TY - CHAP
T1 - Using the internet to gather evidence in formative intervention research
T2 - A feasibility study of internet "chat" focus groups in a study of lifestyle changes in colon cancer survivors
AU - Meier, Andrea
AU - Campbell, Marci K.
AU - Carr, Carol
AU - Enga, Zoe
AU - James, Aimee
AU - Reedy, Jill
AU - Zheng, Bo
N1 - Funding Information:
Andrea Meier is Research Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC (E-mail: [email protected]). Marci K. Campbell is Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina (E-mail: [email protected]). Carol Carr is with NC STRIDES, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (E-mail: [email protected]). Zoe Enga is with Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of North Carolina (E-mail: [email protected]). Aimee James is with Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of North Carolina (E-mail: [email protected]). Jill Reedy is with Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina (E-mail: [email protected]). Bo Zheng is with Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina (E-mail: [email protected]). Address correspondence to: Andrea Meier, Campus Box 3550, School of Social Work, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (E-mail: [email protected]). This research was funded by Grants 1-R01-CA819134-02 and DK56350 from the National Institutes of Health.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - With widespread adoption of the Internet, focus groups can now be conducted using Internet-mediated (IM) "chat" group technology. However, the methodology used for face-to-face groups must be adapted to this new communication medium. This paper presents a case study that describes feasibility issues of the IM "chat" focus groups, which arose when they were used to collect formative data for the NC STRIDES (STRategies for Improving Diet, Exercise, and Screening) project. This population-based study used the focus group to develop tailored and interactive health communication strategies to reduce the risk of recurrence of colon cancer. In this paper, we describe: (a) the characteristics of IM chat communication, (b) technical implementation of the NC STRIDES "chat" focus groups, (c) methodological considerations, (d) chat focus group formation and management, and (e) participants' satisfaction with their chat focus group experiences. Finally, we offer suggestions for best practice in the use of chat focus groups in health behaviour and social work research.
AB - With widespread adoption of the Internet, focus groups can now be conducted using Internet-mediated (IM) "chat" group technology. However, the methodology used for face-to-face groups must be adapted to this new communication medium. This paper presents a case study that describes feasibility issues of the IM "chat" focus groups, which arose when they were used to collect formative data for the NC STRIDES (STRategies for Improving Diet, Exercise, and Screening) project. This population-based study used the focus group to develop tailored and interactive health communication strategies to reduce the risk of recurrence of colon cancer. In this paper, we describe: (a) the characteristics of IM chat communication, (b) technical implementation of the NC STRIDES "chat" focus groups, (c) methodological considerations, (d) chat focus group formation and management, and (e) participants' satisfaction with their chat focus group experiences. Finally, we offer suggestions for best practice in the use of chat focus groups in health behaviour and social work research.
KW - Colon cancer survivors
KW - Focus groups
KW - Health promoting lifestyles
KW - Internet "chat" groups
KW - Research feasibility
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84905810274&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1300/J394v03n03_13
DO - 10.1300/J394v03n03_13
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:84905810274
SN - 9780203051795
SP - 183
EP - 200
BT - Information Technology and Evidence-Based Social Work Practice
PB - Taylor and Francis
ER -