A Review On Online Focus Group Discussion During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Purpose Of The Study: The Rapid Development Of Technology Nowadays Has Bring About The Possibility Of Conducting Focus Group Discussion Virtually. An Online Focus Group Discussion Was Conducted In This Study With The Objective Of Administering A Needs Assessment To Design An Effective Drug Prevention Program Among High-Risk Youths. This Article Reports A Thorough Review On The Procedures Involved To Conduct Online Focus Group Discussion During The COVID-19 Pandemic As Well As The Benefits And Limitations Along The Process. Methodology: 10 Focus Groups Were Conducted Virtually Involving Youths From High-Risk Areas. Each Group Comprised 5 Participants With A Total Of 50 Participants. All Online Focus Group Sessions Were Audio And Video Recorded With The Participants’ Consent For The Purpose Of Verification, Transcribing, And Analysis Process. Main Findings: The Article Concludes That Online Focus Group Discussion Is Benefiting The Researchers As Well As The Participants As It Provides Flexibility In Terms Of Time And Venue. This Is Because The Participants Had The Liberty And Flexibility To Join The Discussions From Their Home Or Workplace. Online Focus Group Also Widens The Opportunity To Gather More In-Depth And Deeper Data From The Discussions And Arguments Between The Participants. However, It Is Believed That Online Focus Group Might Cause The Interactions Between The Participants To Be Less Dynamic. Novelty/Originality Of The Study: This Study Was Conducted Amidst The Movement Restrictions Due To The COVID-19 Pandemic. Thus, It Calls For Future Studies On The Effectiveness Of Online Focus Group Discussion As Compared To The Conventional Face-To-Face Method.