Focus Groups in Educational Research: A New (Student) Researcher Guide

Focus groups are a widely used method of qualitative data collection in educational and social research, particularly in studies concerned with shared meanings, group norms, and collective experiences. For undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking dissertations and small-scale research projects, they are often seen as a time-efficient alternative to individual interviews. However, novice researchers may underestimate the methodological, epistemological, and ethical complexities involved in designing and conducting focus group research. This paper examines the design and use of focus groups in educational research, providing a theoretically informed yet practical guide for student/novice researchers. Key issues addressed include the nature and purpose of focus groups, when to use them, their relationship to research questions, the moderator’s role, ethical considerations, common challenges, and practical issues in conducting focus group research. The paper aims to support novice researchers in using the focus groups methodologically rigorously and ethically.