Focus Group Methodology Research Articles

China's Belt and Road Initiative: Motivations for Strategic Decision-Making in Global Transport Operations from a Maritime and Marine Engineering Perspective

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), announced in 2013, is a mega project designed to enhance global transportation infrastructure and stimulate economic development. This study aims to identify and prioritize the key motivational sources driving China's BRI, with a particular focus on economic, political, and strategic considerations. Using PRISMA systematic literature review and focus group methodologies, we identified 26 motivational factors, 16 of which are primarily economic in nature. Among these, 'New business opportunities for Chinese investors' emerged as the most significant driver. In addition to economic motivations, this study highlights the critical importance of marine engineering, ship risk management, and ship machinery innovations in the success of BRI's maritime routes. Safe, efficient maritime transportation is identified as a crucial element for ensuring the operational effectiveness of the Maritime Silk Road. The study further emphasizes the role of maritime safety protocols, infrastructure modernization, and risk mitigation strategies in achieving China's broader geopolitical and economic ambitions through the BRI. Our findings suggest that China’s internal motivations, particularly those related to economic growth and marine transport infrastructure, play a more prominent role than external factors. This underscores the need for policymakers, marine engineers, and transport operators to align their long-term strategies with China’s ambitions, focusing on maritime safety, operational efficiency, and the global competitiveness of China’s marine technologies. The insights gained from this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the strategic importance of maritime infrastructure in shaping the future of global transportation systems under the BRI.

Employer representatives' experiences of supporting employees with cognitive impairments in a digital work environment.

Digital work poses cognitive demands on all employees, but the impact is greater for employees with cognitive impairments. Digitalization also has significant implications for employer representatives as they are responsible for the work environment. However, knowledge is scarce concerning employer representatives' perspectives on identifying needs and support for employees with cognitive impairments working in a digital work environment. To describe employer representatives' experiences of work environment management with focus on employees with cognitive impairments working in a digital environment. Focus group methodology was used. Six employer representatives with work environment responsibilities participated. One overall theme "Mastering the interconnected processes in a transformative digital work environment" as well as three themes "Facilitating good digital work conditions", "Identifying needs and difficulties in work tasks among employees' with cognitive impairments" and "Pursuing knowledge and collaborations to support employees with cognitive impairments" with subthemes were identified. The themes describe employer representatives' challenges and efforts to identify fluctuating needs in employees with cognitive impairments and, also, to organize and reduce cognitive demands in the work environment to support them. Managing the challenges of an evolving digital work environment and matching individual work ability of employees with cognitive impairments in relation to cognitive demands is an ongoing process. The participants valued cooperation with employees with cognitive impairments but lacked support from expertise. The need to develop and implement a functioning support system for vocational rehabilitation to ensure a sustainable work in digital work environments is indicated.

Using historical approaches to understand contemporary student loneliness

ABSTRACT Student loneliness is a global problem, with universities struggling to tackle an issue that has important implications for student success, satisfaction, and mental health. This research uses archival material from the 1960s and 1970s alongside qualitative discussions with contemporary students to explore the ways that experiences of loneliness within British higher education have changed across recent decades. Such an approach bridges the divergent approaches taken by different scholarly disciplines, applying focus group methodologies to the consideration of archival material. For this project five focus groups were held with undergraduate students at four universities in England, Wales and Scotland. This article argues for the contemporary relevance of historical research into student loneliness, exploring student responses to their predecessors’ experiences of loneliness. It argues that equipping undergraduates with a deeper knowledge about their forerunners’ experiences of disconnection can trouble some of the stereotypes, assumptions, and expectations around the sociable ‘student experience’ today. Such an approach has widespread implications for researchers’ and policy makers’ understandings of the potential role of interdisciplinary and humanities-generated knowledge in addressing social problems within higher education.

The Illusion of Competence: A Qualitative Deep Dive into Workplace False Performance.

