Rasmus Antoft, Anders Petersen

Show more
Department of Sociology and Social Work, Aalborg University, Denmark.
Show less

Abstract: The aim of this article is, through two case studies, to demonstrate that focus group interviews constitute a particularly useful method with which to examine topics which may seem sensitive to the informants. The central point of the article is that focus group interviews can help to establish a safe setting for the informants in which, they can create shared meanings, interpretations and understandings in relation to the topic on which the researchers wish to collect a group’s accumulated statements, opinions and experiences. It is argued that this process possesses a politically democratic potential, as the framework for the focus group interview creates an arena in which critical statements may be made about the sphere of possibilities of working life. The focus group interview thereby becomes a free zone, which not only enables the sensitive issue to be subjected to the group’s reciprocal interpretation process, but also generates emancipatory processes.

Keywords: Focus Group Interviews; Criticism; Emancipation; Working Life; Sensitive Topics

Cite this paper: Antoft, R. and Petersen, A. (2014) Criticise Your Working Conditions! —Focus Group Interviews on Sensitive Topics. Advances in Applied Sociology, 4, 108-119. doi: 10.4236/aasoci.2014.43014.

References

[1]   Antoft, R., & Salomonsen, H. H. (2009). Lederei Balance? (Leaders in balance?) Arhus: FSL.

[2]   Brewer, J. D. (1990). Sensitivity as a Problem in Field Research. A Study of Routine Policing in Northern Ireland. American Behavioural Scientist, 33, 578-593.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0002764290033005006

[3]   Brousinne, M. (2008). Drawings and Art. In M. Brousinne (ed.), Creative Methods in Organizational Research. Los Angeles: Sage Publications. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781849208772.n4

[4]   Chiu, L. F. (2003). Transformational Potential of Focus Groups Practice in Participatory Action Research. Action Research, 1, 165-183. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/14767503030012006

[5]   Dickson-Swift, V. et al. (2007). Doing Sensitive Research: What Challenges Do Qualitative Researchers Face? Qualitative Research, 7, 327-353. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1468794107078515

[6]   Farberow, N. L. (1963). Taboo Topics. New York: Atherton Press.

[7]   Goss, J. D., & Leinbach T. R. (1996). Focus Groups as Alternative Research Practice: Experience with Transmigrants in Indonesia. Area, 28, 115-123.

[8]   Greenbaum, T. L. (1990). Focus Groups Spurt Predicted for the 90s. Marketing News, 24, 21-22.

[9]   Halkier, B. (2010). Focus Groups as Social Enactments: Integrating Interaction and Content in the Analysis of Focus Group Data. Qualitative Research, 10, 71-89.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1468794109348683

[10]   Kitzinger, J. (1995). Introducing Focus Groups. British Medical Journal, 311, 299-302.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.311.7000.299

[11]   Lee, R. M. (1993). Doing Research on Sensitive Topics. London: Sage Publications.

[12]   Lee, R. M., &. Renzetti, C. M. (1990). The Problems of Researching Sensitive Topics. An Overview and Introduction. American Behavioral Scientist, 33, 510-528.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0002764290033005002

[13]   Mariampolski, H. (1989). Focus Groups on Sensitive Topics: How to Get Subjects to Open up and Feel Good about Telling the Truth. Applied Marketing Research, 29, 6-11.

[14]   Merton, R. K. (1990/1959). The Focused Interview. A Manual of Problems and Procedures. New York: The Free Press.

[15]   Morgan, D. L. (1996). Focus Groups. Annual Review of Sociology, 22, 129-152.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.22.1.129

[16]   Morgan, D. L. (1997). Focus Groups as Qualitative Research. London: Sage Publications.

[17]   Rostocki, A. (1986). Sensitive Questions in Sociological Survey. Polish Sociological Bulletin, 75, 27-32.

[18]   Sieber, J. E., & Stanley, B. (1988). Ethical and Professional Dimensions of socially Sensitive Research. American Psychologist, 43, 49-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.43.1.49

[19]   Smith, J. A. et al. (1995). Using Patient Focus Groups for New Patient Services. The Joint Commission of Quality Improvement, 21, 22-31.

[20]   Smith, M. W. (1995). Ethics in Focus Groups: A Few Concerns. Qualitative Health Research, 5, 478-486.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/104973239500500408

[21]   Stahl, B. et al. (2009). Focus Groups and Critical Research: How the Choice of Method Can Promote Emancipation of Respondents and Researchers. Paper presented at The 17th Conference of Information Systems, Verona 2009.

[22]   Wellings, K., Branigan, P., & Mitchell, K. (2000). Discomfort, Discord and Discontinuity as Data: Using Focus Groups to Research Sensitive Topics. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 2, 255-267. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/136910500422241

[23]   Wilkinson, S. (1999). Focus Groups. A Feminist Method. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 23, 221-244.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1999.tb00355.x

[24]   Willig, R. (2009) Umyndiggorelse. (Disenfranchisement) Copenhagen: Hans Reitzels Forlag.