Focus groups as research method
Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Technology at Aalborg University
The objective of the course is to introduce participants to how focus groups can be used as research method within healthcare research.
Focus groups is a research method where data are generated through group interactions based on a selected topic. The specific characteristic of focus groups is their explicit use of group interaction to produce data and insights that would be less accessible without the interaction that plays out in a group.
The course will include a mix of presentations, group reflections, exercises, and individual work related to the themes:
- Introduction to focus groups as research method (historical, philosophical, and methodological assumptions)
- Designing a focus group study (theoretical, methodological, and practical considerations)
- Conducting a focus group (incl. practical exercises)
- Analyzing data from focus groups (analyzing content and interaction)
- Reporting findings from a focus group study
The course will strengthen participants’ knowledge base, reflection, and scientific argumentation for the use of focus groups in healthcare research.