Bob Gates

Reflections on conducting focus groups with people with learning disabilities Theoretical and practical issues

This paper examines the use of focus groups as a methodological approach when undertaking research with people with learning disabilities. This is presented within the context of an ongoing research project that has principally adopted a participatory research approach and that is seeking to understand how people with learning disabilities conceptualise and understand their mental health. As such, this paper may be seen as a critical case study of the ongoing methodological challenges of using focus groups, as well as exploring some of the thornier practical issues such as recruitment, attendance, data collection, ethical issues and matters of consent, facilitation, venue and payment in adopting this approach when undertaking research with people with learning disabilities. The paper concludes that the focus group approach is a legitimate methodological approach within the research process in the field of learning disabilities.

Problems of recruiting participants for nursing research: a case study

There is a well established theoretical base for many of the methodological aspects of nursing research1,2,3. Researchers have explored measurement tools, design of studies, methods of data collection and analysis, but the question of recruitment of participants to a research project remains a neglected area despite the profound influence it can have on the success or failure of that project. A research project into the management of challenging behaviour in children with learning disabilities (being conducted at Hull University) provides a case study as a means of exploring and illustrating the potential problems of recruitment. This paper then identifies general guidelines that researchers can adopt for effective recruitment strategies. The conclusions drawn emphasise that recruitment is an important element of the research process and deserves careful attention in the initial planning phases of a study to ensure its completion.