Transcript What is an online focus group?

Using learning content
management systems as a research
tool for online focus groups
“The coming of the Internet has posed a significant challenge for our understanding of
research methods.” (Hine 2005)
“Computer technology permeates every aspect of contemporary living.” (Kenny 2005)
Susi Peacock, Sarah Williams,
Ann Robertson and Maria Giatsi
Overview
• Moving the focus group online
• Outline of an online focus group
• Case studies
• Advantages and disadvantages of using an
institutionally-based Content Manage System
such as WebCT
Moving the focus group online
• Focus groups originate from market research
• Online questionnaire first accepted especially in
market research
• Covert monitoring of groups online
• Interviews moved online (email interview)
• The focus group online has not been so widely
adopted:
“To date, social scientists, despite their enthusiastic
uptake of face-to-face focus group method … have
been slower to adopt this particular online method.”
(Turney and Pockney, 2005)
What is an online focus group?
• Or what is it not:
– group interview or individual interview online
– covert observations of a naturally forming group
online
• It could be:
– Synchronous
– Asynchronous
– Using virtual representation such as avatars
• Technology used:
–
–
–
–
Closed email lists
Usenet groups
Bulletin boards
Content Management Systems (CMS) such as
WebCT, BlackBoard, MOODLE
Case studies: online focus groups
• Lee and Tan (2001): tutors’ attitudes to using
online discussion groups for IT
• Kenny (2005): rural nurses in Australia
chosen to convert to the first level of nursing
• Turney and Pocknee(2005): attitudes to
paternity testing and stem cell research
• Im and Chee (2006): experience of cancer
patients
• Alder and Zarchin (2002): lived experience of
pregnant women confined to bed rest
Our case studies
1. Occupational therapists perceptions of
preterm children’s academic difficulties in
the early years of mainstream schooling
2. Understanding anorexia nervosa: the
maintainer’s perspective
3. Back pain sufferers’ perceptions of self
help for pain management
What are the advantages of
using an institutional CMS?
• A CMS can provide a secure, confidential,
safe online research environment
– Institutional policies
– Password protected area
– Enforcement of ground rules: ‘netetiquette’
• A CMS can offer the research a distinctive,
user-friendly, customisable environment
• The institutional support available for the
CMS can be called upon by the participants
and researcher
What are the issues for
researchers using a LCMS?
– Ownership of the LCMS
• Who has access?
• What happens if there is a Freedom of
Information request?
• How much support is really available and
when?
– Accessibility
• How compliant is a LCMS for those who have a
visual impairment?