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Interpreting Outcomes: Using Focus Groups in Evaluation Research *
Author(s) -
Ansay Sylvia J.,
Perkins Daniel F.,
Nelson Colonel John
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
family relations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1741-3729
pISSN - 0197-6664
DOI - 10.1111/j.0022-2445.2004.0007.x
Subject(s) - focus group , popularity , program evaluation , research program , psychology , public relations , program design language , medical education , applied psychology , political science , medicine , computer science , marketing , social psychology , business , philosophy , software engineering , public administration , epistemology
Although focus groups continue to gain popularity in marketing and social science research, their use in program evaluation has been limited. Here we demonstrate how focus groups can benefit evaluators, program staff, policy makers and administrators by providing an in‐depth understanding of program effectiveness from the perspective of participants as stakeholders in program outcomes. Using data from the Youth Action Program, a prevention program funded by the United States Air Force for military dependent adolescents at risk, our methodology included a narrative approach to data analysis, combining theme analysis with a systematic interpretive approach centering on how group members experienced the program within the contexts of their daily lives. We show that the parents benefited from the program beyond youth outcomes, and this was useful information for program improvement and expansion.