Using Sociograms to Enhance Power and Voice in Focus Groups. Issue 5 (4th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baiardi, Janet M.; Gultekin, Laura; Brush, Barbara L.
• Is Part Of: Public health nursing. Volume 32:Issue 5(2015)
• Page Start: 584
• Page End: 591
• Publication Date: 2015-05-04
• Subjects: Public health nursing -- Periodicals; 610.734
• DOI: 10.1111/phn.12199
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0737-1209

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="phn12199-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="phn12199-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To discuss the use of sociograms in our focus groups with homeless sheltered mothers and to assess facilitator influence and the distribution of power influence.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12199-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design and Sample</title> <p>An exploratory, descriptive qualitative design that utilizes both focus groups and sociograms. Two focus groups were conducted in December 2009 (<italic>N</italic> = 7) and January 2010 (<italic>N</italic> = 4). Data analysis included a content analysis and a process analysis using sociograms to graphically represent group participant dynamics.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12199-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Use of the sociogram provided a means to assess the influence of the facilitator as well as quantify the degree to which group participants' voices are included.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12199-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Using sociograms provides a viable mechanism to complement content analysis and increase the methodological rigor of focus groups in health care research.</p> </sec> </abstract>