Using Focus Groups

Ivana Acocella is Lecturer of Sociology at the University of Florence (Italy). Since 2002, she has taught Methodology and Research Methods forthe Social Sciences. She currently teaches Sociology of Migration and Qualitative Research. Her research focuses on epistemological andmethodological assessment of qualitative research approaches.   Silvia Cataldi, PhD, is Associate Professor of sociology at Sapienza University of Rome (Italy). Her research focuses on methodological aspects of social research and emerging cultural and social identity models, and she is involved in many European projects.

This is a good book for students who are planning to use Focus Groups in their Action Research or for social research of any kind. It takes a very practical, step-by-step approach to Focus Groups, which means its a little light on theory. Suited to third year degree students.

• Part 1 - What is a focus group?Chapter 1: Outlining the focus groupChapter 2: Dealing with ethical challengesPart 2 - Planning and designingChapter 3: Designing a focus group researchChapter 4: Mixing the focus group with other techniquesChapter 5: Choosing and recruiting the focus group participantsChapter 6: Designing focus group toolsPart 3 - ConductingChapter 7: Moderating the focus groupChapter 8: Observing the focus groupChapter 9: Running the focus groupPart 4 - Analysing and writing upChapter 10: Transcribing and analysing the focus group contentChapter 11: Analysing the focus group relational and technical dimensionsChapter 12: Interpreting and reporting the focus group resultsAppendix - ToolsReferences