質性研究－－焦點團體訪談法之簡介與應用

Qualitative Research: An Introduction to Focus Group Methodology and Its Application

焦點團體訪談是質性研究收集資料時，廣泛使用的一種方法。主要藉由團體的互動，收集團體成員對特定主題的想法、意見、知覺、態度與信念。焦點團體訪談法可用於研究的初期階段，以探索研究者有興趣主題的相關資料，亦可做為協助發展初步研究之概念、工具及計畫，進而在此基礎上進行規模較大的量性研究。此外，焦點團體訪談亦可於三角交叉研究時，輔助解釋量化統計資料之結果。故而焦點團體訪談不論在質性及量性的研究上，皆具直接或輔助性之多元功能及應用價值。雖團體焦點訪談是一種既方便又經濟的資料收集法，然訪談內容的有效性及與資料間相關性分析的嚴謹度，皆需審慎檢核。本文主要探討焦點團體訪談法的概念與應用，內容涵蓋焦點團體訪談法的發展背景、定義、實施步驟、參與者、訪談指引、主持者、結果分析及報告等要項。

The focus group interview, an increasingly popular method in qualitative research, is used to obtain information that is highly accurate and relevant through a dynamic group interactive technique. Focus groups are used to gather ideas, opinions, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs based on participants experiences in a defined area of interest. Focus groups can be used during the preliminary or exploratory stage of a study; during the course of a study (e.g., to develop or evaluate a particular/interesting program of activities); or after a program has been completed (e.g., to assess impact or generate further avenues of research). Focus group interviews can be used either as a method in their own right or as a complement to other methods, especially to check triangulation and validity. While our study concluded that focus group interviews are an ”easy and cost efficient” method to collect quality data, validity and relationship issues between focus group data and other data must be determined and considered in the results. This article introduces the background, definitions, focus group process, participants, interview guidelines, moderator responsibilities, and data collection and analysis related to the focus group methodology.