In our qualitative research focus groups, the first 3 groups got through all 3 of the research design questions. The 4th group however only got to one of the 3 questions. Should we exclude the results from the 4th group because the information is incomplete?
If not how do we account for the discrepancy in the methods, results and discussion of our paper?
You can include that data but you must explain the process in your methods chapter/discussion.
Ideally Marybeth - each focus group (assuming they are relatively homogenous) should go through the same or a similar schedule. Usually, the interviews will follow a semi-structured format as a guide. Each focus group may 'go around the trees' in a different way to the schedule and may not need certain questions asking because they 'naturally' unfold in other parts of the interview process. As Robyn alludes to - you would need to rationalise and justify the inclusion ofn thr fourth group - seeing as it will only present narrative related to part of the pre-determined/proposed schedule. What you don't elaborate on is why the group only covered one question i.e. did you run out of time? If only one part of the schedule naturallly emerged - then the interviewer can ask the remaining questions - even if they seem out of context.
You should have a question protocol that is based on your literature review, your quantitative data, or other valid source. But it is not just a question, answer, question, answer process. You should ask follow-up questions if the answers need more detail, and follow the ideas where they go in order to acquire a rich understanding of the experiences and perceptions of the group members.
So your starting protocol should be the same, because they indicate the information you are looking for, but the flow of actual questions may be considerably different among the groups.
In addition, if there are groups with different characteristics, your protocols may be different. For example, if you are interviewing both students and their teachers, the questions to the teachers may be different from the questions to the students.
Absolutely you can include the data and as others mentioned, explain the situation. Perhaps there is even something important that occurred fo extend within the other focus groups. Also the work of @DavidMorgan may be of interest regarding thinking about focus groups.
There is a difference between any kind of research interviewing where you expect the interview guide to evolve over the course of the data collection process, versus designs where you want to maintain a consistent approach across all of your interviews. So, you need to be clear that you had intended to use a consistent approach, but that was not possible in one group.
Overall, I would say that you certainly can use the data from this group, but you need to acknowledge its limitations with regard to the other research questions.
Good points raised in the other questions. The answer tends to be discipline (and journal) based -so health/medicine use focus groups(FGs) as a different type of method than in sociology, and places different demands. FGs can sometimes be thought of as a group interview -so you're getting 6 people's views at once. But sociology would emphasise that the data produced in a FG is a group response. This leads me to say, I find it fascinating that your last group only got through 1 question! What went on -was it a hard group to keep on track, or did the discussion raise new, rich, data on that 1st question. Critically, do you feel that you have reached data saturation on the three questions/topics? If so, then the lack of question 2 and 3 isn't an issue from group 4.
Trying to follow your focus group guide will be most beneficial when you are coding and analyzing your transcripts. Understand the desire to let the group flow naturally but try to guide it as much as possible. It will save time later.
Thank you everyone for your valuable input!!!! It is much appreciated. I will bring this back to my team :)
Although the information is incomplete, it can explain more details for your research. It is imperative that you should include it in the results.
Yes and keep the focus on the research questions, tight facilitation in focus groups is an important skill as is recording and creative strategies to promote rich conversations that in turn produce rich data.
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