1. Why would one choose to conduct a focus group rather than a focused interview? (some reasons)

Identify patterns in the emergence and transmission of knowledge- diffusion of knowledge from one sub cultural world to another; Describe how are ideas conveyed and how are they modified in the course of diffusion; Identify patterns of change in the diffusion of innovations from science into practice.

2. Why does Merton emphasize the sociological caveat of a ‘group’?

For sociologists, a group signifies a common identity, continuing unity, shared norms and goals. In a focus group interview, the researcher creates a temporary interaction among members who have a commonly shared experience or event.

3. What are the advantages and limitations of a focus group interview?

Create the opportunity for engagement that would otherwise never occur in a natural setting. I the focus group interview attention is placed upon naturally occurring behavior of individual brought together to discuss and compare accounts and problems from participant’s experiences. Potential for contamination does exist: where individuals either attempt to come to ‘mutual’ agreement or contamination of personal experiences by talking about them in a group atmosphere.

3. Why the need for both qualitative and quantitative methods (design) when conducting focus group interviews?

The identification of meaningful patterns (ideas) require a balance of both methodologies:

Federal initiative on behalf of National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), Center for Mental Health Services/Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CMHS/CSAT) to improve housing and social outcomes for women who are caring for their families, are homeless, and have psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders. Aim is to better understand issues involving homeless families, including minority families with a focus upon

Co-occurring disorders in the homeless population; Homeless children; Prevalence and characteristics of homeless families; Homeless mothers; Causes of homelessness (pathways); Social Identity (acceptance of, negotiation of, exiting role)

Personal accounts of being homeless are not available to us through FG. The FG is a research created situation: an attempt to create conversations that never otherwise occur in a ‘natural’ setting. The focus is on the naturally occurring behavior of individuals brought together to discuss and compare accounts and problems of being homeless. In this sense the FG will draw on the range of experience among those in groups. Focus is on the active comparisons and discussions generated from FG are used in lieu of detailed accounts of unique experiences of particular individuals.

1. By Latina/African American/Possibly multi-racial – (lit. indicates might be issue for pathways and identity- enough for a 3^rd group?)

2. Separate out for both minorities, possible three: can we do 4 (four) total: 2 Latina/2 African American – 1 Multi-racial

3. Prelims – for Latinas and African Americans

4. Size –Average: 6 member group; 90 minutes; each individual speaks approximately 3 minutes.

Women and children are separated into three subgroups, depending on their level of MH/SA as this affects their readiness for entering into program- i.e., get homes. Is there any reason to consider conducting the focus groups along these levels? - Latina/African American according to level of impairment?

Interest: Advisory Committee: This group is composed of individuals who are current consumers/former consumers. Is there a benefit to including a FG on these individuals as a comparison to those who are entering program? Might be relevant to access/barrier as these individuals will influence program. Look for their own experiences; how they were served; how their conceptions of being homeless may have changed as a result of program/experience.

Future FG potential: The Client Servers. Interesting to note experiences of providers and their contact with clients. Typology: Wake Service Team- service providers; Wake Team – Agency executives who have a sense of system barriers. MA seems to have most direct and timely contact with mothers/children. Benefit to get their views prior to project; mid-project, and after project? Especially since MA are to help identify family strengths, weaknesses, barriers to self-sufficiency, and develop working plan. Look for:

	· Is there a common understanding of problems faced by clients- what it means to be homeless; origins of homelessness- how they come to be homeless
	· What program is suppose to provide
	· Experiences working with homeless clients

Advisory Group Topics: What they expect us to collect-

Services

	· Access
	· Appropriateness –vague-**USAGE: explores what clients believe is appropriate? Need to discuss what they ‘need’ vs. what they ‘used’
	· Timeliness
	· Cost
	· Information/Service: who gets it and how; what is it; what is done with it? (appropriateness)

Pathways:

	· Work
	· Finances
	· Violence
	· Behavioral/emotional
	· Substance Usage
	· Confidentiality safeguards and assessment issues

We would want to include additional information in focus groups. Not necessarily new, but would elaborate on above issues, probe further to get an understanding of the impact of gender, ethnicity, and role occupancy: entering and exiting ‘homeless’ role: (Rose Ebaugh):

**Dynamics

	What prompted seeking support- varies over time?
	Stop receiving support that was made available – why?
	Other support sought not through program – why?

**Ordered Meanings/ Enter homeless roles-

	Meaning of homelessness- IMAGES versus Identity – (before and after )
	How and why sought assistance
	Meanings of disorders – impact upon homelessness
	Impact on mother’s identity/role
	Impact upon children

**Ethnicity and Role Overlap- advantageous or detrimental -

· Impact of being a ‘single mother’ –

	· Impact of being Hispanic/African American
	· Impact of being a single mother who is Hispanic/African American mother-

**Trust, Respect, Self-Esteem

	how have these changed throughout process
	how might programs foster and encourage
	how might programs deter or discourage

**Family structure and support

	Family structure prior to homeless- nuclear, extended, community-extended
	Life support prior to homeless-
	Help issues: prior help episodes, types of help received; impact of social support
	How did this change after being homeless?
	Desire to re-establish ties – why?

**Exit Homeless Role-

	Work- what type of job
	Function/cope – day-to-day life expectations
	Parenting – what type of mother to children
	Spouse – desire to have mate/significant other
	Family/Friends – desire to re-establish ties?