| Title: |
Making Room for Zoom in Focus Group Methods: Opportunities and Challenges for Novice Researchers (During and Beyond COVID-19) |
| Authors: |
Michelle Falter; Aaron A. Arenas; Gordon W. Maples; Chelsea T. Smith; Lisa J. Lamb; Michael G. Anderson; Elizabeth M. Uzzell; Laura E. Jacobs; Xavier L. Cason; Tiara A.N. Griffis; Megan Polzin; Nada Z. Wafa |
| Source: |
Forum: Qualitative Social Research, Vol 23, Iss 1 (2022) |
| Publisher Information: |
FQS, 2022. |
| Publication Year: |
2022 |
| Collection: |
LCC:Social sciences (General) |
| Subject Terms: |
Zoom; online; focus group; qualitative research; videoconferencing; synchronous; Social sciences (General); H1-99 |
| Description: |
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the world, it forced many people to adapt to an online-based routine, including qualitative researchers looking for alternative ways to collect meaningful data. While focus groups are traditionally conducted in-person, advances with online videoconferencing applications present a new method to collect data, however, few studies have explored this. In this article we present 12 doctoral students' experiences with conducting focus groups using the videoconferencing application Zoom during a qualitative methods course on interviewing methods. Through this self-study qualitative analysis, participants reflected on the opportunities and challenges experienced as both moderators and participants using Zoom including: preparation, rapport, incorporating other digital tools, and internet connectivity. In conclusion, doing focus groups online using Zoom was a positive experience overall and comparable to in-person focus groups for collecting qualitative data, despite the introduction of technology. More research on participant recruitment, new technology, Zoom's security features, and Zoom's use outside of a pandemic should be further explored. |
| Document Type: |
article |
| File Description: |
electronic resource |
| Language: |
German; English; Spanish; Castilian |
| ISSN: |
1438-5627 |
| Relation: |
https://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/3768; https://doaj.org/toc/1438-5627 |
| DOI: |
10.17169/fqs-23.1.3768 |
| Access URL: |
https://doaj.org/article/c3e8e5ccfdcd45b2bd8cb86f9c7b0fe6 |
| Accession Number: |
edsdoj.3e8e5ccfdcd45b2bd8cb86f9c7b0fe6 |
| Database: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |