Focus Groups as a Qualitative Research Tool
Duration: Two days
Dates: 16 – 17 June 2011
Venue: Large Seminar Room (2N2.4.16), Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) Building, Colchester Campus, University of Essex
How to book
Please book using the online booking form -- see link below.
Course overview
Focus groups are an extremely popular research and consultation method, but it is essential to understand their strengths and weaknesses and to choose them wisely.
The method uses group interaction to generate data and provides a forum in which participants can respond to each other and develop their views through discussion. This makes focus groups particularly appropriate when the research aims to:
• gain a broad understanding or overview of a field or a set of people
• clarify perceptions, definitions, social conventions
• compare and contrast views and experiences
• generate new ideas
• evaluate alternative strategies
However, the very interactive nature of focus groups means that they are not designed for gathering detailed individual information or for exploring personally or politically sensitive topics.
Course outcomes
Through a combination of taught and practical sessions, the course will introduce key features of focus groups as a qualitative research method and give participants an opportunity to learn at first hand some of the skills involved in their facilitation. As part of the two days you will take part in some focus groups to put into practice what you have learnt. Please come prepared to take part in – or facilitate – the discussion.
Who should attend?
The course is open to anyone who would like to gain a better understanding about the use of focus groups as a research tool to gain qualitative data.
Course programme
Thursday 16 June (Day 1 of 2)
10.30 – 13.00 Key features of focus groups and other group-based methods
Using focus groups appropriately – what they can and cannot deliver
The composition of focus groups
Workshop: Designing a focus group sample
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch (please note, lunch is not provided)
14.00 – 16.30 Designing discussion guides
Workshop: Developing a guide
Coffee and tea breaks will be arranged as needed.
Friday 17 June (Day 2 of 2)
10.30 - 13.00 Facilitation skills
Designing focusing exercises
Workshop: Mini focus groups, using focusing exercises
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch (please note, lunch is not provided)
14.00 - 16.30 Workshop: Focus group role play
Feedback and questions
Practicalities of setting up and running focus groups
Coffee and tea breaks will be arranged as needed.
Tutor information
The course will be led by Liz Spencer, who has specialised in qualitative research methods for over thirty years, working in both academic and applied policy contexts. Liz is a Research Associate of the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) at the University of Essex, and a partner in Q2 Training Complete, as well as an academician of the Academy of Social Sciences. She has conducted focus groups on a wide range of topics and in many different settings, including a jail.
She is author of Rethinking Friendship: Hidden Solidarities Today (with Ray Pahl), and has contributed chapters on the foundations of qualitative research and on analysing qualitative data to Qualitative Research Practice. As part of a team from NatCen, she co-authored a report for the Cabinet Office: Quality in Qualitative Evaluation: A Framework for assessing Research Evidence and has developed a teaching resource for critical appraisal in qualitative research.
In addition to her research, Liz teaches on summer schools at the Universities of Essex and Hong Kong, and regularly delivers short courses for the Social Research Association.
Course fee:
Commercial, local and central government organisations: £480
UK Higher Education staff or registered charities: £240
UK-registered PhD students and University of Essex staff: £120
There are a limited number of bursaries for Essex PhD students and staff from Sociology, ISER and the Data Archive. This covers the full cost of the course with a deposit of £50 to reserve a place, which is refundable on attendance of both days.
If participants wish to cancel their booking, they will receive a full refund for the course fee provided they cancel with no less than 1 month notice. No refunds can be given after this time. In the event we are forced to cancel the course, participants will receive a full refund of any course fees paid. Please note that participants will not be reimbursed for any associated costs incurred, including travel and accommodation.
Recommended reading
Berg, B.L. (2001) Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Chapter 5
Bloor, M., Frankland, J., Thomas M., and Robson, K. (2001) Focus Groups in Social Research London: Sage
Kreuger, R.A. and Casey, M. A. (2000) Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research (3rd Edition). Thousand Oaks: Sage
Morgan, D. (1997) Focus Groups as Qualitative Research Thousand Oaks: Sage
Finch, H., and Lewis, J. (2003) ‘Focus Groups’, in Ritchie, J., and Lewis, J. Qualitative Research Practice. London: Sage
Ticket information:
Please book online using our online booking form.
This event is open to the general public.