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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bogardus, E.M. 1926 The Group Interview. Journal of Applied Sociology 10:372–82.
Caffrey, R.A. 1992a Family Care of the Elderly in Northeast Thailand: Changing Patterns. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 7(2):105–116.
Caffrey, R.A. 1992b Caregiving to the Elderly in Northeast Thailand: Changing Patterns. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 7(2):117–134.
Greenbaum, T.L. 1988 The Practical Handbook and Guide to Focus Group Research. Lexington, MA: Lexington.
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.
Khan, M.E., and L. Manderson 1992 Focus Groups in Tropical Diseases Research. Health Policy and Planning 7(1):56–66.
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.
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.
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.
Krueger, R.A. 1988. A Practical Guide for Applied Research. Newbury Park, Ca., Sage.
Merton, R.K. and P. Kendall 1946 The Focused Interview. American Journal of Sociology 51:541–57.
Merton, R.K., M. Fiske, and P. Kendall 1956 The Focused Interview. Glencoe, Ill.: The Free Press.
Morgan, D. 1988 Focus Groups as Qualitative Research. Newbury Park, Ca., Sage.
Morgan, D., ed. 1993a Successful Focus Groups: Advancing the State of the Art. Newburt Park, Ca, Sage.
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.
Pramualratana, A. 1990. Support Systems of the Old in a Rural Community in Thailand. Ph.D. Thesis. Australian National University Canberra, Australia.
Seidel, J.V., R. Kjolseth, and E. Seymour 1988 The Ethnograph: A User Guide. Littleton, Co.: Qualis Research Associates.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00972029