This qualitative paper develops an understanding of False Performance as a negative form of workplace behaviour which has received scant attention. According to the quantitative literature, which measures False Performance using the Organisational Charlatan Scale (OCS), false performers are incompetent employees who deliberately portray themselves as better able to perform in a job role than they know themselves to be capable. In this study, False Performance was explored in United Kingdom public-sector organisations for the first time, using novel focus-group methodology and grounded theory. Eight focus groups (n = 51) were conducted to explore employees' perceptions and experiences of False Performance, with a focus on job interviews and performance appraisals. Using NVivo for analysis, five categories emerged: Co-Worker Perceptions of False Performance in the Workplace, False Performance in Interview/Appraisal Settings, The Impact of Trust on the False Performer, The Effect of False Performance on Co-Worker Morale, and Preventing False Performance in the Workplace. The results support the literature review that False Performance is a new and negative addition to the taxonomies of job performance. Human resources (HR) managers are, therefore, urged to prevent and reduce False Performance via well-designed selection processes and performance appraisals, thereby improving co-worker trust amongst employees.

Unpacking negative public attitudes towards European union integration: insights from a qualitative study in Slovakia

ABSTRACT In the past decade, the European Union (EU) has faced multiple crises that have weakened support for the concept of an ‘ever closer union,’ particularly among the Visegrad Group’s political elite. Euroscepticism has become a prominent feature of national politics and now extends beyond party lines to individual perspectives. This study explores negative perceptions of European integration in Slovakia, a Visegrad Group member, using focus group methodology. Conducted from 2016 to 2019, it involved 30 focus group sessions. The findings reveal that declining support for EU membership is driven by self-interested motives, emotional factors, and populist rhetoric. While the region has seen macroeconomic progress, many Slovakians feel the personal benefits from EU funds are lacking, exacerbated by perceptions of corruption. Additionally, the EU’s unified labor market is viewed as disruptive, straining family ties and daily life, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

Exploring perceptions of anti-vaping message themes: A qualitative study of Australian adolescents and adults.

Minimising electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) uptake and encouraging vaping cessation have become important components of public health agendas. Given the success of well-designed anti-smoking campaigns, attention has turned to developing health communications that target vaping. Although prior work has identified a range of potentially effective campaign messages, several gaps in the literature remain. We aimed to (i) identify message themes perceived to be effective at minimising e-cigarette use and (ii) elicit opinion on how these message themes could be optimised in terms of message execution and delivery. Focus groups (n = 16) were conducted with adolescents (14-15 and 16-17 year olds), young adults (18-24 year olds), and adults (25-39 year olds). The groups reported on message themes they believed would assist with minimising e-cigarette use. They then provided feedback on 14 message themes developed by the research team. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Groups discussed a range of message themes they believed would be effective. These included themes focused on the health harms associated with vaping, the chemical ingredients in e-cigarettes, use dependence, and social attitudes to use. Groups discussed the importance of using evidence-based personal testimonies, and reported that messages would be most effectively communicated via social media, in public places, and at point of sale. Results build on existing research by identifying message themes perceived to be most effective, and how these would best be executed. Results have the potential to inform the development of co-designed health communication campaigns addressing youth vaping. Using a stratified focus group methodology, we collected rich and detailed qualitative data on Australians' perceptions of anti-vaping message themes. Themes considered most effective were those that addressed the health harms of vaping, the chemical ingredients in e-cigarettes, social consequences of use and the impacts of dependence. We recommend further work to develop and trial a range of specific anti-vaping messages based on the themes identified as having the most potential. This process should include iterative co-design with the target audience to optimise future health communication campaigns.

Do we really need this robot? Technology requirements for vestibular rehabilitation: Input from patients and clinicians

