Focus group methodology Part 2: Considerations for analysis

Qualitative research is often criticized for its lack of scientific rigour. In particular, the criticisms of qualitative research relate to issues of representativeness and generalizability of the findings, reliability and validity. This article will discuss these concepts in the context of focus group data and explain how trustworthiness has been proposed as a more suitable criterion for evaluating qualitative research. Strategies for enhancing trustworthiness of focus group data will also be presented. Further issues pertinent to the recording and analysis of focus group data will be highlighted, and unique ethical considerations for focus groups will be presented. Considerations for the effective planning and design of focus group research were discussed in Part 1.