Open AccessHow-To Data Collection Series: The Evolution of the Focused Discussion Group: From Non-Participant to One of the Crew
Author(s) -
José Luis Pontijas Calderón
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.335
H-Index - 35
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2011.1056
Subject(s) - participant observation , data collection , qualitative research , qualitative property , psychology , discussion group , social psychology , computer science , sociology , social science , world wide web , machine learning
This article is part of The Weekly Qualitative Report's occasional series on "How-To Collect Qualitative Data." The qualitative data collection method described is that of focused discussion groups (FDG's). This method involves the moderator, or scripter as is the preferred term in focused discussion groups, to move beyond that of a non-participant data collector to that of an engaged participant-observer, observer-participant who is willing to get into the discussion with the participants and to provide accurate information to them while prodding them to discuss the topic in increasingly personally meaningful ways. Focused discussion groups are particularly helpful for working with marginalized, under-resourced populations around issues of health and poverty. Optimally, the scripter would share the sociocultural background of the participants.