The DOI matches its Crossref record; 55 of the 55 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Online focus groups as a tool to collect data in hard-to-include populations: examples from paediatric oncology
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article is to describe and evaluate the methodology of online focus group discussions within the setting of paediatric oncology. METHODS: Qualitative study consisting of separate moderated asynchronous online discussion groups with 7 paediatric cancer patients (aged 8-17), 11 parents, and 18 survivors of childhood cancer (aged 8-17 at diagnosis). RESULTS: All three participant groups could be actively engaged over a one-week period. Respondents highly valued the flexibility and convenience of logging in at their own time and place to join the discussion. Adolescent patients and survivors emphasized that the anonymity experienced made them feel comfortable to express their views in detail. The findings indicate a strong preference for online group discussions across all participant groups. CONCLUSION: The findings show that online focus group methodology is a feasible tool for collecting qualitative data within the setting of paediatric oncology, and may offer new opportunities to collect data in other hard-to-include populations. The evaluations seem to indicate that the online group discussions have given participants an opportunity to articulate their experiences and views in a way they might not have done in a traditional group discussion.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Although virtual focus groups are a relatively new methodology, some studies have documented their advantages and the comparability of in-person and virtual focus group data.[24–28]”
From Perceived healthcare provider reactions to patient and caregiver use of online health communities (2014) · cites this paper as [28]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
Qualitative research. Introducing focus groups.
Kitzinger, J. (1995) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.311.7000.299 · Cited by 6,939
Morgan, D. (1998) · Sage eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781483328164 · Cited by 1,803
Self-disclosure in computer-mediated communication: The role of self-awareness and visual anonymity
Joinson, A. N. (2001) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.36 · Cited by 1,458
Internet Communication and Qualitative Research
Mann, C., & Stewart, F. (2000) · SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781849209281 · Cited by 1,335
Tidwell, L. C., & Walther, J. B. (2002) · Human Communication Research · doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.2002.tb00811.x · Cited by 1,242
Human Research and Data Collection via the Internet
Birnbaum, M. H. (2004) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.141601 · Cited by 927
Internet Communication and Qualitative Research: A Handbook for Researching Online
Mann, C., & Stewart, F. A. (2000) · Cited by 853
Health information-seeking behaviour in adolescence: the place of the internet
Gray, N. J., Klein, J. D., Noyce, P. R., Sesselberg, T. S., & Cantrill, J. A. (2005) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.08.010 · Cited by 791
Using the Internet for Surveys and Health Research
Eysenbach, G., & Wyatt, J. (2002) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.4.2.e13 · Cited by 790
Powell, R. A., & Single, H. M. (1996) · International Journal for Quality in Health Care · doi:10.1093/intqhc/8.5.499 · Cited by 707
Collecting behavioural data using the world wide web: considerations for researchers
Rhodes, S. D., Bowie, D. A., & Hergenrather, K. C. (2002) · Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health · doi:10.1136/jech.57.1.68 · Cited by 504
Morgan, M., Gibbs, S., Maxwell, K., & Britten, N. (2002) · Qualitative Research · doi:10.1177/1468794102002001636 · Cited by 443
Researching online populations: the use of online focus groups for social research
Stewart, K., & Williams, M. L. (2005) · Qualitative Research · doi:10.1177/1468794105056916 · Cited by 385
The Use of Focus Group Interviews in Pediatric Health Care Research
Heary, C. (2002) · Journal of Pediatric Psychology · doi:10.1093/jpepsy/27.1.47 · Cited by 361
Suzuki, L. K., & Calzo, J. P. (2004) · Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2004.09.002 · Cited by 307
Elwyn, G. J., Edwards, A., Gwyn, R., & Grol, R. P. T. M. (1999) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.319.7212.753 · Cited by 299
Doing Synchronous Online Focus Groups With Young People: Methodological Reflections
Fox, F. E., Morris, M., & Rumsey, N. (2007) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/1049732306298754 · Cited by 248
Bringing theory to research on computer-mediated comforting communication
