The Use of WordPress in Online Focus Group Studies

Authors

Mary E. Hancock, Shepherd UniversityFollow

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Qualitative Research, Focus Groups, Online Focus Groups

Author Bio(s)

Mary E. Hancock, PhD, RNC-OB is an associate professor at Shepherd University's Department of Nursing Education located in Shepherdstown, WV. Correspondence regarding this article can be addressed directly to: mhancock@shepherd.edu.

Publication Date

8-18-2017

Creative Commons License

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

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2017.2710

Recommended APA Citation

Hancock, M. E. (2017). The Use of WordPress in Online Focus Group Studies. The Qualitative Report, 22(8), 2273-2280. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2017.2710