|
Standard data collection techniques in qualitative research have included surveys, interviews and observations.
The Focus group technique is a more recent addition to the empirical researcher’s repertoire and is highly
appropriate to Information Systems research in particular circumstances. This paper introduces a focus group
approach to the study of information systems using a case study scenario and employing a structuring technique
borrowed from Soft Systems Methodology designed to shape the discussion and organize group attention on specific
aspects of the descriptive process. The paper describes the conduct of focus groups with respect to individual
incidents and defines a particular type of Focus Group which involves all persons attendant at an event, thereby
removing problems of sampling and representativeness. The unique properties and advantages of this type of focus
group in respect to IS research emerged from the case study and an example of the use of story elicitation technique is
described. The case study scenario is a regional fire service and any fire or rescue related incident is unique, dynamic,
live and real-time, in addition it requires the combined skills and actions of a group of individuals, none of whom may have
a full overview of the situation until after the event. These factors are present in other events such as any emergency
procedure, artistic or sporting performance, construction and demolition events. Recording of such events presents genuine
problems for information systems and the elicitation technique helped the group members to think in different ways about the
impact of their incident recording systems. As the technique has broader use across research disciplines, an attempt is
made to identify the attributes and properties of these ‘Plenary Focus Groups’ in information systems research scenario
that might lend themselves to focus group research as a useful and successful technique.
Keywords:
research instrument, focus groups, data collection, empirical technique
Download FULL PAPER
Back to Contents
|