BackgroundA main challenge in many types of physical rehabilitation is patient adherence to recommended exercises. Vestibular rehabilitation is the most effective treatment for the symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, and nausea caused by vestibular disorders, but adherence levels are particularly low as the rehabilitation program calls for many short exercise sets during the day, which can worsen symptoms and impair balance in the short term. Technological tools have the potential to increase adherence, but to date, there has been no comprehensive analysis, in the context of vestibular rehabilitation, of the specific needs from technology, of its limitations, and of concerns regarding its use. ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to identify the main features required from technology for vestibular rehabilitation, as perceived by patients with vestibular disorders and by vestibular physical therapists, using a socially assistive robot as a test case. We seek here to provide practical information for the development of future vestibular rehabilitation technologies which are based on human-computer interaction (HCI) and human-robot interaction (HRI). MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study with six focus groups (N = 39). Three groups of patients with vestibular disorders (N = 18) and three groups of physical therapists (N = 21) participated in this study. The participants answered structured questions on technologies for vestibular rehabilitation, watched a presentation of two videos of a socially assistive robot (SAR), and completed an online survey. Thematic analysis with a mixed deductive and inductive approach was used to analyze the data. ResultsParticipants preferred phone applications or virtual/augmented reality platforms over an embodied robotic platform. They wanted technology to be adaptive to the different stages of rehabilitation, gamified, easy to use, safe, reliable, portable, and accessible remotely by the therapist. They reported that the technology should provide feedback on the quality and quantity of exercise performance and monitor these factors while considering the tolerability of the ensuing disruptive symptoms. Participants expected that using technology as part of the rehabilitation process would shorten exercise sessions and improve clinical outcomes compared to standard care. SARs for vestibular rehabilitation were perceived as useful mostly for children and patients with chronic vestibular disorders, and their potential use for rehabilitation raised concerns regarding safety, ethics, and technical complexity. ConclusionsAlthough SARs can potentially be used to increase exercise adherence, a phone application appears to be a more suitable medium for this purpose, raising fewer notable concerns from users. We provide a summary of perceived advantages and disadvantages of technology for vestibular rehabilitation, as well as a set of specific requirements from it, which may inform the future development of specific supportive technologies. In addition, the focus group methodology employed demonstrates the importance of participatory design in the development of rehabilitation-supportive technology as participants were able to identify the likely inappropriateness of SARs for the specific case of vestibular rehabilitation.

Building A Framework to Promote Corporate Social Innovation: A View from Organizational Culture

This paper proposes a framework that provides an analytical tool to identify key managerial elements and concerns that can improve corporate social innovation (CSI) in organizational culture. It combines a systematic review of the literature and focus group methodologies. The main contribution is the development of a framework composed of analytical categories based on the influence of seven factors and fifteen elements identified from a systematic review of the literature. This article underlines the significant contribution that some factors may play in enabling the role of CSI in organizational culture. This type of research is necessary given the scarcity of proposals in general, and the lack of a specific integrative framework in the field of organizational culture.

Attitudes and beliefs of nurses who choose to not vaccinate for COVID 19 in West Virginia: A qualitative study

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe beliefs and attitudes that underpin vaccine confidence and hesitancy in nurses who chose not to vaccinate for COVID-19. The research question that guided this work was: What are the beliefs and attitudes of nurses who chose to not vaccinate for COVID-19? MethodsThis study followed a focus group methodology to collect qualitative data from focused discussions to gather insights into the beliefs and attitudes of participants. Two focus groups consisting of 3 to 5 participants were conducted virtually. ResultsUsing open coding, six themes were generated. Based on descriptors provided by participants, two themes were focused on beliefs, and four were related to attitudes about the vaccine. Findings suggest that participants' beliefs and attitudes were strengthened during this time in the pandemic. This event further divided nurses included in this study from their peers who chose to vaccinate and their employers who mandated inoculation. ConclusionsUnderstanding the perceptions of this sample has given insight into the thoughts and feelings of nurses who chose not to vaccinate against COVID-19. This is a perspective that is often absent from scientific literature. Knowledge gained from this study may assist in supporting strategies such as open communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration in an effort to mitigate the divide within the nursing workforce, which may ultimately contribute to nursing retention in clinical settings.

Perceived importance of emotional intelligence for clinical pharmacy practice and suggested improvements: a focus group study of postgraduate pharmacists.

Emotional intelligence (EI) is a critical set of skills that impacts clinical pharmacists' well-being and positively influences high-level patient-centred care. Describing pharmacists' perceptions may support the integration of EI development approaches into their professional development continuum. The aim of this study was to analyse pharmacists' perceptions of the characteristics of emotionally intelligent clinical pharmacists, the importance of EI in clinical practice, and educational models and approaches to enhancing EI. A qualitative study with a focus group methodology was conducted with pharmacy practitioners using a semi-structured guide grounded in the EI competency framework and existing qualitative research methodology practices. Purposive sampling was conducted until information and meaning saturation occurred. The focus group recordings were transcribed and independently coded by two researchers. The conventional content analysis of qualitative data was applied with the inductive thematic approach at its core. According to the 17 focus group participants, emotionally intelligent clinical pharmacists are perceived as self-confident communicators who control and manage emotions, work well under pressure, and handle every situation effectively. Emotional self-control, self-awareness, awareness of others, tolerance, understanding, and empathy have emerged as key EI competencies required for challenges in clinical practice. EI lectures with reflections from clinical applications, behaviour modelling, and behaviour-changing methods were perceived to be of particular importance for pharmacist education and development programmes. Postgraduate pharmacy practitioners perceived EI competencies as necessary for their professional success and high-quality patient-centred care. They suggested that EI competencies be a focal point in pharmacy professional development programmes.

