Using the Internet to Gather Evidence in Formative Intervention Research
A Feasibility Study of Internet “Chat” Focus Groups in a Study of Lifestyle Changes in Colon Cancer Survivors
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12787243 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Andrea Meier (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, corresponding author), Marci K Campbell, Carol Carr (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Zoe Enga, Aimee S James (0000-0002-1411-9307), Jill Reedy (0000-0002-7185-835X), Bo Zheng (0000-0001-8576-1367, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) |
| Year | 2006 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue | 3-4 |
| Pages | 183-200 |
| Publication date | 2006-11-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1543-3714 • E-ISSN: 1543-3722 |
| Publisher | Haworth Press (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1300/j394v03n03_13 |
| OpenAlex | W1498192242 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 3 |
With widespread adoption of the Internet, focus groups can now be conducted using Internet-mediated (IM) “chat” group technology. However, the methodology used for face-to-face groups must be adapted to this new communication medium. This paper presents a case study that describes feasibility issues of the IM “chat” focus groups, which arose when they were used to collect formative data for the NC STRIDES (STRategies for Improving Diet, Exercise, and Screening) project. This population-based study used the focus group to develop tailored and interactive health communication strategies to reduce the risk of recurrence of colon cancer. In this paper, we describe: (a) the characteristics of IM chat communication, (b) technical implementation of the NC STRIDES “chat” focus groups, (c) methodological considerations, (d) chat focus group formation and management, and (e) participants' satisfaction with their chat focus group experiences. Finally, we offer suggestions for best practice in the use of chat focus groups in health behaviour and social work research
Focus (optics · Focus group · Formative assessment · Medical education · Online chat · Pedagogy · Sociology · The Internet · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Medicine · Psychology · Research in Social Sciences
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |