Use of focus groups for the environmental health researcher.

Qualitative research techniques, such as focus groups, are often underutilized by the environmental health researcher. Researchers can use the data from focus groups for study planning and implementation, as well as the interpretation of study results. Focus group data can also be used to understand community risk perceptions and potential barriers to co munity acceptance of programs and policies. This paper describes the value of focus groups for the environmental health researcher. Examples from the literature are inccorporated to demonstrate the effective use of focus groups in a variety of environmental health research settings. A brief review of data analysis approaches, including commercially available software, is provided. The authors encourage increased application of this and other qualitative research methods in environmental health research.