title: The use of focus groups in health research.
abstract: Focus groups--informal sessions in which participants are asked to discuss their thoughts on a specific topic or product--are being used with increased frequency in health research. The following paper examines the uses, advantages, and limitations of this qualitative research technique. Also provided is a discussion of the elements comprising a focus group session including the function of the moderator and the role of participants. In addition, guidelines for analyzing focus group data are presented. The paper concludes with a detailed description of the application of focus group research to a health promotion campaign.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Promotion Research and Development, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shepperd
mesh_terms: D006126:Group Processes; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design