ABSTRACT
Focus groups are an ideal method for feminist, minority, action, and other critical types of research in which the goal is to give voice and priority to participants from marginalized and vulnerable populations. As I mentioned in Chapter 1, focus groups can be thought of as a feminist method because they tend to be less hierarchical than other forms of data collection, since there is room for participant voice at a level usually more than that of the moderator or leader. Thus, focus groups provide a safe environment for sharing feelings (Wilkinson, 1998; 1999a; 1999b). Another way in which focus groups are a critical or feminist method is that they represent a form of group construction of meaning, which is a more feminized or indigenous way of thinking and being in the world than are more individualistic approaches (Kitzinger & Barbour, 1999). Using focus groups for critical perspectives of research (which have the aim to equalize power relationships) would suggest less directive styles of moderating and letting participants suggest topics and direct discussion. Feminist and critical approaches to focus groups might include variations such as interactive groups, leaderless discussion groups, Delphi method, and CBPR methods, all of which I discuss in this chapter.
