Open AccessThe Use of WordPress in Online Focus Group Studies
Author(s) -
Mary Hancock
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.335
H-Index - 35
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2017.2710
Subject(s) - focus group , anonymity , upload , qualitative research , focus (optics) , world wide web , computer science , multimedia , psychology , sociology , social science , computer security , anthropology , physics , optics
Focus groups have long been used as a qualitative research methodology to gather information on a particular topic in a non-threatening setting. Adapting the traditional face-to-face (FTF) focus group to the online environment is a natural adaptation in the use of advanced technology for local and national research. The anonymity of the online environment is non-threatening allowing for open discussion. WordPress® provides a secure, easy to navigate website to conduct focus group research. Upon completion of a research study, the participant’s typed responses can be downloaded into a Word document to upload in to a qualitative data analysis program. WordPress® provides the novice and experienced qualitative researcher an alternative to the traditional focus group.