

  An extensive resource, related to needs of US Army communities. Sections cover:

  • Focus groups: a multi-purpose tool
  • What are focus groups?
  • What are the interviews like?
  • How are the interviews structured?
  • How is the information summarized?
  • When should you not use focus groups?
  • A detailed example: assessment and marketing
  • What to do with the report

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