title: Focus groups with school staff to explore asset-building innovativeness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assist with interpretations of findings from a survey assessing the diffusion of an asset-building innovation in 3 school districts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight focus groups were conducted with 69 school administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors in 3 school districts. Three reviewers examined transcripts for common themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The themes that arose related to effective communication channels, barriers that prevent diffusion in the schools, the need for improved relationships, and addressing of students' needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study illustrates the advantages of linking qualitative and quantitative methods when performing evaluations by enhancing both the validity and usefulness of findings.
authors.affiliation: Mahoney Consulting Group, Wadsworth, OH 44281, USA. cmahoney@wadsnet.com
authors.forename: Colleen A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.forename: Carolyn K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lafferty
authors.forename: Sandra K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Nutter
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003376:Counseling; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005178:Faculty; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009820:Ohio; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012922:Social Change; D013334:Students