Focus Group Research: Towards an Applicable Model for Africa
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2005-01
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Topical Issues in Communications and Media Research, New York: Nova Science Publishers
Abstract
Over the last two decades, African communication scholars, educationists and researchers
have realised there exist “certain limitations of the western social research methods when
used in the rural areas of Africa” (Obeng-Quaidoo, 1985, p. 109). It has been observed that
many of the concepts and models learnt during postgraduate study in developed countries are
sometimes not workable in developing countries due to problems of illiteracy, poverty and
complex social structures. Limitations manifest when Western notions of social science
research are used in much of Africa and other parts of the developing world, especially in
rural areas, due to their peculiarities, which distinguish them from developed environments
(Obeng-Quaidoo, 1983;1 Maynard-Tucker, 2000; Vissandjée, Abdool, & Dupéré, 2002;
Winslow, Honein, & Elzubeir, 2002; Laverack & Brown, 2003;). Obeng-Quaidoo (1985)
observes that even though “science is universal and transferable, the methodologies and
technologies for obtaining scientific knowledge are not universal” (p. 110). He argues that
discussions of “methodological innovations” should be situated within specific “cultural
imperatives” (p. 110).
Halloran (2002)2 argues in support of situating media studies in local environments
because news processes (gathering, processing and dissemination or sharing) are impinged
upon by many factors, some of which are political, sociological, cultural and economic.
Similarly, social science research is impinged upon by the environment in which it is
conducted. The “choice of research problems and of what methodological approach is used to
study these problems,” is usually influenced by social and political factors (Priest, 1996, p. 5)
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Amoakohene, M. I. (2005). Focus Group Research: Towards an Applicable Model for Africa. In K. Kwansah-Aidoo (Ed.), Topical Issues in Communications and Media Research, New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 2005, pp. 173-197. [ISBN: 1594542791]