How to use moderation methods for online focus groups and address their pitfalls /
Focus groups (FGs) are a well-known and widely established qualitative research method. When conducting them in an online setting, we are faced with specific challenges such as a lack of non-verbal communication, less spontaneous interactions between participants, and issues in maintaining attention...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
London :
SAGE Publications Ltd,
2024.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to the full text of this electronic book |
| Summary: | Focus groups (FGs) are a well-known and widely established qualitative research method. When conducting them in an online setting, we are faced with specific challenges such as a lack of non-verbal communication, less spontaneous interactions between participants, and issues in maintaining attention during longer online sessions. Yet, online settings also offer specific advantages, e.g., greater flexibility, anonymity, and fewer geographical restrictions. Reflecting on the specific challenges but also on the advantages that online FGs provide, we focus on the role of the moderator. We shed light on the planning and setting of online FGs, the moderation flow, as well as specific ethical issues that moderators have to consider in online settings. We discuss how to foster discussion among participants, how to handle dynamics and hierarchies in groups, how to deal with technical challenges, how to best make use of technical tools, and how to ensure participants' well-being. Throughout the chapter, we provide practical tips and guidance for moderators, supporting them to foster inclusivity and a lively discussion. |
|---|---|
| Physical Description: | 1 online resource |
| ISBN: | 9781529684957 1529684951 |