In focus groups 10 graduates of a distance education master's in nursing program discussed the degree's impact on their careers and the importance of personal support in completing the program. Distance education enabled them to remain based in their communities, improving access to health care and raising community awareness of the role of…

Focus groups were conducted to examine college students' (N=74) perceptions of the accuracy of a university's recruitment materials. Some of the materials used a structured approach while others used a semi-structured approach. Both approaches elicited comparable information, but the structured approach led to greater involvement by quiet members,…

Focus groups with 30 participants in a residential adult learning program identified descriptive themes of the experience: building relationships, learning, and individual change. Two overarching themes distinguished the phenomenon: detachment (physical and psychological isolation for the world) and continuity (uninterrupted learning). (SK)

Reports on the theory-driven evaluation of a drop-in center for youth that incorporates a literature search, concept mapping with staff, and focus groups with youth. Findings show strong agreement among the three data sources about critical program components. Discusses implications of a theory-driven approach. (Author/SLD)

This qualitative study explored the attitudes of 75 students at two metropolitan universities in focus groups that examined students' collegiate experience, and developed a theoretical model of student satisfaction comprised of three primary constructs: landscape (attitudes related to student understanding of college success), geography (attitudes…

Discusses knowledge management that seeks to minimize information overload in order to enhance performance. Highlights include the differences between data, information, and knowledge; the relationship between learning, knowledge, and performance; the use of focus groups; documenting results; and knowledge classification. (LRW)

Focus groups and a mailed questionnaire obtained the opinions of 31 cooperating agricultural education teachers on the importance of core areas of student teaching. A well-rounded program emphasizing instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and youth leadership activities rated highest. Use of focus group/survey methods for such research…

The aim of this study is to explore students' perceptions of e-learning in a large undergraduate accounting class environment. E-learning technologies are increasingly widespread; however, they are often employed for technology's sake rather than directed by a pedagogic rationale. This study explores e-learning technology from the student's…

Purpose: We describe the development of a 24-hr curriculum for nonclinical direct care workers in elder care that features active-learning strategies and consumer-directed approaches. Design and Methods: Our curricular design was based on adult education theory and a survey of 70% of the community's service providers. Training was completed by 88…

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…