Problem
In research, there are different kinds of research methodologies, such as case study, focus group discussion, and interview of subjects. Case study along with other examples cited from the field of pedagogic research in geography higher education, will be used to illustrate the journey researchers can expect to take, including the obstacles and dilemmas, when conducting focus-group (Breen, 2006). On the other hand, academic research may possibly decide to use focus groups when they need to know about student experiences of a specific teaching and/or assessment method; when they need to engender ideas among a group of staff for the purposes of curriculum advance; or when there is a need to realize how a new policy will be established by staff and/or students to develop appropriate means of application (Breen, 2006). The key difference between one-to-one interviews and focus-group discussions is that the latter is far more applicable for the generation of new ideas formed within a social context. In health care research, focus group discussion is applicable in helping participants to be reminded of the breadth or focus of the issue.
Reference: Breen, R. L. (2006). A practical guide to focus-group research. Journal of geography in higher education, 30(3), 463-475.
Task
When you say focus groups, do you see this used in the research articles related to your topic or are they using another strategy to collect information and data?