Dataset Submitted

Focus Groups

Authors: Angela B. Lindsey
Identified On: Mar 12 2021 19:07 UTC
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7266/AQ6909EV
UDI: H4.x953.000:0001
Project Information

Funded By:
National Academies of Sciences Gulf Research Program

Funding Cycle:
Healthy Ecosystems 4

Research Group:
Ecological and Economic Impacts of Land-Use and Climate Change on Coastal Food Webs and Fisheries

Point of Contact

Ricky Telg
University of Florida
rwtelg@ufl.edu

Data Collection Period
2021-04-01
to
2023-08-30
Theme keywords

severe weather events, hurricanes, recreation, irrigated agriculture, loss of habitat, marine animals, climate change, profitability

Abstract:

The Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) will conduct two focus groups of community leaders in areas along Florida’s Gulf Coast, most likely in Cedar Key and Apalachicola in late spring 2021. The PIE Center will analyze data from the focus groups using qualitative methods to identify themes regarding community leaders’ perceptions and knowledge of land use on estuaries.

Suggested Citation:

Angela B. Lindsey. Focus Groups. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/AQ6909EV

Purpose:

Focus groups were held to address objective 4 of the project, which was to integrate results with social science and management actions. Objective 4 included public focus groups, webinars, and a public workshop. The purpose of the focus groups was to understand, at the beginning of the project, the community leader's perceptions and concerns related to climate change and future land use decisions. The community leaders formed an advisory council for the project. They provided feedback to us at different points throughout the project, including scenario development (November 2021 & December 2022 meetings), and sharing information after the project (August 2023 meeting).

Data Parameters and Units:

anonymized audio transcripts

Methods:

Methodology - An in-person focus group was held in April 2021 with community leaders (23). Some members participated via ZOOM due to COVID concerns at the time. An IRB moderator's guide was used to guide the 2-hour discussion. Data was then analyzed using constant comparative, and themes were developed to capture perceptions, knowledge, and concerns over climate change and land use decisions. After creating preliminary project models based on feedback from the April 2021 group, the council convened for a virtual meeting in November 2021. A second focus group was conducted to collect input related to scenario development. A third "check-in" meeting was held in December 2022 to further develop the scenarios with the advisory council.