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Considerations When Conducting Research Focus Groups with Families and Friends of Homicide Victims

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Title: Considerations When Conducting Research Focus Groups with Families and Friends of Homicide Victims
Language: English
Authors: Jeanna M. Mastrocinque (ORCID 0000-0001-7229-5993)
Source: Field Methods. 2026 38(2):184-192.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Focus Groups, Victims of Crime, Research Methodology, Researchers, Confidentiality, Environmental Influences, Geographic Location, Mental Health, Barriers, Teamwork, Time, Social Support Groups, Family (Sociological Unit), Friendship
DOI: 10.1177/1525822X261434424
ISSN: 1525-822X
1552-3969
Abstract: Research with families and friends of homicide victims (FFHV) requires researchers to consider how to best protect participants. Due to the nature of this type of research, researchers need to be aware of concerns such as sensitivity due to the emotional weight of sharing about their loved one, mental health, and trauma. Although there has been an increase in research focused on FFHV, no known research has provided guidance on considerations for holding focus groups (FG) with FFHV. Based on several years of holding focus groups with FFHV, this short take provides suggestions that include the following: selecting a research team; confidentiality; victim-informed questions; the research environment; research time and location; mental health concerns; participant burden; support information; concluding the groups; and researcher transparency and accountability.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502848
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Research with families and friends of homicide victims (FFHV) requires researchers to consider how to best protect participants. Due to the nature of this type of research, researchers need to be aware of concerns such as sensitivity due to the emotional weight of sharing about their loved one, mental health, and trauma. Although there has been an increase in research focused on FFHV, no known research has provided guidance on considerations for holding focus groups (FG) with FFHV. Based on several years of holding focus groups with FFHV, this short take provides suggestions that include the following: selecting a research team; confidentiality; victim-informed questions; the research environment; research time and location; mental health concerns; participant burden; support information; concluding the groups; and researcher transparency and accountability.
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      – SubjectFull: Focus Groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Victims of Crime
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      – SubjectFull: Research Methodology
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      – SubjectFull: Confidentiality
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      – SubjectFull: Environmental Influences
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      – SubjectFull: Mental Health
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Teamwork
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      – SubjectFull: Family (Sociological Unit)
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      – SubjectFull: Friendship
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