A Focus Group Research in the Frame of the AUTODRIVING Project Under Lockdown Conditions

Abstract

In the frame of AUTODRIVING Project addressing automation in the road system, a Focus Group (FG) study was planned and setup targeting the collection of data to be used in the definition of details for the experimental project phase: the tests on a driving simulator. Having followed the FG procedure and prepared every required methodological tool, the planned FG sessions were ready to start when the pandemic outbreak imposed a lockdown for several months, which led to plan remote FG sessions. Thus, the planned FG sessions have been converted into remote FG sessions. Furthermore, most of the previously selected participants couldn’t participate, and the methodological procedure had to be re-initiated according to the new conditions imposed by the COVID 19 lockdown situation. The FG results were poorer than expected but the methodology for FG remote sessions has been set up and improved as the researchers’ experience was increased.