Focus Group Discussion: Effective Qualitative Data Collection Technique

Abstract

        Focus group discussion is a popular method for collecting qualitative data which focuses on discussion, argument and debate of knowledgeable people who have experiences in a special issue. The important elements of focus group discussion are; clear and well organized issues or guideline for questions that should be consisted of a primary question, main questions and question for conclusion; participants in the focus group discussion that have knowledge and experiences in the issue; moderator with knowledge and experiences in focus group moderator, and in addition, there must be other officers, such as recorders and general service functionaries as well as a suitable equipment, location and timing. A good focus group discussion moderator should have the characteristics of politeness, sincerity, flexibility and pay respectability to the participants including playing the role of a facilitator for smooth discussion. For limitations on focus group discussion, it is found that group discussion may inapplicable to sensitive or highly subjective issues. In addition, there are many restrictions on operations, if the operation is not appropriate, it can be affected to the discussion and the research results will be unreliable or unable to answer the research questions.