Conducting Cross-Cultural, Multi-Lingual and Multi-Country Focus Groups: Guidance for Researchers

Abstract

Conducting cross-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-country focus groups represents unique logistic and analytical challenges. However, there is little guidance for the necessary considerations required for such international focus groups. Based on the author’s experience of conducting such research, this publication documents the different stages of planning, fieldwork, analysis and dissemination, and how to mitigate possible challenges and overcome them. It is essential to set up an adequate research team with the linguist and cultural background required. All researchers should have the necessary training in qualitative methods and follow a standardised approach in the facilitation of focus groups across the different countries and in the analysis of the data, ideally in their original languages.