This study inquired into the meaning of family-professional partnerships from the perspective of Japanese families of children with disabilities. Data were collected from 30 mothers who participated in focus groups and/or interviews in Japan. Qualitative data analysis guided identification of four themes. The study's contributions are discussed in…

This study explored male adolescents' reasons for participating in moderate and vigorous physical activity, perceived barriers to moderate and vigorous physical activity, and suggestions as to what can be done to increase participation in physical activity. A total of 26 male 15- and 16-year-old adolescents participated in focus group sessions,…

This study used several focus groups to examine culturally based variation in attitudes, beliefs, and meanings of transition. Sixteen Latina mothers of young adults with disabilities participated in the study, recruited from an agency serving low-income, predominantly Spanish-speaking communities. Data analysis identified five primary themes: (a)…

The current manuscript describes the process of developing the GANA program, a version of PCIT that has been culturally adapted for Mexican American families. The adaptation process involved combining information from 1) clinical literature on Mexican American families, 2) empirical literature on barriers to treatment access and effectiveness, and…

This paper arises out of a research study into the online help facilities provided in popular software applications such as word processors. Its particular focus is on experimental methods of evaluating the effectiveness and usability of those facilities. Focus groups, questionnaires, and online surveys had already been used in other phases of the…

Recent developments suggest that the PhD is at a turning point. Professional groups have criticised the so-called traditional PhD. New routes to the PhD are proposed by several bodies and endorsed by one funding council. In light of these developments, it is appropriate to ask what the implications are for the PhD and for the academy. A focus…

In recent years, there has been increasing academic debate concerning both the need for more male primary schoolteachers and the reasons for their minority status, numerically. Yet there has been relatively little heard from the men themselves. In this study the author used focus group discussions to investigate the views and experiences of…

Geographers are fully engaged in the debate surrounding the impact of new information and communication technologies (ICT) and there has been a proliferation of research on the impact of ICT on geographical education. This includes analyses of how ICT may affect geographical learning paradigms (Hill & Solem, 1999; Rich et al., 2000; Solem, 2000)…

We explored Nakayama and Krizek's (1995) notion of strategic rhetorics--i.e., the persuasive discourses that function hegemonically to continually re-secure the power of institutions by permeating the mundane talk of individuals--in relation to a series of focus group interviews with university undergraduates and instructors about the nature of…

We explore the use of focus groups with Latino families. Based on our work with Colombian, Guatemalan, Mexican, and Puerto Rican mothers, we review the factors that make this methodology particularly useful for working with these families. In addition, we provide a number of strategies for making the use of focus groups with Latino populations…

Many people in the instructional design community may wonder why AECT should devote a special session during its most recent International Convention in Anaheim, CA, to the issue of ambiguity. Isn't the whole idea behind well designed instruction that it should be ambiguity-free? If a debate on the issue of ambiguity is necessary at all, shouldn't…

This national study reviews national and state policies and guidelines, as well as surveys and focus groups of administrators and teachers, on the implementation of policies for students with low vision to gain visual access to the general education curriculum. The findings demonstrate that few states provide the necessary services to enable…

A nine-month program entitled Youth Speaks Up is delivered annually to grade 6 students from Sydney, Nova Scotia. One goal of the program is to provide an opportunity for the development of positive communication skills in participants. The purpose of this project was to determine if students participating in the program perceived changes in their…

This article examines the ways in which discourse and social context lead to identity construction in relationships between Black and White students in a large (Grades 6-8) urban middle school. Looking at issues of cross-cultural communication through focus group discussions among Grade 8 students at this school provides an opportunity for the…

This study looked at a different approach to professional development of higher education faculty. Faculty members were asked to participate in a pre-service technology course. Seventy faculty members accepted the invitation and took the course either during Fall Semester 2001, Winter Semester 2002, or Spring/Summer Terms 2002. Interviews and…