Focus Groups as research method (2025)

Welcome to Focus Groups as research method

PhD Programme: Health Care, Health Promotion and Organizations (HCHPO)

Description: 

The objective of the course is to introduce participants to how focus groups can be used as research method within healthcare research.

Focus groups is a research method where data are generated through group interactions based on a selected topic. The specific characteristic of focus groups is their explicit use of group interaction to produce data and insights that would be less accessible without the interaction that plays out in a group.

The course will include a mix of presentations, group reflections, exercises, and individual work related to the themes:

• Introduction to focus groups as research method (historical, philosophical, and methodological assumptions)
• Designing a focus group study (theoretical, methodological, and practical considerations)
• Conducting a focus group (incl. practical exercises)
• Analyzing data from focus groups (analyzing content and interaction)
• Reporting findings from a focus group study

The course will strengthen participants’ knowledge base, reflection, and scientific argumentation for the use of focus groups in healthcare research.

Prerequisites: 

Participants are required to prepare a description (max. 1 page) of aim of PhD study, methods, and reflections related to the possible use of focus groups as method in their PhD  - or reflections on how this course is relevant.

Key literature: 

A list of relevant scientific papers and book chapters will be provided to participants prior to the course.

Organizer: Dr. Birgitte Lerbæk, birgitte.lerbaek@rn.dk

Lecturers: 

Britt Laugesen, Associate professor, Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Aalborg University Hospital & Centre for Clinical Guidelines, Aalborg University

Siri Lygum Voldbjerg, Associate professor, Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Aalborg University Hospital & Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University & Department of Nursing, UCN

Mette Geil Kollerup, Lecturer and Postdoc, Department of Nursing, University College Northern Denmark & Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark

Dr. Birgitte Lerbæk, Senior researcher at Unit for Psychiatric Research, Psychiatry – Aalborg University Hospital

Important information concerning PhD courses:  

There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.

To attend courses at the Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Technology you must be enrolled as a PhD student.

For inquiries regarding registration, cancellation or waiting list, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.