Focus Groups in Migration Research: A Forum for “Public Thinking”?

Abstract

The Focus Group 1 (FG) is a social research method widely used in contemporary qualitative research. It is based on the interaction among participants in a small group (usually 7-10 people) produced by researchers with the aim of gaining scientific knowledge. Led by two researchers, one investigator facilitates the discussion based on topic guidelines, while the other observes-above all addressing his/her attention towards body language (Frisina 2010). The groups are constructed based on a sample design with attention to their composition, since this provides the key to the necessary comparisons that need to be made (Barbour 2007). As the researchers' primary task is to choose the best way to use FGs to answer a specific research question and to justify their choice, researchers should adapt, borrow and combine different approaches of doing FGs. However, if researchers choose the qualitative side of social research, aiming at generating in-depth analyses, "redefining existing categories" and, above all, being "attuned to understanding the voices of social actors and immigrant groups, especially the ones who lack

Giving birth in Switzerland: a qualitative study exploring migrant women’s experiences during pregnancy and childbirth in Geneva and Zurich using focus groups

“…While one researcher facilitated the discussion based on a semi-structured questionnaire, the other observed group dynamics and body language. This approach has been chosen as an adequate method because it reduces for example the influence of the researcher [19].…”

Invecchiare fuori dalla coppia: abitare futuri im/possibili

“…L'analisi si è svolta in itinere, tramite incontri di gruppo online, con il doppio obiettivo di riflettere sui temi emersi e migliorare la tecnica di intervista, per molte una prima esperienza. Il materiale su cui si basa questo articolo, dunque, non sono solo le 44 interviste condotte con altre donne, trascritte verbatim, ma anche le riflessioni emerse dalle discussioni di analisi condivisa delle interviste condotte online e registrate, che si sono configurate a posteriori come dei back-talk, dei focus group retrospettivi (Frisina 2006). Inoltre, è stata organizzata una giornata di discussione, con il gruppo di ricerca e le donne intervistate interessate, in cui si sono svolti due focus group preparati a partire da uno stimolo visuale e volti ad approfondire gli immaginari di futuro emersi.…”

Participation of girls and women in community sport in Ghana: Cultural and structural barriers

“…We conducted semi-structured interviews with both women and men serving in various positions in different organisations. Unlike focus group discussions, semistructured interviews allowed the participants to provide more in-depth communication and confidently share personal information and experiences that may not have been possible in a group setting (Frisina, 2018). Interviews were conducted with three men and three women from the regional sport offices, four women from the DSUs, and three NGOs.…”

“…We tried to stimulate open discussions among the participants, allowing them to share their experiences from the various districts. This enabled us to collect and analyse a variety of narratives and perspectives simultaneously (Frisina, 2018;Krueger, 2014). The focus group discussions lasted between 70 and 90 min.…”