Perspectives on Focus Group Participation and Remuneration

Abstract

Recruiting participants from underserved and marginalized communities for behavioral research is an essential yet challenging task. We examined participants' motivation to participate in a focus group about health communication and their beliefs about appropriate remuneration for participation. Twelve focus groups were conducted with low-income African American and Latina adolescent girls and African American women. We utilized a grounded theory approach and thematic analysis to examine views about research participation and remuneration. This study can inform important considerations about the consent process, study recruitment, and remuneration.

Keywords:

• remuneration
• research participation
• low-income
• mother–daughter