Using Focus Group Research to Support Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Using qualitative research methodologies for pedagogic research can provide informative insights into student experiences of the teaching and learning environment in Higher Education. This paper considers the practicalities of undertaking a pedagogic study using focus groups by outlining strategies for effective focus group organization, highlighting good practice from the social sciences and pedagogic literature and providing a critique of a recent geographical study, in which focus groups were used as the sole research method. Furthermore, the paper illustrates how a pedagogic research study can be used to enhance teaching and learning and to inform curriculum planning and course management.

Keywords:

• Focus groups
• pedagogic research
• qualitative methodologies
• reflection
• Foundation degrees
• student support

Acknowledgements

The project explained in the case-study was funded by the HEA-GEES Subject Centre Small-Scale Learning and Teaching Research and Development Fund 2008–2009. We thank the staff and students at Weston College, City College Plymouth and Bath Spa University for participating in this study and Emma Temple-Malt who transcribed the audio recordings.