In Qualitative research how many focus groups we can add? For example one focus group comprise of age 30 to 40 and 5 volunteer members, other group; age 40 to 50 and 5 members, last group; age 50 to 60 and 5 member. can we increase members in one group or it should be total 10 to 12 all collectively?
Honestly, there's no standard number. I've had success with anywhere from 2 members in a group upwards to 20+. They also do not need to be standardized sizes. What's important is that they are appropriate for the research questions and sufficiently represent the variability and percentage (ratio) distributions of opinion/feedback sets. How many focus groups you need for a research project is also fluid. If three groups sufficiently answer your questions with reasonable accuracy... that's good enough. The more you have in a particular study, the better. However, there is a point of diminishing returns and there are constraints on time, money, etc. You want to be thorough, but you do not need overkill. If you find saturation and redundancy at 10 total groups, it's probably time to do a few more and call it enough, for example. Other's may be more regimented and disagree, but I find the results no better than if you you get the 'feel' for what is likely sufficient.
Dr David L Morgan has written a lot about focus groups including two books, Basic and Advanced Focus Groups and Focus Groups as Qualitative Research - Qualitative Research Methods.
Perhaps if you make contact with him through ResearchGate, he would know the answer.
Very best wishes,
Mary
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