Qualitative Data Collection

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Jan 9, 2024

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Qualitative Data Collection Focus Groups Since the Second World War, researchers have gathered individuals to collect data on topics. During this period in the government, researchers used this format of interviewing to develop or improve training materials for US soldiers. The concept of collecting information using diverse group thoughts became popular. After the war, focus groups were used primarily for market research until the 1980s, when health researchers began using group interviews to develop better means of education related to health issues like contraception and AIDS prevention (Glesne, 2016). In the following decades, private sector companies saw the value of the focus group interview and implemented it into their market strategy as a tool for collecting data. As the group interview concept grew in popularity, other disciplines began to use the arrangement. That comprises the social sciences. Focus groups have come to be widely used by social scientists to gather qualitative data from groups. The group generally consists of 6 to 12 participants and is usually moderated by the researcher (Maxfield & Babbie, 2018). Like the medical field, the other disciples saw the usefulness of utilizing the focus or group interview format to collect data in various structured, semi-structured, and unstructured environments. Various interview modalities are selected and utilized for various determinations. In the case of unstructured interviews, they are for exploratory purposes. This research modality develops research topics or establishes research questions. Structured, as the name implies, is a rigid format in all aspects of the interview. It generates an opportunity to collect data from the group interaction, concentrating on the research's interest (Freitas et al., 1998). Most group interviews use a question-and-answer format, with the researcher being the moderator. In this position, the researcher will ask questions and gauge the group's responses. Group interviews proceed as a question-and-answer session with the researcher posing the questions. In contrast, focus groups are characterized by more debate among the participants, perhaps facilitated by focusing exercises (Glesne, 2016). Group interviews have advantages, as indicated above. The most advantageous aspect of this modality in the research is the ability to gather information from various points of view. Researchers have various ways to conduct focus groups in today's technologically advanced environment. One modality to conduct focus groups is using the internet. In this manner, the research can pose questions to a larger audience and allow the group to respond anytime. All responses are recorded for review later according to markers given by researchers or participants. While there are some advantages to conducting group interviews, as mentioned there, they have some notable disadvantages to the data collection or the group process. Disadvantages include the inability to easily facilitate discussions because they rush, with people responding simultaneously to different messages. Sometimes, the person who types the fastest dominates the discussion or determines its direction (Glesne, 2016). Researchers found many disadvantages associated with conducting traditional focus groups(FG). The most apparent issue is the control of information produced by the participants. This issue of data spillage is exaggerated due to the controlled setting and the interviewers' inability to control the environment. The group interview concept was conceived in the 20th century and has evolved and

accepted the form of data collection for many dissimilar disciplines, including but not limited to social sciences and education fields. Regardless of what discipline, the focus group primarily focuses on collecting information as efficiently as possible, thus making it a valuable tool for research. Christian Worldview Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit (English Standard Version, Proverbs 14:15). References Glesne, C. (2016). Becoming Qualitative Research: An Introduction (5 th Ed.). Pearson. Freitas, H., Oliveria, M., & Popjoy, O. (1998). The Focus Group is a qualitative research method. Journal of Education, 1(1), 1-22. Maxfield, M. G. & Rabbie, E. R. (2018). Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology (8 th Ed.). The English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Crossway. Focus group data collection In recent decades, focus or group interviews have played a significant role in the social sciences. Among the various qualitative methods, focus group discussion has become very popular in social and behavioral research (Khan et al., 1991). For most of the half-century, focus groups were used almost exclusively for market research. Methodology slowly entered the social science field as an advantage to the more established and methodical process of individual interviews. Typically, the group interview utilizes 8-12 participants selected from a representative target population. The interviewer's role in the process is that of moderator. The moderator or interviewer provides predetermined questions to the interviewees in a structured way, which is the project's primary focus. It is a qualitative method in which the moderator, with the help of predetermined guidelines, stimulates free discussion among the participants on the subject of inquiry (Khan et al., 1991). When conducting focus groups, they produce a large amount of data. Researchers often use the actual text of participants' responses as the primary focus of their data collection. Transcript-based analysis represents the most rigorous and time-intensive mode of analyzing data. This method includes the transcription of videotapes and audiotapes (Onwuegbuzie et al., 2009). A typical focus group produces an estimated 50-70 pages of text for the research team to

analyze. In conjunction with the filed notes and debriefing summaries taken by the debriefing, the newly analyzed data construct a viable and accurate trend line for future use. Christian Worldview All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (English Standard Version, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). References Khan, M. E., Anker, M., Patel, B. C., Barge, S., Sadhwani, H., & Kohle, R. (1991). The use of focus groups in social and behavioral research research: some methodological issues World Health Stat Q, 44(3), 145-149. Onwuegbuzie, A. J., Dickerson, W. B., Leech, N. L., & Zoran, A. G. (2009). Toward more rigor in focus group research: A new framework for collecting and analyzing focus group data. International Journal of Qualitative Methods: ARCHIVE, 8(3), 1-21. The English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Crossway.

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