The use of group discussions: a case study of learning about organisational characteristics of schools

Abstract

This paper focuses on the use of group discussions (GD), as a very open and flexible method of data generation, to learn about organisational characteristics of schools. In comparison to the more structured focus group method, the method of GD is less known; however, we demonstrate that it is a useful method to learn about how specific groups are constituted. The paper will draw on the findings and experiences of nine GDs that were organised with teachers, students and parents in three schools in Austria. They were conducted as part of a case study to learn about the influence of schools’ organisational characteristics on the implementation of health promotion interventions. GDs were analysed using hermeneutic system analysis. We will present our findings, discuss benefits and limitations of using GDs, and give recommendations for the future use within school (or organisational) research.

Keywords:

• group discussion
• hermeneutic analysis
• case study
• schools
• organisational characteristics
• health promotion

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Martina Nitsch, Nigel Sherriff, and the two anonymous referees for their helpful comments on drafts of this manuscript. The copyright in the Article belongs to Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft (is a ‘work made for hire’) and I am granting licence to publish as an authorized representative of Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft.