RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.5 Research Tool
2.5.2 Focus Groups
In Phase Two of the study, the researcher chose the qualitative method of data collection, focus group interviews. According to 8abbie & Mouton (2001), focus groups can be used within the qualitative paradigm. Owing to time constraints, and travel costs for both social workers and the researcher, the researcher conducted focus group interviews in the UK, during which groups of social workers were able to share their experiences
of relocation. Focus groups guided the group discussions to generate a rich understanding of the social workers' experiences and beliefs.
Krueger (1990), quoted in De Vos et al (2002: 307), define the focus group "as a carefully planned discussion designed to obtain perceptions on a defined area of interest in a permissive, non-threatening environment".
Morgan (1998: 6) describes focus groups as a research technique that collects data through group interaction on a topic determined by the researcher. Further, Babbie & Mouton (2001: 292) claim that the effective way of using focus groups is to use the group to find information you would not otherwise be able to access collectively. The focus group was useful because it gave space to social workers to get together and create meaning regarding their relocation and to share experiences among themselves, about their present needs, problems and frustrations.
According to Krueger & Casey (2000:7), the purpose of focus groups is to elicit what people really think and feel. Focus groups are useful when multiple viewpoints or responses are needed on a specific topic. The researcher used the focus group interviews in order to gain multiple insights into and viewpoints about the needs, problems and frustrations experienced by social workers, and group discussions were facilitated around the similarities and differences of these experiences. Focus groups create a process of sharing and comparing among the participants. The interaction among participants often consists of efforts to understand one another. The focus group was especially useful in attempting to understand diversity among the social workers, since they can help one understand the variety of others' experiences since the relocation.
Morgan and Krueger, cited in De Vos et al (2002: 311), mention that deciding on the right number of participants means striking a balance between having enough people to generate a discussion, but not having so many people that some feel crowded out. In making decisions about
group size, it is useful to think practically about how much time each participant will get to talk in the group.
In the study, the researcher found that the number of social workers that eventually attended the focus group interviews was approximately 10 social workers per group. The possible reasons for the non-attendance of the focus groups could be related to many factors: social workers residing and employed across a wide geographical area; transport constraints;
financial difficulties in travelling to the venue; bad weather conditions, etc.
According to De Vas et al (2002) whatever the size selected, it is important to over-recruit by 20 % to allow for non-attendance. This was, however, difficult to accomplish as accessibility to a larger sample was restrictive, owing to social workers' being so widely located in UK.
The focus group interviews are designed to do exactly what the name implies: focus. The topics of discussion in a focus group interview are carefully predetermined and sequenced in an understandable and logical way. Within the study, the focus group allowed for spontaneous discussions of experiences by the social workers in respect of their relocation, work exposure and experience. The focus groups provided opportunities for the researcher to understand the background of people's thoughts and feelings by encouraging discussion around similarities and differences in opinions, through what Morgan (1998: 12) refers to as a process of "sharing and comparing". This enables social workers to explain why they may feel differently from another person in the group and provides insights into how people construct their perceptions of particular issues.
Before planning the content of the interView, the researcher defined the concepts to be discussed into selected themes. The interview therefore focused on identified themes and critical questions that captured the
intent of the study: the problems, needs and experiences of South African social workers that have relocated to the UK.
Three focus groups were held with the South African social workers in Wandsworth, London, during December 2001. The group sizes comprised approximately 10 per group. The area, Wandsworth in London, was chosen as the venue for the focus group interviews as it was central to both outer and inner London, where the social workers resided or worked.
The focus group interviews began by the researcher thanking the social workers for their presence and explaining the purpose of the research. At this point, the researcher gave the participants an opportunity to ask questions regarding clarity of the purpose. Once everyone was satisfied, the researcher explained the procedure to be used. Thereafter, thematic questions were posed as per the questions in the annexure.
Participants were encouraged to begin by brainstorming ideas, and their responses were written on cards and placed on the table for all to see.
This helped to focus the discussion and reduce repetition and provided a record of issues that were considered important. They were encouraged to discuss each question in detail. The groups tended to adopt a "round robin" format, with each member of the group speaking in turn. There appeared to be no dominant member, and each person spoke freely. The researcher's experience as a group worker was invaluable in handling this group, as the researcher was able to acknowledge the responses and facilitate discussion. All group sessions ended with refreshment, as a token of appreciation and socialisation.
The focus groups were not tape-recorded as initially intended. When they realised that the discussions were to be recorded via a tape recorder, the social workers became nervous, and this would have hindered communication. In view of this, the researcher opted not to use a tape recorder.
Record of Participants: During the focus group sessions, participants were asked to complete a brief questionnaire in order to collect relevant identifying or demographic information (such as gender, years of experience, and type of visa on which they had relocated).