Affiliations: [a] Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, USA | [b] Walden University, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Gene E. Fusch, %Doctor␣of␣Business␣Administration,␣College␣of␣Management␣and␣Technology, Walden University, Phoenix, AZ, USA. Tel.: +1 360 779 2889; E-mail: gfusch@hotmail.com.
Abstract: The focus group interview is a strategy that researchers use across all disciplines from marketing to education and cultural studies. Facilitating a focus group interview is challenging even for experienced researchers. This paper shares the authors’ perspectives on the focus group interview with arguments from the literature along with practical applications. The authors use examples from several of their research studies to discuss a scholarly yet practical approach to plan, conduct, and analyze successful focus groups for the intended audience of doctoral students. In addition to suggestions for facilitating data collection and data analysis for the focus group interview, this paper includes strategies to select the participants, ensure participants show up, engage all the focus group participants, address powerful or authoritative personalities, enhance the synergy of the group, and reach consensus.
Keywords: Focus group interview, planning, conducting, interviewing, data analysis, participant selection, powerful or authoritative personalities, power dynamics, triangulation, member checking
