focus group discussions

USAGE SUMMARY

"focus group discussions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a type of meeting that involves bringing together a small group of people to discuss a particular topic or issue. For example, "The company hosted a series of focus group discussions to get feedback on the new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Focus group discussions.

Health Economics Review

Source Focus group discussions, 2013 2015.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

This was supported by focus group discussions.

Pastoralism

Data were collected from the focus group discussions.

Enfermería Clínica

Data were collected through focus group discussions (n = 4).

Pain Management Nursing

Five focus group discussions were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

Focus group discussions and participant observation were also used.

The Extractive Industries and Society

Ethnographic methods included participant observation and focus group discussions.

Social Science & Medicine

Additionally, seventeen couples participated in focus group discussions.

Social Science & Medicine

Figure 1 Design for the focus group discussions.

Health Economics Review

Focus group discussions were undertaken in different geographical areas.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, consistently use the full phrase "focus group discussions" upon first mention, and then you can use the abbreviation "FGDs" in subsequent references.

Common error

Avoid using "focus group discussions" to simply mean any group conversation. Reserve the term for structured discussions designed to gather specific insights on a defined topic. Otherwise, use the more general term "group discussions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus group discussions" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase refers to a specific type of interactive session, so it's more than just random talks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

Formal & Business

41%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focus group discussions" are a very common and grammatically correct noun phrase, primarily used in scientific and formal business contexts. According to Ludwig AI, this term describes a structured method for gathering qualitative data and insights. The phrase is characterized by a formal to neutral register, used to explore perspectives and understand beliefs on a particular topic. When using this term, ensure it accurately reflects structured, facilitated discussions aimed at collecting specific insights, rather than general group conversations. The best practices recommend providing details about the focus group methodology when reporting findings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Focus group meetings

This alternative replaces "discussions" with "meetings", emphasizing the structured gathering aspect.

Focus group consultations

Substituting "discussions" with "consultations" highlights the advisory nature of the group's input.

Focus group interactions

Using "interactions" instead of "discussions" puts more focus on the dynamic exchange within the group.

Focus group sessions

Replacing "discussions" with "sessions" emphasizes the scheduled and organized nature of the event.

Focus group conversations

Replacing "discussions" with "conversations" emphasizes the informal and conversational aspect of the group interaction.

Focus group deliberations

Using "deliberations" suggests a more formal and thoughtful consideration of the topic.

Group discussions with a focus

This alternative rearranges the words, emphasizing the "focus" of the discussions.

Guided group discussions

Adding "guided" highlights the structured and facilitated nature of the discussions.

Facilitated group discussions

Adding "facilitated" explicitly mentions the presence of a facilitator guiding the discussions.

Interactive group sessions

By using "interactive" it highlights the collaborative aspect and the change to "sessions" suggests that is a more organized event.

FAQs

How do I properly cite findings from "focus group discussions" in academic writing?

When citing findings, provide sufficient detail about the focus group methodology. Include the number of groups, participant characteristics, and the thematic analysis approach used. For example: 'Data were collected from four "focus group discussions" with parents, and analyzed using thematic analysis.'

What is the difference between "focus group discussions" and surveys?

"Focus group discussions" are qualitative research methods used to gather in-depth insights and opinions from a small group of people. Surveys, on the other hand, are quantitative methods used to collect data from a larger sample through structured questionnaires.

When is it appropriate to use "focus group discussions" in research?

"Focus group discussions" are particularly useful when you need to explore complex issues, understand different perspectives, or generate hypotheses for further investigation. They are also effective for gathering feedback on new products or services.

What are some alternatives to "focus group discussions"?

Depending on the context and goals of your research, you could use alternatives like "individual interviews", "surveys", or "case studies".