Crowd-sourced focus groups on Twitter: 140 characters of research insight

Abstract

Researchers have traditionally relied on in-person focus groups to test and obtain feedback regarding behavioral and technology-based interventions for specific disease processes. An increasing generation of engaged and connected patients turn to Twitter, a popular microblogging service, to discuss health related topics. Regularly scheduled Twitter-based chats (tweetchats) can potentially function as an additional source of input and information from a diverse, global group of engaged participants. We report the first use of a “tweetchat focus group” to explore data collection issues using this methodology. The speed at which tweetchat conversations occur, coupled with the ability to pursue multiple streams of conversation both in real time and in a delayed fashion, make tweetchat data collection particularly challenging. We discuss important considerations and preparation that should be undertaken by the researchers prior to initiating a tweetchat focus group, consider facilitation challenges and issues of confidentiality.