Using Message Boards to Conduct Online Focus Groups

Bibliographic Data

ID12393499
AuthorsDavid Deggs (0000-0003-3817-2679, University of Arkansas, corresponding author), Kenda S Grover (University of Arkansas at Fayetteville), Kenda Grover (University of Arkansas), Kit Kacirek (University of Arkansas)
Year2014
Publication date2014-11-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Report (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1052-0147 • E-ISSN: 2160-3715
PublisherNova Southeastern University (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.46743/2160-3715/2010.1200
OpenAlexW229865713
LanguageEN
Citations received1

Geographic dispersion of research subjects can make traditional face-to-face focus groups difficult if not impractical to conduct. Online focus groups have many advantages such as enabling researchers to save costs, allowing for more efficient collection of data, and allowing researchers to accommodate research subjects' schedules. However, online focus groups require greater skill on the part of the researcher and research subjects alike. This manuscript chronicles the process that we recently used to conduct an online focus group using a message board system with graduate students enrolled in an online degree program. We explain the processes that were followed in conducting our study and the rationale behind the decisions that we made as qualitative researchers. Finally, we offer guidance and insight for other qualitative researchers who wish to utilize message boards to conduct online focus groups

Data collection · Focus (optics · Focus group · Medical education · Online discussion · Process (computing · Qualitative research · Sociology · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Medicine · Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access