Skip to main content
Log in

Focus groups as a qualitative method for crosscultural research in social gerontology

  • Published:
Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bogardus, E.M. 1926 The Group Interview. Journal of Applied Sociology 10:372–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caffrey, R.A. 1992a Family Care of the Elderly in Northeast Thailand: Changing Patterns. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 7(2):105–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caffrey, R.A. 1992b Caregiving to the Elderly in Northeast Thailand: Changing Patterns. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 7(2):117–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenbaum, T.L. 1988 The Practical Handbook and Guide to Focus Group Research. Lexington, MA: Lexington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M.E., M. Anker, B. Patel, S. Barge H. Sadhwani, and R. Kohle 1991 The Use of Focus Groups in Social and Behavioral Research-Some Methodological Issues. World Health Statistics Quarterly 44:145–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M.E., and L. Manderson 1992 Focus Groups in Tropical Diseases Research. Health Policy and Planning 7(1):56–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knodel, J. 1993 The Design and Analysis of Focus Group Studies in Social Science Research. In Successful Focus Groups: Advancing the State of the Art. David Morgan, ed. pp. 35–50. Newbury Parl, Ca: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knodel, J.A. Pramualratana, and N. Havanon 1988. Focus Group Research of Fertility Decline in Thailand: Methodology and Findings. In Micro Approaches to Demographic Research. J.C. Caldwell, A. Hill, and V. Hull, eds. Pp. 41–55. London: Kegan Paul International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knodel, J.W. Sittitrai, and T. Brown 1990 Focus Group Discussions for Social Science Research: A Practical Guide with an Emphasis on the Topic of Ageing. Comparative Study of the Elderly in Asia, Research Report No. 90-3. Ann Arbor: Population Studies Center, University of Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krueger, R.A. 1988. A Practical Guide for Applied Research. Newbury Park, Ca., Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merton, R.K. and P. Kendall 1946 The Focused Interview. American Journal of Sociology 51:541–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merton, R.K., M. Fiske, and P. Kendall 1956 The Focused Interview. Glencoe, Ill.: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D. 1988 Focus Groups as Qualitative Research. Newbury Park, Ca., Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D., ed. 1993a Successful Focus Groups: Advancing the State of the Art. Newburt Park, Ca, Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D. 1993b Future Directions for Focus Groups. In Successful Focus Groups: Advancing the State of the Art. D. Morgan, ed. Pp. 35–50. Newbury Park, Ca: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pramualratana, A. 1990. Support Systems of the Old in a Rural Community in Thailand. Ph.D. Thesis. Australian National University Canberra, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seidel, J.V., R. Kjolseth, and E. Seymour 1988 The Ethnograph: A User Guide. Littleton, Co.: Qualis Research Associates.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Knodel, J. Focus groups as a qualitative method for crosscultural research in social gerontology. J Cross-Cultural Gerontol 10, 7–20 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00972029

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00972029

Key Words

Navigation