Understanding Frailty: Perspectives and Experiences of Rural Older Adults in India.

In India, frailty has been predominantly studied as a physiological aspect, overlooking the subjective perceptions of community-dwelling older adults, which holds global significance. This study aims to explore frailty perceptions among community-dwelling older adults, comparing those enrolled in a geriatric welfare program facility to those not-enrolled. A cross-sectional design with a qualitative descriptive framework was employed, using focus group methodology. The study took place in rural West Bengal, located in eastern India, with a sample of 27 participants aged 60-87 years. Data collection occurred between October 2018 and January 2020, conducted through a face-to-face, semistructured discussion guide. Thematic analysis was performed to ensure data saturation and reliability. Three key themes emerged from the analysis: (a) Perceptions of frailty were associated with aging, functional dependence, and psychosocial health, (b) Exposure to a scientific definition led to an ideological dilemma influenced by personal experiences, (c) Walking speed and grip strength were prominent components of frailty. The findings revealed that there was no difference in perception between program-enrolled and nonenrolled older adults, likely due to the concept of frailty being new to all participants. However, it was noteworthy that participants enrolled in the welfare program exhibited a resilient mindset toward the definition and demonstrated a proactive interest in preserving their overall health. This novel study underscores the necessity of enhancing community awareness and integrating frailty management into the Indian health care system, which is yet to be fully integrated, aiming to promote the well-being of older adults.

The PREVSAM model, “prevention of sickness absence through early identification and rehabilitation of at-risk patients with musculoskeletal disorders”, is seen as beneficial for patients risking persistent musculoskeletal disorders but may be difficult to implement – a focus group study

Purpose The rehabilitation model “Prevention of sickness absence through early identification and rehabilitation of at-risk patients with musculoskeletal disorders” (PREVSAM) was tested in a randomised controlled trial. This study aimed to explore participating healthcare professionals’ experiences of working according to the PREVSAM model, and their perceptions of its clinical benefit and feasibility in primary care rehabilitation. Methods A focus group study including 12 healthcare professionals from five primary care rehabilitation clinics was analysed according to the focus group methodology described by Krueger and Casey. Results Four themes were identified. A clear framework describes how PREVSAM facilitates person-centred teamwork. The value of teamwork highlights benefits and challenges with teamwork. Through thick and thin discusses perceived patient benefits. In the ideal world focusses on feasibility of implementing the model. Conclusions The participants experienced that the PREVSAM model may be beneficial for the patients, for their own work situation and workplace, and for society. Identifying psychological risk factors was perceived as helpful, but not enough to capture patients in need of team-based rehabilitation. While considered feasible, barriers for implementing the model were identified. Managers and healthcare policy makers must prioritise and create appropriate conditions for team-based musculoskeletal rehabilitation in primary care.

Amplifying victim–survivor voices: media power, collective action, and ultra-Orthodox Jewish identity in the Leifer case

This article underscores the transformative impact of victim–survivor voices in reshaping public discourse on child sexual abuse (CSA). The research project took as the backbone for analysis the Malka Leifer case that spanned 15 years and is linked to the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse's report of Case Study 22, which examined responses in ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools to child sexual abuse. Adopting a mixed methods research approach, this study combines qualitative media analysis of 102 news articles and 8 in-depth focus groups to investigate the impact of media outlets in amplifying victim voice and influencing public discourse, and how this impacts the subjects of mediatised public crises. Drawing on the theorising of Couldry and Cottle, the article considers the capacity and limitations of survivor-advocates to leverage media power in the contemporary media system. By exploring the ‘Privileging Victim Voice’ frame, this paper sheds light on how victim–survivor advocates utilised mainstream, local religious, and social media to solidify their central place in the narrative and its reportage. The media analysis served as the foundation for a ‘peer conversation’ style of focus groups with Jewish community members to investigate local impacts of the case's media reportage. The focus group methodology sought to represent this diverse community as wholly as possible. Findings reveal the significant power of journalists’ framing and sourcing practices, and how Jewish institutional child sexual abuse is framed by media outlets within the Australian media landscape. Further, it showcases the broader implications of public inquiries, such as Australia's Royal Commission, in empowering victim–survivors and centreing their narratives in media reportage.

