Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) for Qualitative and Mixed-Method Approaches: Principles, Applications, and Key Considerations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55544/ijrah.5.4.8Keywords:
Focus Group, Focus Group Discussion, FGD, Qualitative Research, Mixed- MethodAbstract
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) have been acknowledged to be a major data collection method in the qualitative and mixed-method research paradigms. It is widely applied for eliciting in-depth, collective insights on a phenomenon. Therefore, researchers adopting qualitative and mixed methods must have mastery of this method. Markedly, a simple, straightforward introductory resource is scarce on FGDs. Therefore, based on an unsystematic literature review, this study provides an overview of FGDs. The paper highlights the principles, advantages, field-based practical applications, an application map, and associated challenges of FGDs. Thus, the paper contributes a foundational resource for scholars who are new to the field of qualitative and mixed-method studies.
Downloads
References
Ahmed, S. K. (2025). Sample size for saturation in qualitative research: Debates, definitions, and strategies. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2024.100171
Allwood, C. M., & Barmark, J. (1999). The role of research problems in the process of research. Social Epistemology, 13(1), 59-83. https://doi.org/10.1080/026917299298790
Bahishti, A. (2023). A Short Note on Scientific Research Methodologies. International Journal of Methodology, 2(1), https://doi.org/10.21467/ijm.2.1.6867.
Barbour, R. (2007). Doing focus groups. SAGE Publications Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849208956
Catterall, M., & Maclaren, P. (2006). Focus groups in marketing research. In Handbook of qualitative research methods in marketing. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Creswell John, W., & Creswell, J. D. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore: Sage Publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage Publications.
Crotty, M. J. (1998). The foundations of social research: Meaning and perspective in the research process. Sage.
Cruz, R. F., & Tantia, J. F. (2017). Reading and understanding qualitative research. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 39, 79-92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-016-9219-z
Dhir, S. K., & Gupta, P. (2021). Formulation of research question and composing study outcomes and objectives. Indian Pediatrics, 58, 584-588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-021-2246-y
Doyle, L., Brady, A. M., & Byrne, G. (2009). An overview of mixed methods research. Journal of research in nursing, 14(2), 175-185. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987108093962
Field, A. (2024). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. Sage Publications Limited.
Fossey, E., Harvey, C., McDermott, F., & Davidson, L. (2002). Understanding and evaluating qualitative research. Australian & New Zealand journal of psychiatry, 36(6), 717-732. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2002.01100.x
Gilli, M., & Rossier, E. (1981). Understanding complex systems. Automatica, 17(4), 647-652. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-1098(81)90039-X
Goldschmidt, G., & Matthews, B. (2022). Formulating design research questions: A framework. Design Studies, 78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2021.101062
González-Díaz, R., & Bustamante-Cabrera, G. (2021). Predictive Sequential Research Design to Study Complex Social Phenomena. Entropy, 23. https://doi.org/10.3390/e23050627.
Grønmo, S. (2023). Social research methods: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications Limited.
Grossoehme, D. H. (2014). Overview of qualitative research. Journal of health care chaplaincy, 20(3), 109-122.https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2014.925660
Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. Handbook of qualitative research, 2(163-194), 105. Sage.
Gundumogula, M. (2020). Importance of focus groups in qualitative research. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IJHSS), 8(11), 299-302. https://10.24940/theijhss/2020/v8/i11/HS2011-082
Hayek, F. A. (2018). The theory of complex phenomena. In Critical approaches to science and philosophy (pp. 332-349). Routledge.
Heiman, G. W. (2001). Understanding research methods and statistics: An integrated introduction for psychology. Houghton, Mifflin and Company.
Ivanoff, S. D., & Hultberg, J. (2006). Understanding the multiple realities of everyday life: Basic assumptions in focus-group methodology. Scandinavian journal of occupational therapy, 13(2), 125-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/11038120600691082
Johnson, R. B., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Turner, L. A. (2007). Toward a definition of mixed methods research. Journal of mixed methods research, 1(2), 112-133. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689806298224
Krueger, R. A. (2014). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. Sage Publications.
Lacity, M. C., & Janson, M. A. (1994). Understanding qualitative data: A framework of text analysis methods. Journal of Management Information Systems, 11(2), 137-155. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.1994.11518043
Lazaraton, A. (2005). Quantitative research methods. In Handbook of research in second language teaching and learning (pp. 209-224). Routledge.
Maxwell, J. (1992). Understanding and validity in qualitative research. Harvard educational review, 62(3), 279-301. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.62.3.8323320856251826
McKim, C. A. (2017). The value of mixed methods research: A mixed methods study. Journal of mixed methods research, 11(2), 202-222. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689815607096
Morgan, D. L. (1997). Focus groups as qualitative research (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Muijs, D. (2010). Doing quantitative research in education with SPSS. Sage.
O. Nyumba, T., Wilson, K., Derrick, C. J., & Mukherjee, N. (2018). The use of focus group discussion methodology: Insights from two decades of application in conservation. Methods in Ecology and evolution, 9(1), 20-32. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12860
Patten, M. L. (2016). Understanding research methods: An overview of the essentials. Routledge.
Patton, M. Q. (2005). Qualitative research. Encyclopedia of statistics in behavioral science. Willey.
Plano Clark, V. L. (2017). Mixed methods research. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(3), 305-306.https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1262619
Popper, K. (2005). The logic of scientific discovery. Routledge.
Poth, C., Otto, S., Bulut, O., & Wongvorachan, T. (2024). Adaptive Case Study-Mixed Methods Design Practices for Researchers Studying Complex Phenomena. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 18, 292 - 303. https://doi.org/10.1177/15586898241250217.
Quintana, R. (2023). Embracing complexity in social science research. Quality & Quantity, 57(1), 15-38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-022-01349-1
Rabiee, F. (2004). Focus-group interview and data analysis. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 63(4), 655-660.https://doi.org/10.1079/PNS2004399
Sim, J. (1998). Collecting and analysing qualitative data: issues raised by the focus group. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 28(2), 345-352. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1998.00692.x
Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Sage.
Wilkinson, S. (1998). Focus group methodology: a review. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 1(3), 181-203.https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.1998.10846874
Wilkinson, S. (1998). Focus groups in health research: Exploring the meanings of health and illness. Journal of Health Psychology, 3(3), 329-348. https://doi.org/10.1177/135910539800300304
Wilson, V. (1997). Focus groups: a useful qualitative method for educational research?. British Educational Research Journal, 23(2), 209-224. https://doi.org/10.1080/0141192970230207
Wu, D., & Håkansson, A. (2014). A method of identifying ontology domain. Procedia Computer Science, 35, 504-513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2014.08.131
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Md. Saiful Alam, Adelina Asmawi, Sayeda Fatema

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.















