2. Sign Supported English (SSE)
3.6. THE SELECTED PARADIGMS
3.6.2 The focus group interview
3.6.2.1 Definition
Usually, interviews with a group of people are intended to focus on certain aspects that the researcher wants to explore or focus on, hence the name ―focus group‖ (McKay 1998:4). Krueger (1994:6) defines focus group interviews as being a qualitative method for data gathering that enables the interviewer and the respondents to interact with one another. Focus group interviews consist of mainly open-ended questions and there are no boundaries, which are set for the participants. The respondents are allowed ample time to comment, explain and share experiences and attitudes (See Appendix F)
Krueger (1994:19) continues by stating that focus group interviews produce qualitative data, which provides insights into attitudes, perceptions and opinions of participants.
Focus group interviews represent a more natural environment than that of individual interviews because others influence participants just as in the real life situation.
According to Krueger (1994:6), focus group interviews are ―…carefully planned discussions on a defined area of interest in a permissive, non-threatening environment‖.
The focus group interview was implemented in this study as a data gathering technique.
It has its advantages and disadvantages.
3.6.2.2. Advantages of focus group interviews
Focus group interviews promote a high degree of validity. This technique is easily understood and accommodated and the results seem believable to those using the information. Results are not presented in complicated, statistical charts. They are instead presented in a lay terminology filled with quotations from participants (Kingry, Tiedjie &Friedman, 1990:124/125).
Bailey (1987:1740) states that the interview is flexible and therefore interviewers can probe for more specific answers and repeat questions for clarification or for more details where it appears that the respondents misunderstand the questions.
The format allows the researcher to probe and also enables him/her to explore unanticipated issues (Kingry et al 1990:125/125).
According to Renzetti and Lee (1993:106), focus group interviews encourage active group participation especially among shy people and it enables the researcher to explore the covert meanings that underpin behaviour. Active participation is further endorsed because discussions occur in real life situations (Burges, 1985:15).
According to Bailey (1987:174), the focus group interview provides participants an opportunity to build on one another‘s ideas. In focus group interviews many of the answers given by the participants are spontaneous. The respondents often clarify their own responses or clarify what they think other respondents might have meant. (Bailey, 1987:174)
Based on the above-mentioned advantages of focus group interviews, as stipulated by Kingry et al (1990:124-125) the implementation thereof in this study was justified. It is hereafter important to identify and describe the disadvantages of focus group interviews, and indicate how this study managed those disadvantages.
3.6.2.3. Disadvantages of focus group interviews
According to Krueger (1994:36/37), focus group interviews have the following disadvantages:
Groups are difficult to assemble. In this study the respondents are both grouped in schools, which enable the researcher to organize the interviews accordingly.
Each focus group tends to have its own unique characteristics. In this study the interviewer‘s responsibility will be to conduct the interview in such a way that relevant information is obtained in an objective manner.
It is important that carefully trained interviewers are used to conduct the interviews. Aspects such as the application of open-ended questions, pauses, probes as well as the skill and knowledge to grasp when and how to move into new topic areas, require a high degree of expertise which untrained interviewers lack. In this study the interviewer was a competent researcher of qualitative research and was also trained to conduct the interviews efficiently.
Data analysis can be a complex activity, Group interaction provides a social environment, and comments have to be interpreted within that context and in an objective manner. Care is therefore needed to avoid taking comments out of context and out of sequence, or even coming to a premature conclusion.
In this research the assistance of an independent coder was sought to ensure proper analysis of data.
The researcher has less control in a group interview as compared to the individual interview. Participants are allowed to interact with one another and are consequently able to influence the direction and to a certain extent the content of the discussion. The trained interviewer should efficiently facilitate the interview to such as extent that the advantages of this technique will enhance the accumulation of required data from respondents.
According to Bailey (1987:174), the focus group approach can be time consuming as people are often ―pressed for time‖. In this study the interviewer will create an atmosphere that will allow conversation to be brief (see the role of the interviewer).
Lack of anonymity offered by the group interview process is another disadvantage stipulated by Bailey (1989:174). The focus group approach often results in the respondents not being willing to participate in certain discussions for fear of being exposed (Bailey, 1989:174). The above problem will be solved by the interviewer who will explain his/her ethical code of conduct to the respondents. (See Consent and Anonymity in this study).
In order to overcome some of the disadvantages of the focus group interviews when using this technique of gathering information, the following steps will be applied:
(i) The interviewer of this study was trained.
(ii) The trained interviewer had carefully studied the advantages of this technique in order to implement them when using the technique.
The value of any research project can only be ensured and enhanced if the constituents of authentic scientific research are adhered to during the execution of the research strategies. The components that constitute authentic scientific research are the following:
Reliability;
Validity; and Triangulation.
These concepts are discussed later in this chapter.