Group interview methods in community health research

Abstract

Scholarly development of group interview techniques within the social sciences has lagged behind the rapid popularization of this method. This article offers conceptual clarification regarding different types of group interviews and analyzes case examples to highlight important methodologic issues in the application of group interviews to community health research. Selected problem areas and desirable future directions in the refinement of group interview methods are discussed. An appendix traces the historical development of focus group interviews in social science research.