Deck 21: Focus Groups

Question 1

A focus group is a form of group interview in which there are several participants (in addition to the moderator/facilitator); there is an emphasis in the questioning on a fairly tightly defined topic.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

In a focus group study, the emphasis is on the interaction within the group and the joint construction of meaning.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Which of the following is not a use for a focus group?

A) So people could be interviewed in an unstructured way about their experience
B) To allow a researcher to understand why people feel the way they do
C) To allow individuals to bring to the fore issues they may deem important
D) To allow individuals to express themselves in a one-to-one capacity

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The results of focus groups are usually easily generalizable.

Question 5

There is a great deal of consensus on how many focus groups should be done.

Question 6

How large should a focus group generally be?

A) 0-4
B) 1-5
C) 6-10
D) 6-15

Question 7

In conducting a focus group, the role of the moderator needs to be somewhat intrusive and structured.

Question 8

When conducting a focus group, the moderator should err on the side of minimal intervention.

Question 9

Snowball sampling is not an appropriate method for recruiting participants for a focus group.

Question 10

It is good practice for the for the moderator to outline the goals of the research and the format for the focus group session at the outset

Question 11

Focus groups generally take good account of interaction within the group

Question 12

Focus groups are a method often associated with feminist research.

Question 13

Which aspects of the focus group method highlight its compatibility with the ethics and politics of feminism? Please select all that apply.

A) Because it is less artificial and emphasises group interaction
B) Because it is a method that avoids decontextualization
C) Because it's a method that women tend to be more comfortable with than men
D) Because there is an absence of power relations within a focus group

Question 14

Focus groups are difficult to analyse

Question 15

What are the main limitations of a focus group? Please select all that apply.

A) Researcher has less control over proceedings
B) They are difficult to organise
C) They provide less insights than an interview
D) There are possible problems of group effects