focus groups ( research method)

Question 1

what are focus groups

Answer 1

a dozen or so being interviewed at once , focus groups are a form of group interviews

Question 2

what are strengths of focus groups

Answer 2

• participants feel more comfortable being with other people which increases accuracy of answers
• inital ideas can be developed
• study groups norms and dynamic
• ideas are being passed around the group

Question 3

what are limitations of focus groups

Answer 3

some people may dominate discussions so less representative
may not keep on topic so inaccuracy of answers
peer pressure
harder to analyse

Question 4

what was paul willis study on the lads

Answer 4

interviewed 12 lads ( wc boys) about their experiences of schooling and their aspirations for the future

Question 5

what was Sue Sharpe’s study on “Just like a girl “

Answer 5

• interviews working class girls in london in 1970s
• priorities = marriage , love , children
• ambitions strongly shaped by traditional gender roles
• Did a follow up study (1994)
• repeated with a new group of girls from similar backgrounds
• girls priorities emphasised careers , independence , and education and much more

Question 6

what was Howard Beckers study on “becoming a marijuana user “

Answer 6

Process of learning how to use marijuana and adopting as social behaviour
- method : group discussions and interviews
- findings : drug use was not about physical effects but about learning the proper way to experience and enjoy it

Question 7

What was tony sewell’s study of “black masculinities and schooling “

Answer 7

Focus : experiences of black carribean boys in london schools
method : interviews and group discussions
themes : stereotyping , racism , anti school attitudes vs pro education attitudes