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The focus group: a tool for programme planning, assessment and decision-making--an American view
B Glitz1, C Hamasu, H Sandstrom
1National Network of Libraries of Medicine/Pacific Southwest Region, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA. bglitz@ucla.edu
Health Information and Libraries Journal
|March 22, 2001
Summary
Focus groups effectively identified hospital librarians' needs for integrating electronic resources. This qualitative research method informed program planning, leading to successful symposiums and meetings for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Southwest Region.
Area of Science:
- Library and Information Science
- Qualitative Research Methodology
Background:
- Hospital librarians require support in integrating electronic resources into library services.
- Effective program planning necessitates understanding specific user needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the focus group process utilized with hospital librarians.
- To illustrate the effectiveness of focus groups for library program planning and needs assessment.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research technique involving focus groups.
- Systematic process including participant selection, question development, and data analysis.
- Application of findings to plan library programs and events.
Main Results:
- Focus groups successfully identified specific needs of hospital librarians regarding electronic resource integration.
- Data gathered informed the planning of a symposium and subsequent meetings.
- Resulting programs and activities effectively addressed identified needs.
Conclusions:
- Focus groups are a valuable and effective tool for needs assessment in library settings.
- This methodology supports successful program planning and decision-making for libraries.
- The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Southwest Region (NN/LM/PSR) successfully utilized focus groups for program development.