The Comparability of Focus Group and Survey Results

This article compares focus group findings with those of surveys on the same topics in three studies in order to determine the extent to which the two methodologces yield similar results. The studies included two follow-ups of tubal ligation acceptors (in Guatemala and Zaire) and research concerning attitudes toward vasectomy in Honduras. On 88% of the variables, the results from the two methods were similar; moreover, in half of the cases, the focus groups provided additional detail. The research suggests that focus groups and surveys provide consistent results on the types of variables for which focus groups are appropriate.