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    Focus group methodology in a life course approach – individual accounts within a peer cohort group

    Chatrakul Na Ayudhya, Uracha and Smithson, J. and Lewis, S. (2014) Focus group methodology in a life course approach – individual accounts within a peer cohort group. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 17 (2), pp. 157-171. ISSN 1364-5579.

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    Chatrakul Na Ayudhya et al (2014) Focus group methodology in a life course approach (pre-publication version).pdf - Author's Accepted Manuscript

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    Abstract

    This paper explores the use of focus group methodology as part of a life course approach building on Julia Brannen’s pioneering work in these two areas. Much life course research uses individual interviews, including biographical interview techniques. It is less usual to find focus groups used within the life course perspective. This paper draws on a PhD study of young British and Asian adults’ experiences of the transition from university to full-time employment, using focus groups as part of a multi-method approach, within a life course perspective. The study drew explicitly on Julia Brannen’s approach to life course transitions. Three focus group excerpts are presented and discussed to illustrate how focus group data can further the understanding of the ways in which a group of peers discuss the transition to work and especially future work–life balance. We show how focus group discussions about individual choice for future work and ‘life’ or ‘lifestyle’ can highlight shared assumptions of this birth cohort group as well as areas of disagreement and contention, rooted in both individual experiences and societal and socio-cultural expectations. We relate this to Julia Brannen’s conceptualisation of the three different modalities which young people draw on to talk about the future.

    Metadata

    Item Type: Article
    Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis, available online at the link above.
    Keyword(s) / Subject(s): life course approach, focus group methodology, transitions, adulthood, young adults, work-life balance
    School: Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Business and Law > Birkbeck Business School
    Depositing User: Uracha Chatrakul Na ayudhya
    Date Deposited: 10 Jul 2019 12:40
    Last Modified: 02 Aug 2023 17:52
    URI: https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/27971

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