Everyday talk: self-directed peer focus groups with diverse youth

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article reviews the use of self-directed peer focus groups – a qualitative participatory strategy developed to reduce the influence of an adult researcher and enhance diverse young people’s everyday talk. While similar to youth peer-led interview methodologies, this strategy differed as it did not appoint peer interviewers, but instead encouraged self-directed group discussions, lightly structured through task-based activities and question prompts. This strategy considerably reduced the role and power of the researcher by enabling participants to engage in everyday discussions about potentially sensitive issues with familiar peers. The informality of peer discussions also captured dynamic, emergent understandings about complex ideas and concepts. The strategy, however, did not entirely remove aspects of power within peer relationships that resulted in some participants being silenced while others dominated conversations. The article critically reflects on the potential this strategy holds to open up dialogic space for diverse groups to consider complex topics.