Using a multi-location, longitudinal focus group method to conduct qualitative research into the role of public libraries

A novel multi-location longitudinal focus group method was deployed as part of a doctoral study on the role of UK public libraries. This work was completed part-time at Edinburgh Napier University between 2013 and 2020. Over a period of three years, fifty-three participants took part in three rounds of focus group meetings in eight public library authorities in England and Scotland. The collection of data in this manner offered several advantages for the assembly of a rich data set for qualitative analysis. In particular, the revisiting of project themes on three occasions supported an increase in the level of sophistication and depth of discussion amongst the study participants. The main drawback of the approach was participant attrition.