How-To Data Collection Series: The Evolution of the Focused Discussion Group: From Non-Participant to One of the Crew

Authors

José Luis Calderón, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Focused Discussion Groups, Focus Groups, Participant Observation, Health Information, and Marginalization

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2011.1056

Recommended APA Citation

Calderón, J. L. (2011). How-To Data Collection Series: The Evolution of the Focused Discussion Group: From Non-Participant to One of the Crew. The Qualitative Report, 16(1), 308-311. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2011.1056