Collecting and analysing qualitative data: issues raised by the focus group
Collecting and analysing qualitative data: issues raised by the focus group
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DOI：
10.1046/j.1365-2648.1998.00692.x
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发表时间：
1998-08-01
影响因子：
3.8
通讯作者：
Sim, J
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Sim, J
焦点小组作为一种收集护理研究定性数据的手段，已经获得了相当大的普及。本文探讨了焦点小组数据的收集和分析所引起的一些方法论问题。在数据收集方面，焦点小组主持人的作用和记录数据的方法是至关重要的考虑因素。特别是，主持人的个人技能和属性对所收集数据的性质和质量有相当大的影响。在分析数据时，出现了三个主要问题。首先，试图从焦点小组的数据中推断出态度上的共识是困难的，而且可能是错误的。观点的明显一致性是群体互动的一种自然属性，而不是个体参与者意见的反映。其次，从焦点小组数据中衡量意见的强度是有问题的。传统调查研究中用于衡量态度的指标在很大程度上不适用于焦点小组的背景。在比较来自不同焦点群体的数据时，可以推断出不同群体之间是否存在某些观点或问题，但不能推断出它们的相对强度。第三，从方法论和认识论上都可以对从焦点小组数据中进行概括的尝试提出异议。理论概括可能比经验概括更可行，如果后者被认为是富有成效的，那么它很可能是临时性的。有效利用焦点小组作为收集护理研究定性数据的手段，需要适当注意有问题的方法学问题，如本文所探讨的问题。
The focus group has gained considerable popularity as a means of gathering qualitative data in nursing research. This paper examines some of the methodological issues raised by the collection and analysis of focus group data. In respect of data collection, the role of the focus group moderator and the method of recording data are crucial considerations. In particular, the moderator's personal skills and attributes have a considerable influence on the nature and quality of the data gathered. When analysing the data, three principal issues arise. First, it is difficult, and probably misguided, to attempt to infer an attitudinal consensus from focus group data. An apparent conformity of view is an emergent property of the group interaction, not a reflection of individual participants' opinions. Second, measuring strength of opinion from focus group data is problematic. The indicators used to measure attitudes in orthodox survey research are largely inapplicable to the context of focus groups. When comparing data from different focus groups, inferences may be drawn as to the presence of absence of certain views or issues across groups, but not in terms of their relative strength. Third, both methodological and epistemological objections can be raised against attempts to generalize from focus group data. Theoretical generalization is likely to be more feasible than empirical generalization, and if the latter is considered fruitful, it is likely to be of a provisional nature. The effective use of focus groups as a means of gathering qualitative data in nursing research requires due attention to problematic methodological issues such as those explored in this paper.