Focus Groups (for beginners) – ONLINE

Course details

qualitative course | level: beginner | register now
for questions related to this event, contact ugent@flames-statistics.com
affiliation: Ghent University

Abstract

Focus groups are one of the most frequently used qualitative data-collection methods in social research.
During this interactive seminar a step by step overview of the knowledge and skills to successfully conduct focus groups will be given. Moreover, the seminar will outline the merits and the pitfalls of using focus groups in practice.


Course structure

The course includes lectures, interactive discussions and exercises. The following topics are included:
• What are focus groups?
• History of focus groups.
• How to organise focus groups?
o Preparing: management plan, sampling, group composition (homogeneous versus heterogeneous), developing questions, recruitment, group size
o Running: capturing the group discussion, conversation, types of participants, role of the moderator and observer, stimulus material
o Analysing
o Reporting
• Online focus groups
• Ethics

Prerequisites

No particular knowledge or skills are required to participate.

Background readings

Fee

PhDs and postdocs of a Flemish university: 0 €
Other academics Non-profit/Social sector::150€
Private sector: 400 €

Venue

online

Instructor

Dr. Maaike Fobelets is doctor in social health sciences and holds a master in midwifery. She currently works as a post-doctoral researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and as a research coordinator of the nursing and midwifery department at the Erasmushogeschool Brussel. Her research is focussed on vulnerability in the perinatal period and perinatal mental health, more specifically on health-related quality of life.