Investigating consumer preferences and experiences of telehealth services in Australian allied health practice: a study protocol

IntroductionTelehealth service provision and uptake has rapidly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing healthcare to be delivered safely and reducing non-essential face-to-face (F2F) contact. In Australia, the expansion of subsidisation...

Parents’ experiences of treatment and outcomes in high-grade vesicoureteral reflux in infants – One piece in the puzzle of VUR management?

Countless papers have been published regarding the management and clinical outcome of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), still no active treatment has been proven superior to another, regarding preserving renal function. When considering comparable treatment alternatives, qualitative research is needed to understand the parents' perspectives and preferences. This study aims to describe the parents' experiences of infant high-grade VUR (hVUR) regarding continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP), surgical intervention (SI), urinary tract infection (UTI) and renal damage. We performed four randomized, semi-structured focus groups (FG) with 19 parents to 15 children (aged 1,5-6 years). All children had been diagnosed with hVUR at <8 months of age and treated with CAP (all groups) and SI (two groups). Discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed to content. The sample size for the FGs was based on category saturation, which was confirmed through comparison analysis in multiple FGs. The FGs generated 2,897 parent-reported experiences, of which this study reports on 1,123, sorted into the abovementioned four themes and underlying categories. Negative experiences regarding CAP, such as stress regarding the daily intake and worries about long-term use and side effects, were abundant, whereas positive experiences were few. The experiences regarding SI were negatively affected by inadequate information and postoperative difficulties and positively by empathy, accurate information and adequate preparations. The increased risk of UTIs were described as a constant emotional stress causing restricted social activities, frequent visits to the hospital and challenges regarding urine-sampling. There was a common awareness of renal damage, but few experiences reflected any actual worry. The daily struggle with medications and monitoring for symptoms, concerns of future antibiotic resistance and a parental preference of SI have been documented in previous studies. FG methodology effectively collects data from several participants during the same occasion, the goal being to generate discussions that enable researchers to see the world from the participants' perspective. Since the management of infants with hVUR is still under debate, qualitative research can remind of valuable patient and parent perspectives. This study shows that CAP and the risk of UTI have non-negligible, everyday impact on family life, while renal damage seems of secondary importance. The concerns of surgical treatment are related to an isolated occasion, which can be optimized with proper care and improved preoperative preparations. Awareness of parents' experiences and preferences is helpful when managing children with hVUR.

The Impact of Internships on Nursing Students During the Epidemic and the Response of Clinical Preceptors

Background: For nursing students’ inadequate experience in clinical internships due to the COVID-19 epidemic, most schools responded with adjustment involving various modes of teaching. Nevertheless, the impact on nursing students has been an important issue.Aim: From the perspective of clinical preceptors, to investigate the learning impact on nursing students during the epidemic and the response of clinical preceptors.Subject and methods: A total of 9 clinical preceptors were interviewed following focus group methodology based on an outline for self-developed structured interview. The results of interviews were further analyzed using qualitative research.Results: The follows were found from the perspective of clinical preceptors: The impacts on students during the epidemic include “lack of real-life communication”, “lack of clinical scenario”, “less mature skills”, and “worry”. The responses from clinical preceptors during the epidemic include: “comfort or care”, “providing protective equipment”, and “teaching students in accordance with their aptitude”. The epidemic affects the capability of nursing students in clinical care, for which clinical preceptors expect the hospital end to “provide adequate manpower”, “prolong the adaptation period for students” to assist nursing students in adapting to the workplace.Conclusion: Nursing students’ internships at hospitals were affected during the epidemic, which further leads to the inadequate capability in clinical care from nursing students. Therefore, providing individual guidance by workplaces is an essential measure.

