Comment: Concerns in the Analysis of Focus Group Data

Abstract

The most frequent concern in qualitative research is an inadequate description of the analysis process, and the consequent limitation on credibility and usefulness of the results. Of all the aspects of using the focus group technique—advantages and limitations, logistics, implementation, and interpreting and reporting of results—the process of analysis is the least agreed on and the least well developed. There is little guidance for researchers, journal editors and reviewers, graduate students and their advisors. A frequent question is "how to do" analysis of focus group data, especially analysis worthy of federal-level funding or acceptable at the level of an academic dissertation. Definitive, mutually agreed on technique does not exist. Decisions in analysis depend on many factors, and this article will discuss considerations in planning and implementing analyses of focus group data.