Question.1283 - The difference between collecting data using individual interviews and a focus group (e.g., intent, selecting participants, conducting the interview or focus group) Given the topic you are currently using for your research, would you consider using a focus group for your study? Why or why not?
Answer Below:
Firstly, considering individual interviews provides the benefits of comprehending target-specific experiences and perspectives by exploring their narrative and motivations (such as assessing the possibility of biased information), wherein the external influence can be minimized, while in comparison to the target group, which enables the researchers to explore a broader range of perspectives or experiences in a collective manner by observing a group with varying dynamic and social interactions, this will also encourage the participants to build on each other's ideas establishing a sense of inclusive dataset (Guest et al., 2017). However, while selecting participants, individual interviews tend to demand specific criteria relevant to the researchers by ensuring a diverse range of experiences within your chosen criteria. However, for the focus group, there is a need to recruit participants with similar backgrounds, which cannot be restricted since their experiences could be influenced by varying dynamic values (McLafferty, 2004). The size of the group could also serve as a constraint for potential interaction, but relevancy can be achieved.? For my research topic, "The Lived Experiences of Midlife Career Changers," individual interviews would aid in employing a semi-structured format where there is a lot of flexibility to explore while probing or follow-ups; for my topic, I think I will have to employ individuals interviews for a particular set of data, because I can sustain the control over the flow of the conversation. To address my research question, "How do midlife career changers within online support groups describe and make meaning of their lived experiences during their career transition journey?" I can utilize a focus group since I will have the authority to guide the discussion, enabling participant interaction, and it will enable the researcher to observe the group dynamics and mentalities, however, there is a lot of scope wherein biased data could be collected while engaging with focus group with mob mentality. References Guest, G., Namey, E., Taylor, J., Eley, N., & McKenna, K. (2017). Comparing focus groups and individual interviews: findings from a randomized study.?International Journal of Social Research Methodology,?20(6), 693-708. McLafferty, I. (2004). Focus group interviews as a data collecting strategy.?Journal of advanced nursing,?48(2), 187-194.More Articles From Research
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