Use of eye-gaze technology feedback by assistive technology professionals: findings from a thematic analysis

Purpose: Eye-gaze technology offers professionals a range of feedback tools, but it is not well understood how these are used to support decision-making or how professionals understand their purpose and function. This paper explores how professionals use a variety of feedback tools and provides commentary on their current use and ideas for future tool development.Methods and Materials: The study adopted a focus group methodology with two groups of professional participants: those involved in the assessment and provision of eye-gaze technology (n = 6) and those who interact with individuals using eye-gaze technology on an ongoing basis (n = 5). Template analysis was used to provide qualitative insight into the research questions.Results: Professionals highlighted several issues with existing tools and gave suggestions on how these could be made better. It is generally felt that existing tools highlight the existence of problems but offer little in the way of solutions or suggestions. Some differences of opinion related to professional perspective were highlighted. Questions about automating certain processes were raised by both groups.Conclusions: Discussion highlighted the need for different levels of feedback for users and professionals. Professionals agreed that current tools are useful to identify problems but do not offer insight into potential solutions. Some tools are being used to draw inferences about vision and cognition which are not supported by existing literature. New tools may be needed to better meet the needs of professionals and an increased understanding of how existing tools function may support such development.

Schools’ Challenges in Distance Learning during Emergency Education: Focus Group Methodology

The present research uses the focus group discussion methodology to report the challenges met by the educational system in distance education during emergency education. It shows the different potentialities of this use. In doing this, it studies the practices used by schools during emergency education. Furthermore, the research verifies the suggestions given by a group of educationists to cope with challenges in emergency education. A focus group of nine participants met in the frame of a Ph.D. course to discuss the issues in which the present research is interested, and the number of discussion sessions was four. The research results indicated that the reasons varied for agreement and disagreement in the FGDs, where these reasons were mostly experience-based, perception-based, affiliation-based, inconsideration-based, compromise-based, and suggestion-based. Moreover, the types of agreement and disagreement were mostly complementary, vis-à-vis agreement-with-objection and agreement-with-advancement. The facilitator performed the following different functions: (1) initiator, (2) caring about the different voices in the FGD, and thus encouraging equity in the FGD, (3) making the discussion smooth, (4) advancing the discussion, (5) and orchestrating the discussion. In addition, the discussion of the participants addressed challenges related to the teachers, to the Ministry of Education, and to the resources. The schools’ and the Ministry of Education’s practices included different actions in an attempt to overcome the challenges of distance education: holding workshops related to distance education, suggesting the schools as places for the teachers to teach their online lessons, and making declarations for the public and families. The suggestions given by the participants to maintain and improve online learning included communicating with the students and holding workshops for the professional development of teachers at regular times. Close relationships between the Ministry of Education, the schools, and the parents were recommended in order to maintain an acceptable level of distance education.

Smart and Sustainable City Experience on Smart Campus: A Case Study from Hassan Ist University

The desire to meet the demands of regional competition requires cities to adopt new patterns of urban management. In this sense, the trend at the global level is to use smart city standards by investing in the digital transformation of various public services in cities. In recent years, many efforts have been made in many Moroccan cities to improve their attractiveness by being part of the process of upgrading and enhancing their territories through the implementation of major infrastructure projects and the digitalization of urban administrations.&#x0D; This study was conducted to examine the feasibility of a smart campus as a discounted smart city, and it relies on the dissemination of a quantitative survey, via a questionnaire (live and online), supplemented by a qualitative survey based on focus group methodology. We have gained a broader perspective that allowed us to understand the reality of things on campus. The study also showed that there are many efforts that the university must take in conjunction with developing its plan to advance Hassan I University to the ranks of smart universities.&#x0D; This article is part of a study proposing a strategy for developing the campus of Hassan I University of Settat to be a smart one.

Orchestrating the climate choir: the boundaries of scientists’ expertise, the relevance of experiential knowledge, and quality assurance in the public climate debate

Scientific knowledge is at the heart of discussions about climate change. However, it has been proposed that the apparent predominance of climate science in the societal debate should be reconsidered and that a more inclusive approach is warranted. Further, the introduction of new communication technology has made the information environment more fragmented, possibly endangering the quality of societal deliberation on climate change concerns. Using focus group methodology, this paper explores how climate scientists, climate journalists, and citizens perceive scientific experts’ mandate when they communicate publicly, the role of experiential knowledge in discussions of climate-related issues, and who the three actors prefer to guard the quality of the climate information exchanged in the public sphere. The findings show that scientific experts are perceived to carry a high degree of legitimacy, but only within their own narrow specialty, while experiential knowledge was seen as more useful in applied domains of science than in arcane research fields. In the new media landscape, journalists are still generally preferred as gatekeepers by all three actor types.