Caplan, S. E., & Turner, J. S. (2005) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2005.08.003 · Cited by 181
Methodological Considerations in Children???s Focus Groups
Kennedy, C., Kools, S. M., & Krueger, R. A. (2001) · Nursing Research · doi:10.1097/00006199-200105000-00010 · Cited by 180
Characteristics of the Discussion in Online and Face-to-Face Focus Groups
Schneider, S. J., Kerwin, J., Frechtling, J. A., & Vivari, B. A. (2002) · Social Science Computer Review · doi:10.1177/089443930202000104 · Cited by 180
Zwaanswijk, M., Tates, K., van Dulmen, S., Hoogerbrugge, P. M., Kamps, W. A., & Bensing, J. M. (2007) · BMC Pediatrics · doi:10.1186/1471-2431-7-35 · Cited by 178
Reid, D. J., & Reid, F. J. M. (2005) · International Journal of Market Research · doi:10.1177/147078530504700204 · Cited by 173
The use of focus groups in pediatric and adolescent research
Peterson‐Sweeney, K. (2005) · Journal of Pediatric Health Care · doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2004.08.006 · Cited by 165
Methodological Issues In Web‐based Research
Duffy, M. E. (2002) · Journal of Nursing Scholarship · doi:10.1111/j.1547-5069.2002.00083.x · Cited by 148
Interaction in cyberspace: an online focus group
Kenny, A. J. (2005) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03305.x · Cited by 140
Using Virtual Focus Groups in Qualitative Research
Murray, P. J. (1997) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/104973239700700408 · Cited by 136
Kramish (2001) · doi:10.1097/00003727-200110000-00010 · Cited by 127
Survey among 78 studies showed that Lasagna's law holds in Dutch primary care research
van der Wouden, J. C., Blankenstein, A. H., Huibers, M. J. H., van der Windt, D. A. W. M., Stalman, W. A. B., & Verhagen, A. P. (2007) · Journal of Clinical Epidemiology · doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2006.11.010 · Cited by 122
Spinetta, J. J., Masera, G., Jankovic, M., Oppenheim, D., Martins, A. G., Arush, M. W. B., van Dongen‐Melman, J., Epelman, C. L., Medín, G., Pekkanen, K., et al. (2003) · Medical and Pediatric Oncology · doi:10.1002/mpo.10262 · Cited by 120
Using the internet to conduct research
Ahern, N. R. (2005) · Nurse Researcher · doi:10.7748/nr2005.10.13.2.55.c5968 · Cited by 118
Focus group findings about the influence of culture on communication preferences in end-of-life care
Shrank, W. H., Kutner, J. S., Richardson, T., Mularski, R. A., Fischer, S. M., & Kagawa‐Singer, M. (2005) · Journal of General Internal Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0151.x · Cited by 111
“Focus groups in cyberspace”: using the Internet for qualitative research
O’Connor, H., & Madge, C. (2003) · Qualitative Market Research An International Journal · doi:10.1108/13522750310470190 · Cited by 108
The “Virtual Focus Group”: Using the Internet to Reach Pregnant Women on Home Bed Rest
Adler, C. L., & Zarchin, Y. R. (2002) · Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1552-6909.2002.tb00064.x · Cited by 107
Challenges and Opportunities of eHealth Research
Ahern, D. K. (2007) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2007.01.016 · Cited by 103
Conducting On-Line Focus Groups
J.Gaiser, T. (1997) · Social Science Computer Review · doi:10.1177/089443939701500202 · Cited by 102
An Experimental Comparison of Computer-Mediated and Face-to-Face Focus Groups
Underhill, C. M., & Olmsted, M. G. (2003) · Social Science Computer Review · doi:10.1177/0894439303256541 · Cited by 93
Using Internet Discussion Boards as Virtual Focus Groups
Moloney, M. F., Dietrich, A. S., Strickland, O. L., & Myerburg, S. (2003) · Advances in Nursing Science · doi:10.1097/00012272-200310000-00005 · Cited by 86
Online Focus Groups: Electronic Discussions for Research
Rezabek, R. J. (2008) · Forum qualitative Sozialforschung · doi:10.17169/fqs-1.1.1128 · Cited by 82
The Internet and Opinion Measurement: Surveying Marginalized Populations
Koch, N. S., & Emrey, J. A. (2001) · Social Science Quarterly · doi:10.1111/0038-4941.00012 · Cited by 80
On‐line focus groups: conceptual issues and a research tool
Montoya‐Weiss, M. M., Massey, A. P., & Clapper, D. L. (1998) · European Journal of Marketing · doi:10.1108/03090569810224100 · Cited by 79
Computer-mediated focus groups
Walston, J. T., & Lissitz, R. W. (2000) · Evaluation Review · doi:10.1177/0193841x0002400502 · Cited by 75
Masera, G., Chesler, M. A., Jankovic, M., Ablin, A. R., Arush, M. W. B., Breatnach, F., McDowell, H. P., Eden, T. O. B., Epelman, C. L., Bellani, F. F., et al. (1997) · Medical and Pediatric Oncology · doi:10.1002/(sici)1096-911x(199705)28:5 · Cited by 71
Chase, L., & Álvarez, J. E. (2000) · Library & Information Science Research · doi:10.1016/s0740-8188(00)00050-5 · Cited by 69
Will older persons and their clinicians use a shared decision-making instrument?
