Contextualised Environment Influence on Group Dynamics

The aim of this study was to unfold how a focal group’s initial and future dynamics are influenced by its interaction both within and between its contextualised environment over. To fulfil this aim, I applied inductive reasoning by gathering data from multiple sources to support my theoretical propositions (Copi, Cohen, & Flage, 2007). My data gathering strategies applied a multi-method research strategy (Brewer & Hunter, 2006), collecting data from as many sources as possible to flesh out an understanding of a group’s behaviours from the perspective of the members. The multi-method research strategy entailed my collection of data from participant observations, use of field notes, completion of semi-structured interviews, and a review of the focal group’s historical documents, which provided me with another source of authenticity through triangulation. The methods that I applied to account for my preconceptions were a part of a multistage process that included having my participant observations of focal group meetings digitally recorded and transcribed by a third party. A third-party transcriber provided me with data that was free of my interpretation regarding what was said and by whom. Upon completion of the transcription, I used my research field notes to record events and incidents that I noted during meetings and interviews. After each meeting or interview, I completed a self-debrief to ascertain if, when, and to what degree my preconceptions may have played in my interpretations. Three points guided the multi-method research strategy: the type of research questions I raised, the degree of control I had over the studied phenomenon, and whether the source(s) of group data were current versus historical (Yin, 2009). My research questions were asking how and why group dynamics emerge when a group interacts both within and across multiple contextual fields over time. I exerted no control over my studied phenomena (group interplay). Where instances of researcher influence did occur (researcher preconceptions), they were documented to ensure that my interpretations were authentic to those displayed through group interplay. By being aware of these incidents, I gained a greater insight into the perspectives of the focal group through my interpretations of how they interacted.本研究旨在阐明焦点群体（focal group）的初始与未来动态，如何随时间受其所处情境化环境内部及跨环境的交互作用影响。为达成这一研究目标，本研究采用归纳推理（inductive reasoning）方法，通过多源数据收集以支撑理论命题（Copi, Cohen, & Flage, 2007）。本研究的数据收集策略采用多方法研究范式（multi-method research strategy），尽可能从多渠道采集数据，以从群体成员视角全面理解群体行为（Brewer & Hunter, 2006）。该多方法研究范式涵盖参与者观察法、实地笔记记录法、半结构化访谈（semi-structured interviews）实施，以及焦点群体历史文献梳理，通过三角验证（triangulation）为研究结果提供了另一重效度支撑。为处理自身先入之见，本研究采用了多阶段流程：首先将焦点群体会议的参与者观察内容进行数字化录制，并交由第三方转录。第三方转录者所提供的数据，未掺入我对言说内容及言说者的主观解读。转录完成后，我结合研究实地笔记，记录会议与访谈期间观察到的事件与现象。在每场会议或访谈结束后，我会完成自我复盘，以确认自身先入之见何时、以何种程度影响了我的解读。多方法研究范式遵循三大原则：一是所提出的研究问题类型，二是对研究现象的可控程度，三是群体数据来源为当前资料还是历史资料（Yin, 2009）。本研究的核心问题为：群体在随时间跨多个情境场域交互的过程中，其动态是如何产生、因何产生的。本研究未对所观测的群体交互现象施加任何控制。若出现研究者主观影响（即研究者先入之见）的情况，均会予以记录，以确保我的解读真实反映群体交互所展现的内容。通过对这类情况的觉察，我能够通过解读群体的交互方式，更深入地理解焦点群体的视角。