How To Write A Qualitative Semi-Structured Study

A focus group can be defined as a group interview- centered on a specific topic and facilitated and co-ordinated by a moderator or facilitator- which seeks to generate primarily qualitative data, by capitalizing on the interaction that occurs within the group setting. The idea behind the focus group method is that group processes can help people to explore and clarify their views in ways that be less easily accessible in a one to one interview. While the focus group opens up exciting analytical possibilities, it also gives rise to a number of potentially problematic issues in this respect.

Television has been popular in not only America, but around the world since this screened invention replaced the radio in the majority of households. Today, the television continues to serve as a source where adults can obtain news and entertainment and the youth can find entertainment; education; and build a broader and further developed schema. While it can be a great source for the aforementioned, there are instances where television shows, such as reality T.V., can give viewers inaccurate perceptions of the real world. The idea of inaccuracy of reality in television shows is expressed in Daniela J. Lamas’ recent Op-Ed “What’s Missing in Dr. Oz’s TV Exam Room” published in the New York Times. Through Lamas’ accounts of her personal experience

Four main aspects Focus groups will be discussed. First, a personal experienced researched focus group conducted in a lecture. Following that, the

Once a focus group session is completed, a survey should follow. Essentially, survey research consists of ‘a cross-sectional design in relation to which data are collected predominantly by questionnaire… which are then examined to detect patterns of association’ (Bryman, 2012, pp.60). For this research study, only primary data will be used and the survey created will consist of a postal questionnaire rather than an online survey. Postal questionnaires often yield a higher response rate as it will allow participants to remain anonymous; in addition, the questionnaires can be easily left in an individual’s mailbox, compared to email or web surveys that force researchers to collect and obtain e-mail addresses. In order for a postal questionnaire to be successful, it is important to have the questionnaire be accompanied by a letter explaining the purpose of the survey, assure anonymity, and provide a stamp to make it easier and more enticing for an individual to participate (Fox, Hunn and Mathers, 2009). The following categories will make up the postal questionnaire:

Qualitative approaches to research are approaches that depend on words as the primary source of data, as opposed to numbers. Qualitative research may also be called non-experimental research, since the investigations are more exploratory and do not require control or the manipulation of variables. There are several types of qualitative research approaches, for example grounded theory, phenomenological, generic inquiry, ethnography, and case studies. Non-experimental methods may include qualitative methods such as surveys, focus groups and interviews (Hacker, 2013). The purpose of this discussion is to carefully analyze

Qualitative research is common among healthcare researchers nowadays by the numbers of published papers in health literature. Instruments used for qualitative data collection include interviews, observations, and analysis of documents. Interviews are the most common techniques in health care to gather research information. Focus group interviews are the appropriate tool to be used of being more time efficient as more people can be interviewed for the same amount of time. They also provide a richer source of data. On the other hand, focus group interviews tend to document the ‘public’ rather than the ‘private’ views of the individuals (Grbich

Data collection. Data was collected using five focus groups and completing a short demographic form. “The technique of using group interviews is recommended as the ‘sole basis’ for data collection when undertaking a phenomenological study” (Meadus & Twomey, 2011). By using the group setting, the researchers were able to make the male students feel comfortable and confident. It gave opportunity for them to share their thoughts without any fear (Meadus & Twomey, 2011). This technique is appropriate because it is best suited to acquire human life experiences (Davies & Logan, 2012). The roles of the researchers were defined as being mediator, observer and recorder. The roles did switch between groups but had consistent roles at all times (Meadus & Twomey, 2011). Data saturation is not described in this article.

Focus groups are a method of group interviewing in which the interaction between the moderator and the group, as well as the interaction between group members, serves to elicit information and insights in response to carefully designed questions. The dynamic nature of the questions asked by the moderator and the group process, produces a level of insight that is rarely derived from 'unidirectional ' information collection devises such as observation, surveys and less interactional interview techniques. Methods of recording and analyzing information gathered during focus groups, and strategies for collecting unbiased information have helped focus group research to gain

Focus groups have been renowned for its inherently complex data analysis. It requires an experienced researcher to identify the themes that have emerged throughout the discussions, to ensure no bias tailoring has been made to support theoretical assumptions.

Today, people enjoy watching reality television; they typically get home after work and relax by watching these unpredictable, and often humorous, moments of reality television. From listening to the horrific singing on American Idol, to seeing who was voted off the island in Survivor, people enjoy some stress relieving humor after a long day of work. As stated in a study conducted by Zizi Papacharissi and Andrew L. Mendelson, “A survey administered to reality TV viewers revealed that the most salient motives for watching reality TV were habitual pass time and reality entertainment.” We can now acknowledge that the primary reason for watching reality television is for entertainment rather than for acquiring knowledge. Although, is it not possible to adopt some of the qualities of life portrayed by the “characters” of these shows by watching them regularly? For example, if shows like MTV’s The Real World are watched almost daily, then eventually the things seen on these shows may become normal to its viewers. Some of the activities that can be seen on The Real World include having one night stands, getting drunk, and getting high using illegal drugs. The types of scenes often depicted in these reality shows are etched in the mind of the viewer, and, although they are based on real moments in the lives of the people on the show, this type of behavior should be unacceptable to

Even though the participants felt like it was bad to watch reality shows they watched them for self-purpose. They watched it for many different purposes the most common were; great escape, it offered an opportunity to sample other lifestyles, and an opportunity to contemplate what they would do in a similar situation. Not only that but another very different situation that I had not thought of, which was that reality television shows don't require viewers full attention “unlike scripted television dramas where they fall behind if they miss an episode” (221). This is great for college students and there chaotic schedules. The results indicated that even though there is a bad social stigma in watching reality shows the college students still watched them for self-purpose.

The first major theme I found during this study was the perception everyone had about what television meant to him or her and how that reflected how he or she defined community. No matter if it was the previews that caught their attention, or he or she had free time to spare, or him or he had heard from friends that it was a decent show, they

Reality television is now one of the most consumed television genres broadcasted to the general public. Reality television has become more about mindless watching and creating the most unrealistic environment possible, rather than creating a show for an important purpose. Today, shows like Beauty and the Geek, Big Brother, and every other reality show fit into this mold, but when viewed critically lessons appear. In the case of TV today, reality shows depict an altered reality because of the unrealistic situations this genre presents.

A focus group or interviews could have been used to approach the research question, both endeavouring to understand themes of the participant’s perspectives of the CE and interpreting the meaning of the phenomena (Brinkmann and Kvale, 2015). To reach data saturation of the study six or more interviews would be needed. To triangulate the data both interviews and focus groups would be used, however the time restraints of the study do not allow this. Participants can find it intimidating to be interviewed one on one, affecting their responses and therefore the validity and reliability of the study (Golafshani,

Reality television (RTV) programs are one of the most famous types of television shows, especially among teens. Statistics show that between the ages of twelve and seventeen in America, three out of their four favourite programs are reality television programs, but people have a very vague idea of what reality television is, or when to classify a certain show as a reality program. According to Alice Hall in her paper “Viewer’s Perception of Reality Programs,” reality program does not have a standard definition because of its variety and diversity, but she gathered data based on group interviews, asked them why they like RTV and what characteristics constitutes a reality program. Basically, she proposed that the reason why it is famous is because of what is is. She then concluded that RTV is a television program that shows an unscripted presentation of real people’s experience that shows novelty and unpredictability to its audience (Hall). Hall also states that there are no definite sub-genres of reality television but