Focus groups and other methods for increased effectiveness of community intervention--a review

In the evaluation of community intervention program both quantitative and qualitative methods are essential for analysis of effectiveness and impact. Evaluation of such programs is affected by unique theoretical, conceptual, methodological, analytical and political impediments. In this article different methods are briefly reviewed. Among these are survey methods, focus groups and related interview methods, ethnographic and other qualitative methods. In Orebro, a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods has been used in the planning of community intervention with two suburban areas. The quantitative approach was used to prioritize between different problems and intervention areas. The planning and implementation of the intervention were based on qualitative studies. Professionals, local citizens and the researchers cooperated in these action oriented research projects.