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In the past few years, focus group research has been used increasingly in fields different from market research, in which the technique was developed. The application of focus groups in educational research has become particularly useful in evaluation, as an ideal qualitative technique to evaluate viability, to anticipate effects, and to evaluate implementation. This article describes the focus group technique, giving details about the methodological process, and includes a practical application: the study of teachers' perspectives toward the reform about to be applied in the Spanish educational system.

a b s t r a c tRecent studies show that teacher job satisfaction declined in Spain over the last decade. Also, it is significantly lower in secondary education than in previous educational levels. In this paper we identify variables that contribute to the explanation of teacher job satisfaction in secondary education. We use the Spanish sample (192 schools and 3339 teachers) participating in the 2013 edition of TALIS (Teaching and Learning International Study), sponsored by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Employing hierarchical linear models, we assess the importance of teacher variables and schools variables as predictors of job satisfaction. Self-efficacy, control of classroom discipline, age, sex, years of work experience at the current school and employment status are personal factors explaining the teacher job satisfaction. Among institutional factors, the important effect of teacher-students relations stands out. Características personales y de los centros educativos en la explicación de la satisfacción laboral del profesorado r e s u m e n Estudios recientes muestran que la satisfacción laboral del profesorado español disminuyó en la última década, y que resultó significativamente más baja en educación secundaria que en etapas educativas previas. Este trabajo pretende identificar variables que contribuyen a la explicación de la satisfacción del profesorado de educación secundaria. Se utiliza la muestra española (192 centros y 3339 docentes) participante en la edición 2013 del estudio TALIS (Teaching and Learning International Study), promovido por la OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Mediante modelos lineales jerárquicos, se valora la importancia de variables del profesorado y de los centros como predictores de la satisfacción laboral. La autoeficacia percibida, el control de la disciplina en el aula, la edad, el sexo, la continuidad en el centro y el estatus laboral son factores personales que explican la satisfacción laboral. Entre los factores institucionales, destaca el importante efecto de las relaciones entre profesorado y alumnado.

BackgroundGiven the importance of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), we tried to assess general dentists’ knowledge regarding etiology, diagnosis, and treatment in order to understand their attitude.Material and MethodsA sample of 130 general dentists answered a 16-item questionnaire on three areas – etiology, diagnosis, and management of common temporomandibular disorders – as well as a question on the need for continuous education regarding TMD management in common clinical practice in Spain. Given that the descriptive statistics achieved reflect significantly different values among means in each area, a variance analysis for repeated measurements was applied in order to contrast differences among etiology, diagnosis, and management knowledge levels.ResultsThe contrast test was based on Wilks’ Lambda, which assumed a value of 0.120 (F = 467.28; p<.001), demonstrating statistically significant differences among knowledge levels in the three dimensions. The effect size for these differences, measured by partial eta squared, was very high (η2p = 0.88). Such parameters were also analyzed to search for potential differences according to professional experience, with differences being exposed as non-significant at the 0.05 level: etiology (T = 1.60; p = 0.113), diagnosis (T = - 0.17; p = 0.868), and treatment (T = 1.10; p = 0.273).ConclusionsOur study found that, even though clinicians are generally skilled regarding the knowledge of the etiologic that explain the diagnosis of TMD, they have room for improvement in terms of TMD management compared to the other two areas studied. General dentists could benefit from specific educational programs enhancing TMD management skills. Key words:Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), knowledge and management. Clinical competence, postgraduate, continuing professional development. Surveys, education,orofacial pain.