In social and behavioral science research, a focus group is seen as the best way to gather data from several participants in a short amount of time. An investigator’s use of focus groups can qualify for exemption from IRB Review [CFR 46.104]. Focus groups are considered to be in the same category as surveys and interviews; data collected must come are from adults (at least 18 years old) and must not be both sensitive and identifiable.
Examples of focus group research include:
- Asking about an experience or an opinion of a community program
- Asking outpatients who have diabetes to participate in a focus group about their exercise habits.
- Interviewing managers about a management style or best practice
- Discussion among professionals (e.g. social workers, counselors) discussing sensitive topics (e.g. approaches to treating domestic abuse survivors). Be advised these social workers, counselors, etc. may not reveal identifiable patient information.
Focus group research cannot qualify for exemption if:
- participants are younger than 18 years of age,
- the discussion involves the subjects revealing sensitive information about themselves (e.g. substance abuse, HIV status, domestic violence, etc.), even if the investigator does not link subject identifiers to the data *(see note below), or
- where disclosure of the participant’s responses outside the research could reasonably place the participants at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the participants’ financial standing, employability or reputation
* Note: If an investigator plans to use audio or video recording or responses and is collecting sensitive information, the IRB believes the investigator cannot guarantee that the focus group members themselves will keep the information confidential. Therefore, focus group research of this nature using recording devices must be submitted, at the minimum, for expedited review.
Conducting focus groups using video conferencing platforms
While UMBC is in a state of Research Mode Maintenance, current UMBC lab facilities may not available for conducting in-person focus groups. As such, PIs may plan to conduct research at non-UMBC venues (such as libraries, workspaces on conference rooms). The Governor of Maryland has directed that many public placed be closed during the COVID-19 event. Note that such venues may not be able to provide space for the recommended social distancing. The ORPC recommends that PIs consider using telephone or virtual/online formats, such as WebEx, to interact with and/or conduct focus groups. Additional information regarding confidentiality and data security requirements are found on the ORPC myUMBC site.
Guidance on conducting focus groups
- Participants should be informed about the topics that will be discussed and who will participate in the focus group so that they may make an informed decision to participate beforehand. This is especially important for research that will engage sensitive topics and are considered more than minimal risk.
- Participants should be informed before the focus group if the session will be audio or video recorded. Participants should also be informed about what will be done with these recordings. If audio or video from the focus groups will be used for something other than data analysis for the approved protocol (i.e. – future research studies, educational purposes, conference presentations, etc.) then participants must explicitly agree to this in the form of a checked box agreeing to or not agreeing to have their video/audio used for the above purposes in the consent form.
- The nature of a focus group is such that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. The researchers must provide participants with the procedures in place to maintain confidentiality of the research data and they must inform participants not to repeat what is said in the focus group to others.
- All focus group studies must include a reminder to the group to keep the discussion confidential. This should be included in the consent information and in the facilitator’s introduction to the group.
- Suggestions for consent form wording can be found in the IRB’s Adult consent template.