Assigned Readings

Bryman Ch. 16

Bloor, M., Frankland, J., Thomas, M. & Robson, K. (2001). Focus groups in social research. Sage Publications, London. Pp. 74-88 (Virtual focus groups). e-reserve.

Stewart, D.W., Shamdasani, P.N. & Rook, D.W. (2007). Focus groups. Theory and practice. Sage Publications, London. Pp. 69-86 (The focus group moderator). e-reserve.

Berg, B.L. (2004) Qualitative Research Methods, Fifth Edition. Boston, Pearson, p. 123-146. e-reserve

Fontana, A. & Prokos, A.H. (2007) The interview, from formal to postmodern. Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA. pp 29-38. e-reserve

Class Preparation

See "Instructions for Preparation of Reviews for Class Discussion." Submit the electronic summary by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 15.

Breen, R.L. (2006). A practical guide to focus-group research. Journal of Geography in Higher Education 30(3), 463-475.

Freeman, T. (2006). "Best practice" in focus group research: making sense of different views. Journal of Advanced Nursing 56(5), 491-497.

Lunt, P. & Livingstone, S. (1996). Rethinking the focus group in media and communications research. Journal of Communication, 46(2), 79-98.

Myers, G. (1998). Displaying opinions: topics and disagreement in focus groups. Language in Society 27(1), 85-111.

Puchta, C. & Potter, J. (1999). Asking elaborate questions: focus groups and the management of spontaneity. Journal of Sociolinguistics 3(3), 314-335.

Due Today

Small Group Report 1

Additional Resources

Barbour, R. & Kitzinger, J. (eds) (1999) Developoing Focus Group Research: Politics, Theory & Practice. London, Sage.

Berg, B.L. (2007). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Sixth edition. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA. See pages 144-168 -- Focus group interviewing.

Bloor, M., Frankland, J., Thomas, M. & Robson, K. (2001). Focus groups in social research. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Krueger, R.A. & Casey, M.A. (2000) Focus Groups: A practical guide for applied research. Third Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage.

Morgan, David L. (2001). Focus group interviewing. In J.F. Gubrium & J.A. Holstein (eds.), Handbook of Interview Research, pp. 141-160. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA. Get from Dr. Swisher.

Stewart, D.W., Shamdasani, P.N. & Rook, D.W. (2007). Focus groups. Theory and practice. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Wilkinson, S. (2004) Focus group research. In D. Silverman (ed.) Qualitative Research. Theory, Method & Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage, p. 177-199.

Examples of Research Using Focus Groups

Abbott, P.A., Turmov, S. & Wallace, C. (2006) Health world view of post-soviet citizens. Social Science & Medicine 62(1), 228-238.

Bakken, L. & Huber, T. (2005) Ego development at the crossroads: identity and intimacy among black men and white women in cross-racial relationships. Journal of Adult Development 12(1), 63-73.

Blanc, A.K. & Tsui, A.O. (2005) The dilemma of past success: insiders' viewon the future of the international family planning movement. Studies in Family Planning 36(4), 263-277.

Borland, H. (2005) Heritage languages and community identity building: the case of a language of lesser status. The International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. 8(2/3), 109-123.

Bunnell, R.E., Nassozi, J., Marum, E. et al. (2005) Living with discordance: knowledge, challenges and prevention strategies of HIV-discordant couples in Uganda. AIDS Care 17(8), 999-1012.

Cottrell, B. & Monk, P. (2004) Adolescent-to-parent abuse. A qualitative overview of common themes. Journal of Family Issues 25(8), 1072-1095.

Jennings, P.K. (2004) What mothers want: welfare reform and maternal desire. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare 31(3), 113-130.

Johnson, S.B., Frattaroll, S., Campbell, J. et al. 2005) "I know what love means." Gender-based violence in the lives of urban adolescents. Journal of Women's Health. 14(2), 172-179.

Kossak, S.N. (2005) Exploring the elements of culturally relevant service delivery. Families in Society 86(2), 189-195.

Morojele, N.K., Kachieng'a, M.A., Mokoko, E. et al. (2006) Alcohol use and sexual behaviour among risky drinkers and bar and shebeen patrons in Gauteng province, South Africa. Social Science & Medicine 62(1), 217-227.

Santoro, N & Allard, A. (2005) Examining identities: working with diversity in the pre-service teaching experience. Teaching & Teacher Education 21(7), 863-873.

Vazou, S., Ntoumanis, N. & Duda, J.L. (2005) Peer motivational climate in youth sport: a qualitative inquiry. Psychology of Sport and Exercise 6(5), 497-516.

Yan, L. & Kember, D. (2004) Engager and avoider behaviour in types of activities performed by out-of-class learning groups. Higher Education 48, 419-438.