Naik, A. D., Schulman‐Green, D., McCorkle, R. C., Bradley, E. H., & Bogardus, S. T. (2005) · Journal of General Internal Medicine · doi:10.1007/s11606-005-0110-8 · Cited by 65
Will older persons and their clinicians use a shared decision-making instrument?
Naik, A. D., Schulman‐Green, D., McCorkle, R. C., et al. (2005) · PubMed · doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0114.x · Cited by 61
Guise, J., Widdicombe, S., & McKinlay, A. (2006) · Health An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health Illness and Medicine · doi:10.1177/1363459307070806 · Cited by 55
Computer-mediated focus group sessions: naturalistic inquiry in a networked environment
Franklin, K. K., & Lowry, C. G. (2001) · Qualitative Research · doi:10.1177/146879410100100204 · Cited by 44
Focus Group Methodology for Patients, Parents, and Siblings
Freeman, K., O'dell, C., & Meola, C. (2001) · Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1053/jpon.2001.28455 · Cited by 31
Methodologic challenges of e-health research
Bowling, J. M., Rimer, B. K., Lyons, E., Golin, C. E., Frydman, G., & Ribisl, K. M. (2006) · Evaluation and Program Planning · doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2006.08.011 · Cited by 28
Kam, L. E., & Chismar, W. G. (2006) · International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management · doi:10.1504/ijhtm.2006.008433 · Cited by 21
Bloor, M., & Wood, F. (2006) · SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781849209403.n101 · Cited by 17
Hew, C. S. (2003) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203221792-6 · Cited by 13
Morgan, M. (2000) · Family Practice · doi:10.1093/fampra/17.suppl_1.s21 · Cited by 8
Kennedy, C., Charlesworth, A., & Chen, J. (2003) · CIN Computers Informatics Nursing · doi:10.1097/00024665-200305000-00007 · Cited by 7
Synchronous Computer Mediated Group Discussion
Gallagher, P. (2005) · CIN Computers Informatics Nursing · doi:10.1097/00024665-200511000-00010 · Cited by 4
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Khalil, R., Mansour, A. E., Fadda, W. A., Almisnid, K., Aldamegh, M., Al-Nafeesah, A., Alkhalifah, A., & Al-Wutayd, O. (2020) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-020-02208-z · Cited by 893
Williams, S. N., Armitage, C. J., Tampe, T., & Dienes, K. (2020) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039334 · Cited by 588
Stewart, D. W., & Shamdasani, P. N. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-52643-5_30-1 · Cited by 329
E-Cigarettes: Prevalence and Attitudes in Great Britain
Dockrell, M. J., Morrison, R., Bauld, L., & McNeill, A. D. (2013) · Nicotine & Tobacco Research · doi:10.1093/ntr/ntt057 · Cited by 314
Why parents refuse childhood vaccination: a qualitative study using online focus groups
Harmsen, I. A., Mollema, L., Ruiter, R. A. C., Paulussen, T. G., de Melker, H. E., & Kok, G. (2013) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-1183 · Cited by 193
Metadata
- Authors
- Tates, K., Zwaanswijk, M., Otten, R., van Dulmen, S., Hoogerbrugge, P. M., Kamps, W. A., & Bensing, J. M.
- Affiliations
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NL)
- Radboud University Medical Center (NL)
- University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
- Utrecht University (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Tates, Kiek
- Venue
- BMC Medical Research Methodology
- Published
- 2009-03-03
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 15-15
- ISSN
- 1471-2288 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC2653071
- OpenAlex
- W2141815831
- Cited by
- 226
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 21.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Medical Research Methodology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- KWF Kankerbestrijding
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Survey Methodology and Nonresponse
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Delphi Technique in Research
- Keywords
- online focus groups, pediatric oncology, childhood cancer, cancer survivors, parents of cancer patients, asynchronous online discussion, participant anonymity, patient and family experiences
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Medical Oncology, Online Systems, Pediatrics, Population, Focus Groups
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
