Exploring Environmental Values through the Medium of Small Groups: 1. Theory and Practice

Abstract

Empirical qualitative research is gaining recognition within social and humanistic geography, although the ‘small group’ is not yet recognised as a valuable research technique. In this paper we review the use of once-only group interviews in social and market research, and then discuss the principles of Group-analytic psychotherapy as a way of conducting in-depth small groups. By means of a discussion of the Greenwich Open-Space Project, we explore the methodological issues involved in conducting in-depth small groups with local people, discuss the interpretive strategies which can be used to handle large amounts of linguistic data, and present the major findings from the project.

Health and identity: the case of the Chinese community in England

“…In-depth individual interviews and focus-group discussions are both flexible methods which provide plenty of scope for subjects to explore and express their ideas and opinions in their own terms (Farr, 1993;Morgan and Krueger, 1993). Focus groups, in particular, provide rich data on interactions, on realities as defined in a group context, and on interpretations of realities which reflect each group's own dynamics (Burgess et al, 1988). Expert interviews were conducted during a preliminary phase in order to tap into the reflexive and critical knowledge held by leading community members about their own group and to generate insights about community structures and symbolic practices.…”

Deliberative mapping: a novel analytic-deliberative methodology to support contested science-policy decisions

“…The key organizing principle was that of creating a supportive environment within which members could be facilitated through the challenging assessment tasks set for them. Previous experience with small in-depth discussion groups (Burgess et al, 1988a(Burgess et al, , 1988b(Burgess et al, , 1998 led us to differentiate the panels by gender and socio-economic status, a decision also supported by qualitative studies in health (Wellcome Trust, 1998). Criteria were drawn up to reflect the socio-economic, demographic and ethnic diversity within the London Borough of Camden (the field site), where the proportion of people from non-white ethnic groups was 20 percent in 2001.…”

Fear in Paradise: The Affective Registers of the English Lake District Landscape Re-visited

“…Here, we had a taste of the Lake District environment, with dining room, and a large lounge space to accommodate thirty people. The space provided the opportunity to enhance the scope for 'liminality' (see Harrison 1988a and1988b). At Littledale we held two activities; we firstly asked the group about their biographical relationships with past landscapes and present ones.…”