title: Focus groups as a qualitative method for crosscultural research in social gerontology.
abstract: The focus group approach for collecting qualitative data can be usefully applied in social gerontological studies, both in a single setting and cross-culturally. The experiences of the research terms participating in the Comparative Study of Asian Elderly in employing focus groups are described, and their advantages and disadvantages as a general method for gathering basic qualitative data are discussed. While the method has promise, it also should be recognized that conducting focus group research within the context of a comparative study compounds the considerable time, effort, and funds that focus group research for basic social science already requires.
authors.affiliation: Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, 1225 S. University, 48104-2590, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knodel